Week of May 27 to June 2
Thursday (27)
Concert posters today may have lost their artistic edge, but Plastered 2: San Diego’s Rock Poster Show displays posters of yore. Each poster was designed especially for the artist, making each poster an insight into the artist’s vision of the band’s style. Some of the artists featured include Doug Barker, R. Black, Michael Buchmiller, Guy Burwell, Steven “”Maynard”” Chastain, Travis White and John Warner, among others. The posters will be on display through June 17 at M-Theory Music in South Park. The opening reception is May 27 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The show is free. For more information, call (619) 269-2963 or visit http://www.deafbuddha.com/plastered.
Friday (28)
Fans of Convoy should be happy to hear that Louis XIV will be playing at SOMA. The band is made up of Brian Karscig, Jason Hill and Mark Maigaard, all formerly of Convoy. Their first self-titled album, released in 2003, revolves around a self-obsessed kid who thinks he’s Louis XIV. With this album came a new sound: While Convoy was poppy, Louis XIV are a fusion of classic rock that sounds similar to the Strokes. Louis XIV plays with This Holiday Life, Scarlet Symphony, Pistolita and the Mortals. Tickets to the show are $8. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call (619) 226-7662.
San Diego has a music scene that has launched some great bands. With the San Diego Is Burning all-ages CD release party, fans of local music can get a taste of flavor from local label Loud and Clear Records. All proceeds from the CD will go to the San Diego Humane Society. In addition to the CD, those who attend will get a chance to see some of the artists live, with Hot Like (a) Robot, Comfortable For You, Goodbye Blue Monday, Waterline Drift and Channing Cope playing at the release party. The party takes place at Epicentre at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8. For more information, call (858) 271-4000.
For the first time, the Spirit West Coast Christian Music Festival is heading south from its home in Monterey, Calif., to have a 3-day festival (through May 30) at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The festival has seminars, camping, exhibits and kids’ activities, and features Christian music artists, such as Jars of Clay, Relient K and Audio Adrenaline. Tickets to the event are $20 to $105. For more information, including times, call (831) 443-5399.
Saturday (29)
Dido’s career may have been bolstered when Eminem sampled her song “”Thank You”” in his own “”Stan,”” but since then she’s broken out as an artist in her own right. She gained popularity with her first album No Angel, especially with the songs “”Thank You,”” “”Here With Me”” and “”Hunter.”” Since then, Dido has released her second album, Life for Rent, which has only cemented her popularity. She plays at San Diego State’s Open Air Theatre at 8 p.m. Tickets are $33.25 to $35.25.
Head over to the Gaslamp Quarter to attend KIFM’s 29th annual Smooth Jazz Festival. Headlining and hosting the festival is saxophonist Dave Koz. There will be three main stages featuring a variety of artists, including David Sanborn, Fourplay, Pamela Williams, Down to the Bone, Brenda Russell and Peter White, among others. Along with the music will be more than 25 participating clubs, bars and restaurants in the quarter where attendees can eat, drink and be merry. Tickets to the festival are $35 in advance and $40 at the gate. For more information, visit http://kifm.com..
Sunday (30)
Jivewire may best be described as a rock club doing a dance party night. Though it sounds odd, the Casbah’s attempt at turning itself into a dance club has proved immensely popular. The music is fast and fun, a mix of rock, garage, techno, hip-hop, rockabilly and just about any other style of music you can imagine. Plus, there’s no cover. Jivewire starts at 8:30 p.m., but get there early because the place fills up quickly. For more information, call (619) 232-4355.
Monday (31)
The Plea for Peace Foundation has launched their yearly tour. This year, the tour is bringing back the political spirit of punk and dedicated to mobilizing young voters to vote. The tour, which will only play at venues not run by Clear Channel, features performances by Cursive, Saul Williams, Planes Mistaken for Stars and Mike Park. Along with the bands, the tour will feature on-site voter registration. The Plea for Peace Tour makes its San Diego stop at SOMA. The show costs $16. For more information, call (619) 226-7662.
Wednesday (2)
Ron Sexsmith may be the kind of musician Elliot Smith fans have been looking for. The Canadian singer/songwriter started his career in 1985 with his band the Uncool. But Sexsmith didn’t really make his mark on the music scene until 1991’s Grand Opera Lane. Five albums later, Sexsmith has received praise from Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello and John Hiatt and has garnered comparisons to the late Elliot Smith for his melancholy sound. Sexsmith plays at Canes Bar & Grill at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12. The show is for those aged 21 and up. For more information, call (858) 488-1780.
