May 10 – Park Opera / Balboa Park, San Diego
A free, all ages, unique happening in Balboa Park, celebrating Opera. From 4 – 7.p.m, park goers will find music, art and dynamic movement at various locations, with an event “lobby” at the Moreton Fig Tree. A great way to introduce new listeners to opera, or a lot of fun for aficionados, either way you can’t go wrong with an afternoon in one of the world’s greatest parks, experiencing live music and art with other like-minded folks.
May 11 – Henry Diltz / Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach
Famed photographer Henry Diltz stops in at the Belly Up Tavern on May 11, with a multimedia show highlighting his decades behind a lens at the center of the music universe. His images of The Doors, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, The Rolling Stones and countless others are amongst the most iconic music photographs of the 20th century. Diltz has incredible stories to tell and the pictures to back it all up. Music fans will love every second of this audience with a legend.
May 13 – Spitfire Torpedo / The Casbah, Little Italy
Hard rock super group Spitfire Torpedo reunite for a show at the Casbah on May 13. The quartet includes Rich Travers (Whole Hog), Kevin Ring (Manual Scan), Tim Blankenship (Rust, Creedle) and Christian Rowden (Saint Shameless), delivering a set of great, loud, in your face, hard driving rock. Silver Bullet and Wookalars round out the night.
May 16, 17, 18 – Wonderfront / Waterfront, San Diego
San Diego’s premier music festival, Wonderfront, takes place along downtown San Diego’s waterfront over three days, May 16 – 18. The event offers something for just about every musical taste with a lineup that includes Anderson .Paak, Portugal. The Man, Jason Mraz, Gary Clark Jr. and a host of others. While Wonderfront is a ticketed event, there is a free to the public component with live performances at Seaport Village and DJ’s, beach & lawn games, a full bar and food trucks at Ruocco Park.
May 24 – Simple Minds / North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, Chula Vista
Anyone who enjoyed 91X during the 1980’s will want to head to the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre on May 24 for a triple threat bill, topped by Simple Minds (“Don’t You Forget About Me”), and also featuring Soft Cell (“Tainted Love”), and Modern English (“I Melt With You”). Simple Minds is touring in support of their new album, Live in The City of Diamonds, with a career spanning show sure to include all the big hits such as “Promised You A Miracle” and “Someday, Somewhere, In Summertime.”
May 24 – Cheap Trick / Viejas Casino, Alpine
With a set list that changes nightly, Cheap Trick remains one of the funnest live groups touring today. You can expect all the hits at this show, including classics like “I Want You To Want Me,” “Surrender” and “Dream Police,” but the band also throws in album favorites from throughout their career, truly making each of their concerts a one-of-a-kind experience. Currently a five-piece group with the addition of Robin Taylor Zander, even after fifty years, Cheap Trick is still a great rock ‘n’ roll band.
May 29 – Gang of 4 / The Music Box, Little Italy
Influential British post punk combo, Gang of Four brings their farewell tour to the Music Box on May 29. Still featuring Jon King (lead vocals) and Hugo Burnham (drums), joined for this tour by Gail Greenwood (bass) and Ted Leo (guitar), the band will play its debut album, Entertainment, in its entirety, plus a set of songs covering their classic 1980’s era albums and singles like “What We All Want” and “I Love A Man In Uniform.”
May 31 – Taz Taylor / Ramona Mainstage, Ramona
Hard rock guitarist Taz Taylor celebrates the release of his latest album, The Other Side of Midnight, with a special show at the Ramona Mainstage on May 31. Taylor has worked with numerous great players over the years, including the likes of Don Airey (Deep Purple) and Graham Bonnet (Rainbow), a testament to his guitar shredding prowess. Making this show a must, closing out the night will be legendary guitarist Pat Travers.
May 31 – HayBarn Dance / Reds, Whites and Brews, Ramona
Ramona is really coming into its own as a music destination. In addition to nationally touring acts, there are plenty of great local events for the area’s music fans. On May 31 Red, Whites and Brews will host the second annual HayBarn Dance featuring some of the area’s top talent in an evening of Americana music featuring Matt Axton, Dolly’s Revenge, Farm Truck, Caitlin Collin Astra Kelly, Thea the Band, Natalie Price. This show is a great opportunity to see / hear what all the buzz on the Ramona scene is about.
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