The California Mid-State Fair is upon us, and if you were hoping to go to the Chris Stapleton pre-fair show on Tuesday, July 14, the day before the fair officially opens, I hope you have deep pockets because all that’s left are “verified resale tickets,” or as I like to call them, scalper specials. They start at $363 and go up to $2,901.58 at ticketmaster.com. Yikes!
The fair officially opens on Wednesday, July 15, and Old Dominion headlines the kickoff Chumash Grandstand Arena concert (7 p.m.; $72.15 to $113.35 at ticketmaster.com). This multi-platinum country group is known for hooky choruses. They’ve been named Group of the Year by the Academy of Country Music eight times and have scored nine No. 1 singles on the country charts.
Dasha and Annie Bosko open. Dasha was born and raised in SLO Town and is a country breakout star whose single “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’)” was one of the most-streamed country tracks of 2024, the same year she won Female Song of 2024 at the People’s Choice Country Awards.
Bosko is a farmer’s daughter raised in the Central Valley whose debut album, California Cowgirl, features collaborations with Darius Rucker, Dwight Yoakam, and Joe Nichols. Her songs have been recorded by Willie Nelson and Jessica Simpson.
The second night of the Fair, Ice Cube headlines the Chumash Grandstand Arena on Thursday, July 16 (7:30 p.m.; $49.45 to $144.90 at ticketmaster.com). The rapper got his start with famed Compton collective N.W.A. and went on to a successful acting career in films such as Friday, Barbershop, Are We There Yet?, and 21 Jump Street. West Coast hip-hop mogul Warren G will open.
There’s a ton more happening at the fair, which runs through Sunday, July 26, including a bunch of free shows on various stages—you just need to pay fair admission. Visit midstatefair.com to see what’s coming.
Low ticket warning!
Charley Crockett plays a Nederlander concert at Vina Robles Amphitheatre on Saturday, July 18 (7:30 p.m.; $67.20 to $78.90 at ticketmaster.com), and even though it’s nine days out, I’m telling you about it this week because there aren’t a lot of tickets left.
Crockett seems to be everywhere these days. It wasn’t that long ago you could catch him in The Siren, but he’s blowing up, in part because he’s incredibly prolific, putting out a couple of albums a year, including Age of the Ram and Clovis in 2026. His sound is old-school AM radio country. Born in San Benito, Texas, he’s also descended from Davy Crockett.
His songs celebrate the underdog, have gritty lyrics, and are hooky as heck. On Age of the Ram, for instance, he sings about Robert Ford, the man who shot and killed Jesse James: “I shot Jesse James/ But it didn’t do me any good/ If I could take it back boys/ Don’t you think I would?/ I shot Jesse James/ And I could not see the cost/ If I’m being honest/ I thought I’d hear applause/ I shot Jesse James/ And we ended up the same.”
He also plays some classic covers such as “Night Train to Memphis,” “The Jamestown Ferry,” and “Honky Tonkin’.” The man pays homage to his forebears in the best way possible—by carrying on their traditions.
He’s been my go-to for country music for the last few years. Keep in mind the Mid-State Fair is happening during this show, so if you’re coming from SLO, traffic may be a factor. Go early!
From global to down-home
Good Medicine and Numbskull have a couple of cool shows lined up this week starting with Ozomatli at BarrelHouse Brewing Amphitheater on Sunday, July 12 (doors at 6 p.m.; all ages; $36.77 at goodmedicinepresents.com).
This quintessential LA melting pot ensemble plays a genre-blending mix of Latin, hip-hop, funk, and global music. Its six founding members—Asdru Sierra, Raul Pacheco, Ulises Bella, Wil-Dog Abers, Jiro Yamaguchi, and Justin Poree—create a “live experience rooted in connection, rhythm, and community,” their bio explains. “More than 30 years in, the band continues to evolve, creating new music while bringing diverse audiences together in celebration of unity, resilience, and joy.”
They’re a blast live.
I’m looking forward to the return of Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore playing as a mostly acoustic duo at The Siren on Tuesday, July 14 (doors 7 p.m.; 21-and-older; $32.65 at goodmedicinepresents.com).
Alvin got his start in the late ’70s when he and his brother Phil formed rockabilly and proto-rock act The Blasters, but Dave’s gone on to a very prolific solo career and has written hit songs such as “Fourth of July,” “Long White Cadillac,” and “Border Radio.”
