This summer marks the 30-year anniversary season for the Concerts in the Plaza series, but the annual event isn’t the only thing celebrating a milestone.
“This one feels a little different,” Damon Castillo wrote to his fans. “Friday, Aug. 21, I’ll be back at Concerts in the Plaza in downtown San Luis Obispo. Somehow, I’ve been lucky enough to play it every single year.
“You don’t really notice a tradition becoming a tradition. You just keep showing up,” he continued. “But it has me thinking about what SLO has meant to me. This is the town where I’ve made music, built a studio, written songs, made records, met lifelong friends, watched audiences grow up—and done a fair amount of growing up myself.
“Over the years, the Plaza has been one of those places where all of those worlds come together. I can look out into the crowd and see people I’ve known for decades standing next to people seeing us for the first time. Old friends, new friends, musicians I’ve played with, people whose records I’ve worked on, kids who are suddenly not kids anymore. … Thirty years is a lot of life. And through all the changes, I still get to walk onto a stage in the middle of my hometown with some of my favorite musicians and people, make some noise for a few thousand of my neighbors, and have an absolutely ridiculous amount of fun doing it.
“I truly love this place, so this Friday feels like more than just another show. It feels like a chance to celebrate 30 years of Concerts in the Plaza, 30 years of memories, and a community that has given me a place to make music and call home. And naturally, the best way I know how to say thank you is with my guitar, my voice, and my kick-ass band. It’s free. Bring your people. If you’ve ever come to one of our plaza shows over the years, I’d especially love to see you there. Here’s to 30 years. See you in the plaza.”
Acoustic soul and pop singer-songwriter Jamie Pennelly opens the show at 5 p.m. Her motto is to “be the sunshine.” Soulful urban rock act the Damon Castillo Band plays at 6 p.m.
By the way, Castillo recently released a new single, “Lost in L.A.,” and instead of posting it to streaming platforms, it’s currently only available on damoncastillo.bandcamp.com or on the radio. Email Neal Losey at neal@kcbx.org to request it on KCBX 90.1FM or call or text (805) 903-1974 to request it on KRUSH 92.5FM.
‘I truly love this place, so this Friday feels like more than just another show. It feels like a chance to celebrate 30 years of Concerts in the Plaza, 30 years of memories, and a community that has given me a place to make music and call home.’
—Damon Castillo
The song is dope, about a musician lost in LA trying to navigate his career: “Looking for a studio in the hills/ Record label suits hunting for fresh kills/ Streets lights strumming out a middle eight/ I’m walking a song, I’m running late/ Green light clapping, red light slapping/ Every corner there’s a turn in the plot/ Pray that the angels save me … a parking spot.”
No wonder the talented songwriter, musician, and producer decided to make SLO his home instead of slugging it out in the big city. He’s a local treasure. Come out and celebrate 30 years.
“I’m very grateful,” he said. “Betty White is my spirit animal.”
Country and NOLA sounds
Nederlander Concerts has two killer shows in store this week starting with rising country star Tucker Wetmore at Vina Robles Amphitheatre on Saturday, Aug. 22 (doors at 6:30, show at 8 p.m.; all ages; starting at $107 at ticketmaster.com). Wetmore is on an extended run of his The Brunette World Tour presented by NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, adding 17 new dates to the massive run.
“This tour has already been more than I ever imagined,” Wetmore said in press materials. “Getting to add more dates and head back out West to play some bucket-list venues is something I’m really grateful for, and I can’t wait to keep it rolling.”
His fan-favorite hit “Brunette” continues to climb the country charts. William Beckmann opens the show.
Two New Orleans greats—Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and St. Paul & The Broken Bones—share the bill at Vina on Sunday, Aug. 23 (doors at 6:30, show at 8 p.m.; all ages; starting at $45 at ticketmaster.com). Trombone Shorty delivers electrifying rock, funk, and jazz sounds, and St. Paul is known for soul-stirring retro-soul and R&B. Tré Burt opens.
Tears and laughs
Good Vibez presents slowcore act Sun Kil Moon at the Fremont Theater on Friday, Aug. 21 (doors at 7, show at 8 p.m.; all ages; $20.57 to $50.96 at prekindle.com). With words by Mark Kozelek and music by Bencze Molnar, Sun Kil Moon is touring in support of Murals, a four-song EP released in April on Caldo Verde Records.
Get your laughs on when comedy duo Concrete & Jerry Garcia bring their That’s Not Me Comedy Tour to the Fremont on Saturday, Aug. 22 (doors at 6, show at 8 p.m.; 18-and-older; $50.96 to $96.79 at prekindle.com).
Rock on
Good Medicine presents hard blues rockers Rusted Stone at Club Car Bar on Saturday, Aug. 22 (8 p.m.; all ages; free). The band includes Shawn Logan (guitar and vocals), Chad Nichol (drums), and Brian Hatter (bass), and they rock hard, baby. This original rock act formed in 2009 and has released three albums—Never Gonna Quit (2011), American Sin (2018), and Welcome to the Show (2022)—and over the years has opened for everyone from Slaughter to Lita Ford to Blue Oyster Cult.
