This Saturday is the return of Rocktoberfest. I'm super excited about the lineup and the many of you who paid $5 in the blind sale should be pretty pleased. As for the rest of you, tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day of, and FM 94/9 has a promo code to get them for $10 which you can find here.
Set times are out, too. Check it out
Main Stage:
Pinback 8:45 - 10:00
Little Hurricane 7:05-7:50
Tropical Popsicle 5:45 - 6:15
Black Hondo 4:35 - 5:05
Second Stage:
The White Buffalo 7:55 - 8:40
El Vez Punk Rock Revue 6:20 - 7:00
Barbarian 5:10 - 5:40
OctaGrape 4:00 - 4:30
On October 19, the mini-fest that takes place in the parking lot behind Birch North Park Theatre will once again present two stages of touring and local bands, beer and food vendors, and an in-and-out policy so you can enjoy the surrounding businesses of North Park. The event is 21+ and gates will open at 3pm and the show will end by 10pm. As you might recall last year, this is a rain or shine event.
Tickets will be priced starting at $15 once bands are announced, but starting Thursday, August 29 at 8am, you can trust that the lineup is going to be awesome and buy tickets for just $5. They will be at this low, low price for 10 days or until the allotment sells out, so don't wait to find out if your Great-Aunt Martha might be coming to town that weekend...just buy the tickets. The names I'm hearing thrown around will not disappoint.
Tickets will be on sale at this link on Thursday at 8am:
Past acts for the event have included Everest, The Silent Comedy, The Creepy Creeps, Fitz and the Tantrums, Dead Feather Moon, Mariachi El Bronx and many more. You can be sure this lineup will be equally as awesome.
I got home a bit earlier than usual tonight so I thought I'd recount the weekend instead of waiting a couple weeks and trying to go through all the good stuff in one go. Plus it's raining outside and judging by the level of intoxication I witnessed tonight, Darren is probably going to be working pretty late tonight taxiing half of San Diego home. Also, judging by the number of my friends who asked about my crutches, apparently none of them actually read my blog anyway, so I can pretty much say whatever the hell I want without filters. Except you, Mom. I know you're reading. Don't mind the thing about the boobs.
Rocktoberfest is here! On Saturday, the block behind West Coast Tavern converts to a full on rock show and alcohol garden. Tickets are $20 at the door.
Lineup & Settimes:
Mariachi El Bronx: 8:45-10pm (Main Stage)
The Silent Comedy: 7:55-8:40 (Second Stage)
Transfer: 7:10-7:50 (Main Stage)
Hyena: 6:25-7:05 (Second Stage)
Blackout Party: 5:45-6:20 (Main Stage)
Grand Tarantula: 5:10-5:40 (Second Stage)
Family Wagon: 4:35-5:05 (Main Stage)
New Mexico: 4:00-4:30 (Second Stage)
Euphoria Brass Band: 3:00-4:00 (roaming the parking lot)
There is an open photo policy in and out privileges with your wristband. This is a 21+ event.
I feel like I failed you, San Diego, because if you weren't following me on Twitter or Facebook, my only mention of the $5 blind ticket sale for Rocktoberfest was in one of my Things To Do posts, but now that the lineup has been announced, tickets can still be purchased for just $15, so that ain't too shabby for an event that has become a not-to-miss party in the past few years. Yes, the joint effort of The Casbah, West Coast Tavern, and FM 94/9 is back and offers a great lineup.
Here's the skinny:
Saturday, October 20, 3pm - 10pm
Buy tickets at sdrocktoberfest.com for $15. Prices go up the day of show.
2 Stages
9 Bands
Beer/Full Bar
Food
Dancing
University Avenue and 29th Street (parking lot behind North Park Theater)
The lineup features Mariachi El Bronx, The Silent Comedy, Transfer, Hyena, Blackout Party, Mrs. Magician, Family Wagon, New Mexico, and Euphoria Brass Band.
I know there are a ton of great shows that night, but if you're like me, this is definitely where you'll start off your day, even if you have to cut out early for Frightened Rabbit, the Livewire Anniversary Party, or any other show that night. This doozy of a lineup runs from 3-10pm, so you can still hit up all of the other places, and keep in mind that this is an event that allows re-entry so you can eat/drink inside the party, or leave to patronize local surrounding businesses.
