Somehow, most of our favorite San Diego concerts this week land on Thursday. Will you go to Young The Giant, Rancid, Guantanamo Baywatch, or…? You can’t go wrong–they’re all so good!

Thursday, August 24

Guantanamo Baywatch, Exasperation, Dark Thirty – Blonde Bar
Rock band Guantanamo Baywatch found inspiration for their album Desert Center in a town of the same name located between the California coast and Arizona. San Diego based Exasperation and Dark Thirty from Los Angeles will open. More info.

Thursday, August 24

Young The Giant, Cold War Kids, Joywave – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU
ListenSD has caught Young The Giant a few times when they’ve come to San Diego! We’re excited this time because they’re playing with some other favorites of ours: Cold War Kids and Joywave. More info.

Thursday, August 24

MEW, Monakr – Observatory North Park
No we don’t mean Mew the rare Pokémon, we mean MEW the alt-rock band from Denmark! They have a new album out called Visuals. More info.

Thursday, August 24

Rancid, Dropkick Murphys – Petco Park
Both of these popular punk bands are now touring together in their aptly named “From Boston to Berkeley Tour.” Both groups have new albums this year: Rancid released Trouble Maker and Dropkick Murphys dropped 11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory. Break out your studded leather jackets for this show at Park in the Park. More info.

Friday, August 25-Sunday, August 27

Carlsbad Music Festival – Village of Carlsbad
OMG this lineup looks so good! Julia Holter, Xiu Xiu, and Dani Bell & The Tarantist are just some of the many artists playing this festival. Use the codes “1daylisten” and “3daylistensd” for discounts on your tickets! 😉 More info.

Friday, August 25

Birdy Bardot, Sudan Archives – Whistle Stop Bar
Sudan Archives is a violinist, singer-songwriter, and producer on Stones Throw Records’ very impressive roster. She’ll play with local songstress Birdy Bardot. More info.

Saturday, August 26

Sylvan Esso, Flock of Dimes – Observatory North Park
You’re going to have to scour the streets of North Park for a scalper willing to sell you a ticket if you want to go this sold out show! Sylvan Esso is a electronic duo known for their hit single “Die Young.” Flock of Dimes (Jenn Wasner of Wye Oak) opens. More info.

Saturday, August 26

The Dead Daisies, The Dives – House of Blues San Diego
Local radio station 101.5 KGB presents this show featuring rock band The Dead Daisies. Members have been in other massive bands such as Guns N’ Roses, Rolling Stones, and INXS. More info.

By: Lara McCaffrey

ListenSD