SPOTLIGHT
When it comes to themed events, it’s hard to beat Lost ’80s Live, taking place on Aug. 27 at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay. Ten hitmakers from the early 1980s will be on hand, featuring a fun mix of new wave, ska, and dance-pop. Highlights will include Los Angeles-based ska group, The Untouchables (above), still fronted by Jerry Miller, who are sure to perform their classic, “Free Yourself,” and Liverpool synthpop combo, A Flock of Seagulls, best known for their song, “I Ran.” The bill also includes Wang Chung, The English Beat, Missing Persons, Stacey Q, Musical Youth, Naked Eyes, Animotion, and Kon Kan. With so many artists involved, short, hit-filled sets will be the order of the day, but any fan of the era’s music will enjoy this veritable live jukebox.
Lost ’80s Live: Saturday, Aug. 27 at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 6 p.m. $110. humphreysconcerts.com.
RECOMMENDED
Lauren Leigh seems to be everywhere these days. Appearing with her band the Low Keys at Humphrey’s Backstage Live on Aug. 22 and Aug. 23, her soulful vocals have put her in the international spotlight. You can find her around town singing with the likes of Pink Froyd and Yachtley Crew amongst others, while most recently she was part of the acclaimed album, “The 50th Anniversary Tribute To Paul & Linda McCartney’s Ram,” sharing vocals with Eric Dover (Jellyfish) on a version of “Oh Woman Oh Why.” For these shows, Leigh will mix original music with choice covers, for a set that will be danceable and well worth hearing.
Lauren Leigh & the Low Keys: Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 22 and Aug. 23, at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 8:30 p.m. $5. humphreysbackstagelive.com.
Platinum-selling rockers, The Killers, stop in at Pechanga Arena on Aug. 24. Touring in advance of a new album, the band’s latest single “Boy” is likely to be in the night’s set, but expect the biggest crowd sing-a-long to be for vintage earworm hits such as “Mr. Brightside” and “Smile Like You Mean It.” Making this show a must for modern rock fans, opening the concert will be iconic former Smiths guitarist, Johnny Marr, hot on the heels of his new album release, “Fever Dreams Pts. 1-4.” Smiths fans will be happy to know Marr includes several of their best-known songs in his set, including, “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out.”
The Killers: Wednesday, Aug. 24 at Pechanga Arena 3500 Sports Arena Blvd. 8:30 p.m. $21.25 and up. pechangaarenasd.com.
Many activities sidelined by the pandemic over the last few years are finally getting the chance to take place. Such is the case with San Diego-based garage indie rockers, Wavves, who after a two-year delay of their original plans, will be honoring the now 12th anniversary of their 2010 album, “King of the Beach,” with a tour that hits SOMA on Aug. 26. They’ll play more recent songs as well, such as their latest single, “Through Hell,” but whatever the set list, the combination of a delayed road trip, album spotlight and hometown crowd will make this tour stop feel extra celebratory from start to finish.
Wavves: Friday, Aug. 26 at Soma, 3350 Sports Arena Blvd. 8 p.m. $25.50 and up. www.somasandiego.com.
On Aug. 26 jazz guitarist Peter Sprague and his Ensemble will perform an evening of songwriting legend Carol King’s music at Dizzy’s. Sprague has once again put together a terrific all-star lineup, featuring Pamela Pendrell (vocals), Beth Ross Buckley (flute and alto flute), Tripp Sprague (flute and saxophone), Mackenzie Leighton (bass), Danny Green (piano), and Duncan Moore (drums). Both King’s own hits, as well as tunes she penned for others, will be included, with Sprague’s arrangements breathing new life into such well-known tunes as “I Feel the Earth Move” and “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.”
The Peter Sprague Ensemble jazzify Carole King: Friday, Aug. 26 at Dizzy’s at Arias Hall, 1717 Morena Blvd. 8 p.m. $25. dizzysjazz.com.
Jazz fans will want to head to the La Jolla Community Center on Aug. 26 for the latest edition of the Fourth Friday Jazz Series. This month the featured performer will be acclaimed saxophonist Christopher Hollyday, joined by pianist Melonie Grinnell and acclaimed bassist Rob Thorsen. Hollyday has performed with the likes of Maynard Ferguson and The Brad Steinwehe Jazz Orchestra, but here the spotlight will be firmly on his own music, as heard on his latest album, “Dialogue.” Hollyday’s lyrical playing has made him a session favorite for nearly 40 years, if you haven’t had the opportunity to take in a show, this intimate gig is a great way to check out what the buzz is all about.
Christopher Hollyday: Friday, Aug. 26 at the La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. 8 p.m. All ages. $30. ljcommunitycenter.org.
