Like many people in the gig economy, I've bounced around in different roles so long as I could maintain a music-adjacent position, and sometimes in those roles, I've had assignments to cover events I might not have otherwise attended. And so it was when Caravan Palace played at the Observatory North Park in 2016. I was there to shoot photos and had never really even heard of the band. At shows like that, I always wonder how everyone else was so familiar, was there some flicker of virality through a game, a movie, or even a TV ad that made people aware of such bands? I still don't know that answer for Caravan Palace, but once you see them live, you can't help but become a repeat fan for their high energy swingin' vibe that melds modern electronica with brassy sounds from the Prohibition era. They're back at the Observatory tonight with our pals Dani Bell & the Tarantist opening and I wouldn't miss it. Around town, Subhumans play SOMA, Distressor bring hardcore and metal vibes to Soda Bar, and our local pals Wild Wild Wets headline a local bill at the Belly Up.
Wednesday, Oct. 23:
- Caravan Palace, Dani Bell & the Tarantist @ The Observatory North Park
- Subhumans, Neighborhood Brats, Agonista @ SOMA
- Distressor, Aquarium, Sparkler, Cheap Skates @ Soda Bar
- Wild Wild Wets, Mrs. Henry, Hail Hail @ Belly Up
- Drip Trop with Dunekat, Mr. Hek & Dash Eye @ The Office
- Imagery Machine, L’Freaq @ Bar Pink
- Witt Lowry, Xuitcasecity, Whatever We Are @ Voodoo Room, House of Blues
- Matthew Whitaker @ The Loft
- Engelbert Humperdinck @ The Magnolia
- Andrew Montana @ The Che Cafe (Free Show)
- Charlie Arbelaez @ Plaza Bar, Westgate Hotel
- The Ghost Dance @ The Holding Company
- Dawn Jackson ft. Ted Stern @ Lestat's
- The Cobby Brzeski Quartet @ Seven Grand
- The Jazz Pocket Swing @ Tio Leo's
- Clay Colton @ Wildwood Crossing
- Boss Jazz with Jason Hanna & Friends @ Riviera Supper Club & Turquoise Room
- Gilbert Castellanos' Young Lions Series & Jazz Jam @ Panama 66
- Subversion: Goth, post punk, dark wave, new wave, industrial @ Til-Two Club
- Dance Klassique with Joe Pea, Ryan Bauer, Gomez @ Blonde
- Open Mic Night @ Pour House
- Club Kingston Presents: Psydecar, DJ Carlos Culture @ Winston's
- Steven Brinberg is "Simply Barbra" @ Martini's Above Fourth
- DJ Mo Lyon @ U-31
- Danny Brown, Ashnikko, Zelooperz @ Music Box
- Open Mic with Jefferson Jay @ Winston's (6-9 p.m.)
- Blue Largo @ Humphrey's Backstage Live
- Office Hours with the Professor @ El Dorado
- Open Mic/Open Jam @ 710 Beach Club
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.
