Bela Pierce takes San Diego on evocative musical journey

Bela Pierce is a rising star in the world of music, and she recently graced the Southern California leg of Baby Jake’s Aren’t We Ever Going To Be More Than Friends Tour with her captivating presence. Top Shelf Music had the privilege of not only experiencing her live performance but also delving into the intriguing […]

Sammy Rae and The Friends energizes San Diego

When Sammy Rae and The Friends stopped in San Diego at the House of Blues on the band’s U.S. leg of their Camp tour, a safe, protected and somehow also electric space was created in the venue that Thursday night.  As the night’s opener, singer-songwriter Victoria Canal, walked on stage, sat on a stool and […]

Best mainstream live performance of 2022!

2022 ushered in what many considered the first full year of music without restriction since the pandemic began. This year, the photojournalists and writers of Top Shelf Music have had the privilege of covering some pretty amazing shows! In true end of year fashion we have compiled a list of some of our favorite live […]

Charlotte Sands throws a tantrum in San Diego

You may have heard of Charlotte Sands… she’s opened for emo legends My Chemical Romance, The Maine and YUNGBLUD, and has also collaborated on songs with The Maine, UnderOath and Sleeping with Sirens. If you haven’t, I highly suggest you catch up. Charlotte brought her first headlining tour — Love and Other Lies — to […]

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, […]

Black Label Society destroys San Diego with Nita Strauss

It was a night of ‘Doom’ at the House of Blues San Diego thanks to Black Label Society and their outrageously wicked openers Nita Strauss and Jared James Nichols. The San Diego Doom Crew showed up on the opening night of their Spring 2022 tour on April 30th. Complete with amazing hair-ography, guitar solos and […]

Bay Strikes Back Tour with Testament in San Diego

The Bay Strikes Back Tour finally rolled into San Diego on April 12th, 2022! This tour — with thrash metal legends Death Angel, Exodus and Testament — started in February 2020 and was in Europe at the start of the pandemic. Unfortunately, they had to cancel the tour and get back home to the US. […]

Car Seat Headrest sells out House of Blues, San Diego

Some shows take you by surprise, no matter how prepared you are for them. I’ve been a fan of Car Seat Headrest for years now… having seen them only once, opening up for Death Cab at the Hollywood Bowl. I went to that show specifically for CSH back in the summer of 2019 and remember […]

Monster Energy Outbreak Tour hits San Diego, with Zero 9:36 & more

Zero 9:36 came to San Diego’s House of Blues Voodoo Room, with support from Garzi and Fame on Fire! I’m such a sucker for these smaller venues, because it’s so intimate and I feel like the bands are so much more appreciative of the people who comes out! GARZI kicked off the night, who told […]

I Don’t Know How But They Found Me at House of Blues, San Diego

I Don’t Know How But They Found Me (IDK How for short) stopped in San Diego on January 19th for the second show on their Thought Reform Tour. Though they had a U.S tour before this one, this was their first time hitting San Diego since before the pandemic! They were joined by Superet, who […]

ExpendaHOO! hits House of Blues, San Diego

I decided to take a break from my usual hardcore metal shows and explore some different vibes! The Expendables were at the House of Blues in San Diego on October 9th! They had support from Amplified and Tunnel Vision. Ballyhoo! was on the bill to support, but unfortunately had to cancel their appearance in San […]

HELLYEAH rocks House of Blues, San Diego

It was a packed house at San Diego’s House of Blues, smack dab in the middle of downtown’s Gaslamp District on the night of December 17th. Deepfall opened up for Nonpoint and HELLYEAH, and I expected a little bit heavier sound. Deepfall has a Three Doors Down sound, founded in 2015 by keyboardist Tim King. […]

Angels & Airwaves at House of Blues San Diego

It was a night of SoCal musical celebration as Angels & Airwaves brought a two-night epic tour to the House of Blues Saturday, October 5th and Sunday, October 6th in San Diego. Opening the night was Los Angeles-based alternative band Charming Liars, whose stage presence and chemistry grabbed the crowd’s attention from the start of […]