Ventura Music Scene 6/26/24 – 7/9/24

Posted on June 29, 2024 by venturarocks

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

They’re back! The X Games return to the Ventura Fairgrounds Friday, June 28, through Sunday, June 30, and this year music will be a big part of the festivities unlike last year, where… there was none. Music runs throughout each day, with Grammy-nominated artists: Wiz Khalifa headlining on Friday, Kaskade on Saturday, and Sunday it’s Fever 333 out of Inglewood. Do note regarding parking, it’s recommended you take a shuttle, walk, or ride your bike as this year the X Games not only take over the fairgrounds, but the whole parking lot as well.

Leading up to and throughout the weekend, several venues around town will be welcoming the X Games to Ventura with live music such as the Ventura Harbor with Rey Fresco and Looking West (drone show included) on Wednesday, June 26, Tony’s Pizzeria offers up music each evening starting Thursday with the Heavy Hitters, then after the games each day it’s OnePeople and Singular Nature on Friday, June 28, Raging Arb and Friends on Saturday, June 29 and Heart & Soul on Sunday June 30. And not to be left out, Sans Souci has live music each evening featuring bands like Bone Maggot, Dogleg, Die Healing, Hologram Empire, Sunnie Daze and more (see listings).

One more X Games related activities I would be remiss if I didn’t mention, there will be a roller disco block party on Oak Street, downtown Ventura, on Oak Street from 4 – 10 pm on Wednesday, June 26, where you can take a spin while listening to disco music. Skate rentals available on a first-come basis.

Post X-Games fun, on the following weekend the fairgrounds will once again be taken over, this time by the crew from Surf Rodeo with headline acts Chris Janson and Iam Tongi on Friday, July 5 and Denm, Jim Lindberg and Sullvn on Saturday, July 6.

Tickets on sale now for John Waite’s, “40 Years of Missing You” tour, for the Oxnard Performing Arts Center October 10. The Ventura Music Hall has Strung Out with the Adolescents for September 29 and the Ventura Theater added Flogging Molly and Less than Jake for October 8 and October 16 respectively.

Quick Notes: Argentine singer/songwriter, Juana Molina, plays the Ojai Women’s Club on Friday, June 28; Danny Carrey of Tool returns to the Grape with the Doug Webb Group on Saturday, June 29; a Local Love Project fundraiser will be held at Portside Ventura Habor on Saturday, June 29, featuring Kelly’s Lot and Erik Lemaire Band; The Bacon Brothers (yes, including Kevin) play the Libbey Bowl on Sunday, June 30; and finally, the City will host the annual 4th of July Street Fair & Pushem Pullem Parade however at press time they had yet to list their live music.

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.

Ventura Music Scene 5/29/24 – 6/11/24

Posted on May 29, 2024 by venturarocks

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

With Memorial Day behind us, we’re looking at the summer season with so many special events involving live music from tribute bands, to classical music to rock, rap and more. You may want to schedule vacations around these happenings, many of which reoccur every year.

The Ojai Blues fest returns to the Ojai Art Center with a Friday night kick-off party featuring Deb Ryder and RJ Mischo, then on Saturday, June 1, it’s a full afternoon of blues with Crooked Eye Tommy and Friends, Dianne Miller, Red-Headed Stepchild, Blues Bullet and more! Tickets for this one available through EventBrite.com.

The Ojai Music Festival features classical and contemporary music and will run Thursday, June 6, through Sunday, June 9, at a couple of different venues starting with a free concert at the Libbey Park Gazebo on Thursday at 6:30 pm followed by the official opening concert at Libbey Bowl at 8 pm. The entire line-up including programs and ticket availability can be found at OjaiFestival.org.

Surf Rodeo released a poster highlighting artists playing Friday, July 5, and Saturday, July 6, though I can’t decipher who is playing when and which day. The lineup includes Chris Janson, Iam Tongi, Denm, Jim Lindberg from Pennywise, The Aquadolls and more plus several local bands such as Shaky Feelin, Looking West, Jayden Secor, Tribal Me, Honey Owl and of course the obligatory set from Raging Arb and the Redheads. You can get the lowdown at SurfRodeo.org.

Happy to report the X Games will feature live music all three days which will be included in the price of admission. Their schedule has been posted with Oxymorrons, AG Club and Wiz Khallifa on Friday, June 28, Mija, Devault and Kaskade on Saturday, June 29, and Metalachi, Blame my Youth and Fever 333 on Sunday, June 30.

I’m seeing mixed responses on social media to the Ventura County Fair’s lineup as well as their new VIP section located in front of the stage. They’re branding it as “Go free, or go VIP,” but not everyone is happy to have to pay to be in front of the stage now. All concerts will continue to be included in the price of admission, but if you want to be up close, you will need to buy a VIP ticket for that specific concert. Rolled out so far, I Love the 90s tour, Sublime with Rome, Dustin Lynch, Ludacris and Gary Allan. Tickets go on sale May 30 at VenturaCountyFair.org.

Quick Notes: The Rubicon’s “Ventura Live” concert series continues through the middle of June; TD Lind and the Aviators play June 1 at the Santa Paula Theater Center; and there will be a special Sunday matinee show at the Garage on June 9 with Nocturnal Drifters along with special guest, Hard Rooster.

Ventura Music Scene 5/15/24 – 5/28/24

Posted on May 15, 2024 by venturarocks

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

The Strawberry Festival returns to the Ventura Fairgrounds for the second year in a row and let’s hope lessons were learned on traffic control because last year was a hot mess. Go to their website which provides information on free shuttle services which not only saves you $20 in parking fees, but you also won’t have to deal with stop and go traffic. There will also be a free bike valet (first come, first served) for those of us close enough to ride our bikes to the fairgrounds. Enjoy live music which is included in the price of admission from Drew Dolan, Smooth Sound of Santana, Surf City All-Stars, Petty or Not, Conner Cherland, Will Breman, Rey Fresco and more. Tickets for Saturday, May 18 and Sunday May 19 can be found at CaStrawberryFestival.org.

The Rubicon concert series, Ventura Live, continues with a special event coming up on May 26 called The Palomino Nights Country and Rhythm Revue benefit concert. There will be performances by Mark Masson & Jam Grass, Beau Ted & Tailor Maide, the Van Allen Twins, Buck Moon, Josephoenix and Jay Ponti. The evening is sure to get your toes tapping and your heart racing to the sounds of bluegrass and true-blue country standards. Proceeds support Rubicon’s leadership and acting programs to empower economically challenged young people. Find out more at RubiconTheatre.org.

I kept waiting to find out what the music would be for X Games hailed as sports & music festival last summer to no avail, but I’m pumped to announce there will be live music included in the price of admission for X Games Ventura 2024. As a press time, Grammy and Golden Globe nominated rap artist Wiz Khalifa will perform on Friday, June 28 and eight-time Grammy nominated Kaskade will offer up electronic dance music on Saturday, June 29. More to come as they roll the artists out.

Shout Outs: Firstly, congratulations to local musician Jayden Secor for graduating Magna Cum Laude with both a music production degree and a business administration degree from Cal Lutheran; and secondly, I couldn’t be more proud of Gaby Montiel for being selected by Successfully, a global outlet, which highlights a handful of people for 2024 from around the world from all different walks of life who inspire. I hope you take a moment to click here and read Gaby’s story on Successfully.World.

Quick Notes: Angry Ferret in Moorpark is celebrating their 3rd anniversary with DVR on Saturday, May 18; Gigi’s has a free show with Popperz and Dogsled out of Houston, TX, on Thursday, May 16; locals Romper open for Stiff Little Fingers and Ricky Warwick at the Majestic Ventura Theater on Thursday, May 23; and reggae legends, Burning Spear play the Ventura Music Hall on Tuesday, May 28.

Ventura Music Scene 7/26/23 – 8/8/23

Posted on July 26, 2023 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.comI’m happy to report Ventura survived the X Games. You’d think by some of the social media posts that the city was going to be shut down with gridlock and overtaken by outsiders. The traffic was no worse than it is for the fair (which opens August 2), in fact, it was better. Great traffic control and I was amongst those who chose to ride their bikes. Though the “live music” turned out to be DJs (not live in my book), I loved watching the competitions, and well…just being a part of this fantastic event! Plus, Tony Hawk was hanging out after the event downtown. Well done, Ventura!!

Now they’ll be tearing down all that was built up for the X Games, and the Ventura County Fair will run August 2 – 13 with eight free concerts: Midland, Patti Labelle, Collective Soul, Ashanti, Dia de la Familia, Trace Adkins, 38 Special and Tesla. Of course, outside the grandstand arena, live music abounds on a couple of different stages featuring lots of your favorite local bands including Shaky Feelin’, Operation 90s, Sean Wiggins & Lone Goat, and more.

Ventura Music Hall has added a number of shows several of which piqued my interest. First off, Keanu Reeves is back at it and touring with Dogstar making a stop here in town on Saturday, August 26 (already sold out!) with what is being called the “Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees” tour which is the name of their next release which lands on all platforms October 6. Next on my personal list, The Struts on December 6, and then Black Flag on January 14. It’s interesting that past Black Flag lead singer, Henry Rollins, will be there November 7 with a “Good to See You” spoken-word sit-down show.

Harbor View Park 2023 Concerts by the Sea series continues with shows 4-6 pm on Saturday afternoons. Nautical Thrust plays July 29 and Ray Jaurique and the Uptown Brothers on August 5. This one is located at 3850 Harbor Blvd. in Oxnard, where you’re welcomed to bring picnics, blankets and lawn chairs.

