There's a lot going on this Friday night, but we're gonna start with a local story about my dear friend Marie Haddad. Besides being a great musician, a wonderful music teacher, and an all-around good human being, Marie has, for many years, been a cocktail waitress at Humphreys during their summer concerts. Last year, Marie took home the Best Pop Album award at the San Diego Music Awards, and in the time since, has had the good fortune of being booked as the opener for a few Humphreys concerts, including tonight's with George Benson. So keep in mind, the person bringing you your wine might one day be gracing the very stage you're watching. As I said, lots of awesome stuff tonight, including Gnash at the Irenic (read the SoundDiego preview), Author & Punisher at the Casbah, and Branches at Soda Bar. And if you are the kind of person who loves the top of the pop charts, Channel 933 hosts their Summer Kick Off at Pechanga Arena with a smorgasbord of today's hitmakers.
Friday, May 31:
- George Benson, Marie Haddad @ Humphreys Concerts by the Bay
- Gnash, Anna Clendening @ The Irenic
- Author & Punisher, Xasthur, Wear Your Wounds @ Casbah
- Branches, Rorre, Brolly @ Soda Bar
- Channel 93.3 Summer Kick Off with Halsey, Zedd, Ellie Goulding, Bebe Rexha, CNCO, Ally Brooke, Bryce Vine, NCT 127, Fletcher, AJ Mitchell @ Pechanga Arena
- The Specials, L.A. Salami @ House of Blues
- The Kabbs, Demasiado @ Bar Pink
- Red Not Chili Peppers, No Duh, Pearl Jammed @ Belly Up
- The Downs Family, Babydoll Warriors @ Black Cat Bar
- Nana Pancha, Tijuana No!, Elis Paprika @ Voodoo Room, House of Blues
- Arnel Pineda, Lani Misalucha @ Spreckels Theatre
- Royal Thunder, Dead Now, Beira @ Space
- Justin Moore @ San Diego County Fair, Del Mar Fairgrounds
- Dave Gleason Trio @ Panama 66
- Poncherello @ Belly Up (happy hour 5 p.m.)
- Impending Doom, Suntorn, Defy the Tyrants, Know the Ending, City of Crooks @ Brick By Brick
- The Addiction @ Seven Grand
- The Rock Trio ft. Joey Harris @ Grand Ole BBQ & Asado
- Brother's Gow @ Winston's
- Bonecrusher, Gross Polluter, Dead on the Wire, Slaughter Boys @ Tower Bar
- The Outliers @ Moonshine Beach
- Average White Band @ Sycuan Casino
- Whiskey, Cash, and Roses @ Moonshine Flats
- Tim Norton @ De Oro Mine Co
- Rock En Espanol with Zenith @ Border X Brewing
- Black Friday: A Gothic, Dark '80s & Post-Punk Dance Party with DJs Vaughn Avakian, Mario Orduno @ Whistle Stop
- Los Texmaniacs @ Museum of Making Music
- We Are Your Friends Indie Dance Party @ Blonde
- Nightbloom @ Rosie O'Grady's
- Wish & the Well, Malachi Henry & the Lights, Dulaney & Co. @ Pour House
- Blackcast, the Undertaking, Fire & Flesh, Mandala @ Bancroft Bar
- For Peace Band, the Elovaters, Swells @ 710 Beach Club
- Janice, Nathan & Tony @ Martini's Above Fourth
- Mistique Element of Soul @ Wildwood Crossing
- Liz Grace & the Swing Thing, the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra @ Ramona Mainstage
- Black Market III @ Riviera Supper Club & Turquoise Room
- DJ DLO @ U-31
- Big Time Operator @ Tio Leo's
- Wildheart @ Renegade
- Takers Leavers, Atticus Finch, Dream Haze @ Himmelberg's
- Betamaxx, DJ Richie, 80'S Underground, Mockery @ Music Box
- Viva Santana @ Humphreys Backstage Live (9 p.m.)
- Up the Irons, Side Hustle @ Navajo Live
- The Verge, DJ Miss Dust @ V Lounge, Viejas Casino
- Republic of Music, DJ Miss Dust @ Lobby Bar, Viejas Casino
- In Color, Linda Owlen, Los Hollywood @ Manhattan Bar
- SD Union with Sam Binga & Flite @ Spin
- Latmun @ Bang Bang
- DJ Romeo @ FLUXX
- Red Sonya @ Lair
- Sam Binga @ Spin
- The Fresh & Funky Function with Meskel + Apollo V and Friends @ Kava Lounge
Rosemary Bystrak is the publicist for the Casbah and writes about the San Diego music scene, events and general musings about life in San Diego on San Diego: Dialed In. Follow her updates on Twitter or contact her directly.