Across the pond
Gritty, swampy, roots and blues rockers Wille and the Bandits play The Siren on Friday, Aug. 21 (7:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; $13.17 at tixr.com). This British band hails from Cornwall, and “their music carries the spirit of a place that feels almost like the Deep South of the U.K.—miles from cities, shaped by wild coastlines, Atlantic weather, and a culture where individuality is survival,” their bio explained. “It’s a landscape that breeds grit, independence, and soul—and you can hear that in every note they play.”
Check out their YouTube video for “Trouble round the bend” to get their vibe. West Virginia singer-songwriter Erik Vincent Huey opens.
Alt-country act IV and the Strange Band plays on Sunday, Aug. 23 (7 p.m.; 21-and-older; $23.77 at tixr.com). It’s fronted by Coleman Williams, aka Hank Williams the 4th. He’s the great-grandson of Hank Williams and son of Hank the 3rd.
“Despite his heritage, Williams spent his 20s as a literature teacher before fully embracing his own musical path,” his bio explains. “He’s determined to ‘earn’ his place in country music through personal storytelling rather than relying solely on his famous last name.”
Clownvis Presley opens.
The Siren also has some free ones this week. Good-time classic rock, funk, and blues act Down the Road plays on Saturday, Aug. 22 (2 to 5 p.m.), followed later that night by country rock cover act Whiskey Scars (7:30 to 10:30 p.m.).
On Wednesday, Aug. 26, see Latin jazz and funk act MiniNova featuring Kenny Lee Lewis of the Steve Miller Band and Scott Martin of War (7:30 to 9 p.m.). The band plays both originals and cover songs from iconic Latin and jazz artists.
The Dead, Justice, and Havoc
SLO Brew Live at Rod & Hammer Rock has three worthy shows this week starting with SoCal Grateful Dead tribute band Wall of Sound on Saturday, Aug. 22 (doors at 7 p.m.; all ages; $20.79 at ticketweb.com). They’re “known for re-creating the energy, improvisation, and expansive sound of the Dead’s live performances, with a particular focus on the band’s larger, high-powered 1980s era,” their bio explained.
Share the Care, a fundraiser for nonprofit 805 Undocufund, is on Sunday, Aug. 23, featuring music by the DJ collective the Vinylistics, soul and funk act Dante Marsh and The Vibe Setters, beergrass band The Mother Corn Shuckers, and the Bomb Cyclone Unit (doors at 5 p.m.; all ages; $17.91 presale at my805tix.com or $20 at the door).
“Share the Care is more than a concert—it’s a community coming together to make a difference,” the venue announced. “Join us for an evening of live music, connection, and giving back as The Bomb Cyclone Unit and SLO Brew present a benefit concert supporting 805 UndocuFund, an organization dedicated to providing critical assistance to undocumented individuals and families throughout the Central Coast. Every ticket purchased helps support this important cause while bringing our community together through the power of live music.”
Finally, Rod & Hammer presents pioneering Zambian psyche rock act W.I.T.C.H. (We Intend To Cause Havoc) on Wednesday, Aug. 26 (doors at 7 p.m.; all ages; $34.42 at ticketweb.com). They’re one of the early defining acts of Zamrock, a fusion of Western rock and R&B with traditional African sounds. When Zambia gained its independence in 1964 and established its own national character, its musicians began embracing outside sounds, and in the ’70s, W.I.T.C.H. was at the forefront. Omar Velasco opens the show.
Jazz Vespers is back
The Jazz Vespers Concert Series returns to SLO’s First Presbyterian Church with the Pat Kelley Trio on Sunday, Aug. 23 (4 p.m.; all ages; free but donations welcomed).
“Guitarist Pat Kelley enjoyed a successful career in Los Angeles as a studio and touring musician, recording artist, and educator,” organizers explained. “He’s recorded and toured with George Benson, Natalie Cole, Dave Brubeck, Burt Bacharach, Ronnie & Hubert Laws, and David Benoit among many others and was on the USC Thornton School of Music faculty for decades.”
He’ll be accompanied by Dylan Johnson (bass) and Darrell Voss (drums).
Credit: PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PAT KELLEY TRIO
Roots & Rhythm series continues
Transitions-Mental Health Association’s downtown SLO Growing Grounds nursery shop (956 Chorro St.) will again transform into a concert venue when Emily Laliotis plays the Roots & Rhythm series on Wednesday, Aug. 26, hosted by Ynana Rose (6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; all ages; free but donations are encouraged).
Expect “an intimate evening of live local music and lush greenery … with stories and songs by alt-Americana artist Emily Laliotis,” organizers announced. “Additional opportunities to learn about the mental health resources [are] offered by Transitions-Mental Health Association. Bring your own food and beverage.”
Calling all musicians and performers!
You’ve only got a few more days to submit your entries for the 18th annual New Times Music Awards and take your shot at fame and glory.
The deadline for submission is Monday, Aug. 24, at 5 p.m. The easiest way to submit is online at newtimesslo.com/sanluisobispo-ntmaentryform-page. You’ll find an entry form, FAQ, rules, and more. You can submit up to 10 songs and an album.
If you’re a winner, you must be available to play the showcase on Friday, Nov. 13, starting at 7 p.m. As Wayne Gretzky famously said, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take,” so take your shot! ∆
Contact Arts Editor Glen Starkey at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Aug 20-27, 2026.
