I recently watched Dustbowl Revival’s 2025 Jam in the Band set recorded at last year’s Whale Rock Music Festival, and damn if they’re not at the top of the game. The vocal harmonies between founder and lead songwriter Z. Lupetin and backup singer Lashon Halley are amazing. Halley is one of a revolving cast of performers to collaborate with Lupetin. Since its inception in 2007, something like 30 people have cycled in and out of the band, so who knows who’ll be with Lupetin when Good Medicine, Numbskull, and KCBX present Dustbowl Revival on Saturday, Jan. 10, at The Siren (8 p.m.; 21-and-older; $26.47 at goodmedicinepresents.com).
This genre-bending ensemble formed via a Craigslist posting in Venice Beach and has developed into one of the coolest live bands in California. They’ve described their sound as a “spicy cocktail of folky-funk or booty-shaking jangly rock ’n’ soul: expertly mixing their New Orleans-tinted brass section with their signature Laurel Canyon harmonies and fearless lyrics.”
They’ve been written up in Rolling Stone and Billboard and get a lot of airplay on AAA radio. They also have seven albums out. If you haven’t seen them live, don’t wait. This is an amazing band.
As Lupetin states on the band’s website, “Maybe we don’t know where this journey will take us or how long it will last. That’s my take on the importance of what we try to do. Music elevates us, lifts us up, makes us change our minds, takes us out of our comfort zones. If just one person can be moved by just one song, that’s enough.”
Take the ride. Americana, rock, folk, and bluegrass act Rose’s Pawn Shop opens.
Good Medicine and Numbskull present eclectic singer-songwriter Eric Hutchinson on Thursday, Jan. 15, at The Siren (7 p.m.; 21-and-older; $34.74 at goodmedicinepresents.com).
For the past decade, Hutchinson has penned unique, personal songs in varied genres like pop, soul, Americana, folk, alt-rock, and jazz. The platinum-selling singer-songwriter recently released a two-vinyl-record compilation of his songs titled Cliff Notes—The Best of 2014-2024.
He’s known for staying after performances to meet fans, sign items, and take pictures.
“Saying hello to people after the show has gotten to be my favorite part of the night,” Hutchison said in press materials. “I love getting to hear people’s stories and their personal connections to my songs. A lot has changed for me since 2014. I became a dad, I lost my father, I started taking anti-depressants, I lived through COVID. Throughout it all, I’ve processed my feelings the only way I know how—through my songwriting. I know people are busy living their lives and don’t always have time to keep up with what I’ve been making. Cliff Notes is a streamlined way that listeners can explore my work from the last decade and maybe play a little catch-up.”
Also this week at The Siren, see country rock, Americana, and bluegrass act Hazard Canyon on Friday, Jan. 9 (7:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; free).
Local classic rock cover act That’s What She Said plays a matinee show on Saturday, Jan. 10 (2 to 5 p.m.; 21-and-older; free). Expect synthesizer-based rock and pop hits from the ’60s to ’90s.
Blues tripleheader!
Blues fans, get ready for a show sure to burn the juke joint to the ground when SLO Blues Society presents The Ray Jaurique Big Band on Saturday, Jan. 10, at the SLO Vets Hall (doors at 6:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; $26.80 presale at sloblues.org). You’ll also get opening sets by The Irene Cathaway Rhythm & Blues Band and The Burning James All-Star Band.
Ray Jaurique is a singer-songwriter and guitarist backed by seasoned musicians committed to presenting Jaurique’s well-written, soulful songs. According to press materials, influences include “Sam Cooke, one part Albert King, a pinch of Albert Collins, one part Delbert McClinton, a touch of Keb Mo’, some Van Morrison, with a little Holland-Dozier-Holland thrown in.”
Jaurique also tours with smaller combos including The Uptown Brothers and the Ray Jaurique Trio, but his Big Band includes a four-piece horn section, so get ready for a phat sound. They’re touring in support of Jaurique’s latest, Soul Remedy.
