For some time now, I've declared that Thursdays are the best night in San Diego. Part of this is because many touring artists hit Los Angeles on the weekend, so we get their pre-weekend tours; part of it might be because most of us generally write off any serious work on Fridays anyway. Tonight, however, I will say this, in part, due to South By Southwest. The music conference isn't until next week in Austin, Texas, but many bands are swinging through on their way out, and there are some local bands trying to get some last-minute gas money before making the voyage.
Tonight is absolutely ridiculous. Besides the fact that we want all of you to come to our free party at the W Hotel with the Tree Ring, Jesse LaMonaca and John Meeks (with Stevie and the Hi-Stax and the Red Fox tails at a private party on the third floor), there are great shows everywhere. Daydream Nation has Louis XIV reuniting at Fluxx, Writer is releasing their 7-inch at the Casbah, and Yann Tiersen will be owning the stage at the Belly Up. Then you have the amazing singer/songwriter Damien Jurado playing with Viva Voce at the Loft at UCSD, my dear friends in Judgement Day bring string metal back to the Soda Bar, TNT kicks off at MCASD, and Man/Miracle will blow up the Tin Can. And if all that's not enough, I've booked the Free Radicals, a project of Melly Frances, over at West Coast Tavern for the usual free show. You have no excuses not to get out to a live show or four tonight.
Thursday, March 10:
NBC San Diego Party, featuring Stevie and the Hi-Stax, Red Fox Tails (private, third floor), and the Tree Ring, Jesse LaMonaca and John Meeks (free) @ W Hotel (5:30-10 p.m.) -- see the party details here
Daydream Nation & FM 94.9 Present: Louis XIV, Lesands, Hot Moon, DJ Ikah Love @ Fluxx -- read our preview here
Writer (7" release party), The Fling, Chairs Missing, Little White Teeth @ Casbah
The Free Radicals @ West Coast Tavern
Casbah Presents: Yann Tiersen, Breathe Owl Breathe @ Belly Up
Damien Jurado, Viva Voce, Archeology @ The Loft
Judgement Day, Brahms, Fever Sleeves @ Soda Bar
TNT w/ Jamuel Saxon, Cuckoo Chaos @ Museum of Contemporary Art Downtown
Man/Miracle, New Mexico, Dudes @ Tin Can
The Fire Eaters @ Bar Pink
Marshall Crenshaw @ AMSD
91X Loudspeaker Presents: Long Live Logos, Oliver Trolley, and The Napoleon Complex @ House of Blues Voodoo Stage
Beautiful View, Shapes of Future Frames @ Eleven
Jake Allen, Jim Earp @ Lestat's
The Brubeck Brothers @ Anthology
Katywompus Trio @ Riviera Supper Club
Periphery, Scale The Summit, Globe and Beast, Trumpet The harlot, Silent Vice, Circle of Manias @ Epicentre
The Shantyannes, Jared Mees and The Grown Children, Mister Loveless, The Loneliest Monk @ Ruby Room
Andre Nickatina 2011 Birthday Run w/ Glasses Malone, Eli (Smoove-E), Raider Dave, Static Jon, Cryptic Wisdom @ House of Blues
Chet Cannon & The Committee @ Patrick's II
Matt Commerce @ Tiki House
Ishmael & The Peacemakers, Billy Watson @ Coyote Bar & Grill
Lady Dottie and The Diamonds @ El Dorado
L.E.D. Presents: Fake Blood, Deth Hertz @ Voyeur
Macklemore, Ryan Lewis @ Brick By Brick
Oasis Contemorary Jazz Presents: Johnathan Butler, Jeff Golub, Tom Scott, Gerald Veasley, Gerald Albright @ Balboa Theatre
Scott Wilson & The Contradictions, Folding Mr. Lincoln, Marie Haddad @ Claire de Lune
Moonlight Serenade Orchestra @ The Lucky Star Restaurant (54th & University)
Smooth Jazz Showcase @ Humphrey's Backstage Live
Altruism @ Kava Lounge
Gilbert Castellanos and The New Latin Jazz Quintet @ Croce's
Rosemary Bystrak writes about the San Diego music scene, events, and general musings about life in San Diego onSan Diego: Dialed In. She does social media for the Casbah, books at West Coast Tavern West Coast Tavern, and is trying her hand at band management. Follow her updates on Twitter or contact her directly.