San Diego has long had a love affair with Cheap Trick. The band themselves appear locally at SDSU on Aug. 28, but in the meantime, die hard fans can hear their favorite tunes on Aug. 10 at Campland on the Bay, via tribute band Cheap Tricked. The four piece band does a great job both visually and aurally, with one significant difference. They feature a female lead guitarist, Jennifer Paro, in the role held by Rick Nielsen. She does a terrific job, taking the band through a string of favorites, including “Surrender” and “I Want You To Want Me.”
Cheap Tricked: Saturday, Aug. 10 at Campland on the Bay. 8 p.m. All ages. campland.com. The Pacific Beach Concerts on the Green summer series concludes on Aug. 11 with an appearance from Mojo Jet Pack. The quartet will close out the season with a solid mix of classic, high-energy songs ranging from Aerosmith’s rock to Joe Jackson’s new wave, all chosen to inspire dancing in the grass. With a set list of crowd-pleasing evergreens, Mojo Jet Pack will offer a great soundtrack to a sunny afternoon in the park.
Mojo Jet Pack: Sunday, Aug. 11, at Concerts on the Green, Kate Sessions Park. 4 p.m. All ages. Free. pbconcerts.com. Texas-based label Spyderpop Records hosts a free power-pop showcase concert at Tio Leo’s on Aug. 9. Starting off at 1 p.m. will be feature sets from label-mates Bill Lloyd, Lannie Flowers and Danny Wilkerson as well as Michigan-based rocker Jeremy Morris. All are gifted songwriters with lengthy discographies. But Lloyd, a former member of hit 1980s country duo Foster & Lloyd, is a true stand out. Currently touring in support of his new album, “Working The Long Game,” tunes such as “Yesterday” show Lloyd to continue to be a master songwriter, though now with equal amounts of rock and melody in his sound. Spyderpop Showcase Friday, Aug. 9 at Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St. 1 to 5 p.m. 21 and up. Free. tioleos.com. It’s been 50 years since the legendary Woodstock music festival took place, so it’s only natural that a number of events are taking place around town in honor of this milestone. On Aug. 16, one such concert will take place at Humphreys Backstage Live, featuring Mark Fisher and Viva Santana. Expect Fisher to play a mix of classics from the groups featured back in 1969, but the show takes place 50 years to the day from Santana’s Woodstock appearance, so Viva Santana will recreate the day’s set, complete with hits such as “Evil Ways” and “Soul Persuasion.”
Viva Santana: Friday, Aug. 16 at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 7 p.m. humphreysbackstagelive.com. On Aug. 17, Humphrey’s Concert’s by the Bay will be a veritable 1980s jukebox, with a stop at the venue from the Lost ’80s Live tour. The night will feature short sets from a long string of the era’s new wave hitmakers including A Flock of Seagulls, Wang Chung, Missing Persons, Musical Youth, Real Life, The Vapors, Escape Club, Boys Don’t Cry, The Motels, Trans X, Annabella of Bow Wow Wow and Farrington & Mann of When In Rome UK. With nothing to be heard but the performer’s choicest crowd pleasers, this concert promises to be a lot of sing-a-long fun, from start to finish. Lost ’80s Live: Saturday, Aug. 17 at Humphrey’s Concerts by The Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 7 p.m. All ages. $85. humphreysbackstagelive.com. Fans of legendary guitarist Frank Zappa won’t want to miss a very special Zappa at Dizzy’s show on Aug. 18. Billed as “A Celebration of the music of Frank Zappa,” the late musician’s music will be brought to life by a group consisting of a number of his band’s alumni: singer/guitarist Ray White, keyboardist Robert Martin, bassist Scott Thunes, drummer Joe Travers and acclaimed guitarist Mike Keneally. For Zappa fans this show is essential, a rare chance to hear this music performed by musicians who actually worked with him on some of these songs. Novices to Zappa’s sound will also enjoy the virtuoso playing from all involved, with Keneally in particular an inspired performer.
Zappa at Dizzy’s: Sunday, Aug. 18 at Dizzy’s at Arias Hall, 1717 Morena Blvd. 8 p.m. All ages. $25. dizzysjazz.com.