Ventura Music Scene 10/15/25 – 10/28/25

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
Music scene artwork

After a seven-year hiatus, the Frost and Fire Metal Fest returns to Ventura for two days at Bombay Bar and Grill on Friday, October 25, and Saturday, October 26. Night Demon will headline on Friday, and Cirith Ungol on Saturday. While Cirth Ungol had “officially retired” in 2024, they continue to play a handful of exclusive shows, including this one in their hometown. Tickets can be purchased via FrostAndFireFest.com. Check out the Festival’s Facebook page (FrostAndFireMetalFest) for additional bands performing.

Frost and Fire bands listed

Ventura Music Festival (VMF) October Series falls over several days across a handful of venues. The Moaning Frogs play the Ventura Music Hall on Thursday, October 16; Twanguero will be at the Museum of Ventura County on Friday, October 17; Branford Marsalis at the Majestic Ventura Theater on Saturday, October 18; and they’ll wrap up the series with Delirium Musicum at Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center on Sunday, October 19. For details about each show and to purchase tickets, go to VenturaMusicFestival.org.

Photo of the Moanin' Frogs

I posted an impromptu question on my Facebook page, “Curious…Do you consider DJs to be live music? (no judgement)” and with over 100 comments in one day, the overwhelming response was “No.” However, my takeaway is that while DJs may not be “live” music, spinning discs is entertainment, and if they’re talented and put in the work, it can be considered an art form. That being said, my article and postings on VenturaRocks.com only list live music.

Halloween is coming quick, so I suggest you go to VenturaRock’s full page calendar (click for a quick jump) and then search “Halloween.” To date, there are over 15 venues with live music. There are a couple of ticketed events: two at the Crowne Plaza, one featuring Rey Fresco and the other Shaky Feelin’, both through Eventbrite; and The Grape has Tony Ybarra’s Nylon Roses featuring classic rock, tickets through thegrapeventura.com.

Quick Notes: Braids and Dreads (Dan Grimm & JP Hesser) have secured a Friday evening residency for the time being at Gibsons on Fridays (6-8 pm); Walt Johnson Sinatra Tribute Band featuring Michael Falcone play a special show at the Manhattan on Thursday, October 16; John Waite plays the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Saturday, October 18; there’s a free Ojai Pops Concert at the Libbey Bowl on Sunday, October 19; Ska Daddyz play Mrs. Olson’s on Saturday, October 20; Boilerman, Sharkhead & Static Voices play Gigi’s on Saturday, October 25; and Danny Carey of Tool returns to the Grape drumming for two gigs this month, Saturday, October 18 with Brian Charette B3 Funk Party, then the following Saturday, October 25, with the Doug Webb Group;

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows that you would like help publicizing? Please send all information, short or long, to Pam@VenturaRocks.com. For updated music listings daily, visit www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 7/5 – 7/18

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

YAY!!! It’s time for Surf Rodeo with two days of fun in the sun at the beach and featuring not only a surf competition, but cool bands playing on two stages over the weekend of July 15th and 16th. There will be tons of music featuring artists like Rey Fresco, Thee Commons, Stoneflys, 50 Sticks of Dynamite, Bird Brain, The Rouse, Honey Owl, Mariachi El Bronx, and Super Duper Kyle who will be performing on Sunday (he’s been selling out shows in Chicago, Detroit, etc…). Be sure to swing by the VenturaRocks.com and Ventura Breeze booth on Seaward while you’re out having fun and say hello!

You won’t want to miss Women in the Round, “Voices”, at the Bell Arts Factory on Saturday, July 15 with performances from Andrea Landin, Michelle Rosenblum (aka Melody Bird), Donna Lynn Caskey, Shelby Figueroa and Amber Bassett. Show starts at 7 and it would be awesome of you to make a donation at the door to support their efforts.

Throwing Oxnard some love, the Collection at River park is offering free summer concerts on Thursday nights beginning with Dirty Rice on July 6 followed by Led Zepagain on the 13th, and Southbound and Company on July 22.

Congratulations to Jan for opening her third restaurant (she also owns Prime here in Ventura), this one is right smack dab in the middle of downtown Ventura at 391 E. Main Street. She named it Casa Bella and will be providing live music three nights a week: Tuesdays with Adam Tunney and “Rat Pack” type music, Encore on Fridays with R&B Motown sound, and cool jazz on Saturdays with Ricky Williams. All music is expected to get underway by 7 pm.

If you’re a TOOL fan, then you know the band just wrapped up a tour (yeah, no new album yet) which means drummer Danny Carey has some extra time on his hands so he’ll be once again joining the Doug Webb Group at Squashed Grapes when they play on Saturday, July 8. Be sure to secure tickets at (805) 643-7300.
(Show cancelled 7/5/17)

Quick notes: The Queens of the Stone Age concert at the Ventura Theater has been canceled, Kelly’s Lot is opening for Junior Brown at the Canyon Club on July 9, Music Under the Stars kicks off their summer concert season July 15 at Olivas Adobe with WhosNext; Tim Curran and The Brambles will be at Beach House Tacos on the Ventura Pier, Sunday, July 16 4-7 pm; and finally the 2017 Ventura Music Festival kicks off their “An American Season” featuring 23 performances this year including Perla Batalla’s tribute to Leonard Cohen on Friday, July 21, and Simply Three on Saturday July 22 at Ventura College Performing Arts Center, all of their events and ticket information can be found at VenturaMusicFestival.org.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com, and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.