Musician Nathan Raney – Photo courtesy of Mike Tappero


Manganista

Indie rockers Manganista return to The Holding Company for a show on May 15.  The quintet’s sound is hard to pinpoint as there is a kaleidoscope of influences, from hard rock and ska to new wave and power pop, with the unifying factor being their hook-filled songwriting. Recent singles like “Talking to Myself” are adrenaline-filled earworms, complete with shout-along choruses. A fun listen for anyone who enjoys their rock music with extra melody and harmonies.

Earl Thomas and Anthony Cullins

Two of San Diego’s top performers, singer Earl Thomas and guitarist Anthony Cullins, join forces on May 16 for a pair of free shows at Lou Lou’s. Thomas has been a worldwide sensation for the past three decades, most recently taking his gospel project to the U.K. to great acclaim. Then, there’s Cullins, whose album, “Inside Out & Backwards,” took home Album of the Year honors at the 35th San Diego Music Awards held earlier this month. Headliners on their own, when they’re onstage together, it takes things to the next level. Thomas and Cullins wonderful mix of funk, blues, rock and soul will have everyone at Lou Lou’s up on their feet dancing.   

  • Earl Thomas & Anthony Cullins: Saturday, May 16 at Lou Lou’s, 2223 El Cajon Boulevard. 8 & 10 p.m. No Cover.

Starlady and Pentagram

An interesting hard rock, double tribute band bill hits the Tower Bar on May 16. Opening up the proceedings will be Starlady, a tribute to the U.S. doom metal group, Pentagram. The band concentrates on their namesake combo’s earliest material, circa the 1970s through 1980s, with an ear-shattering mix of favorites in their set, such as “Lazy Lady.” Meanwhile, A Rock Legend will close the night playing excellent versions of Irish band Thin Lizzy’s biggest hits of the ’70s, including “Jailbreak” and “The Boys Are Back In Town.” Anyone who loves their music fast, tough and loud will appreciate these two tributes to lesser-known, but well-deserving, classic rock bands.

  • A Rock Legend: Saturday, May 16, at The Tower Bar, 4757 University Avenue, 8 p.m. $10.

Echo and the Bunnymen

British post-punk favorites Echo and the Bunnymen return to San Diego for a show at SOMA on May 18. Formed in 1978, the band hasn’t released new music since 2014’s album, Meteorites, so they are currently on the road with a set list based on their 1985 UK “greatest hits” album, Songs to Learn and Sing. While Echo and the Bunnymen haven’t scored U.S. chart success, they remain an influential band, with their early songs like “Lips Like Sugar,” “Rescue,” and “The Killing Moon” remaining radio standards on stations such as our own 91X.

  • Echo & The Bunnymen: Monday, May 18 at SOMA, 3350 Sports Arena Blvd. 7 p.m. $72.

The Folias Duo

Michigan-based flutist Carmen Maret and guitarist Andrew Bergeron, better known as The Folias Duo, play a free show on May 18 as part of the Athenaeum’s Monday Lunchtime concert series. Since 2004, the pair have released an acclaimed series of instrumental albums inspired by nature, and use just their two instruments to fuse classical, jazz, and world music, adding improvisational touches. Touring in advance of a new album, “Great Lakes,” due later this summer, Maret is a virtuoso flute player, but Bergeron is also a world-class musician, with his guitar providing both melodic and percussive elements to their songs. Fans of classical music, mid-period orchestral Beatles, or the likes of Mike Oldfield will find much to admire in the music of the Folias Duo.

Chickenbone Slim, aka Larry Teves

Winner of the trophy for Best Blues Artist at the 2026 San Diego Music Awards, guitarist Chickenbone Slim, aka Larry Teves, performs at Humphrey’s Backstage Live on May 19. Teves is a superb guitar player, with a tone that recalls prime Jimmie Vaughn or Cream-era Clapton. The most recent of five albums to date, “Damn Good and Ready,” shows him to be as good a songwriter as he is a musician. Songs like the title track and “Rock and Roll Soul” sound like lost gems and are great candidates for cover versions.

Paul Anka

Pop culture today would be very different without Paul Anka. Appearing at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay on May 19, the 84-year-old entertainer provided a great soundtrack to the last half of the 20th Century, writing and singing such classic tunes as “Put Your Head On My Shoulder,” “Lonely Boy” and “Diana,” while also penning or co-writing such standards for others as Tom Jones “She’s A Lady,” Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” and Micheal Jackson’s “This Is It.” Anka even wrote the theme to the “Tonight Show.” Currently touring a career-spanning show, fans won’t want to miss this opportunity to hear these immortal tunes from a true music legend.

  • Paul Anka: Tuesday, May 19 at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., Shelter Island. 8 p.m. $120. humphreysconcerts.com

Barrington Levy

Reggae icon Barrington Levy comes to Music Box on May 21. Levy has been releasing music since 1976, with dozens of releases in the ensuing decades establishing him as one of the genre’s most popular performers, especially live. He’s also known to fans through his many musical collaborations with a long list of hitmakers, from Snoop Dogg to San Diego’s own Slightly Stoopid. Although one of Levy’s most recent albums, “Acousticalevy,” featured him reinterpreting his songs on acoustic guitar, fans can rest assured that he is touring with a full band, playing hard-hitting versions of favorites such as “Murderer” and “Black Roses.”

  • Barrington Levy: Thursday, May 21, at Music Box, 1337 India Street. 8 p.m. $69.

Swing dancer alert! The 17-piece Big Band Express, with singer Liz Ajuzie, will take the stage at Tio Leo’s on May 21. Founded by the late trumpeter Marty Conley, the band continues in his honor, still using his original arrangements for songs by such music icons as Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra. The band’s upbeat tunes, which on any given night might include such standards as “In The Mood,” will keep the dance floor packed, but this is also a wonderful group to listen to, with the interplay between instruments impressive, start to finish.

  • Big Band Express: Thursday, May 21, at Tio Leo’s, 6333 Mission Gorge Rd. 7 p.m. $12.

Nathan Raney

Guitarist Nathan Raney hosts a release show for his third album, “Maro and Manifestation,” on May 21 at The Casbah. Also known as a member, along with his father Jerry, of one of San Diego’s most beloved bands, The Farmers, for his solo work, Raney eschews the roots rock for a melodic ’90s rock approach, with heavy emphasis on his inspired guitar work. As heard on Raney’s most recent single, “Framework,” his music covers a lot of ground, touching on prog and alternative rock, with plenty of hooks. The night will feature the entire album being played through, followed by favorites from Raney’s first two albums. Longtime fans won’t want to miss this show, but if you’re new to Raney’s brand of rock ‘n’ roll, this concert will be the perfect introduction to his sound.

  • Nathan Raney: Thursday, May 21 at The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd., 8 p.m. $14.