I am so ready for the weekend and especially excited to kick it off tonight with Cults at Soda Bar. I guess we can't officially call them hometown heroes, but there is certainly the local connection, and we love them just the same. Particularly because they're playing not one but two back to back shows, so theoretically, you could catch the early show and still head to another show. If you do happen upon either show, be sure to catch Portland's Reptaliens. They opened for Strfkr at the Observatory earlier this year, and they're amazing and entertaining and kinda weird, too. They're already lined up for a summer headlining tour of their own as well. Meanwhile, Vaud & the Villains celebrate 10 years at the Belly Up, Casbah doubles up its affinity for equines with Horse Feathers and Dead Horses, and Mattress Firm hosts a night of reggae that will definitely test the security's ability to control cannabis in public.
Friday, May 18:
- Cults, Reptaliens @ Soda Bar (7 p.m. & 10 p.m.)
- Horse Feathers, Dead Horses @ Casbah
- Vaud & the Villains 10th Anniversary Show, Stripes and Lines @ Belly Up
- Dirty Heads, Iration, the Movement, Pacific Dub @ Mattress Firm Amphitheatre
- La Escalera Fest Day 2: Allweather, Sic Waiting, Despero, the Dodges, New Way On, Gentlemen Prefer Blood, Nights Like Thieves, Lightweight @ Til-Two Club
- Joynoise, 3LH, the Rinds @ Title TK
- Big Sam's Funky Nation, Finnegan Blue @ Winston's
- Stephen El Rey & Crew D'etat Brass Band @ Panama 66
- Dance Punk! Indie Blog Haus Electro Dance Party @ Blonde
- Celtic Woman: Homecoming Tour @ San Diego Civic Theatre
- Tim Allen @ Copley Symphony Hall
- 20th Anniversary Orquesta BiNacional Mambo @ Dizzy's
- Fallen Monuments, Punch Card, the A-Bortz, the Midnight Block @ Ken Club
- Sara and Kenny @ Templar's Hall in Old Poway Park
- Grl Riot Night with the Aquadolls, Freaks, Honeypot, Pvke, Rain on Fridays, Strawberry Army, This Way Through @ Soma
- Solo Show with Stephen El Rey, Davey Tiltwheel, Al Barnes @ Bar Pink (8 p.m.)
- Husky Boys @ Bar Pink (10 p.m.)
- Kelly McGarry Presents: A Perfect Tool, Johnny Distortion, Radio Thieves, Xanadoodz @ Music Box
- Atomic Groove's FDS Kickoff Party Happy Hour @ Belly Up (5 p.m.)
- Purple Rain @ The Loft, UCSD (3:30 p.m.)
- Mdou Moctar, Sun Araw @ The Loft, UCSD
- Julia Sage & the Bad Hombres @ Black Cat Bar
- Midnight, Bat, Wormwitch, Impure Consecration @ Brick by Brick
- The Waylon Hicks Project @ Seven Grand
- Subspecies, Jack McCain & the Utility Players @ Lestat's
- Chase Bryant @ Moonshine Beach
- Filmore @ Moonshine Flats
- Traveling Fools @ De Oro Mine Co.
- Emo Night Brooklyn with DJ and acoustic set by William Beckett of the Academy Is @ House of Blues
- Rossi Rock @ Midnight Jack
- Custard Pie @ Pour House (10 p.m.)
- Vinyl Pirates @ Pour House (5:30 p.m.)
- Avenue Army, North by North, Alive & Well @ 710 Beach Club
- Janice & Nathan @ Martini's Above Fourth
- After Hours with DJs EdROC & Ramsey @ The Office
- Kid Wonder @ U-31
- Funk's Most Wanted @ Tio Leo's
- Fabulous Ultratones @ Humphreys Backstage Live (5 p.m.)
- Rising Star @ Humphreys Backstage Live (9 p.m.)
- 8FIVE8 @ Navajo Live
- Festival of Praise @ Spreckel's Theatre
- Now & Later with DJ Artistic & TramLife @ El Dorado
- Mele, Boys Don't Disco @ Bang Bang
- Answer Code Request, Black Asteroid, Proxy, Klatch @ Spin
- DJ Amen @ FLUXX
- Goodtimes @ Henry's Pub
- Bass & Lace featuring DJ Danni G @ 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.
