I don't really think most people go to a concert to hear the saddest songs ever written, but there's something strangely moving and cathartic about it, so tonight, I'll be at the Observatory North Park extra early to make sure I don't miss one second of Phoebe Bridgers. We're really lucky since this is her third time here in about a year and I heard that she announced a forthcoming project with her contemporaries Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus (which already sounds amazing) but I urge you to see her and discover one of the best voices in music today (read the SoundDiego interview with Bridgers here). She's opening for 'godfathers of emo', American Football, and it promises to be awesome. Meanwhile, SDSU's Open Air Theatre has songwriting legends Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, and Dwight Yoakam -- in what they're calling the "LSD Tour" -- and then for a late-night delight, catch Rebecca Jade & the Cold Fact at the Casbah.
Friday, Aug. 3:
- American Football, Phoebe Bridgers @ The Observatory North Park
- Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Dwight Yoakam, King Leg @ Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
- Rebecca Jade & the Cold Fact, Euphoria Brass Band, Stephen El Rey @ Casbah
- James Supercave, B3K, Headphone, the Rogue Pilots, Zee @ 207, Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
- Bad Vibes, Taken by Canadians, Belladon @ Whistle Stop
- Matisyahu @ Del Mar Racetrack
- Cardinal Moon @ Panama 66
- Tomcat Courtney @ Ken Club (6-9 p.m.)
- Bayside Summer Nights ft. Burt Bacharach @ Embarcadero Marina Park South
- Buyepongo, La Diabla, DJs Mafondo & Viejo Lowbo @ Soda Bar
- The Model Youth, Every Other Year, Creature Culture, Suburban Park, Lineup Rookie @ SOMA
- First Friday Hip-Hop Night @ Bar Pink
- The Audio Virus, Squirrelly Arts, Luna 13, Syntax @ The Merrow
- Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons @ Humphreys Concerts by the Bay
- Kahlil Nash, Lizabeth Yandel, Ending Left @ Lestat's
- Rituals, the Wheal, Deaf Dance & guest DJ Javi Nuñez @ Space
- Jason Lee & the R.I.P.tides, Surfer Joe, Black Flamingos @ Tower Bar
- Dy-no-mite Night with DJ Claire @ Tiger!Tiger!
- Pathology, Aenimus, Parasitic Ejaculation, Orphic Eye, Slugger @ Brick By Brick
- Bon Odori: A Gathering of Joy @ Balboa Park (noon-8 p.m.)
- Psydecar, Loosen the Noose @ Winston's
- Yankton @ Moonshine Beach
- Waterloo Revival @ Moonshine Flats
- Frankie T. & the Triple B @ De Oro Mine Co
- Camilo Septimo @ Voodoo Room, House of Blues
- Molotov @ House of Blues
- Jazz Jam Sessions: Darryl Williams @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido
- Wolves Of Eden, the North, Reyah @ Bancroft Bar
- Slower @ 710 Beach Club
- Janice & Nathan @ Martini's Above Fourth
- Van Goat, Coral Bells @ Manhattan Bar
- Lance Rodriguez @ Park&Rec
- All-Vinyl Happy Hour w/Monsieur Turbeau @ The Office (6 p.m.)
- Kid Wonder @ U-31
- Big Daddy Orchestra @ Tio Leo's
- Rising Star @ Humphreys Backstage Live (9 p.m.)
- Side Hustle, Black Crowes Revival @ Navajo Live
- Little Jesus, Policias y Ladrones, Derians @ Music Box
- Blazing Beats: Black Out Party @ Spin
- Pegboard Nerds @ Bassmnt
- Oona Dahl @ Bang Bang
- Rich the Kid @ Fluxx
- Dance Punk and Indie Blog Haus Electro Dance Party @ Blonde
- Goodtimes @ Henry's Pub
- Techno Sabbath 012 ft. Tyler Rouse & Britton @ Kava Lounge
- Club Musae @ Boar Cross'n
Rosemary Bystrak is the publicist for the Casbah 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.
