For many Americans, these are dark days—like something is broken, like we’re losing our way as a nation, like we’ve forgotten who we are as a people. This Saturday, June 21, at Rod & Hammer Rock, a local couple has organized a daylong event called Unity in the Community that they hope will bring people together and remind everyone that we’re not alone.
“It’s a concert celebrating the strength of our community and the nonprofits that serve SLO County,” explained Zongo All-Star bandleader and trumpet player Paul Irving. “This is an idea that is a collaboration between my wife, Jessica Irving, and me. She’s got a strong nonprofit background, and she’s a therapist, and I’ve got some music background, so we’re kind of combining our things to celebrate and strengthen community through music and nonprofit awareness.”
Irving has been in the local music scene for decades. He was a member of Rock Steady Posse, which included vocalist Eric Cotton, and Irving also operates Big, Big SLO, a musical pocket planner he distributes at concerts that lists upcoming events. If you’re a live-music lover, you’ve no doubt seen him at a show.
As for Unity In the Community:
“We’re going to have music all day,” Irving continued. “We’ve got Eric Cotton & One Love Bomb from 2 to 5 p.m. outside. Inside [doors at 5 p.m.] we have IMVA. We have Oso Soul, which is Supervisor Jimmy Paulding’s rock reggae band. And then Zongo All Stars. In the courtyard, between 2 and 7 p.m., we have 30 of the most impactable, mostly human-serving nonprofits in the county. I mean, it’s a powerhouse list of nonprofits.”
If you just want to come for the day, listen to One Love Bomb, and peruse the various nonprofits, the day event is free. The evening concert with IMVA, Oso Soul, and Zongo All Stars costs $17.91 presale at my805tix.com. Irving is keeping the ticket price low because it’s not a fundraising concert.
“We’re just trying to pay for the bands,” he said. “I hope that everybody comes. I know the nonprofits are all drawing on their fan bases. I know that all the bands are going to bring their people. I know some general public is going to come by, but basically, it’s going to be an opportunity just to tighten up the community.”
The event isn’t meant to be overtly political, per se; however, Irving understands many Americans are uneasy.
“Our current political climate seems to have fascism on the rise, and it seems to have a lot of people very, very upset,” Irving noted. “And one of the easy ways to respond to that is to get very upset and to protest and to start ‘othering’ other people and to become more divisive as a people and all of that. But what Jessica and I find as a better alternative to that and a more constructive thing to do is to instead tighten up your community. Know how you can support each other, know how your community can support you. These nonprofits are really at the epicenter. That’s what this is about. This is all about strengthening our community support network by getting to know your nonprofits, what you can do for them, what they can do for you.”
Also at Rod and Hammer, come celebrate Pride Month at the Lady Gaga Pride Dance Party on Friday, June 20 (doors at 8 p.m.; all ages; $15.89 at ticketweb.com).
From Texas to the’80s and back again
Numbskull and Good Medicine start their week with Austin-based rock, blues, and country act Uncle Lucius in The Siren on Friday, June 20 (7:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; $25.44 at goodmedicinepresents.com) with Stephen Styles opening.
Uncle Lucius is touring in support of their 2024 live album, Live from Ear Studio, which was recorded live to tape at Ear Studio in Austin and features select singles from their latest LP, Like It’s The Last One Left, plus three covers: “Bertha” by the Grateful Dead; “Shadow People,” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and “Just To Satisfy You” made popular by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.
Next, prepare yourself for a neon new wave dance party when Numbskull and Good Medicine present the Totally ’80s Rewind Party, a night of ’80s music and visuals, at Club Car Bar on Saturday, June 21 (9 p.m.; 18-and-older; $10.30 presale or $12.26 day of show at goodmedicinepresents.com).
Return to Lone Star sounds when Red Shahan plays in Club Car Bar on Tuesday, June 24 (7 p.m.; all ages; $30.39 at goodmedicinepresents.com). He hails from Bluff Dale, Texas, and according to Grammy-winning songwriter Aaron Raitiere, Shahan’s “an avid outdoorsman and dedicated Leatherman owner. He loves a good pachanga and can do several jumping jacks in a row. He used to rodeo at Western Texas College and got his start singing country songs in Lubbock, Texas. Heavily influenced by AC/DC and the Indigo Girls, his new songs and record sound nothing like them at all. Red is the real deal. Only a fool would miss an opportunity to dive into his songs.”
South and North
The Siren in Morro Bay has a couple of cool shows cooked up this week. For fans of Southern and blues rock, check out American Mile on Sunday, June 22 (7:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; free)
“These guys were so amazing, we just had to have them back!” The Siren announced. “In the past few years, American Mile has been carving their name into the roots of rock music around North America. With influences ranging from Aerosmith and The Black Crowes to Chris Stapleton and Tom Petty, their powerful sound has garnered them important shows in front of thousands at festivals and shows such as Summerfest, the NASCAR Auto Club 400, and a NYE headlining slot at the infamous Idaho Potato Drop in Boise.”
Also this week at The Siren, see Brooklyn-based emcee Talib Kweli featuring Solene Velvet on Thursday, June 26 (7 p.m.; 21-and-older; $41.60 at tixr.com). According to press materials, Kweli has “earned his stripes as one of the most lyrically gifted, socially aware, and politically insightful rappers to emerge in the last 20 years.”
“I’m a touring artist,” he said. “I’m an artist that’s internationally known. I’m not just a local artist at this point in my career. I’m cognizant of the fact that what I do is beyond where it started. I’m trying to reach the apex of where I am now, but without turning my back on or dismissing what I’ve done before.”
Solene Velvet is an LA-based singer in the cyber jazz scene, “a genre-bending fusion of smoky vocals, nostalgia-inducing lo-fi beats, and cyberpunk noir aesthetics,” according to her bio.
Norteño, corrido, y banda
Vina Robles Amphitheatre postponed the concert of trailblazing regional Mexican band Eslabon Armado, originally scheduled for Friday, June 20, to Saturday, Oct.11, due to “ongoing events across California and the country,” according to organizers, who also said all previously purchased tickets will be honored.
Formed in 2017, they really took off in 2020, creating a “contemporary twist on traditional Mexican sounds, merging modern styles with traditional instrumentation, such as the use of the accordion, bajo sexto, and tuba,” according to their bio. “Their catchy beats and relatable lyrics, often dealing with themes of love, relationships, and life in the Mexican-American community, have earned them a dedicated younger audience fan base.”
Here comes summer …
This year Summer Solstice falls on Friday, June 20, which also happens to be the kickoff for the Concerts in the Plaza free music series held every Friday in Mission Plaza through Sept. 12. The event starts at 5 p.m. with an opener, this week Vintage Renegades, a Grover Beach band specializing in upbeat “vintage” rock and country favorites. Headliner Moonshiner Collective will follow at 6 p.m. until 8.
Fronted by Dan Curcio, Moonshiner has deep roots in the local music community. While at Cal Poly, Curcio formed the popular rock outfit Still Time that operated from 2004 to 2012—and they got together last weekend to play the Live Oak Music Festival. It was an amazing, nostalgic set.
Curcio’s current act blends folk, rock, and Americana with his warm, engaging voice. He loves the Concerts in the Plaza series, which won Best Community Event in the annual New Times Best Of poll.
“Our music is rooted in inspiration from the Central Coast, and this concert series feels like the best way to honor that love with the people who make this community vibrant,” Curcio said.
Get weird
The Bunker hosts what promises to be a very esoteric show this Sunday, June 22, when “Santa Cruz’s Maya Garcia—aka E-Fem.Url—is headlining a night of experimental electronic music,” concert organizer Abe Gibson explained. “E-Fem.Url is a shoegaze/noise/ambient artist, a girl making loud music for soft people.”
Gibson’s band, “local drone djinn” the Frequent Weaver & the Mysterious Marsyas will open the show (7 p.m.; all ages; $12.56 presale at my805tix.com). Parking is limited, so try to walk, bike, or carpool. The Bunker is located at 810 Orcutt St. in SLO. ∆
Contact Arts Editor Glen Starkey at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Winning Images 2025.
This event sounds like such a great way to bring people together for a good cause—music, local support, and community vibes are always a winning combo. It’s awesome to see spaces that celebrate connection, especially when food plays a role too.
Speaking of flavor and community favorites, I recently came across this take on Dave’s Hot Cauliflower—a bold and spicy option that’s gaining a lot of attention. It’s exciting how food and events like this can both bring people together in meaningful ways!