Our man Sgt. Tiki has surveyed the musical landscape and selected seven upcoming San Diego concerts — five local acts and two touring — for your musical enjoyment and edification. Plus: the third anniversary celebration of Songwriter Sanctuary!
Whether your tastes run to electro-rock, heavy metal, island pop, or serious folk, you’ll find something to satisfy your audio appetite.
The Album Leaf
Often compared to artists such as Tortoise and Sigur Ros, The Album Leaf blends post-rock, ambient, and electronic music, with cinematic overtones and occasional ethereal touches such as found sounds and programmed drum machines. The band officially began in 1998 as the solo project of Jimmy LaValle, who had performed in several other local acts, including Swing Kids, the Locust, GoGoGo Airheart, and the post-rock instrumental band Tristeza. LaValle played his first official Album Leaf show at the Che Cafe in the winter of 1999. The band won Best Electronic at the 2008 and 2009 San Diego Music Awards. 2023 saw the release of a new album, Future Falling, the band’s first original full-length (other than film scores and reissues) since 2016’s Between Waves. The album includes guests Kimbra and Bat For Lashes.
- Where: The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Boulevard, San Diego
- When: Thursday, January 29, 2026, 7:30 pm
- Ages: 21+
- Get tickets
Nukem
Local heavy metal icons Nukem was formed in June 2012 by guitarist/vocalist Steve Brogden and bassist Don Lauder, with the addition of drummer Norm Leggio and Cage guitarist Dave Garcia, who later left the group. After opening shows for acts like LeatherWolf, Halcyon Way, Fozzy, Metal Church, Saxon, and Kreator, they recorded a demo, followed by a full-length album in September 2016, The Unholy Trinity. In 2018, they won a Tijuana battle of the bands, earning an opening slot at Fronterizo Fest with headliners including the Scorpions, Megadeth, Sepultura, and Suicidal Tendencies. The group opened for Death tribute band Death To All for their 2023 national tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of Death’s album Individual Thought Patterns. The bill includes fellow locals Cave Bastard, founded in 2014 by members of Cattle Decapitation, Bridge Jumper, Gutrot, Ritual Torture, and Age Of Collapse.
- Where: McGuffie’s Live, 8515 Navajo Road, San Diego
- When: Friday, January 30, 2026, 8 pm
- Ages: 21+
- More info
Songwriter Sanctuary
The ongoing Songwriter Sanctuary series opens the new season with a third anniversary celebration featuring Eve Selis, Omo Cloud, and Lisa Sanders with Brown Sugar. The monthly series is known for its intimate listening room atmosphere and in-the-round format, staged in an acoustically ideal venue that formerly hosted the Acoustic Music San Diego series. Singer-songwriter Eve Selis won Best Americana Or Country at the 2008 San Diego Music Awards, and Best Americana at the 2010 SDMAs. Her music has been heard in several movies, and she has performed on CNBC, ESPN, and the BBC. She’s opened for Travis Tritt, Crosby Stills and Nash, the Doobie Brothers, Joan Osborne, Heart, Dwight Yoakam, Garry Allan, Chris Isaak, and Hootie & the Blowfish. Lisa Sanders was signed in 1998 by MCA Records, with her debut album being produced by local hero Steve Poltz. She’s a two-time San Diego Music Award winner for Best Acoustic Artist and was inducted into the San Diego Music Hall Of Fame in 2021. OMO Cloud is the indie-pop music project of non-binary artist Cole De La Isla.
- Where: Normal Heights United Methodist Church, 4650 Mansfield Street, San Diego
- When: Friday, January 30, 2026, 7 pm
- Ages: All ages
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Gregory Page sings songs of Leon Redbone
Step back in time with Songs of Leon Redbone, as Gregory Page tips his well-worn fedora to the legend himself. This tribute captures the charm and character of the Tin Pan Alley era, bringing Redbone’s timeless sound to life, from the vintage melodies to the nostalgic atmosphere. Gregory Page has performed everywhere from London’s 02 Arena to countless international music festivals, headlining as well as opening for Bob Dylan, Leon Russell, Judy Collins, Chris Isaak, and frequent collaborator Jason Mraz. Since Page’s first solo album in 1990, he has released over 20 more and appeared as a guest on dozens of others. He performs on another eight albums as a member of the Rugburns or the Hatchet Brothers (with Frank Lee Drennen of Loam), and he’s produced music for over two dozen artists, including Jason Mraz and Tom Brosseau. He won a pair of San Diego Music Awards in 2021, taking home trophies for Album of the Year and Best Pop Album for his full-length One Hell of a Memory.
- Where: Sunshine Brooks Theatre, 217 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside
- When: Sunday, February 1, 7 pm
- Ages: All ages
- More info
Tom Chapin
In a career that spans six decades, 28 albums, and has earned three Grammy awards, Tom Chapin has performed on Broadway and worked extensively in television, radio, and film. With hundreds of songs in his repertoire, he accompanies himself on guitar, banjo, and autoharp. His setlists feature a mix of story songs, ballads, comedic and political songs, family music, sing-alongs, old-time folk classics, and a favorite track or two by his late brother, Harry Chapin. Opening the show is local troubadour Joel Rafael, who has been a featured performer at the annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival for nearly three decades. He’s toured with Jesse Colin Young and Joan Baez, and he won Kerrville’s New Folk award in 1995, as well as composing and performing music for the 2002 L.A. Theatre Works production of The Grapes of Wrath.
- Where: Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 2020 Chestnut Avenue, Carlsbad
- When: Sunday, February 1, 2026, 4 pm
- Ages: All ages
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Joss Stone
Known for her powerful, soulful voice, Joss Stone launched her career at age 16 with The Soul Sessions, which earned her worldwide attention and a reputation among critics who dubbed her “The white Aretha Franklin.” She became the youngest female British artist to top the UK album charts with Mind, Body & Soul, winning several UK awards as well as a U.S. Grammy. Her music blends soul, R&B, reggae, and world music, delivered with a pop sheen that has solidified her status as a versatile modern soul singer. Among her collaborators are iconic music stars Stevie Wonder, Sting, Jeff Beck, Mick Jagger, and Damien Marley. She’s also known as an actress in films such as Eragon and television shows like The Tudors.
- Where: Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Avenue, San Diego
- When: Tuesday, February 3, 7:30 pm
- Ages: All ages
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Ben Benavente
Ben Benavente specializes in Hawaiian and island style music, citing Jack Johnson, Bruno Mars, and local star Jason Mraz among his influences. He calls it a “softer reggae,” creating entire songs on the fly by looping and pre-recording the drums, piano, and bass guitar, and then accompanying himself by singing live and playing ukulele.
- Where: Duke’s La Jolla, 1216 Prospect Street, San Diego
- When: Tuesday, February 3, 2026, 4 pm
- Ages: All ages
- More info
Kai Kalama
Kai Kalama has been singing and performing since the age of 6. He then played guitar and sang with his brother, who he has maintained a duo with since he was 12 years old. He was featured as one of the 36 semi-finalists on Season 8 of American Idol, and was also a winning contestant on the NBC summer game show The Winner Is in 2013. He brings to the stage a one-man show, with a large range of musical styles, from Hawaiian to hip-hop. Kalama has been further developing his rich, soulful voice. He is mastering the art of “live looping” with his use of a loop pedal to create the sound of an entire band. His beach-flavored covers are well suited for Estancia’s shoreline vibe.
- Where: L’Auberge Del Mar, 1540 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar
- When: Wednesday, February 4, 5 pm
- Ages: All ages
- More info
