Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, December 27, 2018 -Wednesday, January 2, 2019

It was a super busy week for just about everyone, I know I'm no exception. Darren's mom was in town for the week before Christmas, so we ran all over town, hitting the Safari Park, the San Diego Zoo, Cabrillo Monument, and Old Town, plus hanging around the house watching movies and eating out at all the restaurants that can please both an 11 year old and a 77 year old, like The Balboa, Mona Lisa, Phil's, and Beerfish. I missed some of the party fun in town, but did catch Ziggy Shuffledust, Dirty Sweet, and Exile on Kettner at the Casbah. Christmas itself was super chill at my parents' house but I spent all of Boxing day putting together the mountain of NYE events and this week's listings which literally took about 11 hours, so I hope they're useful. Looks like a lot of spots are closed January 1st and 2nd, but I'll update if I see any new info out there. Full listings through Jan 2nd are after the jump.

New Year's Eve Events in San Diego

I'll work on all of the listings through the next week or so, but it's time to start planning your NYE. I tried to float all the live music events at our regular haunts toward the top, but as you can see, there is no shortage of events to be found in San Diego.

Monday, December 31, 2018:

• New Year's Eve Soiree on The Bay with The Redwoods Revue - Dani Bell and The Tarantist, The Midnight Pine, Cardinal Moon, Birdy Bardot, Jake Najor & the Moment of Truth @ Loew's Coronado Resort
• The Schizophonics, The Creepy Creeps, The Widows, Scary Pierre @ Casbah 
• NYE Party with Weatherbox Pistolita, positioner @ Soda Bar
• Magic Giant, Kosta @ The Irenic 
• New Years Eve with Bruin and Well Well Well @ Seven Grand (No Cover)  
• NYE Dance Party with DJs JuniortheDiscopunk and Vaughn @ Bar Pink
• Euphoric Haze! feat Lady Dottie & The Diamonds, Mrs. Henry, The Rollers, Creature & The Woods, The Sleepwalkers, Strawberry Moon, Hiroshima Mockingbirds, Babydoll Warriors and DJs Ratty and Lexicon Devil @ Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club, and Bungalows 
• La Escalera New Years w/Civil War Rust, Mercy Music, Jennie Cotteril & Stacey Dee, Squarecrow, Hey Chels, Se Vends, Le Saboteur, MIT @ Tower Bar 
• LED presents OMFG! NYE 2019 with Porter Robinson, 1788-L, Ekali, Gammer, San Holo, Valentino Khan, Yetep @ Pechanga Arena (SOLD OUT)
• Booty Bassment NYE with Dmitri and Rob @ Whistle Stop
• Tron Themed NYE 80s New Wave Dance Party @ Blonde 
• Catamaran NYE Beach Party @ Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa (Tickets are all inclusive with drinks/hors d'ouevres)
• Big Night San Diego NYE Gala @ Hilton Bayfront (Tickets are all inclusive with drinks/buffet)
• NYE Yacht Party @ Hornblower Cruises
• NYE 2019 with Miles Medina & Friends, Hickies & Dryhumps, DJ Tanner @ House Of Blues
• Michael Franti & Spearhead @ Belly Up (SOLD OUT)
• Atomic Groove's NYE @ Belly Up (Happy Hour 5pm)
• New Year's Eve Boombox with Ryan Bauer and Omega Squad @ Music Box 
• 4B X Insomniac Event @ Bassmnt
• New Years Eve Spectacular with Spencer Day @ Martini's Above Fourth
• We Like to Party: New Years Eve! 90's Pop Dance Party @ Space (Free!)
• NYE Party: Wheeland Brothers, Irieality, The Gravities @ 710 Beach Club
• NYE 2018 with Kid Ink, DJ Pauly D and 15+ more DJs on 3 floors @ Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
