We're only preview night into Comic-Con and I can tell you it is nuts downtown. For some of you, that is like a beacon of light calling you into the action, like the Rave of Thrones with Kristian "Hodor" Nairn (of "Game of Thrones") at Omnia, or Exodus at House of Blues -- but for others, it might mean keeping as far away as you can, so perhaps our pals The Paragraphs headlining the Belly Up is more your speed (read the SoundDiego interview with the band and a review of their new record here). Whatever the case, there's plenty to meet your musical needs, whether it's supplemental or instead of a Comic-Con experience. Dressy Bessy and Potty Mouth are at Soda Bar, 21 Savage is a hot ticket at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre, and the Ken Club has a super special ska show in support of "Pick It Up!" -- a film about '90s ska playing at the adjacent Ken Cinema. Plus, it's the 84th anniversary of the Ken Club, so it's going to be extra super special this weekend.
Thursday, July 18:
- Exodus @ House of Blues (6 p.m.)
- Dressy Bessy, Potty Mouth, Colleen Green @ Soda Bar
- 21 Savage, Dababy @ Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
- Rave of Thrones ft. Kristian "Hodor" Nairn @ Omnia
- Poppy: SDCC Concert @ The Quartyard (SOLD OUT)
- The Paragraphs, Drug Hunt, Belladon @ Belly Up
- Malt Couture @ Casbah
- "Pick It Up! Ska in the '90s" screening pre-party with Bite Me Bambi, Beta 7; after-party with Mochilero All-stars, the Steady 45s, Q&A with Jon Pebsworth @ Ken Club
- Animaniacs In Concert @ Balboa Theatre
- Fusebox, Johnny Tarr @ Bar Pink (9:30 p.m.)
- Distinguisher, Ghost Key, Shawshank Redeemed, Emerald Bay @ SOMA
- Elizabeth Colour Wheel, Drowse, Hexa @ Space
- Dance Klassique with Joe Pea, Ryan Bauer, Gomez @ Blonde
- Natalia Lafourcade @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido
- Lunar Vacation, the Slaps @ Voodoo Room, House of Blues
- Erika Davies @ Panama 66
- Boomboxx Thursdays @ U-31
- The Moneymen Band @ Crossroads, House of Blues (FREE)
- DJ Chuck @ Humphreys Backstage Live
- Gazm, Heat, Lead, Vile Reality @ Tower Bar
- BJ Jezbara @ Himmelberg's
- Vince DiCola, Super MadNES, Cage @ Brick by Brick
- Mark MacKillop in "Body By Taco Bell" @ Martini's Above Fourth
- Jimmy Ruelas @ Seven Grand
- Walter Brothers @ De Oro Mine Co
- Open Jam Session @ Winston's (6-9 p.m.)
- DJ Ratty @ Rosie O'Grady's
- Band of Gringos, the Happys, DJ Green T @ Winston's
- DJ Colombo @ Park & Rec
- Gregory Page @ Grand Ole BBQ & Asado
- No Limits with DJ Myson King @ The Office
- Battle of the Bands @ Moonshine Beach
- Bill Caballero Latin Jam @ Border X Brewing
- CyberPunk with DJ Rico @ Bootlegger
- Thizzday with DJs Mister Hek & Dmitri @ El Dorado
- What's the 411 @ Manhattan Bar
- Digital Lizards of Doom @ Riviera Supper Club & Turquoise Room
- Open Jam with Jeff Ousley @ Navajo Live
- Mercedes Moore @ Tio Leo's
- Sundance Band @ Renegade
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.
