Low End Theory at the Airliner

My boyfriend introduced me to Low End a few years back when we first started dating. It’s one of the best places to discover new sounds. Some of the best up and coming artists (and some established) have come through here. We try to make it a point to stop by any time we’re in LA on a Wednesday. The second floor is insane– you can feel the building shake with all the people moving and dancing. If you leave the Second floor– be prepared to possibly lose your spot, especially on a busy night. It’s like going to the beat Mecca.
The beat scene is growing quickly across the US. If you’re ever in Vegas and looking to get your beat fix, check out The Rabbit Hole [/​shamelessplug]

Low end theory is the place to be on Wednesday nights. Each individual resident DJ has their own unique style and finesse on the 1’s and 2’s and all are easily worth WAY MORE than 10 bucks to see. Definitely a must go to place for anyone living in LA or visiting and just wanting to hear and see great music for a great price. Downside is that it gets really packed but it just goes to show the popularity these guys are achieving. These are top notch world class DJs who have pretty much perfected their craft. Plus you get special guests each night and sometimes surprise guests if you’re lucky. Come here if you’re into underground music… you know what, even if you’re into the club environment and that style of music, this is a great place to come to. Been coming here for years and always leave with a huge smile on my face. Check it out when you can.
P. s. another downside is that it gets really hot inside but that’s about it. Great music, great people, great price. Can’t beat it.

These guys are awesome! Residents are on point and it’s an intimate setting. A lot of the time if you see an artists/​dj you liked you can walk up to them right after they get off stage and talk to them. Great music that helps LAs beat scene thrive and survive :)

great environment and always friendly fun people. also amazing music!!! makes my Wednesday’s better than ever

Low Quality Experience.
I came here for edIT’s «10 Years of Crying Over Pros…» set. It was my first time coming to this venue, so I wasn’t familiar with the layout.
After waiting in line for 30 minutes just to enter, I made my way to a crowded patio area which seemed to be the source of the music. Spent a while listening to freestyle rap of varying quality.
After a while, I noticed a bounced staircase leading to tons of people. Asked the bouncers how to get upstairs. They told me to get to the end of a line that at least a hundred people were in. After some time with the line never moving, edIT started to play. None of those people made it inside.
Waste of $ 40. Waste of 3 hours. Waste of excitement over thinking I would get to see a DJ set of my favorite album.
Would absolutely not recommend.

Cool place. 3 stories. music on all 3. been wanting to buy a jello shot

Be smart by being cognizant of the line-​up and the expected crowd turnout as to avoid being in a long line or not getting in at all. It’s a small venue with high profile artists at times, so don’t expect everything to go your way. I’ve been here over a dozen times and haven’t waited in line for more than 15 minutes. They have a stage on the outdoor patio now and the sound is great on both stages. The beer is relatively cheap and always my go-​to (PBR 24 oz. for $ 5!). Heat exhaustion and claustrophobia may occur, but it’s a small price to pay to see some great acts in an intimate setting!

