The Sound of the Bay: A Deep Dive into The Rady Shell’s 2026 Season

There is no venue in the world quite like The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. Perched on the edge of the San Diego Bay, it has quickly become a civic landmark where the salt air meets world-class acoustics. As we look forward to the upcoming season, the San Diego Symphony remains the heartbeat of the venue, seamlessly bridging the gap between classical tradition and contemporary innovation.

From the experimental sounds of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard to the timeless compositions of Beethoven, the “Summer at the Shell” series continues to redefine what a modern orchestral season looks like. We had a conversation with Lea Slusher, Executive Director of The rady Shell to discuss the boutique feel of the venue, the importance of inclusivity, and why the 2026 lineup might be the most diverse one yet.

ListenSD: Thank you so much for joining us! We are incredibly excited to be here. This marks the sixth season of The Shell concert series, and we know you’ve taken on an expanded role recently, having transitioned into your new title this past January.

Lea: I’ve actually been with the San Diego Symphony since August of 2018, but my title changed recently in January.

ListenSD: Thank you for clarifying that. Looking at the year ahead, what can the San Diego community expect from the upcoming season at The Shell?

Lea: The main thing is that The Shell offers something for everyone. There is such a diverse range of genres and a wide range of audiences. We certainly have concerts played both with and without the orchestra. We work with great promoters like Live Nation, AEG, and Goldenvoice, who help bring in touring acts, but I always say that if you can’t find something you like at The Shell, it’s almost impossible. There truly is something for everyone here.

ListenSD: It truly is a musical “grimoire” of sorts. Last year, we had the incredible opportunity to cover Beck performing with the Symphony—which was such a standout moment.

Lea: That was an epic moment. You can go from Beck to Sondheim, and then to the Gipsy Kings or King Gizzard. It’s just an amazing scope of music for San Diego to experience here at The Shell.

ListenSD: Speaking of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, they have such a unique history with our local scene. We first covered them at Soda Bar back in 2015 and 2016 in front of just 200 people. Seeing them evolve to play an acoustic orchestral set at The Shell last year was a full-circle moment. Were you able to catch that performance?

Lea: King Gizzard came to The Rady Shell in November; they had done it as a rental through AEG Goldenvoice. Then, they went on a very select 10-city tour in 2025, playing with the orchestra last summer. It was really amazing to have them with the symphony, and I think they really enjoyed the experience. Michelle Cable is great—shout out to her!

ListenSD: Shout out to Michelle! Beyond King Gizzard and Beck, we also covered Chicago during the symphony concert series, which was fabulous. Looking at this year’s calendar, we are already buzzing about Yungblud.

Lea: Yes, so am I!

ListenSD: He’s been a staple at the major European festivals lately. Aside from him, who are you personally most excited to see take the stage this season?

Lea: Aside from Yungblud, I’m really looking forward to Buddy Guy’s 90th birthday celebration. He might be the coolest guy I’ve ever seen, so I’m super stoked about that. We also have Jeff Goldblum; he’s an incredible piano player and singer, and that’s a pretty new show coming in August. St. Vincent is touring with an organ show as well, which is a huge and unique program.

Regarding our orchestral programming, we have three classical sets which are fantastic. We also have an especially curated program with conductor Ted Sperling—a major Broadway conductor—where we are tackling Woodstock and the Harlem Cultural Festival. That “Summer of ’69” era was so important; it was the music that changed the world. We’re performing it here, and it will also be done at the Hollywood Bowl one week later. We’re very proud to be creating these types of programs that can travel to other orchestras.

ListenSD: That is wonderful. We were fortunate to catch several orchestral performances last year, and as San Diegans, we take immense pride in our local scene. Watching world-class musicians perform in our own “backyard” is always an impeccable experience. Between St. Vincent and the curated orchestral programs, it’s going to be a stellar summer.

Lea: It’s going to be great. In the lineup you’ll see today, there are a couple of other concerts I’m madly trying to finish the deals on because the news just came to us last week. You’re going to see a rolling announcement of more rentals from AEG and Live Nation, as well as a couple more concerts that the San Diego Symphony will present, both with and without the orchestra.

ListenSD: We totally love Live Nation and Goldenvoice they bring these acts to town, they are wonderful partners for our outlet, so shout out to them!

Lea: They are really great partners.

ListenSD: Definitely! Last year’s Disclosure show was a highlight, and the energy was electric.

Lea: Oh my god, and did you see Slander? Slander was unbelievable with the pyro and the drone show. I have to tell you, I knew about EDM, but I hadn’t spent a lot of time looking into it. Once the Slander show happened, I knew I had to create an EDM show with the orchestra, which is what we’re planning for 2026.

