Sounds Like San Diego: August 16

By Rosemary Bystrak

| Wednesday, Aug 17, 2011 | Updated 10:04 AM PDT

View Comments (

)

Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit gives it all at every live performance.

Photos and Videos

LOOK

PHOTOS
Upcoming Concerts

More Photos and Videos

Let's face it, when a concert rolls into town at one of the bigger venues in the city -- where the number of tickets is in the thousands and not the dozens -- you've already made your decision about whether you're attending. In this case, however, if you're going to RIMAC arena for Death Cab for Cutie, I'm writing to remind you to get there early for the openers, Frightened Rabbit. The Scottish band is easily one of my favorites this decade, and tonight, you'll be sorry if you miss their opening slot because you were tailgating in the UCSD parking lot (which we are not implicitly endorsing here). While writers often focus on Scott Hutchison's Scottish brogue, I think he has a unique voice that ranges from beautiful to, at times, a full-on punk scream. After the show you can race downtown and catch Scott doing an acoustic set at the Hard Rock Hotel's 207 and really see his range.

Tuesday Aug. 16:

Death Cab for Cutie, Frightened Rabbit @ RIMAC Arena
Scott Hutchison (Frightened Rabbit) @ 207, Hard Rock Hotel (free, 21+, 10 p.m.)
Josh Ritter, Old 97's, David Wax Museum @ House of Blues
Dirty Gold, Hotel Reverb, Tan Sister Radio @ Soda Bar
Gary Wilson, D/Wolves, United States '11, Dudes @ Casbah
Dave Alvin and the Guilty Ones, the Tilt @ Belly Up
Eric Lindell @ Winston's
King Legend, the Black, Chris Darby @ Tin Can
Tiki Tuesday, featuring Surfer Joe's Boss Combo, the Secret Samurai @ Bar Pink
Anthology House Band @ Anthology
Local Brews Local Grooves, with Natalie Angiuli, Chad Scott, Bianca Paras Band, James Morris, Justin Froese @ House of Blues
Darkwave Garden @ Club Kadan
Tori Roze presents Tori, Sister Speak, Jennie Buss, Seaholm Mackintosh @ Ruby Room
Gypsy Swim Cats @ Humphreys Backstage Live
Trent Hancock @ Tiki House
Steph Johnson @ Croce's
Tuesday Night Jazz Collective @ Til-Two Club
Train of Thought @ Queen Bee's
Big Slim & the Blues Invaders @ Patrick's ll
Tomcat Courtney @ La Gran Tapa
Tommy Price & the Stilettos @ Henry's Pub
Doug Allen @ The Kraken
Jimi Blaze @ McP's Irish Pub & Grill
Michael Chain @ Valley View Casino
Johnny Tarr @ Davina's Cago Grill
Friends Chill @ Whistle Stop
Earthbound Ghost @ Stage Saloon

Rosemary Bystrak writes about the San Diego music scene, events and general musings about life in San Diego on San Diego: Dialed In. She does social media for the Casbah, books at West Coast Tavern and is trying her hand at band management. Follow her updates on Twitter or contact her directly.