Weekend Highlights: San Diego Music

I finally got around to publishing the rest of this week's listings with Things To Do In San Diego and there's so much to do, I thought I'd highlight where you might be able to catch me. Some tough choices have to be made, but it's hard to consider that a problem when people will still tell you that this is a sleepy town. Check all my weekend picks after the jump.


First, I love Black Mamba, Drew Andrews, The Paddle Boat, and Tape Deck Mountain, I've seen all the artists several times this year. If you haven't, then it is going to be a stellar Casbah show and you should go. However, it has been quite some time since I've seen Dusty Rhodes as well as some time since I've been to Beauty Bar, so this show is where you'll probably find me.


Friday night has so. many. great. options. that I already feel hungover just by looking at all the choices, but it seems too easy to be able to check out art at Subtext, then walk across the street to catch Mike Doughty, and then stay for the second show with Transfer, Holy Rolling Empire, and Head Like A Kite. I don't know about the early show, but I guarantee the late show will sell out if it hasn't already, but thankfully there are numerous other options like Ben Lee at The Loft, The Creepy Creeps at Whistle Stop, River City at Bar Pink, or go check out The Bugs and The Postals at the Ken Club after catching opening night of Anvil at Ken Cinema.

I thought Saturday would be an easy day...that I'd just make my way to Mission Bay Park for Elemental Experience, but then I put the listings together and there's so much to do. Now I'm thinking I'll probably cut out after Pinback so I can catch Damien Jurado at the Casbah for another early show. If I don't stick around for the second show, I'll probably head back to the hood to catch Grey Ghosts & Secret Apollo over at Soda Bar, though I've heard some great things about White Gloves who are playing with Lights on over at Beauty Bar, too. I guess you can read my Twitter feed to see what I decide to do.

After all of that, Sunday will be a great day for the Healing Arts Festival. This year I know to get there early to sign up for massages and classes to enjoy between the great lineup of music. I wish my dog wasn't anti-festival or she'd be tagging along with me.



And, as if you thought I'd end my weekend mildly, I'm going to the Casbah for a show that I've been looking forward to for ages. William Elliott Whitmore is an incredible musician (and not too hard on the eyes, I must say) and I'm excited to see him again. But to make the night doubly great, Florida's Fake Problems are opening. When I caught these guys a few months ago, I was so into their sound that while they were still playing I tracked down their merch guy to buy a CD. The band is now signed to Side One Dummy and I'm sure they'll be hitting some big tours (warped tour, perhaps?) soon, so I wanna catch them while I can in my favorite small venue.

Here's William on KEXP:



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Crystal Method Feat. Matisyahu "Drown In The Now"

I'm posting this video because it covers two fronts. As you know, Matisyahu is headlining StayClassy.org's Elemental Experience on May 2 at Mission Bay Park (Click banner above for more information). But it is also worth noting that Crystal Method is performing at House of Blues on May 25. Their new record, Divided By Night, drops on May 12 and features collaborations with Matisyahu, Peter Hook (Joy Division, New Order), Samantha Maloney (Hole, Peaches), Jason Lytle (Grandaddy), Emily Haines (Metric), Meiko, Justin Warfield (She Wants Revenge) and LMFAO.

It's no secret that I'm not much into the club/dance/DJ scene, but I saw Crystal Method a while back at 4th & B and was blown away. I remember ordering a drink, and by the time I found the money in my wallet and handed it to the bartender, my drink had disappeared. What we figured out was that the thumping bass literally bounced my drink off the bar and into the adjacent trash can. Needless to say, earplugs are recommended.

Enter to win a flyaway trip to see The Method in Vegas here.

StayClassy.Org Invite You to the Elemental Experience

By now, you've probably heard of StayClassy.Org and their parties for a cause. This year they're putting together a huge music festival for San Diego. Matisyahu, Mason Jennings, Bassnectar, Pinback, Dirty Sweet, Pete and J and Jay Nash will all be performing - and all to help raise $500,000 to build a shelter to house the 2,500 homeless youths in San Diego. I slacked on posting but tickets are $40 right now, but will go up on Friday (tomorrow!), so I suggest you not wait.

The event takes place on May 2 at Mission Bay. For tickets and information, click the flyer.