Your November concert calendar is here
Concerts headed to San Diego in November include Matt & Kim, Luke Combs, Gallant, Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival, and Chainsmokers.
11.1: Kikagaku Moyo
The Japanese psych-rock quintet was in San Diego last year to open for Earthless and also made an appearance at the Desert Daze festival in Lake Perris. The band returns for a headlining show in support of its 2018 full-length album, Masana Temples.
Music Box, musicboxsd.com
11.1: Kero Kero Bonito
Fronted by bilingual vocalist Sarah Midori Perry, the London-based art-pop trio released its new EP, Civilisation I, at the end of September. Negative Gemini, aka New York-based singer, songwriter and producer Lindsey French, opens the show.
Belly Up, bellyup.com
11.1: Jon Pardi
Central California-bred, neo-traditional country singer Jon Pardi got engaged while on stage at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium last month. He also released his third full-length album, Heartache Medication, in September.
Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre, as.sdsu.edu/calcoast
11.1: Dinosaur Jr.
Still sporting its original lineup of vocalist/guitarist J Mascis, bassist Lou Barlow, and drummer Murph, the veteran rock trio followed the release of its 11th studio album, 2016’s Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not, with a new single, Hold Unknown, last year. Mascis released his third solo record, Elastic Days, in 2018 as well.
Observatory North Park, observatorysd.com
11.1: La Santa Cecilia
The Grammy-winning, L.A.-based quartet returns to San Diego 11 months after last playing at the Music Box. The Marisol Hernandez-fronted quartet continues to tour on their acclaimed 2017 release, Amar y Vivir, which was recorded at select locations throughout Mexico City.
House of Blues, houseofblues.com/sandiego
11.2: Dia De Los Deftones
The Sacramento screamers return to San Diego for the second annual Dia de los Deftones after kicking things off last November with the likes of Future, Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda, Rocket From The Crypt and Doja Cat in tow. This year, Chino Moreno and the gang round out the all-day event with performances from Chvrches, Gojira, JPEGMAFIA and more.
The Park at Petco Park, petcoparkevents.com
11.2: Black Mountain
True story: Black Mountain’s Stephen McBean didn’t get behind the wheel of a car until 2017 (when he was 38 years old). So it only makes sense that his psych-rock quintet’s latest album, Destroyer, is closely tied to that experience, as well as being named after the 1985 model of Dodge he rebuilt while recording it.
Casbah, casbahmusic.com
11.2: Steve Poltz with Jack Tempchin
These two should be found on any legitimate list of notable songwriters and musicians with strong ties to San Diego. And while the storytelling crooner Poltz is headlining the show, it is almost certain that he and 2019 Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee Tempchin will also share the stage for a song or three.
Poway Center for the Arts, powaycenter.com
11.5: Matt & Kim
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of their album, Grand, keyboardist/vocalist Matt Johnson and drummer Kim Schifino will perform every song, from start to finish. Expect the rest of the set to be a mix of Matt & Kim’s trademark dance-punk, hip hop favorites.
Observatory North Park, observatorysd.com
11.5: Twenty One Pilots
The Grammy-winning indie-pop duo Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun released their fifth studio album, Trench, last year. It debuted at No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200, but reached the top spot on the Alternative, Rock and Tastemaker charts, as well as hitting No. 1 in seven different countries across the globe. The upcoming San Diego date is the third-to-last show on their 112-city BANDITØ World Tour, which started last fall.
Pechanga Arena, pechangaarenasd.com
11.5: Dengue Fever
This month, La Jolla Playhouse opens Cambodian Rock Band, an epic play that features music by the pop and psych sextet. But you can also see the Cambodian band in its element at this intimate, rock-only show.
UCSD Price Center, artpower.ucsd.edu
11.7: Luke Combs
The newly anointed country superstar releases his sophomore studio album, What You See Is What You Get, this month. Combs hits San Diego as part of his Beer Never Broke My Heart tour - named after the new album’s lead single - and also features performances from Morgan Wallen and Jameson Rodgers.
Pechanga Arena, pechangaarenasd.com
11.7: Helmet
The name of this veteran post-hardcore act’s new run of dates really tells you all you need to know. Playing under the umbrella of the 30x30x30 Tour, the Page Hamilton-led quartet will hit 30 cites, performing a 30-song set list each night, to help celebrate its 30th year together.
Belly Up, bellyup.com
11.8: Gallant
Christopher Gallant III, aka Gallant, released three singles – Sharpest Edges, Sleep On It and Compromise – from his highly-anticipated sophomore album, Sweet Insomnia, before it was released at the end of last month. Earlier this year, the 27-year-old singer/songwriter and NYU Gallatin School grad worked with Skylar Grey and appeared on the original soundtrack for Steven Universe - The Movie.
SOMA, somasandiego.com
11.11: Kllo
Cousins Chloe Kaul and Simon Lam of Australian electro-pop duo Kllo released their full-length debut, Backwater, in 2017. Only a pair of stand-alone singles has surfaced since, last year’s Potential and Candid, but a new collection of songs is said to be on the way soon.
Soda Bar, sodabarmusic.com
11.12: Sleater-Kinney
It was more than a bit of a surprise this summer when, a month before the release of Sleater-Kinney’s latest album, The Center Won’t Hold, founding drummer Janet Weiss quit the long-running rock trio. Guitarists Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker are continuing without her, hitting the road to promote the new album that was produced by none other than Annie Clark (St. Vincent).
Observatory North Park, observatorysd.com
11.12-14: Built To Spill
After last hitting San Diego as part of a 2018 co-headlining show with Afghan Whigs, the veteran Idaho-based indie rockers instead opt for a three-night residency at the Casbah this time around. Built To Spill is currently on its Keep It Like A Secret 1999-2019 Tour.
Casbah, casbahmusic.com
11.13: Frankie Cosmos
Frankie Cosmos, aka 25-year-old songwriter/musician Greta Kline, released her fourth album, the 21-track Close It Quietly, in September. She also happens to be the daughter of actors Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates. Singer/songwriter Stephen Steinbrink opens the show.
Ché Café, thechecfae.blogspot.com
11.15: Los Amigos Invisibles
The Venezuelan Grammy-winning funk and disco party-starters head back to San Diego for one of their frequent visits. The band released its last album, El Paradise, in 2017.
Music Box, musicboxsd.com
11.15: Melissa Etheridge
The Academy Award- and multiple Grammy-winning singer and activist released her 15th studio album, The Medicine Show, in April. The 12-track collection was co-produced by longtime Etheridge collaborator John Shanks, who also has worked on albums by Miley Cyrus, Nelly Furtado, Alanis Morissette and Van Halen.
Poway Center for the Arts, powaycenter.com

11.16: Rufus Wainwright
After playing at the Belly Up the last few times he’s come through town, the composer, piano man and musical scion gets a venue upgrade and an actual symphony conducted by Ted Sperling to back him. Wainwright continues to tour in celebration of both the 20th anniversary of his self-titled debut and the release of 2001 sophomore breakthrough album, Poses.
Copley Symphony Hall, sandiegosymphony.org
11.16: The Wailers
Even as it gets closer to the 40th anniversary of original bandleader Bob Marley’s death, the undisputed reggae icon’s music lives on through the group that once backed him. As the only remaining original member, bassist Aston “Family Man” Barrett is now the de-facto leader of this long-running musical institution.
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, dmtc.com
11.17: The Black Keys
The popular neo-blues duo of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney released their ninth studio album, Let’s Rock, in June. The self-produced collection debuted in the fourth spot on the U.S. Billboard 200, as well as cracking the top 10 in a dozen countries around the globe. As a bonus, indie rock vets Modest Mouse are set to open the show.
Pechanga Arena, pechangaarenasd.com
11.17: Young Thug
After releasing a handful of mixtapes, Young Thug, aka Atlanta-based rapper Jeffrey Williams, released his debut studio album, So Much Fun, in August. Featuring appearances from the likes of Travis Scott, J. Cole, Lil Uzi Vert, Future and others, the album debuted at the top spot on the U.S. Billboard 200. Another album contributor, Machine Gun Kelly, opens the show.
Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre, as.sdsu.edu/calcoast
11.20: Ghostland Observatory
After an extended hiatus, the Austin, Texas-based electro duo of Aaron Behrens and Thomas Turner returned to the scene in 2015. They followed that with their first full-length album in eight years, See You Later Simulator, in 2018. Known, in part, for their wild and raucous shows that many times include fans storming the stage, expect an interesting night at the Belly Up.
Belly Up, bellyup.com
11.21: Big Freedia
Big Freedia is a flamboyant New Orleans rapper named Freddie Ross whose pronouns are she/her. She’s considered the queen of Southern-influenced Bounce music and also stars in her own reality TV series.
Belly Up, bellyup.com
11.21: Gingee
The SoCal-raised, Filipina DJ is a festival favorite thanks to her unique blend of world music and hip hop. She uses instruments native to the Philippines, like kulintang (gongs) and kettle drums with cowbells and even recites poetry.
The Loft at UCSD, theloft.ucsd.edu
11.21: Ray LaMontagne
As the sub-head of his current concert listing explains, the infamously private singer and songwriter is “Just Passing Through.” Although he isn’t overtly promoting his 2018-released seventh album, Part of the Light, that doesn’t mean many of its tracks won’t make it to the set list. Canadian roots duo Kacy & Clayton opens the show.
Copley Symphony Hall, sandiegosymphony.org
11.22: Bad Bunny
The 25-year-old Puerto Rican reggaeton singer has become a bona fide superstar in recent years. Scoring major hits with everyone from Daddy Yankee and Cardi B to Nicki Minaj and 21 Savage, the artist born Benito Martinez Ocasio scored another smash hit when he teamed with J Balvin on the surprise-released collaborative album, Oasis, this summer.
Pechanga Arena, pechangaarenasd.com
11.22: Cautious Clay
Cautious Clay, aka Ohio-born singer and songwriter Josh Karpeh, released his third EP, Table of Context, in March. Karpeh is also listed as a writer on Taylor Swift’s song London Boy from her 2019 album, Lover.
House of Blues, houseofblues.com/sandiego
11.22-24: Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival
Will this three-day music and arts festival be the new Street Scene? It’s definitely ambitious, boasting multiple venues and a diverse lineup that includes pop favorites Miguel and Migos, veteran punk bands X and Pennywise, and America’s Got Talent sweetheart, Grace VanderWaal.
Embarcadero Marina Park South, Embarcadero Marina Park North, Seaport Village, Ruocco Park, Hilton Bayfront Park and Broadway Port Pier, wonderfrontfestival.com

11.24: Chainsmokers
The chart-topping pop-DJ duo of Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall has been making the rounds at large San Diego venues of late, with previous headlining shows at Pechanga Arena and North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre. The pair returns to America’s Greatest City for a night at Viejas Arena in anticipation of their forthcoming third studio album, World War Joy, slated for release sometime later this year.
Viejas Arena, viejasarena.com
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