Sporty Spice, aka Melanie C, hits the House of Blues

A member of one of the biggest pop groups and culture phenomenon’s of the 1990’s, U.K. based singer Melanie C, aka Sporty Spice, formerly of The Spice Girls, brings her multimedia show to the House of Blues on September 25.

Currently on the road behind her new album, “Sweat,” fans of her earlier band’s mix of dance and pop music, with touches of EDM, will find much to enjoy in her new songs such as “Undefeated Champion.” While Melanie C’s current setlist focuses on her latest album, fans will be happy to note that the show includes a nod to her previous group, including an acoustic version of fan favorite “Say You’ll Be There.”

  • Melanie C: Friday, September 25 at the House of Blues, 1055 5th Avenue. 7 p.m. $40 and up.

Toga Party at Humphrey’s Backstage

Crowd-pleasing cover band, the Toga Party Band, takes over Humphrey’s Backstage Live on September 25. Part of a new wave of costumed and themed groups, Toga Party goes all in on the ancient Roman imagery, with togas and laurels for the band members, and columns and vines amongst the stage décor. Excellent musicians, Toga Party’s set list consists of nothing but dance floor fillers, essentially being a fun live jukebox full of hits ranging from The Romantics to Prince.

  • The Toga Party Band: Friday, September 25 at Humphreys Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., Shelter Island. 8 p.m. $15.

Swing in the Golden Island for a good time with Vintage Girl in a Modern World

1940’s era jazz and swing band aficionados will want to hear Vintage Girl in a Modern World, who play at Golden Island on September 26. Led by singer and flute player Cobby Brzeski, the band performs an eclectic mix of originals and jazz standards, such as “Dream A Little Dream of Me.” However, where they really excel is in fun covers of modern pop hits by the likes of Katy Perry, Christina Aguilera and Justin Bieber, recast as vintage big band numbers.  Brzeski is a solid entertainer, particularly strong on melancholy-tinged tunes such as “You’ve Got A Friend In Me,” but all of her song arrangements are well worth hearing. 

Vintage Girl in a Modern World: Saturday, September 26 at Golden Island, 10660 Camino Ruiz. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. No Cover.

Power to the People at Queen Bee’s

On September 26, Queen Bee’s will host “Power To The People, SD,” a live music event and ACLU fundraiser. Organized by singer-songwriter Dan Gindling, with funds raised going to help with the ACLU’s fight for individual rights and fundamental freedoms for all, through education, litigation, and policy advocacy, the evening set to include music from over a dozen performers across genres, including Joey Harris of the Beat Farmers, acoustic duo Stucky Leigh, roots duo Blue Healers, hip hop favorite Riston Diggs, bi-lingual songstress Julia Sage and troubadour Omar Musisko.  Socially conscious music listeners will enjoy the evening’s mix of music and message, while helping out a worthy cause.

Dancing Queen and so much more

More than four decades since they originally split, Swedish superstars ABBA continue to be one of the most beloved groups to emerge from the 1970’s. A staple of movie soundtracks and oldies radio, it’s a testament to the band’s popularity that at press time Abba’s 1992 album “Gold” was still on the Billboard charts after more than thirty years. With such a devoted fanbase, it’s only natural that there are numerous tribute bands around the world playing their music. One of the best, The Concert: A Tribute To ABBA, takes the stage at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay on September 27. The band does a great job of replicating the sound and look of ABBA, with attention to detail. Longtime fans will particularly enjoy the band’s costume changes to match what was worn in ABBA’s iconic videos.

Former Queensrÿche frontman takes the stage at the Observatory

Former Queensrÿche frontman Geoff Tate stops in to the Observatory on September 27 with his current group, Operation: Mindcrime. Longtime fans of either Tate or his previous band won’t want to miss this tour as it focuses on the group’s 1988 album, “Operation: Mindcrime,” which will be performed in its entirety. Although Tate recently released the highly anticipated third part of the “Operation: Mindcrime” prog‑metal concept series, only one song from it, “The Answer,” is included on this road trip. Fans are advised to not miss the night’s encore, which has recently included versions of additional non- concept album Queensrÿche hits.

  • Geoff Tate Operation: Mindcrime: Sunday, September 27 at The Observatory, 2871 University Ave. 7 p.m. $34.

Jack White at the Sound

Indie / Garage rock icon, guitarist Jack White, plays The Sound on September 30. White is best described as a force of nature. Best known for his work with The White Stripes, since the duo’s dissolution in 2011, he hasn’t slowed down one bit, not only releasing a string of acclaimed solo albums, but also helping dozens of other artists through his label, Third Man Records.

White’s latest album, “Frozen Charlotte,” shows his way with a guitar riff and a song hook to be as strong as ever. While some of White’s new tunes are sure to be featured in the night’s show, he rarely ever plays the same set list twice. Fans will be happy to note that White’s performances usually include songs from throughout his musical history, including tunes from The Raconteurs and the White Stripes. 

  • Jack White: Wednesday, September 30 at The Sound, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. 8 p.m. $104.

Southern Icons Molly Hatchet in Ocean Beach

Southern rock fans won’t want to miss an appearance from Florida-based group Molly Hatchet at the Holding Company on October 1. Touring in advance of their first album in sixteen years, “Lost Horizon,” due out on November 27, the quintet is firing on all cylinders, with their most recent single “Firing Line” being a worthy addition to their canon. While the band is promoting new music, fans can rest assured all their hits will be present and accounted for, with the biggest cheer sure to be reserved for the set closing “Flirtin’ With Disaster.”

Spyro Gyra jazz fusion at the Belly Up

Acclaimed jazz fusion group, Spyro Gyra, stops in at the Belly Up Tavern on October 1. Still led by saxophonist Jay Beckenstein, the five-piece group was founded in New York circa 1974, blending jazz, pop, R&B, and funk, and in the process laying down the foundation for much of today’s contemporary jazz scene. This show is part of Spyro Gyra’s long-running 50th Anniversary tour, with fans getting a career-spanning show that includes both of their biggest hits, each now considered a standard: “Shaker Street” and “Morning Dance,” in a set-closing medley.

  • Spyro Gyra: Thursday, October 1 at The Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Avenue. 7:30 p.m. $50 and up.

San Diego and Tijuana Jazz Fest hits all the right notes

The third annual SDTJ Jazz Festival takes place across venues in San Diego and Tijuana from October 2 – 4, but first up is the fest’s Opening Jazz Party taking place at the Quartyard on October 1. The event is free with RSVP and will feature music from Jungle Fire and Colectivo Fronterizo, who will be joined by rapper Femina Fatal, with an opening set from the Binational Youth Ensemble, featuring students from the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory and the Instituto Contemporáneo de Música de Baja California.

This event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the area’s vibrant jazz community, with a soundtrack provided by San Diego and Tijuana’s up-and-coming young jazz musicians.

SDTJ Jazz Festival Opening Jazz Party: Thursday, October 1 at The Quartyard, 1301 Market St., 5 – 9 p.m. Free with RSVP.