Spotlight
SAN DIEGO – Los Angeles-based indie pop combo
Fitz and the Tantrums
kicks off their 2025 summer tour on July 24 at
Humphreys Concerts by the Bay
.
The band is pop music at its best, with a sound that touches on soul, new wave, and dance, and a knack for penning a seemingly endless stream of melodic earworms. Performing in advance of their latest album, “Man on the Moon,” recent singles such as “Ruin the Night” and especially the title track, show the band, who all contribute to the writing, to be virtuosos when it comes to crafting song hooks.
While the night’s focus will be on the new album, fans can also expect to hear all the band’s biggest hits, including “Out of My League” and “Handclap.”
Fitz and the Tantrums: Thursday, July 24 at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 7:30 p.m. $61.
humphreysconcerts.com
.
Recommended
Endorsed by Eric Clapton himself,
The Cream of Clapton Band
stops in at the Epstein Family Amphitheater on July 18. For fans of classic rock, this show will be the next best thing to an actual Clapton concert, featuring two of his favorite musicians, bassist Nathan East and drummer Steve Ferrone, joined by guitarist Will Johns (Eric’s nephew) and Noah East (Nathan’s son).
The night celebrates two of the famed British guitarist’s most famous albums, “24 Nights” (1991) and “Unplugged” (1992), which include many of his best-known songs, including “Layla” and “Tears in Heaven.”
This performance is a homecoming concert of sorts. Clapton is signed to Encinitas-based music label Surfdog, while Nathan East, who opens the show with a solo set joined by his son, was the
Lifetime Achievement Award
winner at this year’s San Diego Music Awards.
The Cream of Clapton Band: Friday, July 18 at the Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9500 Gilman Drive. 7:30 p.m. $20-$63.
amphitheater.ucsd.edu
.
Concerts by the Sea
Beatles aficionados won’t want to miss Abbey Road, a tribute to the Fab Four, appearing on July 20 at Scripps Park as part of the annual
Concerts by the Sea in La Jolla
. The group will perform in costume, showcasing three distinct Beatle eras: “The Ed Sullivan Show,” “Sgt. Pepper’s,” and “Let it Be,” complete with Liverpudlian banter.
Abbey Road turns in solid performances, but it’s hard to go wrong with a set list that includes some of the best-known songs of all time, including “Hey Jude,” “Here Comes The Sun,” and “With A Little Help From My Friends.” This show promises to be sing-along fun for music fans of all ages.
Abbey Road: Sunday, July 20 at Scripps Park, 1133 Coast Blvd. 3:30 p.m. Free.
kiwanisclublajolla.org/event/concerts-by-the-sea
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Concerts on the Green
Horn-driven funk band Full Strength will perform on July 20 at Kate Sessions Park as part of this year’s Concerts on the Green series.
The 11-piece group plays a terrific mix of dance floor-filling tunes by the likes of Stevie Wonder and Bruno Mars, with both male and female vocals. However, what sets Full Strength apart from other like-minded groups is that with this combo, the party never stops. Playing in a classic revue format, each tune blends into the next, barely giving the band’s listeners a chance to catch their breath between songs.
Full Strength’s wide range of covers is excellent, but it’s their horn-backed 1970s-era favorites, such as Rick James’ “Give It To Me,” that shine.
Full Strength: Sunday, July 20, at Kate Sessions Park, 5115 Soledad Road. 4 p.m. Free.
pbtowncouncil.org/concerts-on-the-green
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RosaLea’s Birthday Bash
On July 22, Humphreys Backstage Live will host a special birthday concert for one of the San Diego music scene’s unsung heroines, promoter
RosaLea Schiavone
. Over the past few decades, Schiavone has emerged as one of the city’s biggest supporters of the blues and roots music, so it’s only natural that the evening’s soundtrack will feature music from some of the area’s best players including Nathan James, Mark Hummel, Anson Funderbergh, Junior Watson, Bill Stuve, and Wes Starr.
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If you are a blues fan, this is both a great way to take in a night of excellent music and say “thanks” to Schiavone for helping the genre thrive in San Diego.
RosaLea’s Birthday Bash: Tuesday, July 22 at Humphreys Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 6 p.m. $29.
humphreysbackstagelive.com
.
Dizzy’s
It’s been nearly 50 years since the Jeff Lorber Fusion launched its debut album, establishing the group as jazz fusion pioneers, mixing funk, R&B, rock, and electric jazz.
On July 26, the Soto Six, which includes Dylan Soto (sax), Anthony Smith (piano), Rudy Marquez (guitar), Max McKellar (bass) and Joannah Sy (drums), pay tribute to keyboardist Lorber, with a set featuring material spanning from 1977’s self-titled debut, through to his most recent effort, “Elevate” (2024).
While
Lorber
has had success, including Grammys and Top 40 hits, his music is rarely covered. Anyone who appreciates contemporary jazz sounds won’t want to miss this show.
The Soto Six Play Jeff Lorber Fusion: Saturday, July 26 at
Dizzy’s
at Arias Hall, 1717 Morena Blvd. 8 p.m. $20.
dizzysjazz.com
.