I absolutely love this place! I’ve been several times with friends and the vibe and the music is fantastic! The music that they place isn’t mainstream so you know that the sounds are special. The music is a mix of hip hop infused electronic music. Take Flying Lotus and add a rap vibe and you’ll better understand the genre. In fact, Flying Lotus did a set but I was stuck outside in line waiting so I missed him :(
The doors open at 10pm and costs $ 10 CASH. They check every person’s clothing to ensure the safety of everyone which is good. The line does get long pretty quick so if you’re looking for the full experience of the event, get there before 10pm. I’ve always showed up late and only had to wait in line for a long time once but it was on Christmas Day so I can’t complain.
The guests are in the 18 – 25 year old range from what it seems. They do serve alcohol upstairs and downstairs so they check IDs at the door.
The layout
First floor:
Once you step foot in the door, there’s a lady sitting at a table in front of you and she collects the entrance fee ($ 10 CASH only). Behind her is a bar to the right side of floor. Immediately to your left is the staircase which leads upstairs. This first floor is usually busy but there is definitely walking room. Straight ahead from the entrance door are the only restrooms for guests. The men’s restroom usually has urine all over the ground and I nearly slipped lol. The restroom is cramped but nothing to worry about since all of the guests are well-​mannered and don’t go agro (yes I used that word) if you are too close to them. There is a hallway next to the restrooms which leads to the outside back of the house.
Outside:
There is a space outside where a DJ plays music and a dance area right in front of the DJ’s space. There is also a staircase that leads to the second floor patio. There are security guards that control the flow up to the second floor to prevent a fire hazard (the last time I went, the line to go upstairs was pretty long). Once security allows you to go upstairs, you arrive at the second floor patio.
Second floor patio:
The second floor patio is usually tightly packed with people. The guests at this spot usually smoke. There are a few places to sit and there are flame heaters there as well. The guests here usually talk amongst themselves or look out at the DJ who is on the first floor outside beneath them. There is a door at the patio that leads inside to the second floor.
Second floor inside:
There is where the action happens. Inside the second floor, there is a bar and a lot of dance space. The DJ is in the far back and there is a video projection screen showing mash ups of designs and videos. The music here is always incredible. Sometimes I close my eyes and I feel like I’m on a different planet (no joke) because of the very unique sounds. Guests usually crowd up to where the DJ performs. Remember that staircase that I mentioned earlier in the «first floor» section? There are two ways to get to the second floor: the first floor stairs or the outside behind the house stairs.
I always have a great time here. The people are great and friendly. My friends and I were able to create a dance circle with a few of the guests. The price is affordable. The music is great. I think Low End Theory is one of LA’s defining music scenes. I think everyone should give it a shot.
Their Facebook page usually announces the artists who are coming to perform. They usually make this announcement hours before the event starts.

Low end theory on Wednesday nights used to be my go to spot. The music is amazing and they have good artists however the venue and crowd has ruined it. I used to go regularly because the resident djs put on a consistently great show. But those djs rarely attend latetly. And Now it’s got so busy that after you wait in a two hour line to enter you are immediately forced to wait again on the trashy patio in another two or more hour line to get into the building where the artists preform. There is nothing worse than to pay to stand outside on that disgusting patio while your favorite artists are on!
If you do manage to get inside past the two lines it is unbearable… It is so hot and they pack so many people in there you can’t enjoy the music without getting heat stroke or stepped on. Not to mention if you need to use the bathroom you’ll have to get back in line (and wait another two hours) to go back to the show.
This experience has happened repeatedly for the past two years. This joint was great despite the despicable bathrooms and rude staff. But now it’s over packed and no longer worth it. I have more fun staying at home…
I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone. I heard the echoplex holds better similar styled music shows on Thursday nights. From what I’ve heard they are better with crowd control and don’t over sell tickets so they’re fans miss the show.

Underground experimental hip-​hop and electronic music at its finest at this club every Wednesday night.
LA is the envy of the world because our music and art scene… the food and weather is pretty awesome here too. LA is my most favorite city in the world. (Yes, I am a proud Angeleno)
Featuring on some nights the most innovative and forward thinking artists or creative minds of our day such Thom Yorke of Radiohead, Erykah Badu, Tyler the Creator of OFWGKTA along with well respected artists of LA’s beat scene such as Flying Lotus, Nosaj Thing, The Glitch Mob, Daedelus, and Tokimonsta as your music selectors.
Resident DJs include Daddy Kev, The Gaslamp Killer, Nobody and freestyle emcee Nocando (Project Blowed).
If you’re a hip-​hop head, you must add this local experience to your bucket list!
My first attempt to get into to LET was for Tokimonsta and stood outside for two hours and left because I couldn’t get in. Second attempt, I got there before 8:30 pm (Daddy Kev’s advice) to check out the Invisibl Skratch Piklz and easily got in.
Due to the popularity of this club, Low End Theory has expanded to Japan, New York City, and San Francisco on the first Friday of every month. You might find Low End Theory at the Echoplex where you can buy tickets in advance.
TIP: Arrive by 8:30 pm or risk not getting in on some nights. $ 10 entrance fee. Street parking. Main stage on the second floor.
LA Times:
Erykah Badu DJ session:
Thom Yorke DJ session: