Midnight Pine at Music Box
One of San Diego’s favorite groups, The Midnight Pine, says goodbye with a special show at Music Box. Founded in 2011 by songwriters Shelbi Bennett (vocals) and Alfred Howard (percussion), the group released four albums during their run, all worthy additions to any record collection. However, the band’s rep was built on their dynamic live shows where the Midnight Pine’s mix of Bennett’s soulful, at times ethereal vocals, with haunting melodies, and Howard’s inspired percussion choices, yielded a string of great concerts. Die-hard fans already know not to miss this final show, but music fans in general would do well to check out the Midnight Pine’s farewell performance. They will be missed.
• The Midnight Pine: Friday, Aug. 21 at Music Box, 1337 India St., 7:30 p.m., $27.
International Pop Overthrow fest in Teralta West
Power-pop is going through a revival right now with plenty of great talent releasing music in the past year, and San Diego is no exception. The Black Cat Bar will host the 11th International Pop Overthrow San Diego, a two-day music fest, helmed by promoter David Bash, showcasing melodic rockers from our area. The event will feature a mix of new artists and returning favorites, including Hector Penalosa, Tamar Berk, Super Buffet and The Rightovers. With short sets and a shared backline ensuring quick band turnover, IPO is a great way for music fans to check out a lot of top talent in one go.
International Pop Overthrow: Friday and Saturday, Aug. 21, 22 at The Black Cat Bar, 4246 University Ave., 8 p.m. $60.
Jazz on the waterfront
The inaugural California Coast Jazz Festival takes place at the Wyndham Bayside Hotel. This year’s theme is Milestones: A Miles Davis Centennial Celebration, with the whole event set to be a jazz fan’s dream. In addition to 16 concerts over the weekend, attendees will be treated to panel discussions, special presentations and screenings of rare films, all celebrating jazz. Meanwhile, there will be a who’s who of the area’s best players on hand, including Charles McPherson, Gilbert Castellanos, Joshua White, Holly Hofmann and many more. You can purchase multi-day passes or buy tickets for single events at the fest. If you are a jazz fan of any stripe, this festival promises to be one of the year’s highlights.
• California Coast Jazz Festival: Saturday, Aug. 21 – 23 at the Wyndham Bayside Hotel, 1355 North Harbor Drive, $10 and up.
Sandollar rising
Beach rock and reggae rising stars, Sandollar, celebrate their new album, “Sunny Day,” with a release show at The Holding Company. The band’s profile has been rising this year, through amongst other things, touring extensively and headlining both Hess Fest and Pacific Records Fest, all leading up to the “Sunny Day” release. It’s a testament to the band’s growing stature that the new album features a pair of guest appearances; rapper K-Bong on the title track and hip-hop star Dizzy Wright on current single, “Up Up.” The latter is already featured on the Netflix series, “Outer Banks.” “Sunny Day” does a great job overall of capturing the band’s light breezy mix of island sounds, rock influences and undeniable song hooks, but live, where the band’s deep grooves can free flow, is where they truly excel.
• Sandollar: Saturday, Aug. 22 at The Holding Company, 5046 Newport Ave., 7:30 – 11:30 p.m., $20.
‘On the Wildside’ with Randy McDonald’s Road Dog Revue
Blues aficionados will want to head to Beaumont’s Eatery for a performance from Randy McDonald’s Road Dog Revue. Best known as longtime bassist with legendary guitarist Tommy Castro, McDonald, for his own project, blends blues, R&B and early rock ‘n’ roll from Chuck Berry to Dr. John, with songs from his own album, “On the Wildside.” It’s a great mix of tunes sure to keep the dance floor packed at this intimate venue. Adding to the fun, former Elvin Bishop Band guitarist Johnny Vernazza will be sitting in with the band at this show.
• Randy McDonald’s Road Dog Revue: Saturday, Aug. 22 at Beaumont’s Eatery, 5662 La Jolla Blvd., 9 p.m., $18.
An actor and a bandleader
Actor and musician Jeff Goldblum brings his Mildred Snitzer Orchestra to the Rady Shell. Accompanied by the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, this is classic big band music at its best, complete with dazzling arrangements and sweeping strings. No mere side project, Goldbum is a wonderful pianist and bandleader, bringing out the best in both his material and fellow musicians, with plenty of offbeat humor and charm on display. The night’s musical focus will be on standards by the likes of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and Harold Arlen, including selections from the latter’s, “Wizard of Oz” soundtrack contributions. However, Goldblum’s song choices on the night will also include music from the modern era, such as his acclaimed cover of Taylor Swift’s song, “Lover.”
• Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra: Sunday, Aug. 23 at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, 7:30 p.m., $71 and up.
Cadillac Fringe and classic rock
The Standley Park Summer Concerts series wraps up with an evening of music from the group, Cadillac Fringe. The band excels at classic rock standards from the likes of the Doobie Brothers, Fleetwood Mac and The Black Crowes. However, its songs with extended guitar soloing, such as The Allman Brother’s “Ramblin’ Man,” in which superb guitarist Eric Klein can really take flight, that the band truly shines. A veritable jukebox with something for just about every musical taste, Cadillac Fringe’s show will be a great way to wrap up the weekend.
• Cadillac Fringe: Sunday, August 23 at Standley Park, 3585 Governor Drive, 5 – 7 p.m., free.
Soundtracks in the spotlight
Film buffs and fans of experimental sounds alike won’t want to miss the return of Morricone Youth to The Casbah. Formed in New York circa 1999, the current edition of the band features a number of San Diego musical all-stars including guitarist Devon E. Levins (Creedle), bassist John Castro (The Rugburns), Jonny Tarr and drummer Richard “T-Bone” Larson. The group will be performing live, largely instrumental, soundtrack music to a selection of film clips from such classics as “The Lodger,” “Mad Max,” and “Night of the Living Dead,” all screened behind the band. Morricone Youth provides a wonderfully immersive experience for anyone who appreciates film scores.
• Morricone Youth: Sunday, Aug. 23 at The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd., 4 p.m., $20.
Tim Flannery at the Athenaeum
Singer-songwriter and baseball legend Tim Flannery performs at the Athenaeum as part of the venue’s free Monday lunchtime concert series. A gifted songwriter, as well as former Padre, Flannery’s heartfelt Americana-based songs, as heard on his most recent album, “Waiting on a Miracle,” touch the soul and offer the listener an opportunity to reflect on the universal nature of many of life’s trials and tribulations. Fans of Tom Petty, Richard Thompson or Jeff Berkley will find much to appreciate in Flannery’s songcraft.
• Tim Flannery: Monday, Aug. 24 at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., noon, free.
The Breeders at The Sound
Alt rock combo, The Breeders, make an appearance at The Sound. Best known for their 1993 hit, “Cannonball,” the band still features all four key members; sisters Kim Deal (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Kelley Deal (lead guitar), alongside Josephine Wiggs (bass), and Jim Macpherson (drums). The Breeders haven’t released an album since 2018’s “All Nerve,” so fans can expect a career-spanning set list at this show, with a few choice covers featured, including the band’s recast version of The Beatles tune, “Happiness Is A Warm Gun.”
• The Breeders: Tuesday, Aug. 25 at The Sound, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., 8 p.m., $67 & up.
