Jen Van Tieghem | Downtown News
Casbah – CasbahMusic.com
July 12 – Get Back Loretta, The Palace Ballroom, Flaggs, and Neighbors to the North
The bands on this lineup are all along the indie-rock spectrum. Get Back Loretta headlines with a retro pop feel. If you recognize the Beatles reference in their name you’ll have an idea of their sound. The Palace Ballroom takes a melodic approach to rock for a post-emo sort of style. The female-fronted group Flaggs will amp things up with fuzzy garage rock. And Neighbors to the North will round out the night with energetic rock jams. 9 p.m. $8+
July 16 – Robert Francis & The Night Tide, Vikesh Kapoor, and Maxim Ludwig
Singer-songwriter Robert Francis has covered a lot of emotional ground in his lyrics over the years. Blending indie-folk with tinges of pop, his tunes possess depth while remaining catchy and accessible (give his 2009 track “Junebug” a listen for an example of this dreamy combo). His newly released fourth album “Heaven” continues to explore the pop-folk genre with a haunting rawness to Francis’ vocals. This style should fit well in the intimate darkness of the Casbah. 9 p.m. $10
Croce’s Park West – CrocesParkWest.com
July 24 – Besos de Coco — part of the “Women in Jazz” series
The songs performed by Besos de Coco are as enchantingly beautiful as the trio themselves. Comprised of veteran performers Lorraine Castellanos, Claudia Gomez Vorce and Evona Wascinski, the group performs an eclectic range of music. They draw from Latin and jazz genres along with several other worldly influences. Castellanos’ deft guitar work is perfectly paired with Wascinski’s skillful playing on double bass, and Gomez Vorce’s incredible tap dance percussion completes the triple-threat. 7 p.m. $5
July 31 – Gilbert Castellanos and The Park West Ensemble
It seems you can’t throw a rock in this town without hitting something Gilbert Castellanos has a hand in — between his own performances all over town and booking a summer concert series at the Westgate Hotel, he even makes time to attend performances by his lovely wife (Lorraine, of Besos de Coco). The renowned trumpeter is a regular at Croce’s. His spin on jazz and Latin jazz styles is a great fit for the fun atmosphere. 7 p.m. $5
House of Blues – HouseofBlues.com
July 12 – La Roux
Once a duo, synthpop act La Roux has evolved in to the solo project of Elly Jackson. The redheaded singer boasts an androgynous look with angular features that mirror the sharp and polished sound of her music. Two tracks from La Roux’s new album Trouble in Paradise show a growing range for the artist; “Let Me Down Gently” is a soft, emotionally-charged song while “Uptight Downtown” is beat-driven and dance-ready. 8 p.m. $32+
July 24 – The Aquabats with Koo Koo Kanga Roo
Forming in the early 1990s in Orange County, The Aquabats were a fixture of the music scene of Southern California almost immediately. Their ska sound fit the soundscape of the time and the bands theatrical antics and wild costumes garnered them a fanatic following. Their music evolved in later years, as did their lineup. Their current tour celebrates the 20th anniversary of band and their San Diego stop promises to be a fun-filled show for longtime and new fans alike. 8 p.m. $32
Humphreys by the Bay – HumphreysConcerts.com
July 20 – Jewel (solo acoustic)
Humphreys’ stellar concert series rolls on with a San Diego favorite — Jewel. The songstress started her career here, as a local singer-songwriter (and barista). She has enjoyed worldwide success over the years, shifting her sound through variations of pop, folk, and country genres, collecting an assortment of awards along the way. This acoustic show marks her 10th time at the spectacular venue. 7:30 p.m. $57+
(Courtesy Humphreys by the Bay)
July 24 – Tori Amos
Tori Amos is touring in support of her 14th studio release — an amazing accomplishment in itself. The classically trained musician has been heralded for her innovative sound as well as her raw lyrical content. With a career spanning nearly 30 years, Amos has lots of material to draw from including her latest “Unrepentant Geraldines.” The album has been proclaimed by some as her return to pop and alternative genres. 7:30 p.m. $65+
August 1 – Dave Koz & Friends Summer Horn Tour
Some smooth jazz favorites came together with saxophonist Dave Koz for the album Summer Horns last year. The disc garnered a Grammy nomination and sparked a tour for fans of Koz and friends. The lineup features additional saxophonists Mindi Abair, Gerald Albright and Richard Elliot with Koz’s band of musicians supporting. The group will play selections from the album along with tunes from their individual catalogues for a diverse night of music. 7:30 p.m $70+
—Jen Van Tieghem is a San Diego native who covers all genres of music around town. Her bucket list includes playing tambourine on stage with any band that would have her, creating a local music festival called Jenerated Sound, and finding the perfect Moscow mule. Email her at [email protected].
