There's a great art exhibit opening this weekend at the Museum of Contemporary Artm and one of the many artists involved is Shepard Fairey. The installment involves urban installments, so I went on a hunt to see the man in action, and who should also show up but Andrew VanWyrgarden of MGMT (reminding me that I had to get back to work!).
The band has been in town since Tuesday before this leg of its tour kicks off in San Diego. So what have they been doing besides looking for Shepard Fairey? "Surfing. Or attempting to surf." This is not the first time I've met Andrew, but in just a few short minutes it is clear to see that all the attention hasn't gotten to his head. In fact, he seemed more grounded than ever before. This ease of spirit should make for a transcendant performance at SDSU's Open Air Theater for the first time San Diegans bear witness to music from their sophomore release, Congratulations.
Thursday, July 15:
- MGMT, Francis and the Lights, Helios Creed @ Open Air Theatre
- Tool, Rajas @ Viejas Arena
- Mahjongg, Vaginals, 60 Watt Kid @ Casbah
- The Guggenheim Grotto, Josiah Leming @ Lestat's
- Trouble In the Wind @ West Coast Tavern
- Gun Runner, Ryan Blue, Spirit Animal @ Beauty Bar
- Lil' Kim, Cody James, High Degree, Lady Explicit, Illnoise, Christian Decrico, 2P @ 4th & B
- Big Tree @ Andrews Gallery (2400 Kettner, Suite 212; free, all ages, 7 p.m.)
- 91X Loudspeaker Showcase featuring Dead Feather Moon, the Pheromones, Italian Japanese @ Belly Up
- Still Flyin', Snuffaluffagus, Miniature Tree @ Soda Bar
- Chairs Missing (EP release and video premiere), Lovefest, Joy @ Tin Can
- Brawley @ Bar Pink
- "Water: A Clark Little Photo Exhibit, featuring Art & Music @ W Hotel (7 p.m.)
- Lee Ritenour @ Anthology
- Lasers for Eyes, Who Goes There? @ Radio Room
- Pauhana @ Ruby Room
- Heyhey, Ashley Pratt @ Wit's End
- Pyrate Punx presents Incinerate, Septical Gorge, Condemned, Inherit Disease, Amagortis, Gortuary @ Brick by Brick
- Lady Dottie and the Diamonds @ El Dorado
- L.E.D. presents Classixx, Nite Vision DJs Erick Diaz and Gabe Vega @ Voyeur
- Rob Symeonn, Quinton Sol, DJ Carlos Culture @ Winston's
- Listen Local Showcase, featuring Damian Shiner Band, Katie Christine Smith, Riki Michele and Tim Tormey, Deblois Milledge, Brian Bang @ Winston's (5-8 p.m., no cover)
- Riviera Jazz Jam @ Riviera Supper Club
- Fire Corner @ Club Kadan
- Johnny B Blues, DJ Swoll @ Coyote Bar & Grill
- Band Showcase Competition @ Humphreys Backstage Live
- Alysse Fisher, Gregory Page @ Java Joe's a@ Cafe Libertalia
- Sandy, Burnett, John Guillano, Marty Waak @ Cafe La Maze
- The Flock of '80s @ Henry's Pub
- An Acoustic Evening with Jefferson Jay @ Portugalia
- Bill Magee Blues Band @ Patrick's II
- The Mighty Untouchables @ Valley View Casino
- J-Mann, Knight of Apollo, Strangely Strange, Ariana, Lil' Nicky, Casey @ Dreamstreet Live
- Jump Off @ Second Wind Navajo
- Wendy Bailey and True Stories @ Second Wind Santee
- Pali Roots @ Gallagher's
- Karaoke @ O'Connell's
- Generations Party with DJ Artistic, Felt 1, Cros 1, Mr. Hek @ U-31
- Doug Means Project, Natural Incense @ Boar Cross'n
- Esjay @ Hensley's Flying Elephant
- Missy Andersen @ Marble Room
- Rock Out Karaoke @ 710 Beach Club
- Local Showcase feat DevOcean, Sandollar, Friction Monster @ Sound Wave
- The Celebrities @ Tiki House
- Caboose Dance Party @ Whistle Stop
- Soup, The Veil Between @ Hennessey's Carlsbad
- Diane Waters @ Onyx Room
- Fish Out of Water @ Bareback Grill
- Joseph Angelastro @ E Street Cafe (Encinitas)
- Heavy, A-Sides, MC Question Mark, Peacemaker, Puppy Kicker, Ubiquitous @ On Broadway
Rosemary Bystrak writes about the San Diego music scene, events, and sometimes whatever creeps into her head on her music blog San Diego: Dialed In. Check it for even more listings. Follow her updates at twitter.com/sddialedin or submit your music listings.