ListenSD: Please keep us in the loop on that! Electronic music is such a vital pillar of the modern music landscape. We’d love to be front and center for an EDM-orchestral fusion.

Lea: It’s so much fun. I think it also hits all demographics. When EDM comes to The Shell, it’s such a diverse audience in terms of age and ethnicity. It’s fantastic, and that’s exactly what this venue was built for.

ListenSD: You’ve done a beautiful job fostering that diversity. The audience truly reflects the cosmopolitan feel of San Diego—a mix of locals and those who have made this city their home. When I go to a show here, I see music as a unifying force. Between the architecture and the bay, the atmosphere is unbeatable.

Lea: You can’t beat it—the bay, the architecture, everything.

ListenSD: If you had to pick one absolute “must-see” this year, what is your personal favorite?

Lea: Buddy Guy’s 90th.

ListenSD: I’ll definitely be there for that since we covered him in 2023! Is there anything else you’d like our audience to know regarding the accessibility or the schedule of this upcoming season?

Lea: I think price point is always a big discussion. The Rady Shell is definitely a boutique venue, but our price points are accessible from top to bottom. We sell a lot of lawn tickets, and many people prefer to sit there, hang out with friends, and enjoy the movie nights. We really try to keep it affordable because we don’t want to price anyone out; we want everyone to enjoy it.

I also think it’s important to know that we aren’t just here in the summertime. We did two films and holiday shows in December, and we will be back this coming December as well. The shows don’t just run from June to September; they run well beyond that.

ListenSD: It really is the perfect venue for our climate. You can’t have a beautiful outdoor experience like this anywhere else in the country during the winter months.

Lea: What I love about San Diego audiences is that they know it can still be cold on the bay, even in July. People bring a jacket, they bundle up for Christmas, and they love being outdoors. It’s a very “San Diego” type of venue where you can enjoy the weather and make a night of it with friends.

Having the San Diego Symphony as part of it is also vital. It’s important for kids to see the symphony in an environment that isn’t quite so formal. It’s a great introduction to classical music that eventually transfers into the Jacobs Music Center. Classical music isn’t exclusive; everyone needs to understand that. Our concerts here prove that point. Whether it’s Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, or Rafael Payare’s opening night, we want people to come and enjoy it.

ListenSD: I also believe the Jacobs Music Center offers student discounts, correct?

Lea: They do. We offer student discounts on our San Diego Symphony presentations as well. Our Vice President of Impact and Innovation, Laura Reynolds, works with other 501(c)(3) partners to give tickets out for free with the artist’s consent so that everyone has the chance to see these great shows.

ListenSD: That is wonderful to hear. We noticed that sense of community when we covered Sigur Rós—the energy was so unifying and intense.

Lea: Oh my god, that show sold out almost as soon as it hit!

ListenSD: We felt very lucky to be there. It’s fascinating to see how many headline artists now want to collaborate with a full orchestra.

Lea: So many headline artists want to play with true musicians. You’re seeing that quite a bit more now, and we might see even more of that next summer. It depends on who is touring, but there are a lot of good leads. Last summer, Boyz II Men played and they were so kind to acknowledge the orchestra. They told the audience, “Don’t just come see us; these are fantastic musicians you should see even when we aren’t here.”

ListenSD: I remember Beck taking a moment to acknowledge the musicians as well. It’s those moments that really elevate the scene. Our mission at ListenSD is to bring more people to more live shows, and while The Shell is incredibly successful, we want to ensure every seat is filled with someone enjoying the magic of live music.

Lea: I agree. We would like every show to sell out, but there is a lot to choose from in San Diego. Sometimes there are three or four amazing artists playing on the same night, and you have to pick. That’s just the reality of a city with such great music everywhere.

ListenSD: It’s also such a vital place for families. As we speak, we see families walking in, and as a musician and a fan, I think there’s nothing more important than exposing the next generation to this level of artistry. It elevates our city as a whole.

Lea: It’s great because if you have a restless child, you can just bring them up to the lawn and they don’t have to be quiet. It makes it much easier for parents; they don’t always need a babysitter to come see a film or a show. It’s an inclusive, welcoming, outdoor venue for all ages and backgrounds. That’s the message we want to send: The Shell is for everyone.

ListenSD: The Shell is for everyone. That is the perfect note to end on. Thank you so much, Lea, for your time. We love what you’re doing here and we’re looking forward to covering as many shows as possible this season!

Lea: Thank you!

Interview by: Narda Crossley

Check out The Rady Shell’s full event calendar here to find your favorite summer season show (includes rental, community, and special concert events)!