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Live Five: Anthony Cullins, Big Mountain, Greg Douglass, Whatevr, Countryfest
Soulful blues, pop reggae, classic rock, indie punk, and country music in Escondido, Ocean Beach, East Village, Solana Beach, Little Italy
Anthony Cullins released a new album earlier this year
Anthony Cullins at California Center For the Arts, Escondido
June 18
Guitarist, singer, and multi-instrumentalist Anthony Cullins, once known as The Fallbrook Kid, has been performing since being declared a teenage blues prodigy. he’s become a seasoned stage veteran known for constant gigging and his annual appearance at the Dallas International Guitar Festival. He won Best Blues Artist at the 2023 San Diego Music Awards and was named the Artist of the Year at the 2025 SDMAs, and his 2025 full-length Inside Out & Backwards earned him a SDMA for Album Of the Year. He released a new album earlier this year, Sound Particles 2, a 20-track, 30-minute instrumental project with short conceptual tracks that build immersive and futuristic tones, exploring luminal and ambient-style auditory soundscapes. The Escondido event is headlined by Austin, Texas-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jackie Venson, a Berklee College of Music graduate who made history as the first Black woman to win the Austin Music Awards Best Guitarist trophy in 2019.
Big Mountain at the Holding Company
June 19
Founded by frontman Joaquin “Quino” McWhinney, pop-reggae band Big Mountain were originally known as Shiloh and Rainbow Warriors until 1991, when they were inspired to change their name after playing a benefit concert for indigenous tribes in Arizona whose sacred Big Mountain area was threatened by strip-mining. They first hit the charts in spring 1993 with the song "Touch My Light," which was spun frequently on radio stations Q-106 and B-100, but the band hit the big time in 1994 with their cover of Peter Frampton’s “Baby I Love Your Way,” which reached number six on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and was featured in the film Reality Bites. The song became a Top 10 hit in 18 different countries, helping their Unity album to sell over a million copies worldwide, and their follow-up reggae cover of The Youngbloods' classic rock track “Get Together” charted highly in countries like Brazil and Norway. The OB bill includes ska-punk band Beta VII, originally formed in the 1990s as G-Spot and featuring members from San Diego and Orange County playing original tracks like “Rocketman” and “Mach 5,” as well as novelty covers like the Steve Poltz/Jewel radio staple “You Were Meant for Me.” Also appearing are Pier Project, Coyo, and Supercool.
San Diego Countryfest at Petco Park
June 20
The KSON NASCAR San Diego Country Fest at Petco Park’s Gallagher Square has much to offer aside from live music, with an emphasis on racing and interactive experiences. NASCAR Cup Series show vehicles will be on display, and driver appearances offer Q&A sessions, meet-and-greets, and autograph sessions. Attendees can test their own skills in high-tech racing simulators, as well as participating in interactive pit crew competitions where challengers can try their hand at tire-changing and other race-day prep. Oversized yard games, cornhole tournaments, and brand activations will be set up throughout the venue, along with local food trucks and vendors offering themed beverages and cold beers at various pop-up bars. Featured performers include headliner Stephen Wilson Jr., the former lead guitarist for the indie rock band AutoVaughn turned successful Nashville staff writer who has penned songs for Old Dominion, Tim McGraw, Brothers Osborne, and more. After launching his solo career, he was nominated for a CMA Award for New Artist of the Year and won for Best Visual Media for his self-directed music video for “Cuckoo.” Also slated to appear are Carter Faith, Tim Dugger, and Lakelin Lemmings.
Greg Douglass at Belly Up Tavern
June 21
Guitar hero Greg Douglass performed on Greg Kihn’s single “Jeopardy” (1983), and he’s toured and recorded with Van Morrison, Duane Eddy, Link Wray, Hot Tuna, Dave Mason, and Eddie Money, among others. In addition, he co-wrote and played on the Steve Miller Band hit “Jungle Love” (1977), which appeared on one of the best-selling albums of all time and earned him much more than just a fully paid home in San Diego, where he moved in 1992, ending up in the Del Dios-Escondido area of Lake Hodges. It’s been around three years since Douglass announced that he’d be leaving town. “We're moving to Oregon, either to Coos Bay or the more artsy-fartsy environs of Ashland,” he said in 2023. “Plans are to buy a house for cash and actually have money left over at the end of the month; our property tax alone breaks my balls every month.” Douglass is returning to San Diego with blues guitarist Richie Verazzo (probably best known from his Divine Disco compilations), with plans to perform the music of Greg Kihn, Eddie Money, Steve Miller, Ronnie Montrose, and more.
June 22
Founded in Ocean Beach circa 2022, Whatevr released their debut EP Milk two years later in 2024, establishing their San Diego-centric blend of pop-punk and indie rock. Citing influences such as Pixies, Fidlar, Dune Rats, and Skegss, they’ve become regulars around town at venues like the Holding Company and Soda Bar. Over the past few weeks, they’ve released new music videos for “Gave You My All” and “High Voltage.” The bill includes Insomnia, a local ‘90s-inspired no-wave grunge band founded by Noah Lares, Johnny Avila, and Danny Avila. Signing to Grunge Pop Records, they developed their modern grunge revival sound while working with former Sub Pop label legend Bruce Pavitt, who helped discover and launch Nirvana. Also appearing will be Killer Trees, who blend power pop, sludge, and psychedelic rock on albums such as Onions and cult underground singles like "Halloween.”
Here's something you might be interested in.
