Slightly Stoopid stirs up Avila Beach, CA

After two long years, Slightly Stoopid‘s renowned summer tour was finally back in action, hitting Avila Beach on July 14th, 2022. Not only that, but this time around, the Stoopid boys are being joined by some of the hottest reggae bands in the business: Fortunate Youth, Common Kings and Pepper (which unfortunately couldn’t make the […]

Red Hot Chili Peppers rocks San Diego with Thundercat & HAIM

The Red Hot Chili Peppers returned to San Diego for a fun and nostalgic night of entertainment with a performance at Petco Park on July 27th… and I want you to know about the show in all its glory! The openers included fellow talented LA-based bands, Thundercat and HAIM. Few artists in the music industry […]

TikTok star Emmy Meli at Santa Ana’s Observatory Theater

Emmy Meli, the Long Beach native and TikTok breakout artist, rocked a hometown show at the Constellation Room at the Observatory in Santa Ana, CA, Monday, July 25, 2022. Opening the evening was indie pop artist, Gabe James. James, who recently relocated to Los Angeles by way of Colorado, played a dynamic acoustic set of original […]

Slightly Stoopid’s Summer Traditions Tour ignites Irvine

A Friday evening in southern California typically consists of commuters impatiently maneuvering through infamous rush hour traffic in an eager attempt to get home. However, things were different on July 15th, which had commuters heading straight to LiveNation’s FivePoint Amphitheatre in Irvine instead. The reggae community shows up, there is no question about that. And, […]

Rise Against with The Used & Senses Fail in San Diego

Walking up to Petco Park was like going back 20 years in time… everyone was garbed out in their best emo and punk rock attire, a style ubiquitous throughout the 00s. It made me want to grab a Mickey’s and bounce around town aimlessly like in my high school days. Now, there are fans of […]

Being at Bayfest San Diego 2022

Southern California is no stranger to live music; hosting hundreds of festivals throughout the year is a steeple of the palm tree riddled lifestyle. Despite these high numbers, there are some festivals locals, transplants and vacationers alike won’t want to miss.  Bayfest is one of those festivals.  Waterfront Park in downtown San Diego annually welcomes […]

Tash Sultana entrances Oakland’s Fox Theater

The night of Thursday July 21st, I made my way back to Oakland for the second time in a week for multi-instrumentalist Australian artist Tash Sultana’s sold-out show at The Fox Theater. The show was in such high demand, the venue even added a second show for the following night! Tour support for Sultana’s North […]

The Elovaters talks with Top Shelf at Cali Roots 2022

Top Shelf Music journalist Allie Adams interviews The Elovaters at California Roots Music and Arts Festival 2022. The Elovaters formed in 2014 and have released two full-length albums and an award-winning EP. Defy Gravity was the group’s first big record in 2018 after signing to not-for-profit record label Rootfire Cooperative. Debuting at #1 on the […]

Machine Gun Kelly takes Mainstream Sellout Tour to Oakland

On Tuesday July 19th, Machine Gun Kelly’s Mainstream Sellout Tour hit Oakland Arena with special guests Avril Lavigne and WILLOW. The anticipation for this tour was extremely high due to all three artists releasing new albums prior to hitting the road together, all featuring a collab of some sort, as well as Colson Baker (aka, […]

Heaven After Dark with Porno for Pyros in Los Angeles

Perry and Etty Lau Farrell have done it once again! On July 7th, they brought to the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles a carnival-type concert atmosphere with the second installment of Heaven After Dark, with headliners Porno for Pyros. The evening events began in the intimate Vintage Bar and Lounge, covered in beautiful flowersand foliage. […]

California Roots 2022: Day Three

Cali Roots Day Three arrived with a bang Saturday. Despite Rebelution’s blow-out 90-minute light show spectacular of a set the previous night, over 14,000 reggae lovers of all genres and walks of life lined up on Fairground Road and entered with newfound energy, fresh outfits and all the love in the world. The sun was […]

Streetlight Manifesto brings serious ska to San Diego

Ska punk legends Streetlight Manifesto brought their upbeat, skank-pit inciting, horn-heavy performance to San Diego’s House of Blues on July 13th, with direct support from Elder Brother. Stoked to see these legends again live, it destroyed my soul when I realized that I had torn my knee — like, really messed it up. Didn’t matter, […]

80s night in Anaheim, with The Motels & more

On July 1st, the 80s flashed back in Anaheim at the House of Blues. The Motels headlined with night with support from Gene Loves Jezebel, Bow Wow Wow, When in Rome and The Untouchables. The Untouchables hit the stage first, getting everyone warmed up with favorites like “I Spy (For The FBI)”, “Free Yourself” and “Wild […]

Aftershock spans four days for Fall 2022

The west coast’s biggest rock festival, Aftershock, is returning to Discovery Park this October 6th through 9th! And, 2022 is aiming to be the biggest edition of the festival yet by expanding to four days, adding a fourth stage and featuring over 90 bands! After last year’s attendance of 145,000, this year is looking to […]