After this mad week of politics, many people are wondering what they can do, seeking communal experiences and reaching out to deeply feel their humanity. In such times, obviously, there are political and social things we can do, but self-care is important, too, and being lost in a crowd of people listening to the universality of music can really revive your spirit. Tonight, you can catch the start of Summergrass in Vista for some amazing bluegrass and Americana music. At the Casbah, you can experience the heavy Swedish rock of Dungen, or express your punk angst with the second night of X at the Belly Up. For some extra angst, Canadian punk rockers Flatliners are at Soda Bar. Steel Pulse will bring the irie reggae love to the track, and DJ Quik & Scarface provide your hip-hop needs at the Observatory. That's a lot of opportunity for communal love if you just get out and grab it.
Friday, Aug. 18:
- San Diego Magazine's Best of San Diego Party 2017 @ Liberty Station
- Summergrass 2017 @ Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, Vista (3-10 p.m.)
- Dungen, Shadow Band, Brainticket DJ's @ Casbah
- X, LP3, The Tragedy @ Belly Up
- The Flatliners, the Smith Street Band, GOMO @ Soda Bar
- Steel Pulse @ Summer Concert Series, Del Mar Race Track
- DJ Quik, Scarface, Suga Free @ Observatory North Park
- Jidenna, Anik Khan, Mannywellz @ Music Box
- Lost '80s Live, Tony Hadley (Spandeau Ballet), Cutting Crew, Wang Chung, Naked Eyes, Berlin, Missing Persons, the Flirts, Gene Loves Jezebel, Trans X @ Humphreys Concerts by the Bay
- Pickwick, Prism Tats @ Space
- f#ing in the bushes @ Whistle Stop
- Through Being Cool Emo Night with Derek Hubbard & Steven Oira @ Blonde
- La Jolla Summerfest presents Beethoven's Violin Sonatas @ Conrad Prebys Concert Hall, UCSD
- Megan Steinke, Alex Famous, Scottie Chandler @ Lestat's
- Class Project: DJ Grimm & Old Man Johnson @ Bar Pink
- 2017 San Diego International Mariachi Summit Gala Concert featuring Mariachi Champana Nevin @ Civic Theatre
- Euphoria Brass Band @ Panama 66
- Freddie Jackson @ Sycuan
- The Power Brokers @ Belly Up (5 p.m.)
- Nena Anderson, Sara Petite, Alice Wallace @ Java Joe's
- Up the Irons, One Night in the City, R.I.P., Trendkill Revolution @ Brick by Brick
- Dazed and Confused: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin @ Winston's
- Zzymzzy Sextet CD Release @ Queen Bee's
- Ed Kornhauser's Organ Trio @ Seven Grand
- 101.5 KGB presents Jim Morrison Celebration featuring Wild Child @ House of Blues
- Groove International @ Voodoo Room, House of Blues
- Make Them Suffer, Enterprise Earth, SPITE, Petrichor @ Soma
- Highway Starr @ Moonshine Beach
- Martin McDaniel @ Moonshine Flats
- Jackson Price @ De Oro Mine Co
- Beauty in the Breakdown @ The Holding Company 1502
- Jazz Jam Sessions: Quinteto Caballero @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido
- Evolution Productions Tribute Night: Uprising, a Perfect Tool, Wicked Rooster @ The Merrow
- Gamblers Mark, Johnny Deadly Trio @ 710 Beach Club
- Stelita Porter & the Corvelles @ Martini's Above Fourth
- The Routine @ Park & Rec
- After Hours with DJs EdROC & Ikah Love @ The Office
- High Rise, Featherstone, Cryptic Languages @ Til-Two Club
- All-Vinyl Happy Hour with Monsieur Turbeau @ The Office (6 p.m.)
- Kid Wonder @ U-31
- Funk's Most Wanted @ Tio Leo's
- Pumphouse Grids, Weird Night @ Tower Bar
- Full Strength Funk @ Humphreys Backstage Live
- Lost Santos @ Navajo Live (8 p.m.)
- Angelshade @ Navajo Live (10 p.m.)
- Snapwire @ Navajo Live (11:45 p.m.)
- Flux Pavilion @ Bassmnt
- JackLNDN @ El Dorado
- Eddie Cutlass @ Oxford Social Club at the Pendry
- Heartattak @ FLUXX
- Re:Turn All Vinyl featuring Bass Mechanic, Sotero, Jason Splat, Wes Hoppe @ Kava Lounge
- Lee K @ Bang Bang
- SD Union Seven Year Anniversary with SPY, Lenzman, Bachelors of Science @ Spin
- Markus Schulz @ Omnia
- Goodtimes @ Henry's Pub
- 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.