• FNGRS CRSSD feat. Sofi Tukker, Animal Talk @ Spin
• Coin-Op Snow Lodge @ Coin-Op North Park
• NYE Bash with Three Chord Justice @ Riviera Supper Club
• San Diego Holiday Bowl @ SDCCU Stadium
• New Year's Eve Party with Electric Waste Band @ Winston's (9pm)
• New Beer's Eve @ North Park Brewing Company (noon)
• New Year's Bash with Chloe Lou & The Liddells, Alvino & The Dwells @ Rosie O'Grady's
• NYE with HBp & Decibel DJs @ 619 Spirits North Park (open at 4pm|party at 8pm. No Cover)
• NYE @ Sycamore Den 
• The Second City Improv All Stars @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido
• Yankton @ Moonshine Flats 
• Jerry Jacobs @ Moonshine Beach
• Craft Beer New Year @ Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens
• NYE 2019 feat 90s Hip hop/House/Pop @ Til-Two Club (includes Nacho Bar)
• NYE Gala with XIV, Burlesque by Luna Nouveau @ Navajo Live
• Greatest Hits @ The Shout! House
• Latin NYE with Julio de la Huerta & Band @ The Westgate Hotel
• Ball on Broadway @ Parq 
• NYE with Coriander, Keep Your Soul@ Tin Roof 
• NYE Dance Party @ Manhattan Bar (NO COVER)
• Custard Pie @ Pour House 
• NYE with Mr Dejay @ West Coast Tavern
• Beachfront Bash @ Belmont Park (Draft South Mission/Beach House/ Cannonball)
• Black Cat Wax New Year's Eve Soiree @ Black Cat Bar
• Party Favor @ Omnia 
• DJ Drama @ FLUXX
• Salsa & Bachata New Year's Eve with DJ Ukeim and DJ Malakaii @ Queen Bee's
• NYE Time Zone Party with DJ Kylita @ Tiger!Tiger! (5pm-2am)
• Alternative New Year's Eve Ascension @ Worldbeat Center (7pm)
• Bottoms Up NYE @ Altitude Sky Lounge 
• Knotty NYE @ Knotty Barrel
• 7th Annual Moonlight San Diego New Year's Eve Cruise @ California Spirit Yacht 
• NYE Neon Skate @ SkateWorld (6pm-1am, includes skates, pizza, drink, hats, horns, glow sticks. 2 countdowns- 9pm & 12am)
• LED Presents Ekali @ Bang Bang
• PB&J Black and White Masquerade with DJs Adam Salter, Ikah Love, Brian Rose @ El Dorado
• NYE with DJ XP @ The Rail (Brass Rail)
• New York NYE @ The Brewers Tap Room (9pm)
• Black & Gold NYE Party @ Maritime Museum of San Diego 
• NYE Dinner Cruise @ Flagship Cruises & Events (8pm boarding)
• Double NYE feat The Fooks @ The Field (4pm & 12am) 
• Le Disco @ Vin De Syrah
• New Year's Eve 2018 with DJs EdROC & Heminguey @ The Office
• NYE Celebration with Shane Hall @ Prohibition Lounge (9:30pm)
• Beef & Bourbon NYE Supper Club @ Prohibition Lounge (6:30pm)
• NYE Salsa, Bachata, y Mas @ Tio Leo's
• Detroit Underground @ Humphrey's Backstage Live (9pm)
• Tiki NYE @ The Grass Skirt (6pm-12am) 
• NYE Rooftop Party @ Andaz
• NYE Bourbon, Bubbles, & Bow Ties @ Barleymash
• The Roaring '20s NYE Party @ Henry's
• NYE @ Side Bar
• NYE DJ/Toast/Wine/Beer Specials/Food Trucks @ 32 North Brewing
• Gatsby's House @ Hotel Republic (9pm-2am)
• NYE @ The Tipsy Crow
• NYE 2018: Fire & Ice @ McFadden's
• Trivia With Arnie @ Bancroft Bar
• Open Mic @ Lestat's
• NYE on the Rooftop @ Level 9, Hotel Indigo (No Cover, Champagne Toast)
• Black & White NYE Party @ InCahoots
• Romantico NYE @ Porto Vista Hotel (Little Italy)
• NYE with The Counterfeits @ McGregor's (No cover before 9am)
• A Vintage New Years Eve: Ring in 2019! 3 course dinner & no cover cocktail party with DJ Jon Wesley @ The Pearl Hotel 
• New Year's Eve with DJ Bacon Bits  @ U-31
• Neighborhood NYE with DJ Wonderbread @ The Smoking Gun 

