Audible Mainframe will be performing on Saturday at The Roxy at 8.15pm (Photo courtesy of Sunset Strip Music Festival)

No, you are not confused. Yes, the Sunset Junction with Bad Brains, Fishbone, Shiny Toy Guns and Lee Scratch Perry just happened. This is something completely different.

The Sunset Strip Music Festival allows rock fanatics to explore where The Who played their first American date and Los Angeles punk rock had its start (Whisky a Go Go), where John Belushi had his last party (The Roxy Theatre) and the club Johnny Depp opened and owned until 2004 (Viper Room). This is the perfect opportunity to experience the tradition of these clubs all at once. This year's event also honors Slash, who was known to frequent the clubs along the Sunset Strip during the early days of Guns N' Roses.

There are three days of music to experience and this may seem a little overwhelming. Neon Tommy has recommendations of what not miss at this incredible event.

Thursday

Tribute to Slash at The House of Blues on the Sunset Strip - he's the one being honored!

Purple Melon at Viper Room - love The Beatles and The Rolling Stones? Purple Melon have the same energy and classic rock sound you are looking for.

Tip: Explore the clubs tonight so you know what to expect for Friday and Saturday if you aren't familiar with the area.

Friday

The Expendables at The Roxy Theatre - it's summer and this reggae-jam/rock group is the perfect group to get your groove on.

Unwritten Law at The Key Club - you know all their songs, you just don't realize it.

Tip: Local talent will rock at the Cat Club, so stop by to hear the best of what Southern California has to offer.

Semi Precious Weapons will be performing at the East Outdoor Stage on Saturday at 4.30pm (Photo courtesy of Sunset Strip Music Festival)

Number one rule for Saturday? Explore! Neon Tommy guarantees you will find some performer that you have never heard of that you will love.

Travie McCoy, Slash and The Smashing Pumpkins are headlining on the main stage, but be sure to at least walk-by during the openers Steel Panther, the ultimate 80s hair metal cover band that rocks the Key Club every Monday night!

Sunset Boulevard between Doheny Drive and San Vicente Boulevard will be closed to traffic so artists can perform on two outdoor stages and in the venues throughout the day on Saturday.

General admission, VIP and 3-Day VIP tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster. Street fest tickets are $49.50 in advance ($65 day of at box office) and VIP street fest tickets, which include access to a private tented rooftop lounge with full no-host bar and seating area as well as access to On The Rox at The Roxy Theatre and Plush Lounge at the Key Club, are available for $100 in advance. A limited number of three-day “VIP” passes (which include entrance to Slash’s tribute on August 26, the clubs all three nights and access to VIP tent at street fest) are $250. There will also be individual ticket sales for The Sunset Strip venues on Thursday and Friday nights. A portion of ticket sales will benefit the Los Angeles Youth Network (LAYN), a charity personally selected by honoree Slash. LAYN’s mission is to end homelessness, one kid at a time, by providing shelter, food and counseling for the abused, neglected and abandoned.

The Sunset Strip Music Festival will be kicking off on Thursday, August 26 until Saturday, August 28 at various venues around the Sunset Strip in Hollywood - for more info, click here. 

To reach reporter Gretchen Meier, click here.