Mitski Brings Indie Rock to Hollywood High School

The singer-songwriter takes over the school's auditorium for a unique five-night residency during spring break.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 11:34pm

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Indie artist Mitski is kicking off one of the most unique concert residencies of 2026, performing a five-night stand at the auditorium of Hollywood High School in Los Angeles. The shows, which take place while the school is on spring break, are an attempt by Mitski to recreate the intimate, DIY feel of her early shows in a more unconventional venue.

Why it matters

Mitski's residency at Hollywood High School is a novel approach that taps into the venue's storied musical history, having previously hosted performances by artists like Elvis Costello and Morrissey. The shows also give back to the local community, with Mitski donating $2 per ticket to an after-school music program.

The details

For the residency, Mitski and her team chose Hollywood High School's auditorium for its capacity to host a couple thousand people, its expansive stage, and its history as a filming location. The school's cafeteria is also being used as a pop-up merchandise and photo op space for fans. While the logistics of hosting concerts at a school campus presented some challenges, the shows were made possible by the school's spring break schedule and Mitski's reputation for having a polite, easy-going fanbase.

  • The five-night residency kicked off on Monday, April 1, 2026.
  • The shows are taking place while Hollywood High School is on spring break this week.

The players

Mitski

An indie singer-songwriter who is headlining the five-night residency at Hollywood High School.

Wilson Zheng

Mitski's booking agent at High Road Touring, who helped coordinate the unique concert series.

Dalton Sim

Mitski's manager, who suggested the idea of performing at Hollywood High School.

Samual Dovlatian

The principal of Hollywood High School, who approved the residency and is using the rental fees to pay for student graduation expenses.

Goldenvoice

The concert promoter that coordinated the logistics of Mitski's Hollywood High School residency.

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What they’re saying

“When I first got here, I slightly regretted having this out of a high school because I was immediately triggered. As soon as I set foot on campus, my brain immediately did this thing and clocked all the exits and places I can hide. Oh no one's laughing. That's cool, I guess no one else had a terrible time in high school.”

— Mitski, Singer-songwriter

“It's really hard to find a unique spot in Los Angeles. There's a lot of different high-level artists looking for spaces. The concept of playing at a high school itself isn't brand new, but it's been a really long time since we've seen anyone really do it… It's a fantastic little theater there. It's maybe not as embellished as the old Ace Hotel, but it's a great listening experience for the fans.”

— Wilson Zheng, Booking agent, High Road Touring

What’s next

Mitski will wrap up her five-night residency at Hollywood High School on Saturday, April 6, 2026, before the school resumes classes.

The takeaway

Mitski's unconventional concert series at Hollywood High School demonstrates the artist's commitment to creating intimate, DIY-inspired shows, while also giving back to the local community and tapping into the venue's storied musical history.