Things To Do In San Diego: Monday, December 17-Wednesday, December 26, 2019

I spent the first half of last week being super sick and trying to lay low with copious amounts of guafenisen laced syrups. On Wednesday I was well enough to get outside and take the dog to Nova's soccer practice and at least breathe some fresh air. By Thursday, I was itching to really get out and was so happy to see the amazing Middle Kids again, this time at Soda Bar. On Friday, tickets for Wrex The Halls came through, and that was a pretty special night, too, though I missed several of the openers because I couldn't get my work done in time. But I did catch Billie Eilish, Third Eye Blind, and Death Cab for Cutie and got to see lots of good friends, too. Our whole weekend was spend in Coronado for Nova's soccer tournament but I was pretty wiped after on both days and have just been sleeping a ton. Which means that I woke up super early (for me) today and got all the listings done through next Wednesday. Darren's mom will be in town this week, we've got a tree to decorate, a ton of cleaning and stuff to do around the house, but I'll definitely be out, too, like my last minute Thom Yorke ticket for tonight and Ziggy Shuffledust on Thursday. Plus we'll get in some nighttime Zoo and Safari Park visits, too. I hope everyone has a great Christmas. My new keyboard is on its way from Hong Kong so hopefully I'll get back to posting again when it's all fixed. Full listings through 12/26 are after the jump.

Livenation Takes Over Observatory

An end of an era and a new beginning for The Observatory.

Pollstar: Live Nation Announces Exclusive Booking Deal With Observatory Venues In Santa Ana, San Diego

91X Announces Wrex the Halls Set Times

Wrex The Halls is happening this Friday night at the newly anointed Pechanga Arena San Diego and I can't believe I'm not going, but that's neither here nor there. If you haven't procured tickets yet, get them here, and check the set times below.

Things To Do In San Diego: Monday, December 10-Monday, December 17, 2018

Last week was crazy busy. I worked at the Irenic four nights in a row, but the shows end early enough that I was able to catch some time at the Office, caught Har Mar Superstar at the Merrow, hung out at the Ken Club, and we got to see Neko Case at the Observatory. That Thursday night rain deluge was no joke, and I guess the cold and rain and walking to and from work didn't really help me out because I've been sniffling and sneezing and taking long naps and trying to stay warm and rested. Listings are all done through Monday and I'm still holding out hope that I can shoot Wrex The Halls and score a Thom Yorke ticket, but if I feel then how I feel now, I'll be home on the couch watching everyone else post about it on Facebook. Monday to Monday listings are after the jump.

Things To Do In San Diego: Tuesday, December 4-Monday, December 10, 2018

I had such a good week, though looking back there was a lot of pajama time and tons of movies, like I finally rented Crazy Rich Asians (so good!) and have been slowly bingeing all of the awesomely terrible Christmas movies spanning Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Hallmark and Lifetime. They're all so bad they're good. Of course, I was super looking forward to boygenius at the Observatory, and Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus were all so amazing individually and together. On Friday I worked the Irenic for Lemaitre and called it an early night. It was nice to get rain in San Diego, too, which resulted in Nova's soccer tournament being cancelled so the kids wouldn't ruin the fields, I guess, but it meant we actually got to do some of the fun stuff on my Holiday listings...like we walked to the North Park Toyland Parade, went to Ponce's for a late lunch, and hung out in Kensington where we browsed the shops and stumbled upon a great little shop with crafts made by adults with Autism and developmental disabilities, then went to the Zen Sanctuary holiday open house. On Sunday, I took Nova to SoNo Fest, then we ran around the Zoo for a bit, then cruised Balboa Park to check out the Dr Seuss tree, then later that night Darren and I went to Bar Pink Holiday Prom. This week promises to be awesome, too. We're planning on getting a tree in the next day or two, and then I've got four marathon nights working at the Irenic, plus probably some shows I'll catch after those early shows end. And of course, an endless supply of Christmas movies.