As reported by The Reader and CityBeat and The Reader again, Kadan is closing down (effective August 22). The neighborhood bar which sits at the corner of 30th and Adams, has been around for about a decade and while both articles focus on the nightlife of the bar, it was also one of the cheapest drinking spots around (with happy hour offering wells as low at $1.50 the last time I was there during daylight). So they're reporting that the adjacent taco shop, the laundromat, the liquor store and the bar will become one large establishment from the owners of Neighborhood. While technically located in North Park, the neighborhood straddles Normal Heights and University Heights and has sometimes been referenced as "Between Heights". The little corner that could has changed numerous times over the years, in fact, my dad loves to tell me how he and his buddies enjoyed 25 cent pitchers on what was known as "The Four Corners" back in the early 70's (though he probably had to walk uphill both ways through the snow to get there). Currently the corner is home to Air Conditioned Bar, Casa Mayahuel, Jayne's Gastropub, and Antique Row Cafe.
Festivals Galore
There are so. many. festivals! It feels like Street Scene is far enough behind us that everyone is ponying up to attempt to create the next big festival. Imagine a world where they'd all get together and share sponsorship! Until that comes, two new festivals are on the horizon: The SoCal Music Fest on September 1 and Night & Day Street Fest on October 13, both in the East Village.
The SoCal Music Festival is the cooperative effort of MacFarlane Promotions, RMD Group, and Event Vibe. It will be held between 9th and Park along G St. with four stages and various "SoCal experiences". The lineup includes Cold War Kids, Designer Drugs, Felguk, Krewella, Too Short and more, including locals like Vokab Kompany, Hyena, Family Wagon, and The New Kinetics. Ticket prices increase the closer the show gets, but are currently available for $40. Get info here.
Night & Day Street Fest is being brought to you by UT San Diego on 14th between K and Imperial on October 13th from 4pm-midnight. The lineup features Donovan Frankenreiter, G. Love, Pato Banton, and Everest with local support from The Nervous Wreckords, The Styletones, Low Volts, and Mattson 2. Tickets for the event are $25 or $95 for their VIP package. Get more info here.
Keep in mind, these are in addition to the other great things we already have in San Diego, like the San Diego Music Thing (September 14-15, $30-$55), Adams Avenue Street Fair (September 29-30, Free), and I presume Rocktoberfest will return to North Park in late October.
FM 94/9 Independence Jam Lineup Change
Speaking of festivals, some bummer news about FM 94/9's Indie Jam...the Casbah stage has been canceled. The lineup for the show has been updated on FM 94/9's page to feature Fiona Apple, Best Coast, Oberhofer, and Gardens & Villa. Ticket prices have not changed, which probably just means you'll get longer sets from the four bands on the main stage. If your were set on seeing Father John Misty and Pinback, they can still be seen at the San Diego Music Thing. (Read about new music from Pinback courtesy of CityBeat's Check 1, Check 2 blog.) FM 94/9 is offering "safe rides" to and from the Oceanside Pier For just $15 from North Park (True North Tavern), Downtown(Barleymash) or Pacific Beach (Open Bar). Get tickets for the concert and the bus here.
Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
Perhaps you were already aware that Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips has been working with legendary director Des MacAnuff to create Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots. The musical will make its World Debut at the La Jolla Playhouse in November, and this week, NME featured a preview about the show. Tickets haven't gone on sale just yet, but keep your eyes and ears open for what promises to be an interesting musical adventure.
I don't know about you, but I had such an amazing time at Rocktoberfest. The lineup was stellar and all of the bands were not only incredibly professional, but all proved why they represent San Diego and can command festival sized stages. I arrived with The Heavy Guilt long before the gates opened to help with last minute details and make sure I had covered all my bases in getting out set times through the tweet-o-sphere and the interwebs. Luckily everything was running smooth and I had time to visit my friend Pete at True North to get some food before the festival. (If you haven't eaten at True North, you are seriously missing out. Get the juicy lucy with tots and you'll be converted.)
