I made the most rookie mistake the last time I caught Passion Pit at the Observatory North Park. I'd spent all day going back and forth with their tour manager to secure a last-minute photo pass to the show. I got there and was ready to go, only to discover my camera had been left on in my bag and the battery had completely died. I had a backup point and shoot, but luckily Passion Pit is one of those bands that play so passionately and energetically, it didn't really matter if I walked away without evidence I was there -- the magic of their shows keeps them memorable. Tonight, they return to the Observatory with the Beaches in tow, and you can be assured it is going to be a kick-ass time (read the SoundDiego interview with Michael Angelakos here). Around town, you have solid options in Body Salt at the Casbah, local garage-rock trio Sixes at Soda Bar, local metal heroes Cattle Decapitation at Brick by Brick, and the appropriately-named instrumental act Polyrhythmics at the Belly Up to lead your Wednesday night options, of which there are plenty.
Wednesday, May 1:
- Passion Pit, the Beaches @ The Observatory North Park
- Body Salt, AJ Froman, the Colour Monday @ Casbah
- Sixes, Dream Burglar, the Hiroshima Mockingbirds @ Soda Bar
- Cattle Decapitation, Unidad Trauma, Cave Bastard, Temblad @ Brick by Brick
- Instant Crush with Nastea, Amzel, Modesty @ The Office
- Polyrhythmics, Elektric Voodoo @ Belly Up
- We Like To Party! All '90s All Night @ Space
- Young Jesus, Exasperation, Kan-Kan @ The Ché Café
- Luke Redfield @ Seven Grand
- The Jazz Pockets 1st Jazzaversary @ Tio Leo's
- Clay Colton @ Wildwood Crossing (patio)
- Cobby Brzeski Trio @ Wildwood Crossing
- Boss Jazz w/Jason Hanna & Friends @ Riviera Supper Club & Turquoise Room
- Monti, Marz Jukebox, Clay Campania, Georgia Feroce @ Til-Two Club
- The Great Love Debate @ Music Box
- Gilbert Castellanos' Young Lions Series & Jazz Jam @ Panama 66
- First Wednesdays: The Hutchins Consort @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido
- Dance Klassique with Joe Pea, Ryan Bauer, Gomez @ Blonde- Eight Scaled Violins
- Open Mic Night @ Pour House
- Better Chemistry, DJ Carlos Culture @ Winston's
- Carol Curtis @ Martini's Above Fourth
- Patrick "Bluefrog" Ellis @ Crossroads, House of Blues (FREE)
- Morning Crows with Christopher Leyva, Swiss Rolls @ Navajo Live
- Open Mic with Jefferson Jay @ Winston's (6-9 p.m.)
- Tradewinds @ Humphreys Backstage Live
- 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.