Tuesday, December 4, 2018:

• Mac DeMarco @ Music Box (SOLD OUT)
• Jonny Lang, Zane Carney @ Belly Up (SOLD OUT)
• Shindigs, Battery Point, Los Shadows, Strangers in a Fire DJs @ Casbah 
• Wanted Noise, Lighterburns, Paige Koehler @ Soda Bar
• Tiki Tuesday feat. The Garners @ Bar Pink
• Analog Lizards of Doom @ Rosie O Grady's
• The Petty Saints, Sideyard, Jesse Howard @ The Merrow
• So You Think You Can Dance Live! 2018 @ San Diego Civic Theatre
• Postponed: Charlie Daniels Band @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido 
• Beats Without Borders @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido 
• Chee Koo Trio @ Seven Grand
• Karaoke @ Space
• Pro Jam Session @ WildWood Crossing
• Techno Tuesdays @ Blonde
• Blue Largo @ Humphrey's Backstage Live
• Decades @ Winston's (9:30 pm)
• Robin Henkel @ Crossroads, House of Blues (FREE)
• Daughters of Triton Holiday Concert @ Che Café Collective
• Karaoke Night @ The Rabbit Hole
• Karaoke @ Bancroft Bar
• Line Dance Lessons @ Moonshine Beach 
• Well-Strung in "A Well-Strung Christmas" @ Martini's Above Fourth
• M.A.S.S. - Musical Artistry of Singers & Songwriters @ Winston's (6pm)
• Trapped with DJ Ramsey & Guests @ The Office
• DJ Lexicon Devil @ Pour House
• Beer Pong @ U-31
• Karaoke @ Riviera Supper Club
• Sue Palmer @ Tio Leo's
• Videodrome @ Whistle Stop
• Comedy Night @ Lestat's
• Rockabilly and Swing @ Henry's Pub
• Karaoke with Christine @ Navajo Live
• Sensi Trails, The Gentle Giants @ 710 Beach Club

Wednesday, December 5, 2018:

• Redd Kross, Dale Crover Band @ Casbah
• Fucked Up, Narrow Head@ Soda Bar
• Big Business, Qui, DJ Justin Pearson @ Whistle Stop
• Aaron Lewis, Anna Vaus @ House of Blues
• nothing,nowhere., Wicca Phase Springs Eternal, smrtdeath, St. Panther @ The Irenic
• Red Fox Tails @ Seven Grand
• Instant Crush with Nastea & Guests @ The Office
• Atomic Groove's Xmas Show @ Belly Up
• Audioscope Radio 360 VR video shoot with Goldettes, Razor Nights, Babydoll Warriors @ Bar Pink
• Wild Country Wednesday @ Moonshine Beach 
• TV Dinner: Hearts Beat Loud @ The Loft, UCSD
• Clay Colton @ WildWood Crossing (Patio)
• Jazz with Leonard Patton and Matt Dibiase @ Tio Leo's
• Paul Gregg @ Sycamore Den
• Reggae en tu Barrio with Karlos Paez @ Border X Brewing
• Gilbert Castellanos Young Lions Series & Jazz Jam @ Panama 66
• First Wednesdays: 60 Minutes of Swing @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido
• OGHS Winter Concert @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido
• Dance Klassique with Joe Pea, Ryan Bauer, Gomez @ Blonde
• Open Mic Night @ Pour House
• Club Kingston Presents: Something Like Suduction, Eureka Sound, DJ Carlos Culture @ Winston's
• Karaoke @ WildWood Crossing (Music Room)
• Wednesday Trivia @ The Rabbit Hole
• Well-Strung in "A Well-Strung Christmas" @ Martini's Above Fourth
• Michael Head "Moneymen" @ Crossroads, House of Blues (FREE)
• Redemption River, Lions Against Men, The Flood @ Navajo Live
• Karaoke @ Bancroft Bar
• Merca Bae, K.O. aka Koala, lilbodybag&Umenos, Ghostboy, Bakunawa @ Kava Lounge
• San Diego Gulls vs Tucson Roadrunners @ Valley View Casino Center
• Karaoke @ Rosie O Grady's
• Open Mic with Jefferson Jay @ Winston's (6-9pm)
• Live Music @ Henry's Pub
• Bob James @ Humphrey's Backstage Live
• Open Mic/Open Jam @ 710 Beach Club

Thursday, December 6, 2018:

• Squirrel Nut Zippers Holiday Caravan @ Belly Up
• The Buttertones, Tracy Bryant @ The Irenic (SOLD OUT)
• Irradio, Dewey Defeats Truman, Demasiado, Miss New Buddha @ Casbah
• Postponed Laura Gibson @ Grande Ole BBQ Flinn Springs
• Grrrls Independent Ladies Presents Nina Coyote eta Chico Tornado, Le Ra @ Bar Pink
• The Slackers, The Aggrolites, Viernes 13 @ House of Blues
• CANCELED! Con•tact, Shoot The Glass, Braggers, Post Elvis @ Soda Bar
• Casting Crowns @ San Diego Civic Theatre
• Spite, Left Behind, Orthodox, Depths of Hatred @ Soma
• Dead at Midnite, Busted Coffins, The Midnight Block, Gut Punch @ Ken Club
• Harvard Bass & Friends @ Blonde
• Craft + Sip Holiday Edition @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido
• Mark Twain's A Christmas Carol @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido
• Avi Avital and San Diego Symphony @ Jacobs Music Center at Symphony Hall
• Murray Christmas Party with Cutwater Spirits @ The Office
• Logan Mize, Keelan Donovan @ Voodoo Room, House of Blues
• Altai Kai: Throat Singing from the Altai @ Worldbeat Center
• Taryn Donath @ WildWood Crossing (Music Room)
• DJ Dunekat @ Rosie O Grady's
• Half Eaten, Heir Gloom, the Colour Monday @ The Merrow
• San Diego Made First Thursday @ Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows (6pm)
• Moved to Dec 13: San Diego County Bike Coalition Joy Ride @ Meet at Panama 66
• Tommy Guerrero @ Panama 66
• Arts & Crafts @ The Rabbit Hole
• Boomboxx Thursdays @ U-31
• Rosy Dawn @ Humphrey's Backstage Live
• Nu Moods: Live Jazz feat. Lexi Pulido, Justin Grinnell, Julien Cantelm, Louis Valenzuela @ Quartyard
• Castle, Nebula Drag, Hours, Dhatura @ Tower Bar
• Psyclon Nine, MXMS, Guidance, Striplicker @ Brick by Brick
• Lee Squared: A Tribute to Liberace and Miss Peggy Lee @ Martini's Above Fourth
• Jimmy Ruelas @ Seven Grand
• Comedy Night @ Midnight Jack
• Tim Norton @ De Oro Mine Co 
• Samsara, Missing Limbs @ Bancroft Bar
• Open Jam Session @ Winston's (6-9pm)
• Bitter Kiddos, The Powerballs, Subsurfer @ Winston's
• Original Stylin (Hip-hop) @ Til-Two Club
• Line Dancing Lessons @ Moonshine Flats
• Bill Caballero Latin Jam @ Border X Brewing
• Throwdown Thursdays @ Moonshine Beach 
• Rock Out Karaoke @ Tin Roof
• Thursday Night Swing @ Queen Bee's
• Open Jam with Jeff Ousley @ Navajo Live
• Tommy Price and the Stilettos @ Tio Leo's
• Liquid Courage Karaoke @ 710 Beach Club
• DJ Yodah @ Henry's Pub

Friday, December 7, 2018:

• December Nights @ Balboa Park
• Pale Waves, Kailee Morgue, The Candescents @ The Irenic
• Beach Fossils & Wavves: The I Love You Tour, Spiritual Cramp @ House of Blues
• The Ataris, Mainsail, Wanted Noise @ Casbah
• Chris Robinson Brotherhood @ The Observatory
• Magic Sword, Crystal Ghost @ Soda Bar
• Sextile, BOAN, DJ Jon Blaj @ Whistle Stop
• We Are Your Friends - Indie Dance Party @ Blonde
• Dom Kennedy, Cozz, Jay 305, Warm Brew @ Soma
• First Friday HipHop Night with DJ Artistic and Friends @ Bar Pink
• Marujah, No Kings @ 710 Beach Club
• December Nights @ Panama 66
• Jazz Ensembles of the San Diego School Of Creative Performing Arts @ Dizzy's
• Avi Avital and San Diego Symphony @ Jacobs Music Center at Symphony Hall
• Sammy Johnson, Etana, Nomad and Swells @ Music Box
• The Division Men, Roger!, Jesse Nova and the Second Line @ Black Cat Bar
• The Guitar Collective: Angel Vivaldi and Nita Strauss, Jacky Vincent @ Brick By Brick
• Daring Greatly @ WildWood Crossing (Music Room)
• Tatanka, Sandollar @ Winston's
• Julian Jaime, Marian Mulock, Ricky Garcia @ Lestat's
• Mattte Gray Band @ Moonshine Beach 
• Whiskey, Cash, and Roses @ Moonshine Flats 
• Crew D'Etat @ Seven Grand
• New Skeletal Faces, Morphesia, Braggers @ Club 207, Hard Rock Hotel
• Rituals - a night of dark danse with Mortal Boy live @ Space
• Slow Caves, Moth Wings, Rain on Fridays South Beacons @ Che Café Collective
• Viscous @ De Oro Mine Co
• Shared Holiday Party @ Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows (6pm)
• Koo Koo Kanga Roo, Kitty Kat Fan Club @ Voodoo Room, House of Blues
• Carols By Candlelight @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido
• Mark Twain's A Christmas Carol @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido
• Hip Hop vs Punk Rock w/ Gonkama, Strangely Strange, Tranzformer @ Tower Bar
• Rock En Espanol with Zenith @ Border X Brewing
• Jenn Grinels & Jenn Bostic Concert @ Queen Bee's
• Black Market 111 @ Rosie O'Grady's
• Heart Bones - Har Mar Superstar and Sabrina Ellis do the songs of Dirty Dancing, Geezer @ The Merrow
• Bruja, Rust, Pedal Strike, Akrid @ Bancroft Bar
• Janice & Nathan @ Martini's Above Fourth
• Undercover, DJ Pocket @ V Lounge, Viejas Casino 
• Teach Me Equals, Joey Sprinkles, Of Ennui, & Polux @ Til-Two Club
• All-Vinyl Happy Hour w/Monsieur Turbeau @ The Office (6pm)
• Last Fryday @ The Loft, UCSD
• Bump City Brass @ Tio Leo's
• The Devon Allman Project, Duane Betts, Southern Reign @ Ramona Mainstage
• Mercedes Moore @ Humphrey's Backstage Live (5pm)
• Pop Vinyl @ Humphrey's Backstage Live (9pm)
• Strange Crew, Side Hustle @ Navajo Live (10pm)
• OB Comedy @ Winston's  (6-9pm)
• FNGRS CRSSD: Tiga + The Black Madonna @ Spin   
• Darius @ Bang Bang
• Goodtimes @ Henry's Pub
• Club Musae @ Boar Cross'n

Saturday, December 8, 2018:

