Not much exciting to report on my end of life. I am trying to be more healthy in 2016 but it’s really hard to say no to Mexican food. And french fries. Well, potatoes and carbs in general. But I did manage to get a good workout in 3 days last week but it was actually 5 workouts and a fair amount of soreness. I consider that progress. Hopefully I can maintain! But this week marks the beginning of a series of trips up to LA for some shows starting with Dear Boy and then Parade of Lights and a few other things. Let’s see what’s going on down here…

 

Monday:

Tuesday: Langhorne Slim & The Law, Jonny Fritz @ Belly Up at 9pm
AND: Oh Wonder @ Casbah at 9pm

Wednesday: Ty Segall & The Muggers @ Belly Up at 9pm
AND: The Tip @ Soda Bar at 9pm

Thursday: Sundrop Electric @ The Merrow at 9pm
AND: Broni, Kelsea Rae Little @ Lestats at 9pm
AND: Andy Frasco & The U.N. @ Soda Bar at 9pm

Friday: Leave the Universe, Elisia Savoca @ Lestats at 9pm
AND: Pine Mountain Logs @ Belly Up at 9pm

Saturday: Tower of Power, Hamish Anderson @ Belly Up at 8pm
AND: Lightning Starts Fire @ Lestats

Sunday: DeVotchKa @ Belly Up at 8pm
AND: Tori Roze & Johnny Alexander @ Sycamore Den at 8pm

 

Keep in Mind:
January 18th- Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band @ Observatory North Park
January 23rd- JD McPherson, HONEYHONEY!
January 24th- Vanessa Carlton @ Casbah
January 24th- Europe @ Music Box
January 30th- The Silent Comedy, Creature & The Woods, Robert Jon and The Wreck @ Casbah
February 12th- Anya Marina @ The Loft at UCSD
February 20th- Dr. Dog @ Observatory North Park
February 22nd- Lee Ann Womack @ Belly up
February 25th- Metric @ House of Blues
February 27th- Nick Carter @ Belly Up
March 2nd- Mutemath @ House of Blues
March 8th- St. Lucia @ Observatory North Park
March 23rd- Wolfmother @ House of Blues
March 27th- They Might Be Giants @ Belly Up
May 20th- The Cure @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
July 24th- twenty one pilots @ Viejas Arena

I hope everyone had a lovely New Years Eve. I spent mine eating pizza and recovering from my The Academy Is… show on the 30th. I already miss my AZ friends and all our TAI shows together. But I got 5 more this year than I ever expected to get, so that’s pretty good. I’ll be publishing my Best Shows of 2015 list soon so keep an eye out. But it’s a new year with new shows so let’s see what this week has in store…

 

Monday:

Tuesday: Little Heroine @ The Merrow at 9pm
AND: Frankie Boots and The County Line @ Soda Bar at 9pm

Wednesday: Sundrop Electric @ Casbah at 9pm

Thursday: Muse, Phantogram @ Valley View Casino Center at 7pm
AND: Lee Gallagher and The Hallelujah, Jimmy Ruelas @ The Merrow at 9pm
AND: Sister Speak @ The Loft at UCSD at 8:30pm

Friday: Hills Like Elephants, John Meeks @ Bar Pink at 9pm

Saturday: Redwood Revue @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Tool @ Viejas Arena at SDSU

Sunday: Tool @ Viejas Arena at SDSU

 

Keep in Mind:
January 18th- Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band @ Observatory North Park
January 23rd- JD McPherson, HONEYHONEY!
January 24th- Vanessa Carlton @ Casbah
January 24th- Europe @ Music Box
January 30th- The Silent Comedy, Creature & The Woods, Robert Jon and The Wreck @ Casbah
February 12th- Anya Marina @ The Loft at UCSD
February 20th- Dr. Dog @ Observatory North Park
February 22nd- Lee Ann Womack @ Belly up
February 25th- Metric @ House of Blues
February 27th- Nick Carter @ Belly Up
March 2nd- Mutemath @ House of Blues
March 8th- St. Lucia @ Observatory North Park
March 23rd- Wolfmother @ House of Blues
March 27th- They Might Be Giants @ Belly Up
May 20th- The Cure @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
July 24th- twenty one pilots @ Viejas Arena

