Modern Pop group Laundry Day at the Music Box

Fans of modern pop won’t want to miss an appearance by New York-based rising stars, Laundry Day. The band has recently released a new album, “Earworm,” and that title is indeed an apt description for their music. The album shines a spotlight on Laundry Day’s strong song hooks and vocal arrangements, but live, where the music is stripped down just a little and you can hear the bands vocal interplay, the group is even better. As heard on their latest single, “I Wanna Love You Babe,” Laundry Day seamlessly blends R&B, pop, and rap for a sound that’s both infectious and meant to get audiences up on their feet dancing.

  • Laundry Day: Friday, Oct. 2 at Music Box, 1337 India St. 9 p.m. $33 & Up.

Brit New Wave group Bow Wow Wow at The Holding Company

British 1980s-era new wave sensations Bow Wow Wow stop in at The Holding Company for a show on Oct. 2. The group’s career was short-lived, with Bow Wow Wow only releasing two albums during their initial run and featuring numerous lineup changes in the ensuing years. Today the sole remaining original member in the band is singer Anabella Lwin, but fans won’t mind much as she’s always been Bow Wow Wow’s focal point. Lwin still delivers a solid fast-paced show, accented by heavy drum rhythms similar to early Adam & The Ants, and shouted vocals. Bow Wow Wow is most often seen in a touring festival setting playing short sets, so fans of vintage new wave won’t want to pass up the opportunity to hear a full show with such quirky gems such as “C-30, C-60, C-90, Go” and their cover of The Strangeloves hit, “I Want Candy,” in an intimate club setting.

A guitar virtuoso celebrates John Lennon’s birthday

Acclaimed guitarist Fred Benedetti hosts his annual John Lennon birthday celebration at Dizzy’s on Oct. 2. A faculty member of the music department at Grossmont College, Benedetti is a true master of stringed instruments, using his skills on everything from ukulele to double-neck guitar to create inspired new arrangements of classic songs from both Lennon’s solo career and his time with The Beatles. Accompanied by vocalist Regina Moomjean and Julia Picone, alongside multi-instrumentalist/bassist Jeff Pekarek and percussionist James Morton, Benedetti’s versions of “In My Life,” “Strawberry Fields Forever,” and “Real Love” add new dimensions to familiar tunes. Particularly good in this setting are songs with classical elements in their structure, such as “Because,” but whatever Benedetti includes in the set on the night, Beatles fans will love every second of this show.

  • Fred Benedetti: Friday, Oct. 2, at Dizzy’s at Arias Hall, 1717 Morena Blvd. 7:30 p.m. $20.

Jazz singer Allison Adams Tucker at the Prebys Performing Arts Center

On Oct. 2, singer Allison Adams Tucker performs a free concert at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center. Tucker’s beautiful, crystal-clear voice has made her one of the area’s top jazz singers, but she’s great across genres. Tucker has released several albums, with 2016’s “April in Paris,” in particular, being highly recommended. For this show, Tucker is backed by pianist Melonie Grinnell, bassist Justin Grinnell, and drummer Duncan Moore. If you haven’t had a chance to hear Tucker in concert yet, this free, daytime performance at one of the area’s top music venues should not be passed up.

Social D and the Descendents at Gallagher Square

Nearly five decades after their debut, Orange County Americana-tinged punk rockers Social Distortion are more popular than ever. Appearing at Gallagher Square on Oct. 3, the group’s set list showcases their new album, “Born to Kill,” while also including longtime favorites such as “Mommy’s Little Monster,” “Ball and Chain” and their version of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.” Many years may have passed since Social Distortion first started hitting Southland stages, but the band’s Mike Ness continues to be a formidable frontman. If high-octane rock ‘n’ roll is your thing, few do it better. Fellow Orange County combo, Descendents, open the show.

  • Social Distortion: Saturday, Oct. 3, at Gallagher Square at Petco Park, 899 J St. 7 p.m. $80.

A breath of fresh Air Supply at Humphreys

Australian soft rock duo, Air Supply, returns to Humphreys Concerts by the Bay on Oct. 3. Currently on the road in support of their latest album, “A Matter of Time,” 50 years after the release of their debut album, the pair are in fine form. The night’s music will include  new music, but fans can rest assured that the majority of the night will be devoted to Air Supply’s run of hits circa the early 1980s, including “Lost in Love.” “Here I Am, and “The One That You Love.” Attendees will want to stick around through the encore, which this time includes their excellent version of the Badfinger hit, “Without You.”

Nathan Hubbard Trio at the Jazz Lounge

There are quite a few great drummers/percussionists in San Diego, but Nathan Hubbard is in a league of his own. A gifted composer in his own right, Hubbard can be heard regularly in any number of settings, performing with jazz groups, playing in the pit band for local stage productions, and even staging a tribute to exotica icon Arthur Lyman. As a solo artist, Hubbard is prolific, recently concluding a series of twelve albums released over the span of a year, in celebration of Hubbard’s 50th birthday. Ever restless, he’s already working on new music. For this trio show, Hubbard will be joined by guitarist Kevin Jones and bassist Harley Magsino, debuting tunes from their next release, tentatively set for release in the Spring of 2027.

  • Nathan Hubbard Trio: Sunday, Oct. 3 at The Jazz Lounge, 6818 El Cajon Blvd. 7 p.m. $35 & up.

Michelle Branch hits the Sound stage

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Michelle Branch takes the stage at The Sound on Oct. 4. Best known for her 2002 hit collaboration with Santana, “Game of Love,” Branch is playing in advance of a new EP release, “Everywhere and Back Again,” featuring updated versions of some of her best-known songs, including a fresh take of the aforementioned “Game of Love,” this time joined by the New Radicals, and a recast “Goodbye to You,” with Maren Morris. With the EP and tour focusing on some of the best of Branch’s work, this will be a dream gig for her fans.

  • Michelle Branch: Sunday, Oct. 4 at The Sound, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. 8 p.m. $72 & up.

Burt Brion at Humphreys

Keyboardist Burt Brion celebrates the release of his fourth album, “Beauty with Ashes,” with a performance at Humphreys Backstage Live on Oct. 4. A mainstay of the local club scene, Brion’s sound falls under the contemporary jazz umbrella, with touches of rock and pop in the piano-driven melodies. For this event Brion and his band will be performing seven selections from the new album, mixed in with a selection of dance-floor-filling favorites from the likes of Earth, Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, and Chaka Khan to round out the evening.

Rickie Lee Jones at the Belly Up

Legendary singer-songwriter Rickie Lee Jones brings her music and stories to the Belly Up Tavern on Oct. 6. Jones and her music remain a national treasure, with her latest album, “Pieces of Treasure,” being a wonderful addition to her recorded canon. Recent setlists include her two biggest hits, from 1979, “Chuck E.’s in Love” and “Young Blood,” but whatever she chooses to perform from her 15 albums to date, fans will be happy to note that recent concerts show Jones onstage bohemian spirit remains intact.

  • Rickie Lee Jones: Tuesday, Oct. 6 at The Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave. 8 p.m. $59 and up.