• Vinyl Junkies Record Swap @ Casbah ($5, 11am-5pm)
• December Nights @ Balboa Park
• Island Food and Beer Fest @ Waterfront Park
• An Evening With Fleetwood Mac @ Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl, SDSU
• Neko Case,  Destoyer (Solo) @ The Observatory North Park
• Echosmith, Josh Vietti, Ben Benavente @ Westfield UTC
• Hands Like Houses, Emarosa, Devour The Day, Arlington @ The Irenic
• Author & Punisher, Lingua Ignota, Street Sects, Otherr, New Crimes @ Casbah 
• DJ Mike Delgado @ Bar Pink
• Club Sabbat @ The Merrow  
• West Coast Podcast Expo @ Worldbeat Center
• Gnarlywood Presents: 16th Annual Turtleneck & Sweater Party with The Young Guns @ Belly Up  
• Sol Orchid @ Seven Grand
• End of Data (witch house, glitch, dark electro night) @ Space
• Late Night Jackin Holiday Party with Arturo Garces, Josh Lewis, Paul Najera, Boys Don't Disco @ Blonde
• December Nights @ Panama 66
• Avi Avital and San Diego Symphony @ Jacobs Music Center at Symphony Hall
• Fred & Friends @ WildWood Crossing (Music Room, 4:30-6:30pm)
• West of 5 @ WildWood Crossing (Music Room, 8-11pm)
• Another Holiday Show feat Fashion Jackson, Retra, yujin13 @ Lestat's 
• Don Vedda, Ben Limpic, 33 North, The Adam Bruck Experience, The Infidels featuring Aaron New, Why July @ Soma
• Nathan James @ Pour House (5:30pm)  
• Booty Bassment with Dmitri & Rob @ Whistle Stop
• Inspired and the Sleep, Miles Bandit, Petite Lumière @ Pour House  
• 4SDA's Nutcracker @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido
• Mark Twain's A Christmas Carol @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido
• Carols By Candlelight @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido
• Pilita Corrales & Sonny Turner @ Sycuan
• San Diego Seals Free Open Practice + Scrimmage @ Valley View Casino Center
• The Original Blues Brothers Band @ The Events Center, Harrah's SoCal Resort 
• Drainbows, Black Hesher, The Resinators @ Black Cat Bar
• Java Joe Presents: Jeff Berkley, Veronica May, Lindsay White, Lisa Sanders, Bobo Czarnowski, Cici Artemsia @ Backdrop (formerly Java Joe's)
• 25 Years of Enter The Wu-Tang @ Border X Brewing
• Whitechapel -"This Is Exile" 10th Anniversary Tour, Chelsea Grin, Oceano, Slaughter To Prevail @ House of Blues
• Asi Suena Presents Allison, Buen Viaje, Tesuque Revolt @ Voodoo Room, House of Blues
• Sophia Alone @ Martini's Above Fourth
• Drac & The Swamp Rats, The Writhers, Busted Coffins @ Tower Bar
• The Rinds, PUKE, Suburban Park, Remedelics and AVO @ Che Café Collective
• Electric Division @ De Oro Mine Co
• Watch me Burn, Cave Bastards, ARToWAR @ Bancroft Bar
• Fungineers "Ice Cream Truck Show" @ Quartyard
• Whiskey, Cash, and Roses @ Moonshine Beach 
• Matte Gray Band @ Moonshine Flats 
• Sometimes Julie @ Winston's (5 pm)
• Boostive, The Routine @ Winston's (10pm)
• Wild Heart @ Rosie O Grady's
• Naughty is the new Nice: Brolesque Show @ Queen Bee's 
• Crimeapple, Eto, Big Twin @ Til-Two Club
• Shred For Dime — Annual Tribute Show @ Brick By Brick
• T-Dance @ The Merrow
• Strictly Business w/DJs Heminguey & Gabe Vega @ The Office
• Paging the '90s Pacific Beach Party @ 710 Beach Club
• Karaoke @ WildWood Crossing (Patio)
• UFC 231 @ U-31
• Rising Star, DJ Ayla Simone @ V Lounge, Viejas Casino 
• Detroit Underground @ Tio Leo's
• Sue Palmer @ Humphrey's Backstage Live (5pm)
• GruvMatic @ Humphrey's Backstage Live (9pm)
• Ego Trip Presents: Creatures of the Forest ft. Emancipator @ Spin
• Serious Guise @ Navajo Live 
• Saint Clair @ Oxford Social Club
• Galactic Goddess @ Kava Lounge
• Rockstar Saturdays @ Henry's

Sunday, December 9, 2018:

• Kurt Vile & The Violators, Jessica Pratt @ The Observatory North Park
• Cayucas, Nico Yaryan @ Voodoo Room, House of Blues
• ALT 949 Not So Silent Night with Thirty Seconds To Mars, AJR, Elle King, Alice Merton @ Del Mar Arena
• Wafia @ Casbah
• SUUNS, Graham Van Pelt @ Soda Bar
• Skating Polly, potty mouth, Con-Tact @ Space
• Wavves, Beach Fossils: The I Love You Tour, Spiritual Cramp @ House of Blues
• Stephen El Rey, Daniel Crawford and Ariel Levine @ The Cordova (formerly Morena Club)
• Mud Slide Slim Holiday Show: the Music of James Taylor, Carole King @ The Music Box 
• Besos Trio @ Panama 66
• Runsdeep, Single Lash, Language Of Flowers @ Whistle Stop
• Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn (seated show) @ Belly Up (SOLD OUT)
• Craft Workshop with Chicanistas @ Border X Brewing
• Rockademy @ Music Box 
• Bar Pink Craft Bar-Zaar with The Jason Hanna Trio @ Bar Pink (12 pm)
• Rat Sabbath with DJ Ratty @ Bar Pink (10 pm)
• The Primals, This White Light. @ Bancroft Bar
• Syncopated Ladies, Sole Talk @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido
• Mark Twain's A Christmas Carol @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido
• DAIKAIJU!!!, Secret Samurai, Dinosaur Ghost @ Tower Bar
• San Diego Gay Men's Chorus Jingle @ Sycuan
• East Village Holiday Market & Tree Lighting @ Quartyard (3-8pm)
• California Fire Foundation Benefit Show featuring L.i.f.t., Sitting On Stacy, Alternate Era, Halo Boy, David Twist, HRRY @ Soma 
• San Diego Tennis Federation Holiday Party @ Martini's Above Fourth
• Members Holiday Party @ La Jolla Athenaeum
• Showstoppers Talent Contest - Grand Finals @ The Merrow (5pm)
• The Playground- Sunday Night Dance Party with DJ Heather Hardcore @ The Merrow (8pm)
• Divinity Presents Chvrch @ Blonde
• C-Kan @ El Gran Patron Night Club
• Pants Karaoke @ Til-Two Club
• Rock Goddess Tribute Night feat Roni Lee, Bobbi Baur, Juliet Hawkins, Bahar Shahidi, Rhythm Rose Turner, Francesca Valle, Michele Whitlow, Colette Lopicollo, Shamini Jain @ Brick By Brick
• Salsa Sundays @ Queen Bee's (All Ages)
• Nikki Hill, Laura Chavez, The Sleepwalkers @ Tio Leo's
• ALU, Sushi Neko Roll, Ba Bête, Vaginals, Modesty @ Kava Lounge
• Reggae Sunday @ U-31
• Uptown Top Ranking @ The Office
• Underworld.Gothic.Industrial @ Navajo Live 
• Major Interval @ Humphrey's Backstage Live (7pm)
• Jose Sinatra's OB-o-ke @ Winston's
• Almost Famous Karaoke @ Henry's
• Reggae Sunday @ Spin
• Sunday Funday Karaoke @ 710 Beach Club

Monday, December 10, 2018:

• AFI, Cold Showers @ The Observatory
• Distressor, Sway, The Rightovers, hug @Soda Bar
• Mainsail, Avenue Army, Teazed @ Casbah
• djgirlgroupgirl @ Bar Pink
• 6th Annual Fernet-Branca, Henebery & AKA Holiday Party @ The Office
• The Bucket Show: Featuring James Schrader & Joe Grillo @ Ken Club
• Jazz Jam at Rosie's w/Louis V @ Rosie O'Grady's
• WWE Monday Night Raw @ Valley View Casino Center
• Electric Waste Band @ Winston's
• Makossa Mondays with DJ Tah Rei @ Seven Grand
• Doyle, Society 1, Vuture, SouthTowne Sham, Cylon 78 @ Brick by Brick
• Blue Monday Dark 80s New Wave Night with DJ Camilla Robina, Aaron Wallace @ Blonde
• Fox and Bones, BJ Jezbera @ De Oro Mine Co
• Andy and Nathan @ Martini's Above Fourth
• Strictly Acoustic @ Navajo Live
• Electric Relaxation @ Whistle Stop
• Line Dancing Lessons @ Moonshine Beach 
• Trivia with Arnie @ Bancroft Bar
• Wheels of the Industry @ Live Wire
• Open Mic @ Lestat's
• Acoustic Night/Industry Night @ Henry's Pub
• 31 Flavors @ U-31

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.