I don’t know about you, but I tune in to KCBX a lot. Considering how many good stations we have in the country, that’s saying something. I find Neal Losey’s Morning Cup and Janelle Younger’s Broken Spoke Folk Show indispensable, and I also love the shows KCBX brings in from NPR, like Fresh Air with Terry Gross, the news and reporting of All Things Considered and Weekend Edition, and Democracy Now with Amy Goodman.
Now that federal funding has been erased and the Live Oak Music Festival put on hold, the station depends on listeners to keep it afloat, which is why my wife and I are longtime sustaining members. Sadly, and frankly I can’t believe this number is so low, we’re among the 12 percent of listeners who donate.
But the folks behind KCBX are tenacious and creative fundraisers, and the local musicians, who get airplay on the station’s music programs, know the value of the station. So 10 local acts are playing in support when KCBX Central Coast Public Radio presents second annual Central Coast Sessions Benefit Concert at The Rock SLO on Saturday, Nov. 7 (noon to 10 p.m.; all ages; $28.41 at my805tix.com, kids 12 and under free, $108.97 VIP 21-and-older).
This all-day event celebrates local music and community, and 100 percent of ticket sales will directly benefit KCBX. It’s going to be jam-packed with great music.
‘After 51 years on the Central Coast, KCBX is here to stay, thanks to your support.’
—Kate Schiavone, KCBX
The New Analog (noon to 12:45 p.m.) is a great funk band influenced by Medeski Martin & Wood, The Meters, and avant-garde artists.
Bigfoot County (1 to 1:45 p.m.) will bring their acoustic bluegrassy interpretations of Grateful Dead and Led Zeppelin songs.
Soc Arc (2 to 2:45 p.m.) is a killer reggae rock and punk quintet that will get you moving.
The Electric Lavender Train (3 to 3:45 p.m.) are super entertaining rock and rollers who play classic and modern rock covers and originals.
The Cate Armstrong Band (4 to 4:45 p.m.) is fronted by a gifted folk singer and indie rocker with an emotionally potent voice.
The Kicks (5 to 5:45 p.m.) will bring harmony vocals and first-rate musicianship to their roots, reggae, and rock sounds.
Partita (6 to 6:45 p.m.) plays deep-pocket funk rooted in soul, jazz, and “street-level” groove.
The Damon Castillo Band (7 to 7:45 p.m.) brings their jazz-informed rock, funk, and soul.
Funk Junket (8 to 8:45 p.m.) will deliver their high-voltage astro funk.
And to cap off the night, Carbon City Lights (9 to 10 p.m.) will play their award-winning indie rock. Oh, what a night (and day)!
“In addition to live performances, attendees can participate in a raffle featuring dozens of goods and services donated by local business partners,” organizers announced. “KCBX-branded merchandise and vintage Live Oak Music Festival apparel will also be available for purchase. An exclusive Rod & Hammer spirits tasting will be offered as an add-on for attendees age 21 and over, and The Rock’s restaurant and bar will sell food and beverages throughout the day. There will also be opportunities to commemorate the late Hank Hadley, former operations manager at KCBX, and Frank Lanzone, who served as the station’s president and general manager since 1980. Hank and Frank will be remembered for their lasting impact and dedication to KCBX and celebrated for their lifelong commitment to public radio as they are honored throughout the day.”
“Central Coast Sessions is a celebration of community through music and the resilience of KCBX. After 51 years on the Central Coast, KCBX is here to stay, thanks to your support,” KCBX Director of Community Engagement and Events Kate Schiavone said. “We hope you will join us alongside hundreds of fellow listeners, supporters, and music lovers of the Central Coast to make a difference in your community by supporting public radio while having fun with your friends and neighbors.”
Credit: PHOTO COURTESY OF COUCH DOG
Also this week at The Rock SLO, SLO Brew Live presents Couch Dog on Friday, Nov. 6 (doors at 7 p.m.; all ages; $26.36 at my805tix.com). The band originally formed in SLO but it now calls LA home. “Though they are an indie/garage rock band at their core, the dogs always aim to experiment with something new every release, whether it’d be glitchy electronics, gazey ambiance, or stripped-back instrumentation,” their bio explains. The Let Downs and Joone open.
Clarion plays on Thursday, Nov. 12 (doors at 7 p.m.; all ages; $27.21 at ticketweb.com), delivering an immersive and youthful mix of shoegaze, post-punk, and Japanese rock. Novulent opens.
‘Antmusic’ and more
Good Vibez has a bunch of shows lined up at the Fremont Theater starting with seminal new wave artist Adam Ant on Friday, Nov. 6 (doors at 7, show at 8 p.m.; all ages; $81.86 to $304.85 VIP at prekindle.com). I still have his records from high school and the early ’80s. He’s a blast. Drawing inspiration from the Sex Pistols, he went on to forge his own sound and vibe.
The California Honeydrops play on Wednesday, Nov. 11 (doors at 7, show at 8 p.m.; all ages; $50.96 at prekindle.com). Great live band, fun songs, and a trumpet-playing Polish frontman who’s irresistibly charming and crazy talented. As Rolling Stone magazine said, “The California Honeydrops … evoke the greasy rumble of Booker T. and channel the spiritual ecstasy of Sly and the Family Stone.”