Well, another year is gone. I hope everyone had a lovely holiday and has some exciting plans for New Years Eve. I have zero plans for New Years Eve since most of the events in San Diego are big DJ parties and I would rather raid Trader Joe’s and have a feast. I’m compiling my best of list for shows that I’ve seen in 2015. I’d love to post it now but I have one more on the 30th that might take the cake. I don’t want to jump the gun as it were. So stay tuned for that. And you must keep an eye out for Kristen’s 2015 playlist. Have a safe and Happy New Years!

 

Monday: Tori Roze & The Hot Mess @ Bar Pink at 9pm
AND: Duke Dumont @ Observatory North Park at 9pm
AND: Ozomatli @ Belly Up at 8pm

Tuesday: Donavon Frankenreiter @ Belly Up at 8pm
AND: Crazy Town @ Soda Bar at 9pm

Wednesday: The Academy Is… @ Observatory North Park at 8pm
AND: Donavon Frankenreiter @ Belly Up at 8pm

Thursday: Los Lobos, Hamish Anderson @ Belly Up at 9pm

Friday: Happy New Year!

Saturday: The Young Wild, The Verigolds, Western Scene, Great White Buffalo @ Music Box
AND: Lady Dottie & The Diamonds @ Park & Rec at 9pm

Sunday:

 

Keep in Mind:
January 7th- Muse, Phantogram @ Valley View Casino Center
January 9th/10th- Tool @ Viejas Arena at SDSU
January 18th- Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band @ Observatory North Park
January 23rd- JD McPherson, HONEYHONEY!
January 24th- Vanessa Carlton @ Casbah
January 24th- Europe @ Music Box
January 30th- The Silent Comedy, Creature & The Woods, Robert Jon and The Wreck @ Casbah
February 20th- Dr. Dog @ Observatory North Park
February 25th- Metric @ House of Blues
March 2nd- Mutemath @ House of Blues
March 8th- St. Lucia @ Observatory North Park
March 23rd- Wolfmother @ House of Blues
May 20th- The Cure @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
July 24th- twenty one pilots @ Viejas Arena

I seem to be stuck with this evolving cold/sinus thing. Just when I think I’ve kicked the stupid thing, it comes back again. Maybe that’s because I go out when I’m feeling good and I probably should have just stayed home instead. I can thank my mom for that gene. This week wasn’t as action packed as last week, which I’m actually happy about. I had my last day of art class on Tuesday so my brain will probably be pretty happy about that but I will miss the class and the people. The other thing missing this week is anything resembling a usual concert calendar due to the holiday. It’s slim pickings out there folks so instead have a happy holiday with friends and loved ones.

 

Monday: Stephen Rey @ Casbah at 9pm

Tuesday: Atlas Rhoads, The Eagle and Child @ House of Blues at 7pm

Wednesday: 2nd Annual Country Christmas feat: Nancarrow, Brawley, and more @ Belly Up at 7pm

Thursday:

Friday: Happy Christmas!

Saturday: Lady Dottie & The Diamonds @ Park & Rec at 9pm

Sunday: Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven @ Belly Up at 8pm
AND: Gone Baby Gone @ Soda Bar at 9pm

 

Keep in Mind:
December 30th- The Academy Is… @ Observatory North Park
January 2nd- The Young Wild, The Verigolds, Western Scene, Great White Buffalo @ Music Box
January 7th- Muse, Phantogram @ Valley View Casino Center
January 9th/10th- Tool @ Viejas Arena at SDSU
January 18th- Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band @ Observatory North Park
January 23rd- JD McPherson, HONEYHONEY!
January 24th- Vanessa Carlton @ Casbah
January 24th- Europe @ Music Box
January 30th- The Silent Comedy, Creature & The Woods, Robert Jon and The Wreck @ Casbah
February 20th- Dr. Dog @ Observatory North Park
February 25th- Metric @ House of Blues
March 2nd- Mutemath @ House of Blues
March 8th- St. Lucia @ Observatory North Park
March 23rd- Wolfmother @ House of Blues
May 20th- The Cure @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
July 24th- twenty one pilots @ Viejas Arena

