​New 1,600-capacity music venue opens in Los Angeles, The Bellwether

A brand new 1,600-capacity music venue has opened up in downtown Los Angeles, The Bellwether.

The new space celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday, July 11, with electronic rock duo Phantogram alongside the California-based pop group ill peach, and is set to continue its run of shows throughout the year with bookings secured until November.

The 1,600-capacity venue sits in DTLA between Westlake North and Little Tokyo and features a ballroom as the venue’s main room and dancefloor, as well as a large private events space.

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The Bellwether also offers a bar and separate restaurant, The Virginian, and a VIP lounge named The Looking Glass accessible with a “higher tier ticket”.

"Introducing The Bellwether — LA’s newest premier music & nightlife destination located just west of downtown," the venue announced on Instagram in February just a few months before its official opening.

A d&b soundsystem is fitted into the venue’s main room, which also features custom lighting and a 270-degree wrap-around balcony.

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The Bellwether has announced its run of shows scheduled to take place throughout the year until November, which includes the likes of Sudan Archives, Isaiah Rashad, Santigold, Yo La Tengo, and Slowdive.

As well as its string of pop and indie acts due to play this year, The Bellwether has also booked a 15th-anniversary celebration of Fool’s Gold Records featuring A-Trak on August 26, and three shows from US DJ Porter Robinson in July.

The Bellwether is the latest project from Michael Swier, the brains behind New York’s Bowery Ballroom, and Another Planet Entertainment, one of the largest promoters in North America.

Check out the full schedule for The Bellwether here.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter