Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
It’s a brand-new year and with it all the hopes and dreams for an even better future for all. I can’t help but look back at 2025 and take stock of accomplishments, goals met or missed and reminisce on the highs and lows. I found I did better with limited social media and divisive news stories. For me, time spent with good friends and live music has always been the antidote to stress in my life for as long as I can remember!
I may be preaching to the choir for a lot of Ventura Breeze readers about the benefits of taking in live music and dancing with whomever or even by yourself; but it never ceases to amaze me how many people I come across who never take in a concert, or frequent venues with live music, it’s truly shocking! If you happen to be one of those people who may be timid about dipping your toe in the proverbial music waters, I recommend a wine bar or local brewery where you can catch a singer/songwriter, it’s truly uplifting. And if you’re not ready for the “bar scene,” then try a dinner house such as Winchesters in Ventura or the Manhattan in Camarillo.
And, if you’re in the know about all the available live music, why not reach out and share the experience with someone who doesn’t know where to go or who to see. Not only will you help lift someone else’s spirits up, but you’re also bringing in more business for our local venues. We need to pack them because rent is high and musicians need to be paid! If we as paying customers don’t do our part, then there will be no live music or worse yet, venues will close their doors.
Ventura’s music scene continues to change. It’s not the same when I first started promoting live music on VenturaRocks.com back in 2009. Venues come and go, bands and artists are popular then they drop off the radar, venues are packed and then they’re not. But the bottom line is we only have a vibrant scene when people get out and support. Don’t forget, there are three elements to a music scene, the venues, the bands and us music lovers, together, we make Ventura Rock!
Quick Notes: Two tribute bands to check out at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, First Dead Man’s Party (Oingo Boingo) on Saturday, January 10, and then Bee Gees Gold on Friday, January 16; you might want to snag tickets for Brian Charette B3 Funk Party featuring Danny Carey of Tool at the Grape for Friday, January 30 before they sell out; and finally Gibson’s Neighborhood Bar will be changing their name to KJ’s and promising live music Wednesday through Sunday.
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.