Happy Monday everyone! I had a lovely weekend between watching Dear Boy at the Casbah (their first time!) and the amazing lineup of the KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas show. I’d be lying if I said there hasn’t been a fair amount of dancing and singing going on. We have a fair amount of shows going on this week, getting everything in before the Christmas holiday. In the words of James Bay, “Get out, get out while you still can. Don’t let the nights slip through your hands.”

 

Monday: Sea of Bees @ Soda Bar at 9pm

Tuesday: Cheap Trick Trick @ Belly Up at 8pm- SOLD OUT
AND: The 1975 @ Observatory North Park at 8pm- SOLD OUT
AND: Jesse LaMonaca @ The Merrow at 9pm
AND: Tesla Boy, Dr. Seahorse @ Soda Bar at 9pm

Wednesday: Paul Cannon, Lee Koch, Tyson Motsenbocker, Hummingbird Hotel @ Belly Up at 7:30pm

Thursday: Macy Gray @ Belly Up at 8pm- SOLD OUT
AND: Crocodiles @ The Hideout at 9pm
AND: Sam Outlaw, Graham Nancarrow, Sara Petite @ Soda Bar at 9pm

Friday: Billy Sunday @ Till Two Club at 9pm
AND: Rick Springfield @ House of Blue at 8pm

Saturday: The Raveonettes @ Casbah at 9pm- SOLD OUT
AND: The Verigolds, Spero @ House of Blues at 8pm

Sunday: Jared & The Mill @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Lump of Coal feat: Foals, The Wombats, and more @ Soma 6:30pm
AND: For The Sender @ Belly Up at 8pm
AND: Mötely Crüe, Alice Cooper @ Viejas Arena at 7pm

 

Keep in Mind:
December 30th- The Academy Is… @ Observatory North Park
January 2nd- The Young Wild, The Verigolds, Western Scene, Great White Buffalo @ Music Box
January 7th- Muse, Phantogram @ Valley View Casino Center
January 9th/10th- Tool @ Viejas Arena at SDSU
January 18th- Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band @ Observatory North Park
January 23rd- JD McPherson, HONEYHONEY!
January 24th- Vanessa Carlton @ Casbah
January 24th- Europe @ Music Box
January 30th- The Silent Comedy, Creature & The Woods, Robert Jon and The Wreck @ Casbah
February 20th- Dr. Dog @ Observatory North Park
February 25th- Metric @ House of Blues
March 2nd- Mutemath @ House of Blues
March 8th- St. Lucia @ Observatory North Park
March 23rd- Wolfmother @ House of Blues
May 20th- The Cure @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
July 24th- twenty one pilots @ Viejas Arena

I didn’t make it to any shows this week. Maybe that’s because I’ve had James Bay on repeat since last Sunday. I’m not even sorry about it. My vocal cords might be though from all my singing along. Oh well. I’m looking forward to the KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas next Sunday in Los Angeles. That’s my bright spot on the horizon. Well, that and TAI on the 30th but that’s still a ways off. On the more local scene, I’m excited that LA loves Dear Boy will be in San Diego for the second time ever! It’s pretty darn exciting and you all should go. The rest of the week looks like this…

 

Monday: Billy Gibbons @ Belly Up at 8pm
AND: McClain Sullivan @ Soda Bar at 9pm
AND: The Holy Broke, The Peripherals, Ashley Pond @ The Merrow at 9pm

Tuesday:

Wednesday: Sundrop Electric @ Whistlestop Bar at 9pm
AND: Papa, The Gloomies @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox at House of Blues at 8pm
AND: Fiction Plane, Grey Face @ House of Blues Voodoo Room at 8pm
AND: Nick Lowe’s Quality Holiday Revue Starring Los Straightjackets @ Belly Up at 8pm