By the time I was back, 3pm rolled around and gates were opened. Unlike last year, when it rained and we opened gates at noon, this year the event was well attended from the start up until the finish. I can speak on behalf of West Coast Tavern and the Casbah in saying that this year's attendance blew last year out of the water. With a full bar, a good selection of beer (Beck's Oktoberfest was my personal preference all night), and re-entry allowed so you could grab a bite at a nearby restaurant if you didn't want to wait in the food truck lines, this is the perfect setup for a micro-festival. West Coast Tavern also has the nicest bathrooms in North Park, in case ya didn't know, and I sat down with Everest for awhile as they finished their dinner before their set, so that was pretty great, too. If you didn't come last year, you should know that the two facing stages was a new setup and I think it was perfect allowing the music to jump back and forth all night long.
I'm just gonna post a couple photos and I really don't need to go through a band by band rundown because they were all fantastic....The Heavy Guilt, Low Volts, The Styletones, Bully, Dead Feather Moon, The Creepy Creeps, The Soft Pack, and Everest all delivered. Everest played a bunch of new stuff and told me they're working on a new record for the beginning of 2012. Tim Pyles did a great job as MC and even let me come up on stage and introduced me so I could get this crowd photo:
You can see my photos on Facebook if you want to tag yourselves or at SoundDiego with all of my Foursquare adventures.
Tomorrow TODAY is Rocktoberfest which means that today is the last day to buy tickets for $15. They will be $20 at the gates. Seriously don't miss this.
Do I really have to keep reminding you about Rocktoberfest? It's happening this Saturday in North Park behind West Coast Tavern and the Birch North Park Theatre (Enter at 29th and University).
Gates open at 3pm, it's 21+, and only $15 if you buy your tickets now. (They'll be $20 the day of the show.) Click the flyer for tickets.
For all you crazies who have to know, set times are below. Performances on the stages alternate so you never have to miss a band. Get there early!
Main Stage 2nd Stage
Everest 9:00 - 10:00 The Soft Pack 8:05 - 8:55
The Creepy Creeps 7:15 - 8:00 Dead Feather Moon 6:30 - 7:10
Bully 5:50 - 6:25 The Styletones 5:10 - 5:45
Low Volts 4:35 - 5:05 The Heavy Guilt 4:00 - 4:30
For the second year, FM 94/9, The Casbah, and West Coast Tavern have joined forces to bring another Rocktoberfest on October 22. If you remember last year, the lineup was stellar and I can promise you this year has another great lineup...but we're not announcing it until next week. When announced, tickets will be $15, or you can TRUST ME and buy your tickets, this weekend only, for just $5. I can tell you that there will be two stages in the ACE parking lot behind Birch North Park Theatre and kickoff at 3 in the afternoon. There are local and touring bands performing that you're gonna love that are worth WAY more than your $5 ($7.25 with service charge).
Over the weekend, San Diego experienced the first annual (as it is definitely going to continue) Rocktoberfest. Put together by the great minds at FM 94/9, West Coast Tavern, and the Casbah, the event had a strong turnout for what was a pretty gloomy day. The event started at 11 (!!!) and as I understand was lightly attended earlier in the daytime, but by the time I arrived around 4 pm a good crowd has assembled to enjoy the bands split among two stages. It was nice being able to enjoy the day without worries of being too far from home and I definitely look forward to more events like this, put together by local businesses whose interest is in providing a great experience for the community. It really is days like this that you appreciate the amazing community we do have. Everywhere I went I ran into old friends and it was really nice to catch up with so many people, like Tom and Paul from Dynamite Walls (who are really funny with a couple beers and no sleep).
My friend Ryan was one of the beermeister's for the night and I hardly recognized him in his getup (and through my beer goggles). I have to say I was proud that I mostly avoided twitter and though I could've taken more pictures, this event felt more about being in the moment and enjoying what North Park and San Diego have to offer. And though I'm biased (since I have close ties to both the Casbah and West Coast Tavern), I'd say it was a pretty incredible night for the inaugural year. I'm not without feedback (like it probably doesn't need to be a twelve hour event), but feedback is part of what I do. If you have comments, good or bad, feel free to leave them in the comments or shoot me an email and I will see to it that your opinions are heard. As for the music, I caught Cash'd Out, Fitz & The Tantrums, Get Back Loretta, and The Silent Comedy and I was especially impressed by the amount of people who were unfamiliar with some or all of the bands who participated anyway. I saw a lot of merch being sold and it was another chance for people to see what kind of amazing talent we have in this city.
