Photos: Rex Orange County at the Observatory, 11.12&13.2018

On November 12th and 13th, Rex Orange County played two sold out shows the Observatory North Park. As regular listeners of Sirius XMU, we were well aware of the hype from the easy, breezy "Loving Is Easy," but I had no idea how insane and devoted his fans were. There's something deep that they're connecting with, whether it's the self-deprecating lyrics ("I said that I don't mind if you hate me 'Cause baby if I were you I would probably hate me too"), his average-white-guy and therefore accessible appearance, or his aw-shucks demeanor, but on both nights, the crowds lapped it up, sang along to every lyric, and participated with every request, like shining cell phone flashlights overhead and completely losing their shit when the confetti machines blankets the crowd. I left the show feeling like I'd never seen anything like this...but then just days later caught Billie Eilish and she had a similar fan response, which makes me just think kids are just dying for something with which to connect and right now, Rex and Billie bring it. I only had a photo pass the second night, but took some phone ones from the first night, too. They're all after the jump.

Things To Do In San Diego: Tuesday, November 27-Monday, December 3, 2018

As I was looking for a photo to add to this week's listings, it occurred to me that I didn't really go to any shows over the past week. The nights I wanted to, I got caught up with work, and then there was the holiday, and then Darren and I went to Ken Club Karaoke, and then there was a ton of family time, and then I worked the Ghostemane show, but it was all fog machines and a massive circle pit and that I'm-way-too-old-for-this feeling. So here's a cell phone shot from Chula Vista marina, where I took the girls to run off some of their pent up energy from being holiday TV zombies all week. I felt super refreshed after the week but I'm still behind on everything and my laptop still tweaks out an entire row of letters so that when I use my 'shift' or 'ctrl' key, type 'c' or 'v' or 'm' or 'return', it only works about 25% of the time. FML. Or FL if you're paying attention. This laptop is only a couple years old, but maybe I already have to swap to a new one this Christmas. blerg. Full listings for the week are after the jump. Also, I don't know if I should bother with my Holiday Events listings this year. Let me know in the comments or on socials if you think it's valuable, otherwise this year I'll save myself the headache. 

San Diego Symphony: Cyber Monday Offer- 50% Off All Friday Shows

San Diego Symphony is offering 50% off all Friday shows through the end of their season. There are a lot of great Cyber Monday offers out there, but this is definitely one to take advantage of, particularly if you feel like the Symphony is inaccessible or price-prohibitive at regular prices. Click here for tickets and use promo code CYBER.

Jacobs Masterworks Concert: Music of Lutosławski, Mozart and Dvoŕák
Fri 11/30/18 8:00PM Copley Symphony Hall

Jacobs Masterworks Concert: Music of Bach, Liadov, Stravinsky and more
Fri 12/7/18 8:00PM Copley Symphony Hall VIVALDI AND BACH WITH AVI AVITAL

NOEL NOEL
City Lights Special Concert: San Diego's favorite downtown holiday music tradition returns!
Fri 12/21/18 8:00PM Copley Symphony Hall NOEL NOEL

PAYARE AND WEILERSTEIN
Jacobs Masterworks Concert: Music of Richard Strauss, Britten and Shostakovich
Fri 1/11/19 8:00PM Copley Symphony Hall PAYARE AND WEILERSTEIN

THE YOUNG ROMANTICS
Jacobs Masterworks Concert: Music of Mendelssohn, Liszt and Berlioz
Fri 1/18/19 8:00PM Copley Symphony Hall THE YOUNG ROMANTICS

MATT’S PLAYLIST: ECHOES OF THE FUTURE
Jacobs Masterworks Concert: Music of Beethoven, Stravinsky, Schubert and much more
Fri 1/25/19 8:00PM Copley Symphony Hall MATT’S PLAYLIST: ECHOES OF THE FUTURE

AUGUSTIN HADELICH RETURNS
Jacobs Masterworks Concert: Music of Janáček, Dvoŕák, Bartók and Brahms
Fri 2/15/19 8:00PM Copley Symphony Hall AUGUSTIN HADELICH RETURN

A CELEBRATION OF FRANK SINATRA WITH MICHAEL FEINSTEIN
City Lights Concert: America's premier cabaret artist and songbook historian holds the stage at Symphony Hall with his piano.
Fri 2/22/19 8:00PM Copley Symphony Hall A CELEBRATION OF FRANK SINATRA WITH MICHAEL FEINSTEIN