Thursday: The White Buffalo @ House of Blues at 8pm
AND: John Elliott, Logan Heftel @ Lestats at 9pm

Friday: Finch @ The Irenic at 7:30pm
AND: The Casey Hensley Band at Lestats at 9pm

Saturday: Dear Boy @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Joe Marson, Jeff Campbell, Nick Crook @ Lestats at 9pm
AND: The Maine @ The Irenic @ 7:30pm

Sunday: Lights, The Mowglis, K. Flay @ House of Blues at 7pm

 

Keep in Mind:
December 15th- The 1975 @ Observatory North Park
December 15th- Cheap Trick @ Belly Up
December 16th- Muse, Phantogram @ Valley View Casino Center
December 30th- The Academy Is… @ Observatory North Park
January 9th/10th- Tool @ Viejas Arena at SDSU
January 18th- Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band @ Observatory North Park
January 23rd- JD McPherson, HONEYHONEY!
January 24th- Vanessa Carlton @ Casbah
January 24th- Europe @ Music Box
January 30th- The Silent Comedy, Creature & The Woods, Robert Jon and The Wreck @ Casbah
February 20th- Dr. Dog @ Observatory North Park
February 25th- Metric @ House of Blues
March 2nd- Mutemath @ House of Blues
March 8th- St. Lucia @ Observatory North Park
March 23rd- Wolfmother @ House of Blues
May 20th- The Cure @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
July 24th- twenty one pilots @ Viejas Arena

It’s technically Monday morning as I’ve started drafting this post. My head and soul are currently not really in my body, I’m afraid they are still at the Belly Up, reliving the James Bay show. Tonight/last night was really really special. I got to take a friend to see James Bay who had never seen him live before. We were literally upfront and only a few feet away from him, no barrier. I made new friends. The whole set was magical and although he played for over an hour, it felt entirely too short. I’d like to just live in that space for awhile. But, I do feel obligated to let you know this weeks coming attractions…

 

Monday: Family of The Year, Kaleo @ The Loft @ UCSD at 9pm

Tuesday: Nikki Lane @ Irenic at 7:30pm

Wednesday: A Johnnyswim Christmas @ Belly Up at 8pm
AND: Racing the Sun @ Lestats at 9pm

Thursday: Jennie Vee @ Soda Bar at 9pm

Friday: Creature and the Woods @ Pappy and Harriets at 8pm
AND: Little Hurricane, Birdy Bardot @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Adam Lambert, Elle King, Andy Grammer, Echosmith @ Civic Theater at 7:30pm
AND: Christie Huff @ Lestats at 9pm
AND: Sister Speak @ Park & Rec at 5pm
AND: Brothertiger @ Soda Bar at 9pm

Saturday: Milk Carton Kids @ Balboa Theater at 8pm
AND: Little Hurricane, Dani Bell and The Tarantist @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Big Bad Buffalo @ Irenic at 7:45pm

Sunday: Sara Petite @ Lestats at 8pm

 

Keep in Mind:
December 7th- Billy Gibbons @ Belly Up
December 13th- Lights, The Mowglis @ House of Blues
December 15th- The 1975 @ Observatory North Park
December 15th- Cheap Trick @ Belly Up
December 16th- Muse, Phantogram @ Valley View Casino Center
December 30th- The Academy Is… @ Observatory North Park
January 9th/10th- Tool @ Viejas Arena at SDSU
January 18th- Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band @ Observatory North Park
January 23rd- JD McPherson, HONEYHONEY!
January 24th- Vanessa Carlton @ Casbah
January 24th- Europe @ Music Box
January 30th- The Silent Comedy, Creature & The Woods, Robert Jon and The Wreck @ Casbah
February 20th- Dr. Dog @ Observatory North Park
February 25th- Metric @ House of Blues
March 2nd- Mutemath @ House of Blues
March 8th- St. Lucia @ Observatory North Park
March 23rd- Wolfmother @ House of Blues
May 20th- The Cure @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
July 24th- twenty one pilots @ Viejas Arena