Monthly Archives: January 2026

Ventura Music Scene 1/21/26 – 2/3/26

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

The highly anticipated Delta by the Beach album release party will be held at the Grape on Wednesday, January 21. The blues band’s new album, “Cold Night Rainy Day,” features 12 new original songs. The evening will include a meet and greet, storytelling and a live performance with special guests including Carl Sonny Leyland, Fito Del La Parra, Jimmy Calire and more. But wait, that’s not all…the $10 admission includes a free raffle for band tee shirts, CDs, vinyl and more.

I See Hawks perform at the Ojai Underground on Saturday, January 31, promising an unforgettable evening of harmonies, storytelling and psychedelic twang. Formed in 1999, and with nine albums under their belt, the Hawks have topped the Freeform American Roots chart four times, hit the Americana and Euro Americana Top Ten, and shared stages with Lucinda Williams, Dave Alvin, Old 97’s, The Mavericks and more. Find out more at OjaiUnderground.com.

A big tip of the hat to the Ventura Music Hall for providing a place for deadheads to come together to celebrate the life of Bob Weir, founding member of the Grateful Dead, who died of lung cancer at the age of 78 on January 10. Ventura has always been a hotbed of Dead fans dating back decades, starting when the band played at the fairgrounds in 1982 (returning 87, 91, 92 & 95). Not all bands have such a community-based following, with so many bands paying tribute to their sound and continued tribute shows in high demand. The sold-out show included members of Cubensis, Jerry’s Middle Finger, The Alligators, Shaky Feelin’ and more. I suspect more tributes will follow.

Quick Notes: Brian Charette B3 Funk Party featuring Danny Carry of TOOL on drums returns to the Grape Friday, January 30; Winchesters hosts a double header with Cory B. Clay & the Twains at 3 pm followed by the Joe Marcinek Band at 7 with Katie Skene opening and sitting in with the band on Saturday, January 24; Vaquero y Mar hosts the Ventura Gypsy Jazz Jam on Wednesday, January 28; The English Beat plays the Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, January 31; the Ventura County Concert Band plays a free concert of The Ventura High Auditorium on Sunday afternoon, February 1; the New West Symphony performs at the Performing Arts Center at Rancho Campana on Sunday, January 25, featuring the music of Rachmaninoff and Gershwin; tickets are on sale now for 311 at the Ventura Theater March 4; and Tommy Quayle performs Petty by the Campfire on Sunday, February 1, at Santa Paula’s Fermentation House; and speaking of which, Fermentation House acquired Anna’s Cider in Santa Paula awhile back and now it looks like they’re acquiring Four Brix in Ventura as well. Look for a possible name change in February.

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 Music Scene 1/7/26 – 1/20/26

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