RECOMMENDED

The Athenaeum’s Acoustic Evening series returns on April 7. Promoted by local music favorite, Jefferson Jay, each concert features three top performers playing short sets, with a great lineup for this year’s first edition: guitarist Greg Douglass (encima), the singer-songwriter duo of Blossom and Bloom, and rhythmic combo Ritmo Latino. All are well worth hearing, but the nod here goes to Douglass, an inspired, unique lead player, who has scored major chart hits as a member of both The Steve Miller Band (“Jungle Love”) and The Greg Kihn Band (“Jeopardy”) and also penned TV theme songs (CBS-TV’s “Everybody Loves Raymond”). These shows are a great way to showcase the best of San Diego’s performers, in one of the area’s best listening rooms.

Acoustic Evenings: Friday, April 7 at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St. 7:30 p.m. $15-$39. ljathenaeum.org.

SPOTLIGHTS

Originally from Calgary AB Canada, rockers Daring Greatly’s move to San Diego in 2015 has helped them rise to the status of national contenders. Appearing at Humphrey’s Backstage Live on March 31, the band has one of the best draws in town, with nominations at this year’s San Diego Music Awards in an impressive three categories, including “Best Rock Band,” “Best Rock Album” for their latest, “Gird Valley,” and “Song of the Year,” for their single, “Never A Goodbye.” With accomplishments like that it won’t be long before Daring Greatly moves from Humphrey’s relatively intimate Backstage Live to their major Concerts by the Bay outdoor stage.

Daring Greatly: Friday, March 31 at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 8 p.m. $15. humphreysbackstagelive.com.

1980’s era R&B hitmakers, New Edition, stop in at Pechanga Arena on April 6. Billed as a “Legacy” tour, the night also includes singers Keith Sweat and Guy, as well as Tank, however, it’s New Edition’s string of hits and founding member Bobby Brown’s appearance with the group that will most thrill fans. It’s been nearly two decades since New Edition released new music, but concertgoers won’t mind the night’s “greatest hits” set featuring close harmony classics such as “I’m Still in Love With You” and “Can You Stand the Rain.”

New Edition: Thursday, April 6 at Pechanga Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd. 7:30 p.m. 74.50 and up. pechangaarenasd.com.

On April 7, the 2023 Wu Tsai QRT.yrd Concert Series, at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, kicks off with an afternoon celebration of Women in Jazz. Part of the First Friday La Jolla Art Walk, the event will be headlined by The Lori Bell Quartet, featuring Bell on flutes, with Melonie Grinnell on piano, Evona Wascinski on bass, and Monette Marino on percussion. Bell’s most recent album, “James Taylor Reimagined,” contains masterful reworkings of Taylor’s hits, however, jazz fans will first want to give Bell’s 2016 original release, “Brooklyn Dreams,” a listen to hear the full range of her talents.

The Lori Bell Quartet: Friday, April 7 at Wu Tsai QRT.yrd at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. 4:30 p.m. Free. www.theconrad.org.

Vocalist Lauren Leigh performs at the Mission Bay Resort on April 8. Nominated this year for two SDMA’s, Best Pop Artist and Best Pop Album, for her release, “Ghost In The Picture,” the “pop” category barely contains Leigh’s talent. One of the busiest musicians in town, she’s at home singing the blues or letting loose on a Pink Floyd cover, Leigh can do it all. For fans used to seeing her on festival stages or headlining venues such as the Belly Up Tavern, this intimate solo performance will be a real treat.

Lauren Leigh: Saturday, April 8 at the Mission Bay Resort 1775 East Mission Bay Drive. 6 p.m. No Cover. missionbayresort.com.

Fourth time the charm? Following the postponement y rescheduling of their area concerts in 2020, 2021, and 2022, quirky rock duo, They Might Be Giants, finally play San Diego concerts on April 12 y 13 at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay. Currently touring in support of their most recent album, “Book,” the group’s sound hasn’t strayed too far from their early 1990s hits such as “Birdhouse In Your Soul” or “Istanbul (Not Constantinople),” both of which feature in the current setlist. While the group hasn’t scored a major hit in some time, they have a fanatical fan base that’s sure to know the lyrics to every song, no matter how deep the band digs into its catalog.

They Might be Giants: Wednesday, April 12 y 13 at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 8 p.m. $49. humphreysconcerts.com.