Reliving the past 2 decades with Story of the Year

On a crisp November evening in San Diego, music enthusiasts gathered at the Observatory North Park for a trip down memory lane with Story of The Year, as they celebrated the 20th anniversary of their breakout album Page Avenue. The highly anticipated 20 Years of Page Ave tour promised a nostalgic journey, featuring a full […]

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 […]

Mission Bayfest 2023: a weekend rager in San Diego

DAY 1 DAY 2 Bayfest is a twice-yearly festival that has worked its way into the fabric of the San Diego music scene — and with good reason. Alternating between Waterfront Park downtown and Mariner’s Point in Pacific Beach (the latter aptly named ‘Mission Bayfest‘), the mostly reggae-packed fest has morphed from a casual one-day, […]

ODESZA electrifies San Diego with all-star EDM openers

As an avid fan of ODESZA since back in their early days (and of EDM music), I was thrilled to hear that they were embarking on a North American tour! Their unique sound and electrifying performances have earned them a dedicated following, and I couldn’t wait to experience their music live. So, when they announced […]

Big Yen gears up to introduce the world to “punkadelic”

Big Yen, a San Diego-based trio, is a band with a name that carries a profound meaning. Rooted in Chinese culture, “Yen” translates to a lifelong yearning or desire, and on their latest release, aptly and uniquely titled Punkadelic, Big Yen intends to utilize music to ignite a similar desire within its listeners. With a […]

Mike Pinto chats about family, music, tour and more

Mike Pinto is a complete beast on the touring circuit! This artist is covering the United States with his super talented long-time work in music and writing. Twenty years as an artist, his love for writing and performing with his smoothness and upbeat guitar style will be imprinted in any music lover for years to […]

50 Cent & Busta Rhymes stun San Diego

It might’ve been August 31st, but it was far from the end of summer as hip hop lovers of all ages entered the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, CA. Little did we know the heat from the day was nothing to what was coming next. Rumored that this could be 50 Cent’s […]

Cigarettes After Sex wraps San Diego in a sonic embrace

Cigarettes After Sex‘s North American Tour embarked on an ethereal journey that left the audience spellbound from start to finish. The band’s standalone show was a mesmerizing experience that showcased their signature dreamy pop sound, enveloping the crowd in a sonic embrace that resonated long after the last notes faded. Led by the enigmatic Greg […]

A Danny Elfman experience leaves San Diego stunned

There are few who deny that what Danny Elfman does, he is the best. A singer-songwriter, a film composer, a keyboardist, percussionist, an 80s icon… by 2023, what hasn’t Danny Elfman tried his hand at? Turns out, he’s not finished. What started as a pre-pandemic inkling has turned into the most eye-capturing, enveloping experience the […]

Comedy meets music at the conclusion of Comic-Con 2023

The final day of Comic-Con 2023 came to a finish for most, but for some, they were treated to one final show of the weekend. Hannibal Buress brought his stand-up comedy and music project, Eshu Tune, to the stage at Music Box in San Diego. The late-notice show was packed from end to end, top […]

Bayfest San Diego 2023

Saturday, July 8th brought about a beautiful San Diego day — the kind the city is known for. Summer was in full swing, with fireworks dotting the night sky, and our spirits couldn’t be higher… that is, until Bayfest San Diego rolled around. On the downtown waterfront, Bayfest blends reggae with a bit of hip […]