Shows upon shows
Numbskull and Good Medicine are also going big this week starting with local powerhouses Moonshiner Collective and Carbon City Lights playing Friendsgiving by the Bay at The Siren on Friday, Nov. 6 (7 p.m.; 21-and-older; $23.38 presale at goodmedicinepresents.com). These two Central Coast favorites are teaming up to give a portion of proceeds to the SLO County Food Bank to help with our community’s holiday needs.
Shrek Rave returns to Club Car Bar on Saturday, Nov. 7 (9 p.m.; 18-and-older; $19.26 at goodmedicinepresents.com), with its motto: “It’s dumb. Just have fun. Cool is dead.”
Credit: PHOTO COURTESY OF PAUL CAUTHEN
The Big Velvet, aka Paul Cauthen, plays at BarrelHouse Brewing Amphitheatre on Sunday, Nov. 8 (doors at 5 p.m.; all ages; $47.07 at goodmedicinepresents.com). Is he outlaw country, alt-country, Americana? Yes. Will you hear some funk and soul elements, some blues and gospel? Also yes. His most recent record is Book of Paul.
“It’s just being who you are—unapologetically yourself—and that’s every one of my records,” Cauthen, the “Cocaine Country Dancing” singer, said in press materials. “Does it dance? Does it make you cry? Does it make you feel? As far as I’m concerned, I’ve made it already. I can already do whatever I want musically. And when you get to this point you look back. I have built my whole career going against the grain, and that’s what this record is. The freaking trials and tribulations of Paul. It’s everything I wanted on an album.”
The Wilder Blue opens.
Contemporary country singer-songwriter Tyler Rich plays The Siren on Sunday, Nov. 8 (8 p.m.; 21-and-older; $30.59 at goodmedicinepresents.com). He’s known for his chart-topping song “The Difference.”
Rolling Together Revue with Donavon Frankenreiter and Band of Heathens comes to BarrelHouse Brewing Amphitheatre on Wednesday, Nov. 11 (doors at 6 p.m.; all ages; $41.92 at goodmedicinepresents.com). Former pro surfer Frankenreiter delivers laid-back grooves, philosophical lyrics, with a soulful delivery. Austin’s The Band of Heathens plays its own brand of Americana.
Also at The Siren, party band Ultra plays on Saturday, Nov. 7 (8 p.m.; 21-and-older; $8.45 at tixr.com). Hear ’80s dance music with some ’90s mixed in including INXS, The Police, Oasis, The Cure, STP, Depeche Mode, Simple Minds, Tears for Fears, Modern English, REM, Smash Mouth, Coldplay, The Clash, Nirvana, U2, Foo Fighters, Jesus Jones, and more.
Credit: PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TANNAHILL WEAVERS
The Siren also presents traditional Celtic act The Tannehill Weavers on Monday, Nov. 9 (6:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; $18.47 at tixr.com). “This will be a seated show with folding chairs laid out on the dancefloor area, first come first serve,” the club announced.
“Born of a session in Paisley, Scotland, and named for the town’s historic weaving industry and local poet laureate Robert Tannahill, the Tannahill Weavers have made an international name for their special brand of Celtic music, blending the beauty of traditional melodies with the power of modern rhythms,” their bio explains.
Cohen adjacent
Clark Center has a must-see for Leonard Cohen fans when it presents Perla Batalla in A Letter to Leonard Cohen, Tribute to a Friend on Wednesday, Nov. 11 (7:30 p.m.; all ages; $39 to $65 at clarkcenter.org).
Batalla sang with Cohen for years, and since his passing a decade ago, she’s been bringing his music to audiences worldwide. Her new Cohen tribute is A Letter to Leonard Cohen.
“A follow-up to Batalla’s classic, Bird on the Wire, A Letter to Leonard Cohen is a reflective journey of rare depth, introducing groundbreaking interpretations of classic Cohen material, plus Perla’s own moving compositions inspired by her close relationship with the literary icon,” her bio explains.
“What can I possibly say? I’ve tried again and again to sit down and somehow find the words to describe what having Leonard Cohen in my life has meant … and to thank him for his friendship, encouragement, support, and love,” she said in press materials. “A lifetime ago, when we were getting to know each other, Leonard said he recognized in me a ‘beautiful sadness.’ With those words, he gave me an invitation to belong and live in gentle acceptance of all the things I am. We both felt that at its best, music can be a passageway leading us to the beyond. Today, I sing as a way to thank him; it’s my only way to reach him now.”
Bandtastic
The fifth annual The ROAR Marching Band Field Show Competition will take place at San Luis Obispo High School’s Holt Field on Saturday, Nov. 7 (5 to 9 p.m.; all ages; $10 general, $5 for children 5 to 12, kids under 5 free). Bands from Paso Robles to Orcutt will compete.
“This highly anticipated event will showcase six regional high school marching bands performing their competition field shows in front of a panel of judges,” organizers announced. “An award ceremony will follow the performances. Residents of all communities are invited to attend this family-friendly event.” ∆
Contact Arts Editor Glen Starkey at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Nov 5-12, 2026.
