I have a music confession: I've only been to Coachella once. I'm not much for huge festivals nor desert heat, and frankly, I'd rather see bands in small clubs and not among thousands of people. I had a great time, to be sure, but unless I'm going to work, I don't see myself shelling out the dough to make it happen. What's funny about Coachella, however, is that most of the bands are fans, too. The year I went, I was in the tent standing next to Joey and Andy of the Henry Clay People as we watched the Hold Steady; the very next year it was the Henry Clay People who were playing the festival. I've been fortunate to see them many times over the years and proud to call them friends, too. It's been a while since they've played a small show here, which means you should bring your coozy and take a cab to the Soda Bar because this is gonna be one heck of a show.
Wednesday, June 22:
- The Henry Clay People, Owens Valley Dynamite @ Soda Bar
- Ida Maria, the Very, Kera and the Lesbians @ Casbah
- Neon Trees @ San Diego County Fair Heineken Grandstand Stage
- The Michelle Ross Band @ San Diego County Fair Coors Light Rock On Stage
- Sister Sledge Show @ San Diego County Fair Ford Dealers Paddock Stage
- California Bleeding, the Dirty Legs, Left Foot Green, Translation: Audio @ Tin Can
- Skinnie Magazine & NSD present Warped Tour 2011 Battle of the Bands Prelims @ Brick By Brick
- Heather Hardcore, Markus Exx @ Til-Two Club
- An Evening With Willie K @ Belly Up
- The Show Is the Rainbow @ Bar Pink
- Anthology House Band @ Anthology
- Jordan Reimer, Lady Day, Ruby Summer @ Lestat's
- James Zollar, Mikan Zlatkovich, Marshall Hawkins, Chuck McPherson, Nabuko Kiryu @ Dizzy's
- Comedy @ Eleven
- Justin James @ Handlery Hotel
- Reggae Meets Hip-Hop with DJ Artistic and Tribe of Kings @ Ruby Room
- Death on Mars, Perfect Blue @ U-31
- Ian Tordella @ The V Lounge Viejas Casino
- Rock Out Wednesday - Live Band Karaoke @ House of Blues
- Dub Dorado presents Anti Serim, Mr. Biggs, Austin Speed, Headshake @ El Dorado
- The Roosters @ Riviera Supper Club
- Barfly Promotions Presents @ Humphreys Backstage Live
- L.E.D. Presents @ Voyeur
- XIV Live @ Kava Lounge
- Bayou Brothers @ Patrick's II
- Wreck Shop Wednesdays, with321 Stereo, Katie Leigh and the Infantry @ The Office
- Steph Johnson @ Croce's
- Hazmatt @ Typhoon Saloon
- Jeff Moore and the Witchdoctors @ The Kraken
- Gilbert Castellanos with the New Latin Jazz Quintet @ El Camino
- Wednesday Night Shakedown @ Henry's Pub
- Club Kingston presents Karlos Paez and the Chula Vista Soldier Club @ Winston's
- Taryn Donath @ Marble Room
- Evolution @ Club Kadan
- Lady Dottie and the Diamonds @ Gallagher's
- Stone Brewery Store Debut @ Whistle Stop
- Firehouse Swing Night @ Queen Bee's
- Jeff Bristol @ Davina's Cabo Grill
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.