EDO DE WAART CONDUCTS MAHLER 4
Jacobs Masterworks Concert: Music of Samuel Barber and Gustav Mahler
Fri 3/1/19 8:00PM Copley Symphony Hall EDO DE WAART CONDUCTS MAHLER 4

PUCCINI'S GLORIOUS MASS
Jacobs Masterworks Concert: A rare performance of Giacomo Puccini's youthful choral masterwork, containing many themes which resurfaced later in his famous operas.
Fri 3/22/19 8:00PM Copley Symphony Hall PUCCINI'S GLORIOUS MASS

LING CONDUCTS BRAHMS
Jacobs Masterworks Concert: Music of Weber, Chopin and Brahms
Fri 4/12/19 8:00PM Copley Symphony Hall LING CONDUCTS BRAHMS

SAINT-SAËNS’ ORGAN SYMPHONY
Jacobs Masterworks Concert: Music of Berlioz, Poulenc and Saint-Saëns
Fri 5/3/19 8:00PM Copley Symphony Hall SAINT-SAËNS’ ORGAN SYMPHONY

SEASON FINALE WITH CRISTIAN MĂCELARU
Jacobs Masterworks Concert: Music of Shepherd, Rachmaninoff, Richard Strauss and Bernstein
Fri 5/24/19 8:00PM Copley Symphony Hall SEASON FINALE WITH CRISTIAN MĂCELARU

Photos: Old Sea Brigade, Frances Cone, Tall Heights at House of Blues Voodoo Room, 11.4.2018

I generally post my photos with the headliner at the top, but on December 4th, I went to the House of Blues Voodoo Room as a guest of Old Sea Brigade, who was opening the show. I decided to stick around for Frances Cone and Tall Heights, and it ended up being an all-around great show. It had also been awhile since I'd been to the Voodoo Room and I totally appreciated the stage renovations. The crowd was small so the fact there wasn't a photo barrier wasn't a problem. There was a group of people up front who seemed more concerned with what flavored vodka was available at the bar than the show, but once they settled down, the rest of the show was pretty awesome.

Full pics from the show are after the jump. I also shot a couple videos of Old Sea Brigade that are after the jump as well.

Things To Do In San Diego: Tuesday, November 20-Monday, November 26, 2018

Yes. I keep telling you that I have a lot of catching up to do but I also have to sit back and acknowledge beauty before my own eyes. I got to see Rex Orange County and Billie Eilish in the same week, and while I'd like to say this isn't the stuff that makes me pulse, these artists speak to the kids, and that is kind of enough for me at this moment. It's Thanksgiving week, so I'll do my best to catch up and post photos, but in the meantime, here are the listings through Monday. After the jump.

ALT 949 Presents Not So Silent Night at Del Mar Arena, December 9th, 2018

I totally blew it when ALT 949 announced their Not So Silent Night show, but I wanted to make sure I shared their price drop offer which announced yesterday. Full info from the station below or just go straight to tickets here.

Alt 949’s Not So Silent Night is happening Sunday, December 9th at the Del Mar Arena and features Thirty Seconds To Mars, AJR, Elle King and Alice Merton!

And thanks to our friends at Subaru, the ticket prices have been lowered!

GA tickets are now $20 (from $40) and pit tickets are now $30 (from $75)

Buy yours now at www.NotSoSilentNightSD.com or buy them with no service fees at our business office (9665 Granite Ridge Dr, Suite 600 San Diego, CA 92123)

Not So Silent Night is presented by Subaru. Visit your local San Diego Dealer for a test drive of the all new Ascent today.

Photos: Gorgon City at Observatory, November 2, 2018

This month has been insane. That week of Halloween was so busy and I feel like I've been out every night for weeks (although realistically, that's not exactly accurate). Still. When I was asked to shoot Gorgon City, I worked it into my schedule, though I never really know what to do for electronic producers. Hidden behind their synths and keyboards and drum machines and other trigger rigs, there's not a lot of action on stage, so then there's crazy lighting and hazers to compensate and the fans eat it up, but no doubt, I struggle with the limited gear I have. It's super hard for me to shoot, but I did the best I could.