Cathaway is a soulful, smoky-voiced chanteuse who loves blues and R&B. Etta James and Koko Taylor are her inspirations.
Burning James’ All-Stars include powerhouse players Billy Baxmeyer on bass, Wes Starr on drums, James “Jimmy G” Godfrey on blues harp and vocals, and, of course, Burning James Scoolis on guitar and vocals.
Bro celebration
Cal Poly Arts presents The Choir of Man on Friday, Jan. 9, and Saturday, Jan. 10 (7:30 p.m.; $74 to $104 at calpolyarts.org), at the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo. The Olivier Award-nominated hit musical is set in a classic Irish/British pub called The Jungle, and over the course of 90 minutes, its bartender and eight patrons celebrate male camaraderie through song and dance, with hits by Queen, Guns N’ Roses, Adele, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Luther Vandross, Sia, Paul Simon, Avicii, Katy Perry, and more.
Created by Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay, the show has toured globally including a residency on Norwegian Cruise Line ships and in London’s West End (Arts Theatre). Jack Blume acts as music supervisor, and Freddie Huddleston provided choreography.
Kick sand
Hailing from Reno, Nevada, The Sand Gators are impossible to pigeonhole. One song might sound like garage rock, another R&B, another Americana, another quasi psychedelic. Fronted by Spencer Kilpatrick, his band is currently touring in support of an EP, Jade. Catch them at Frog and Peach on Friday, Jan. 9 (9:30 p.m.; 21-and-older).
Guy Noir returns
A Prairie Home Companion creator Garrison Keillor brings his act to The Clark Center on Thursday, Jan. 15 (7:30 p.m.; all ages; $49 to $79 at clarkcenter.org). The well-known humorist, singer, voice actor, poet, and radio personality will be joined by his longtime musical director, Richard Dworsky.
The distinctive baritone’s show is about the beauty of growing old and the graceful acceptance of one’s twilight years.
“Life is unjust, and this is what makes it so beautiful,” the 83-year-old said in press materials. “Every day is a gift. Be brave and take hold of it.”
Expect the familiar and decent characters of Keillor’s fictional Lake Wobegon, a limerick or two, and communal sing-alongs.
“We are the last generation who knows all the words,” Keillor added. “When we’re gone, they’ll disappear.”
It’s not live music, but …
Fremont Theater has three events of interest this week starting with Bingo Loco on Saturday, Jan. 10 (doors at 6:30, show at 8 p.m.; 21-and-older; $42.20 at prekindle.com). I have not been, but I hear it’s a hoot if you’re ready to dive in and have some fun. Yes, you’ll play bingo, but the event is also a “2.5-hour-long interactive stage show complete with dance-offs, lip sync battles, throwback anthems, confetti showers, and prizes ranging from cars to lawnmowers,” according to organizers.
Kicking Up Sand: Cal Poly Beach Volleyball will have its film premiere on Monday, Jan. 12 (doors at 6:30p.m.; all ages; $10 to $50 at prekindle.com). The documentary follows the 32 players of the Cal Poly beach volleyball team as they battle for national prominence during a season of setbacks and comebacks. Listen to Olympic gold medalist and head coach Todd Rogers and his players discuss the team and the film from 6:30 to 7 p.m., followed by the film premiere from 7 to 8:05 p.m.
Jackass legend Steve-O on hisThe Crash & Burn Tour comes to the Fremont on Thursday, Jan. 15 (doors at 7, show at 8 p.m.; 18-and-older; $39.11 to $69.50 at prekindle.com). Steve-O (née Stephen Glover) is a bestselling author and stand-up comic who spent more than two decades shocking, entertaining, and making fans laugh.
“Steve-O has been sober since 2008, and his career has endured, proving you can be fearless, funny, and sober, all at once,” organizers announced. “Now he’s hitting the road with his all-new Crash & Burn Tour—a one-of-a-kind comedy show packed with wildly inappropriate humor and jaw-dropping true stories, with exclusive never-before-seen footage.” ∆
Contact Arts Editor Glen Starkey at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Volunteers 2026.