Live Five: Anthony Cullins, Big Mountain, Greg Douglass, Whatevr, Countryfest
Soulful blues, pop reggae, classic rock, indie punk, and country music in Escondido, Ocean Beach, East Village, Solana Beach, Little Italy
Live Five: Anthony Cullins, Big Mountain, Greg Douglass, Whatevr, Countryfest
Soulful blues, pop reggae, classic rock, indie punk, and country music in Escondido, Ocean Beach, East Village, Solana Beach, Little Italy
Anthony Cullins released a new album earlier this year
Anthony Cullins at California Center For the Arts, Escondido
June 18
Guitarist, singer, and multi-instrumentalist Anthony Cullins, once known as The Fallbrook Kid, has been performing since being declared a teenage blues prodigy. he’s become a seasoned stage veteran known for constant gigging and his annual appearance at the Dallas International Guitar Festival. He won Best Blues Artist at the 2023 San Diego Music Awards and was named the Artist of the Year at the 2025 SDMAs, and his 2025 full-length Inside Out & Backwards earned him a SDMA for Album Of the Year. He released a new album earlier this year, Sound Particles 2, a 20-track, 30-minute instrumental project with short conceptual tracks that build immersive and futuristic tones, exploring luminal and ambient-style auditory soundscapes. The Escondido event is headlined by Austin, Texas-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jackie Venson, a Berklee College of Music graduate who made history as the first Black woman to win the Austin Music Awards Best Guitarist trophy in 2019.
Big Mountain at the Holding Company
June 19
Founded by frontman Joaquin “Quino” McWhinney, pop-reggae band Big Mountain were originally known as Shiloh and Rainbow Warriors until 1991, when they were inspired to change their name after playing a benefit concert for indigenous tribes in Arizona whose sacred Big Mountain area was threatened by strip-mining. They first hit the charts in spring 1993 with the song "Touch My Light," which was spun frequently on radio stations Q-106 and B-100, but the band hit the big time in 1994 with their cover of Peter Frampton’s “Baby I Love Your Way,” which reached number six on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and was featured in the film Reality Bites. The song became a Top 10 hit in 18 different countries, helping their Unity album to sell over a million copies worldwide, and their follow-up reggae cover of The Youngbloods' classic rock track “Get Together” charted highly in countries like Brazil and Norway. The OB bill includes ska-punk band Beta VII, originally formed in the 1990s as G-Spot and featuring members from San Diego and Orange County playing original tracks like “Rocketman” and “Mach 5,” as well as novelty covers like the Steve Poltz/Jewel radio staple “You Were Meant for Me.” Also appearing are Pier Project, Coyo, and Supercool.
San Diego Countryfest at Petco Park
June 20
The KSON NASCAR San Diego Country Fest at Petco Park’s Gallagher Square has much to offer aside from live music, with an emphasis on racing and interactive experiences. NASCAR Cup Series show vehicles will be on display, and driver appearances offer Q&A sessions, meet-and-greets, and autograph sessions. Attendees can test their own skills in high-tech racing simulators, as well as participating in interactive pit crew competitions where challengers can try their hand at tire-changing and other race-day prep. Oversized yard games, cornhole tournaments, and brand activations will be set up throughout the venue, along with local food trucks and vendors offering themed beverages and cold beers at various pop-up bars. Featured performers include headliner Stephen Wilson Jr., the former lead guitarist for the indie rock band AutoVaughn turned successful Nashville staff writer who has penned songs for Old Dominion, Tim McGraw, Brothers Osborne, and more. After launching his solo career, he was nominated for a CMA Award for New Artist of the Year and won for Best Visual Media for his self-directed music video for “Cuckoo.” Also slated to appear are Carter Faith, Tim Dugger, and Lakelin Lemmings.
Greg Douglass at Belly Up Tavern
June 21
Guitar hero Greg Douglass performed on Greg Kihn’s single “Jeopardy” (1983), and he’s toured and recorded with Van Morrison, Duane Eddy, Link Wray, Hot Tuna, Dave Mason, and Eddie Money, among others. In addition, he co-wrote and played on the Steve Miller Band hit “Jungle Love” (1977), which appeared on one of the best-selling albums of all time and earned him much more than just a fully paid home in San Diego, where he moved in 1992, ending up in the Del Dios-Escondido area of Lake Hodges. It’s been around three years since Douglass announced that he’d be leaving town. “We're moving to Oregon, either to Coos Bay or the more artsy-fartsy environs of Ashland,” he said in 2023. “Plans are to buy a house for cash and actually have money left over at the end of the month; our property tax alone breaks my balls every month.” Douglass is returning to San Diego with blues guitarist Richie Verazzo (probably best known from his Divine Disco compilations), with plans to perform the music of Greg Kihn, Eddie Money, Steve Miller, Ronnie Montrose, and more.
June 22
Founded in Ocean Beach circa 2022, Whatevr released their debut EP Milk two years later in 2024, establishing their San Diego-centric blend of pop-punk and indie rock. Citing influences such as Pixies, Fidlar, Dune Rats, and Skegss, they’ve become regulars around town at venues like the Holding Company and Soda Bar. Over the past few weeks, they’ve released new music videos for “Gave You My All” and “High Voltage.” The bill includes Insomnia, a local ‘90s-inspired no-wave grunge band founded by Noah Lares, Johnny Avila, and Danny Avila. Signing to Grunge Pop Records, they developed their modern grunge revival sound while working with former Sub Pop label legend Bruce Pavitt, who helped discover and launch Nirvana. Also appearing will be Killer Trees, who blend power pop, sludge, and psychedelic rock on albums such as Onions and cult underground singles like "Halloween.”
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