Gorgon City played to a sold out Friday night crowd at the Observatory. The energy was exuberant. The crowd was super hyped. They had a couple guest singers come out right off the bat, and the crowd ate that right up, too. They have a massive San Diego following with all their appearances over the years at various LED and FNGRS CRSSD events, Float pool parties and the like, and there's always this kind of awkward mix of people who stand and watch like a concert mixed with the people who just want to dance, but they are all in either way. More photos after the jump.

Things To Do In San Diego: Wednesday, November 14-Monday, November 19, 2018

I have so much to catch up on, but with Nova home sick all last week, and work was a little hectic and of course, there was the election, and then I was feeling kinda sick myself, and on and on. Life gets in the way, you know? So I'll try to bickle down and get caught up on work and posts and photos and all the other stuff. Oh, and while I'm at it, I'll mention that last week was also the 12th anniversary of when I started this site!! It's kinda crazy to think of some of the major milestones and setbacks I've had over those 12 years. But life is good, I think I've successfully fought off this round of illness, and next week is Thanksgiving so a break will be nice, especially if we can stave off any new illnesses and get back to being fat and happy. Listings through Monday are after the jump.

Photos: Dia de los Deftones Festival @ Petco Park 11/3/18

The inagurial Dia de los Deftones festival had a rather diverse lineup and let's hope this continues in the coming years... Deftones, Future, Mike Shinoda, Ho99o9, Doja Cat, Rocket From The Crypt, Vein, and Vowws. Originally hailing from Sacramento, it was surprising to some that they chose San Diego to be the home for their festival, but with Sacramento hosting the Aftershock Festival that they are a participant, and the fact that they have been collaborating with local brewery Belching Beaver on several co-branded and very popular beers, plus San Diego's had a rabid Deftones fanbase since the mid-90's - it makes perfect sense.

Deftones

More photos after the jump.

Photos: An Evening with Jim James at Belly Up, November 1, 2018

Last Thursday, I had the unexpected privilege of shooting photos of Jim James at the Belly Up. Over the years, I've had the pleasure of seeing My Morning Jacket several times, and was able to catch him solo years back for some weird Rock n Roll Hall of Fame touring series where he'd play some songs in between a live on stage interview, but this was the first time I had my camera at one of his shows with actual permission. (To be honest, I'd smuggled my camera into that Belly Up thing back in the day and snuck some audio recordings, but who knows where those ended up.) Anyhow, this show was amazing, though the lighting was quite subdued and challenging. Naturally, it had sold out rather quickly. It was 'an evening with', so there was no opener, just Jim James, barefoot with his guitar for the first part of the night, and later (as the crowd collectively started feeling their alcohol and increasing the chatter), was joined by a drummer. The music spanned his career, though he definitely took some time to comment on the current state of politics and division and allowed all of us to get lost in the music. If you haven't ever had the chance to see him, do it, and if you have, you know you'll be there every single time he returns. More photos after the jump.

Things To Do In San Diego: Tuesday, November 6-Tuesday, November 13, 2018

It was a big week and I'll post pics and stuff this week, but I'm gonna zip it this week and just say it's Election Day and I hope everyone out there is voting today (if you didn't early vote already). I did listings through Tuesday on account of Veterans Day. Full listings are after the jump.

A Reminder From NARAL

Photos: Pinback & Buckfast Superbee @ The Lafayette Hotel 10/27/2018

On Saturday night, the Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club and Bungalows hosted a massive Halloween to-do which featured live performances by Pinback, Buckfast Superbee, and Gods of Mt. Olympus in the Mississippi Room...aka the Clamshell Room...and upstairs in the lobby there were DJs, local beer kiosks and places to hang. I (Rosey) worked at the Irenic that night for the Noah Kahan show, so by the time Tim Fears and I arrived, BFSB was finishing their set but it was sweet nonetheless, with the band dressed as clergy for Halloween.
Pinback headlined the show and of course played all of the favorite jams. We couldn't help but notice go-go dancers who didn't quite know what to make of the music or how to dance to it, but it was cute and with a room full of costumed adults and lots of alcohol, nobody seemed to care. At one point of the show, all the lights came on and nobody could really figure out why or what was happened, but it was resolved and the show went on till almost 1am. We bailed so it could've continued, but after a long week and big night before, you just gotta call it sometimes. Tim shot all of these amazing photos for your perusal, after the jump.