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Linkin Park, Joan Jett, Warren G & More At 6th Annual Sunset Strip Music Festival
Haven’t been to the Sunset Strip in awhile? There’s a reason to go back this week. Now in its sixth year, the SSMF—Sunset Strip Music Festival (Aug. 1-3)—brings together a mix of established and up-and-coming rock and rap artists to hallowed Sunset Strip venues like the Roxy, the Viper Room, the Whiskey a Go Go and culminates in a huge outdoor street party on Saturday.
While Linkin Park headlines the outdoor festivities, there are plenty of other acts to catch during the festival’s three days. Things kick off on Thursday night when Joan Jett is presented with the Elmer Valentine award as the 2013 SSMF honoree. She’ll be the first woman to receive the award and the only honoree to perform at their tribute ceremony (with the Blackhearts). The concert, which is being held at the House of Blues, is for three-day festival passholders only, though.)
These other SSMF shows and happenings caught our attention:
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> On Friday, there’s a free Jack Daniels/Swing House Studios SSMF pre-fest party from 7-11 pm located in the lot across from The Roxy. Bands playing include Franky Perez & The Truth, Jessica Childress, Great White Buffalo, Exist Elsewhere withtheIndependent.fm DJs. Food trucks, naturally, will be onhand to feed the masses, including the Grilled Cheese Truck, Border Grill, Joe’s Pizza.
> Scott Weiland & The Wildabouts play The Viper Room on Friday and Saturday night. It’s Scott Weiland. On the Sunset Strip. Who knows what will happen?
> At Saturday’s street festival, there’s tons of music to be found on the two outdoor stages as well as inside the clubs. Artists on the outdoor stages include Wale, Awolnation, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Logic, Asher Roth and Andy Clockwise, but, really, we can’t wait to catch old school rappers Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh—as well as Warren G, who plays a set at the Roxy.
Festival tips: The 2013 SSMF Street Fest on Saturday runs from 2-11 pm with full closure of the Strip between Doheny Drive and San Vicente Boulevard. Enter the festival at Sunset and and San Vicente (outside of the Whisky A Go-Go.) VIP ticket holders should enter the festival at Doheny and Sunset. Alcohol and food will be available for purchase at the Fest, so outside food and beverages aren’t permitted. While there are plenty of $10 parking lots available, we recommend parking at the Pacific Design Center on Melrose because there’s a FREE shuttle service provided to main festival’s entrance.
Tickets: $79 for advanced general admission street festival tickets, which includes entrance to The Roxy, The Whisky and The Viper Room (more than 70 bands play on Saturday). VIP Street Fest tickets are $145 and the three-day VIP passes are $250.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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