The Grape continues to bring stellar jazz musicians to town. Earlier this month Poncho Sanchez played two sold out shows. Coming up soon they have Max Haymer who has won 2nd place at the Montreux Jazz Festival Solo Piano Competition and the Great American Jazz Piano Competition in Jacksonville Florida. Ronnie Foster returns with a promoting is first record in 36 years; you’ve most likely heard his soulful playing, whether from his standout performance on “Summer Soft” from Stevie Wonder’s 1976 masterwork Songs In The Key Of Life, best-selling George Benson albums including Breezin’, or A Tribe Called Quest’s classic hip-hop track “Electric Relaxation.” And no stranger to Grape patrons, Doug Webb returns with Danny Carey of Tool for a special Sunday evening performance on August 6.

Quick Notes: Perla Batalla plays a sold out show at the Ojai Underground on Friday, July 28; Andrew DeVries plays Surfers Point Café on Saturday July 29; Dreamland, a celebration of Joni Mitchell featuring Kimberly Ford will be at the Grape on July 29. Libbey Bowl concerts include Which One’s Pink on Saturday, August 5, and Chris Isaak on Sunday, August 7; Friday evening Heritage Square Summer Concert Series continues with Los Xiquenos on July 28 and The Reunion on August 7; Rey Fresco plays the Deer Lodge on Saturday, August 5; the Saturday evening Music Under the Stars at the Historic Olivas Adobe will host the K-Tell All-Stars on July 29, and Louie Cruz Beltran on August 5; and the Red Hot Cholo Peppers play Copper Blues on Saturday, August 5.

Ventura Music Scene 7/12/23 – 7/25/23

Posted on July 10, 2023 by venturarocks

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

I’m super excited to catch the X Games at the Ventura County Fairgrounds over the weekend of Friday July 21 through Sunday, July 23, I secured tickets as soon as they went on sale. I’ve read there will be live music entertainment, what if any remains to be seen, but of course the main show will the skateboard, BMX and Moto X competitions.

Having lost their location at the Fairgrounds due to the X Games setting up for the show, Tequila and Tacos Music Festival will be held at the Ventura State Beach this year with more traditional music from Ezequiel Pena, Vilma Diaz y la Sonora and Adelaide (tribute to Selena) on Saturday, July 15, then it’s rapper/singer, Flo Rida, headlining with Vilma Diaz y la Sonora, and Upstream on Sunday, July 16.

The Happy Together Tour lands at Libbey Bowl on Thursday, July 13. Along with The Turtles are Little Anthony, Gary Puckett & the Union Gap, The Vogues, The Classics IV and The Cowsills. Between all the bands you’re sure to hear some of the best pop tunes from the 60s including “Happy Together,” “Goin’ Out of my Head,” “Young Girl,” “Turn Around Look at Me,” “Spooky,” and “Hair.”

Heritage Days Midsummer Block Party in Old Towne Camarillo runs the weekend of Wednesday, July 12 through Sunday, July 16 with live music (Friday – Sunday). Admission is free, but tickets are required for the carnival rides. Bands scheduled to play include Highway Starr, Todd Stanford Country Band, Hard Six, SkaDaddyz, Shaky Feelin’ and more.

Harbor View Park 2023 Concerts by the Sea series has kicked off with shows 4-6 pm on Saturday afternoons. The Dive Bar Messiahs play July 15, and Psychedelic Summer on July 22 (you’ll want to sport your best hippie attire for that one). Located at 3850 Harbor Blvd. in Oxnard, you’re welcomed to bring picnics, blankets and lawn chairs.

The Rubicon Theatre has a couple of live music concerts coming up in August. Get tickets now before they sell out. First, it’s Kids for Kids Benefit Concert featuring the music of Burt Bacharach on August 19; this one helps to raise scholarship funds for young people who might not otherwise be able to afford to participate in Rubicon’s education programs. And then it’s “The Platters: Many Voices ONE Name” show with five performances over the weekend of August 25 – 27. You know their hits such as “The Great Pretender,” “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” “Harbor Lights,” and more.

Advanced tickets went on sale this week for Gordon Goodwin’s Little Phat Band for two shows on Saturday, September 9, at the Grape. This one is sure to sell out. Goodwin won the 2006 GRAMMY Award for his Instrumental Arrangement of “Incredits” from the Pixar film The Incredibles, along with three Emmy Awards, and thirteen GRAMMY nominations. Click here to secure your tickets.

Quick Notes: “Brit Floyd, Celebrating 50 years of the Dark Side of the Moon,” plays the Ventura Theater on Friday, July 14; Bombay has a special day of live music on Saturday, July 15 with Hol!day, Aaron Orbit, Brian Mikasa, Kyle Edward Hunt, Joey6Strings, and Ardi; the monthly Channel Cities Jazz Club dance event at House of Dance will feature Flattop Tom and the Jump Cats on Sunday, July 16 (1-3:30 pm); and Iam Tongi (Season 21 winner of American Idol) plays two shows at the Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, July 22.

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Tag Archives: X Games

Ventura Music Scene 6/26/24 – 7/9/24

Ventura Music Scene 5/29/24 – 6/11/24

Ventura Music Scene 5/15/24 – 5/28/24

Ventura Music Scene 7/26/23 – 8/8/23

Ventura Music Scene 7/12/23 – 7/25/23