I'm bursting out of my own skin today because one of my all-time favorite bands is playing a sold-out show at the Observatory North Park. Yes, I love the Psychedelic Furs and I'm excited to hear Dear Boy, too, but my love affair with James started somewhere in the early '90s and has never diminished. They haven't toured through San Diego often -- I caught them in '94 and then I recall their House of Blues show preceeding Coachella in 2012 -- but it's fuzzy if they've played here many more times than that. The band's frontman is inspiring and a lyrical genius, and their record, "Living in Extraordinary Times," which dropped last year, has been one of my go-to records when times get bleak and I seek solace in music. Around town, actor and musician Jeff Bridges has a sold-out show at the Belly Up, Doc Hammer play the Casbah, and local all-female act the Slow Kill bring R&B and neo-soul to Soda Bar.
Tuesday, August 6:
- The Psychedelic Furs, James, Dear Boy @ The Observatory North Park (SOLD OUT)
- An Intimate Evening of Music and Conversation with Jeff Bridges, Beat Root Rev @ Belly Up (SOLD OUT)
- Doc Hammer, the Waste Aways, Steeltoe @ Casbah
- The Slow Kill, Chris Avetta Band, Latifahtron @ Soda Bar
- Tiki Tuesday with Mr. Adrian Demain @ Bar Pink
- 91x's Tim Pyles presents Stay for the Fireworks, Minimum Contacts, Kitty Plague @ The Merrow
- Los Lonely Boys, Ozomatli @ Humphreys Concerts by the Bay
- Black Taffy, Mystery Cave, Zochi, Gabonano @ Whistle Stop
- Techno Tuesdays with Nocturne & Techit Easy @ Blonde
- Casey Hensley @ Humphreys Backstage Live
- Irieality, Irie Jahrie Mark Fisher, Carlos Culture @ The Holding Company
- Acoustically Grateful hosted by Shakedown String Band @ Winston's (6-9 p.m.)
- Fletch & Friends @ Winston's (9:30 p.m.)
- Robin Henkel @ Crossroads, House of Blues (FREE)
- Family Loteria with Anahuac, Analy, DJ Viejo Lowbo @ Border X Brewing
- Adams Gone Funky @ Rosie O'Grady's (read our show preview here)
- Alvino & the Dwells, Sea Base, DJ Mikey Ratt @ Til-Two Club
- Almost Monday, Postcard Boy @ Che Cafe
- Janet Hammer & Don L. @ Martini's Above Fourth
- Night Shift in The Office with DJ Ramsey @ The Office
- DJ Lexicon Devil @ Pour House
- The Works Jam @ Riviera Supper Club & Turquoise Room
- Sue Palmer @ Tio Leo's
- Live Jam Session @ Wildwood Crossing
- Nocturne Presents Jon Doss, Daniel Gold, Hokum & Noetry @ Kava Lounge
- Shiragirl, Beebs @ 710 Beach Club
- Open Open Mic Night with Ash Foster @ El Dorado
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.