Mavis Staples with The Suffers, Hosted by KCRW DJ Gary Calamar

The Twilight Concert Series, now in its 32nd year, is the premier free outdoor summer music series of Southern California. Straddling both the Pier and beach, these concerts are a festival of emerging and classic artists. Come enjoy the atmosphere while waves crash and the Ferris wheel lights up your warm summer night.

Parking + Public Transportation

Parking details here

Mavis Staples

Mavis Staples is living, breathing history. She is an alchemist of American music, having continuously crossed genre lines like no musician since Ray Charles. Weaving herself into the very fabric of gospel, soul, folk, pop, R&B, blues, rock, and  hip hop over the last 60 years, this iconic singer has seen and sung through so many  changes, always rising up to meet every road.

Now in her seventh decade, with the release of her new album Livin’ on a High Note (ANTI-), she is only gaining momentum. Produced by M. Ward with songs by Neko Case, Justin Vernon, Nick Cave, Ben Harper, tUnE-yArDs, Aloe Blacc and others, the  album serves as a summation and furtherance of her illustrious career. Refusing to fade away, she continues to tour incessantly, remaining as vital, engaged, and true as always. There is no  persona;  she is, simply and untouchably,  Mavis—and  Livin’ on a High Note is the symphony of her life.

The Suffers

The Suffers are a ten-piece band from Houston, TX who are redefining the sound of Gulf Coast Soul, intertwining elements of Classic American Soul with Rock & Roll. Both sonically and visually arresting, the large ensemble packs each position of the rhythm section and horn section with a level of talent and taste that provides the perfect foundation for singer Kam Franklin’s massive voice. The band’s sincerity and emotion are laid bare in their music, which has garnered an audience so broad and varied that they may prove to be the panacea for a jaded and stratified live music scene.

In a short time, the band has progressed from packing local Houston venues to accepting invitations for main stage performances at the 20th annual Austin Reggae Festival, Houston’s Free Press Summer Festival, and Paste Magazine’s Untapped Festival where they’ve shared the stage with the likes of The Wailers, Mavis Staples, Alabama Shakes, The Walkmen, and Cat Power.