I'm sorry that I missed the earlier acts, like Little Hurricane, The Styletones, and the Midnight Rivals, but believe me, I didn't need an extra 3 hours of beer drinking, and I was able to catch Midnight Rivals later that night at Eleven. As I said, my camera was mostly in my purse the duration of the night, but I did grab some video of Fitz because I never quite pull it off at the Casbah when they play. Here are three videos from the band, and if you didn't see my post last week, make sure you watch the band's episode on Live From Daryl's House.
I'm really looking forward to Rocktoberfest tomorrow and so what if it's a little cold out? There's a reason why I have 30 hoodies in my closet. I'll be there all day so come and join me. You can still grab tickets for $15 today or pay $20 at the gates. Click the flyer to buy tickets. Set times are below.
SET TIMES: Main stage: The Silent Comedy - 8:30 - 10:00 Fitz and the Tantrums - 6:30 - 8:30 Midnight Rivals - 4:30 - 5:30 The Styletones - 2:30 - 3:30
Second Stage: Get Back Loretta 7:30 - 8:30 Cash'd Out 5:30 - 6:30 The Howls - 3:30 - 4:30 Little Hurricane 1:30 - 2:30
Also, if you missed my tweet earlier this week, Fitz & The Tantrums recently performed on "Live From Daryl's House", a popular webshow hosted by Daryl Hall. You can watch the full episode here. Here's one track, "Breakin The Chains Of Love".
This Sunday David Cohen (owner of West Coast Tavern) and I will be on FM 94/9 for the Coup D'etat talking about Rocktoberfest, West Coast Tavern, some upcoming shows around town, and hanging out with our good friend Tim Pyles. I'm pretty sure we'll have some Rocktoberfest tickets to give away, too. You can sneak peek our playlist and see why exactly we belong on radio and not television ;)
And in case you're like "Rocktoberwhat?" here's a flyer. Click here for tickets. I might be biased, but I love that FM 94/9 partnered with the Casbah and West Coast Tavern, two of my favorite places, to make this event possible. See you all there! Be sure to follow @WestCoastTavern, @CasbahSanDiego, & @FM949sd for chances to win tickets to the event.
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Over the weekend, San Diego experienced the first annual (as it is definitely going to continue) Rocktoberfest. Put together by the great minds at FM 94/9, West Coast Tavern, and the Casbah, the event had a strong turnout for what was a pretty gloomy day. The event started at 11 (!!!) and as I understand was lightly attended earlier in the daytime, but by the time I arrived around 4 pm a good crowd has assembled to enjoy the bands split among two stages. It was nice being able to enjoy the day without worries of being too far from home and I definitely look forward to more events like this, put together by local businesses whose interest is in providing a great experience for the community. It really is days like this that you appreciate the amazing community we do have. Everywhere I went I ran into old friends and it was really nice to catch up with so many people, like Tom and Paul from Dynamite Walls (who are really funny with a couple beers and no sleep).
My friend Ryan was one of the beermeister's for the night and I hardly recognized him in his getup (and through my beer goggles). I have to say I was proud that I mostly avoided twitter and though I could've taken more pictures, this event felt more about being in the moment and enjoying what North Park and San Diego have to offer. And though I'm biased (since I have close ties to both the Casbah and West Coast Tavern), I'd say it was a pretty incredible night for the inaugural year. I'm not without feedback (like it probably doesn't need to be a twelve hour event), but feedback is part of what I do. If you have comments, good or bad, feel free to leave them in the comments or shoot me an email and I will see to it that your opinions are heard.
As I said, my camera was mostly in my purse the duration of the night, but I did grab some video of Fitz because I never quite pull it off at the Casbah when they play. Here are three videos from the band, and if you didn't see my post last week, make sure you watch the band's episode on Live From Daryl's House.