Gilmore was a member of The Flatlanders with Joe Ely and Butch Hancock. He’s known for songs such as “Dallas,” “Tonight I Think I’m Going to Go Downtown,” and “My Mind’s Got a Mind of its Own.”
Together, they have a rich catalog to draw from. In 2018, they released Downey to Lubbock, an album named after their respective hometowns in California and Texas. In 2024, they followed up with TexiCali. Both albums are an intoxicating blend of Alvin’s blues rock and Gilmore’s cosmic country.
Lenny Kaye opens the show.
Also at The Siren …
The Morro Bay nightclub has a bunch of cool shows this week for those 21 and older.
Local soul and R&B act Leslie and the Soul Shakers play on Friday, July 10 (7:30 p.m.; free). If you dig the Motown Sound, check it out.
On Saturday, July 11, start with retro rockers Ginger Molasses playing a matinee dance concert (2 to 5 p.m.; free). The Nevada City quintet formed in 2023 and draws on elements of soul, funk, and Southern rock. Later that night, ska icons Let’s Go Bowling take the stage (8 p.m.; $29.08 at tixr.com). Formed in Fresno, the Third Wave ska act started in 1986 and is known for its red-hot horn section.
Stylie & Sons of Paradise play on Sunday, July 12 (7 p.m.; $23.77 general or $89.81 VIP meet-and-greet at tixr.com), bringing Stylie’s progressive dub reggae to the club.
Dynamic duo …
Amazing local Americana duo Brittain & Silva plays Decades HiFi Lounge this Saturday, July 11 (8 to 10 p.m.; 21-and-older after 9 p.m.). Eric Brittain is a masterful multi-instrumentalist, and Paul Steven Silva is an incredible guitarist. Together they make beautiful instrumental, country, blues, bluegrass, and light rock music. Their self-titled album from 2024 is incredible. Stunning musicianship.
Credit: PHOTO COURTESY OF BRITTAIN & SILVA
“We’re going to be working on a new vinyl album in the fall,” Brittain explained. “Should be out by the end of this year.”
In the meantime, they’re gigging a lot. You can also catch them on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Club Car Bar; Saturday, Aug. 15, at The Porch; Thursday, Aug. 20, at Primal House; back to Decades on Saturday, Aug. 22; with more shows coming in September.
Credit: PHOTO COURTESY OF B & THE HIVE
Music al fresco
Concerts in the Plaza keeps on rolling. This Friday, July 10, singer-songwriter Kenny Taylor will open the show at the SLO Mission Plaza at 5 p.m., followed by indie rockers B & The Hive at 6 p.m. Grab a beer and kick back with your friends and neighbors.
Library music?
Five SLO County public libraries will offer free string quartet performances featuring students from top U.S. music schools starting Thursday, July 16, with a 10 a.m. performance at the Atascadero Library followed by a 2 p.m. performance at the Shandon Library. Titled The Festival Mozaic Young Artists series, concerts will continue Friday, July 17, at the Nipomo Library at 10 a.m. and the Los Osos Library (community center) at 2 p.m. The mini-concert series wraps up at the SLO Library on Saturday, July 18, at 10 a.m. They’re all free and all-ages.
‘The Young Artist Mini-Concerts are a fantastic way to introduce families and children to the world of classical music and for community members at large to experience performances of a very high caliber right in their neighborhood.’
—Scott Yoo, Festival Mozaic Music director
“We are thrilled to partner again with SLO County libraries and the SLO County Library Foundation to present these fine young musicians,” Festival Mozaic Music Director Scott Yoo announced. “The Young Artist Mini-Concerts are a fantastic way to introduce families and children to the world of classical music and for community members at large to experience performances of a very high caliber right in their neighborhood.”
Not music, but …
Good Vibes hosts comedian Carlos Mencia at the Fremont Theater on Saturday, July 11 (doors at 7, show at 8 p.m.; 18-and-older; $37.05 to $86.49 at prekindle.com). His raw and unfiltered comedic stylings are behind the 18-and-older restriction. Mencia’s current show is called The Liberated Tour, and he’s also got a stand-up streaming special called Here I Am. Edgy and provocative, Mencia uses observational humor to point out life’s absurdities.
I don’t watch it, but my wife loves Love Island, and if you love it too, you can join like-minded people on Sunday, July 12, when the Fremont has a Love Island Watch Party (doors at 5, show at 6 p.m.; all ages; free but RSVP at prekindle.com). ∆
Contact Arts Editor Glen Starkey at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in July 9-16, 2026.
