The Sunset Strip Music Festival was held last week, and organizers estimated that approximately 15,000 people attended — a figure that could equate to the festival’s best turnout in its six-year history.

Hip-hop artist Wale performs during the Sunset Strip Music Festival. (photo by Aaron Blevins)

From Aug. 1 through 3, concert venues on The Strip exploded with live music from a variety of bands. Last Saturday, the choose-your-own-adventure music festival spilled on to Sunset Boulevard, where organizers had talent on two different stages. The Viper Room’s Guitar Center Stage was off Sunset Boulevard, conveniently located near the Bud Light & Jack Daniels Garden.

Artists such as Linkin Park, Wale, AWOLNATION, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Logic, Slick Rick & Doug E. Fresh, Asher Roth, Finch and Street Drum Corps performed.

The festival aimed to promote The Sunset Strip, honor its history and benefit the area businesses. With the line hanging out the door at The Rainbow on Saturday, the benefit to some businesses was easy to see.

“It was a wonderful thing,” said Mikael Maglieri, co-owner of The Rainbow. “I can’t wait until next year’s line-up. I want to do it all over again.”

He said many businesses on The Sunset Strip fared well, as did their counterparts on Santa Monica Boulevard. Maglieri said he stopped at IHOP on Sunday, and the staff was talking about how packed the restaurant was on Saturday.

“We were busy every single night,” he said of The Rainbow. “[We were] totally packed, and everyone had a ball.”

The same could be said for The Roxy. Owner Nic Adler, who also co-produces the festival, said the festival provided great exposure for The Roxy.

“It was amazing. …I want people to see the club. I want them to realize that these [venues] are here,” he said, adding that many people don’t realize The Roxy is open just about every day of the year. “This is what we do every single night of the year. It’s just geared to have this focus on it during the festival.”

Adler said he could not think of any issues that organizers encountered during the festival. According to the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station, no arrests were made. In fact, the sheriff’s deputies appeared to be in good spirits, sharing laughs with music fans.

“We had an amazing festival,” Adler said. “I think we all feel this was our most successful year.”

He said weather may have played a role, since the temperature hovered near the 95-degree range throughout the festival last year. Last weekend’s weather was ideal.

However, with the success comes added pressure to organize an even better festival next year, Adler said.

“I think that’s why we do it,” he said.

The festival is hosted by The Sunset Strip Business Association. Its executive director, Todd Steadman, said he was confident that the association fulfilled its mission with the festival.

“I thought it went very well, very smooth,” he said. “I think the attendees really enjoyed the performances. …They were quite pleased with the event, so was the city and the residents too.”