Let's face it, when you think of the San Diego County Fair, you probably think about kids. Either you're taking your own kids, or you're there trying to avoid everyone else's. The place is packed with them and most of them are wigging out on abundant amounts of cotton candy and ice cream and fudge and running into you as they take their selfies and text their friends non-stop. But if ever a day at the fair was meant for adults, I'd say that day is today. For one, music legend Brian Wilson is playing in the Grandstand and is playing "Pet Sounds" in its entirety. But if you get there early, you can head to the Coors Light stage and catch the Redwoods Revue with our friends Birdy Bardot, the Midnight Pine, and Dani Bell & the Tarantist. And I'm speaking from experience here, from the arches of the paddock to the Fiesta Plaza, you can grab craft beers and cocktails and be a grown up. Make a day of it at the fair, and don't feel guilty about ditching the kids this time around.
Thursday, June 30:
- Brian Wilson performing "Pet Sounds" @ San Diego County Fair
- Birdy Bardot, the Midnight Pine, Dani Bell & The Tarantist @ San Diego County Fair
- Listen Local All Access Fest with Helena Holleran, Sometimes Julie, Girl in the Middle, Sam Bybee, Corey Wilkins, Three Chord Justice, Cherry Road, the Senators, Roni Lee, the Naked I @ Music Box
- The Music of Abba @ San Diego County Fair
- 11PA Release Party! @ Amplified Ale Works
- Del Beach Bash @ Hotel Del Coronado
- Spero, Boondock Brothers, Pale Hush (performing Cass McCombs "Not the Way") @ Casbah
- Andy Black: The Homecoming Tour, Colours @ The Observatory North Park
- Tiffany Jane & the Kicks Present: A Night of Unveiling Local Artists Volume II @ Dizzy's
- Punchcard, Let's Face It, the Mandoshanks, the A-Bortz @ The Merrow
- Obligerant, Cabuloan, Slum Summer @ Soda Bar
- Foghat @ Sycuan Casino
- DJ Saul Q @ Bar Pink
- DESKARGA Sub Tropical Bass with La Inedita, Cumbia Machin, DJ Viejo Lowbo @ Ken Club
- Harsh Toke, Elektric Voodoo, Monarch @ Belly Up
- Mudcrutch: Tom Petty, Mike Campbell, Tom Leadon, Randall Marsh, Benmont Tench with the Shelters @ Humphreys Concerts By the Bay
- Thursday Night Market @ Quartyard
- Such A Bitch presents Beginners, the Dabbers, DJs Katie Serbian & Chrissy Stothers @ The Hideout
- An Evening with Clinton Davis & Tim McNalley @ Sycamore Den
- Jesse Johnson @ Lestat's
- Gregory Page @ Java Joe's
- Clouds Collective, clqqng, Coastal @ Queen Bee's Art & Cultural Center
- King Taylor Project @ Crossroads, House of Blues (6-8 p.m., free)
- Kadesh Flow, Shubzilla @ The Bancroft
- R:Tyme @ Humphreys Backstage Live
- Toweroke with Goldilox @ Tower Bar
- Open Jam Session @ Winston's (6-9 p.m.)
- The Dip, Euphoria Brass Band @ Winston's
- Clinton Sparks @ Omnia
- One Night with Steve Ortega @ El Dorado
- Rock Out Karaoke @ Tin Roof
- VAMP: Animal Control @ Whistle Stop
- Rex Rulah presents FLYPT, guest DJs @ Kava Lounge
- Charles Burton Band @ Tio Leo's
- Odd Ball @ Boar Cross'n
- Independence Day Celebration Weekend @ 710 Beach Club
- Liquid Courage Karaoke @ 710 Beach Club
Rosemary Bystrak is the publicist for the Casbah, the content manager for DoSD, 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.
