Once again, our man Sgt. Tiki has surveyed the musical landscape and selected the best of what’s happening locally for your musical enjoyment and edification.
Whether your tastes run to classic country, classical chamber, or sludge metal, you’ll find something to satisfy your auditory appetite.
Rodney Atkins
Rodney Atkins (Photo courtesy of The Sound)
Country singer-songwriter Rodney Atkins has scored six number-one hits on the strength of his down-to-earth songs that center on family, hard work, spiritual resilience, patriotism, and rural life. Among his biggest hits are “Watching You” (named Song of the Decade by Country Aircheck), “If You’re Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows),” “These Are My People,” “Cleaning This Gun (Come On In Boy),” “It’s America,” “Farmer’s Daughter,” and “Take a Back Road.” He was named Top New Male Vocalist at the American Country Music Awards and he has amassed over four billion global streams and 1.5 billion on-demand streams.
Where: The Sound, 2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar
When: Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 7 pm
Ages: All ages
Hutchins Consort: Bach and rock
Hutchins Consort (File photo courtesy of San Diego Reader)
The Hutchins Consort performs on the rare and beautiful Hutchins violins, a distinctive lineup of eight specially-crafted violins that collectively span an astonishing eight octaves. This configuration allows Hutchins Consort to recreate the rich textures and dynamic intricacies of a full orchestra, all within the intimacy of a chamber ensemble. For the third concert of the current season, the Consort will perform Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto 3, A Musical Offering and various rock ‘n’ roll favorites. The program will repeat for another performance on Sunday, March 22, at Corona Del Mar.
Where: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 890 Balour Drive, Encinitas
When: Friday, March 20, 2026 at 7 pm
Ages: All ages
Kevin Ryan
Kevin Ryan (Photo courtesy of Acoustic Spot Talent)
Multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter Kevin Ryan spent part of his childhood living in the Virgin Islands, where he was exposed to a diverse array of musical styles from all around the world. Finding a passion for music at a young age, he picked up the electric bass guitar as his main instrument, later gravitating towards guitar, drums, and piano. A self-taught musician, he explores tonal and harmonic expression on releases such as his solo album Search For the Illest Wav, as well as collaborating with other artists. The performance takes place at the Mission Bay Resort venue Covewood, a stylish waterfront eatery offering gourmet New American fare, including brunch and a full bar.
Where: Covewood Restaurant, 1775 E Mission Bay Drive, San Diego
When: Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 11 am
Ages: All ages
Christian Taylor
Christian Taylor (File photo courtesy of San Diego Reader)
Singer Christian Taylor is known for his raspy, soulful voice. The grandson of the Ventures drummer Mel Taylor and Las Vegas musician Mary Kaye, he’s also a track and field athlete who specializes in the triple jump. Taylor blends a love for soul, blues, and Americana into his own raw sound, relying mostly on his distinct voice. His debut album Daydream was released in 2016, followed by an in-studio EP, The Citizen Sessions, in 2017. Taylor signed with San Diego’s Pacific Records in late 2019, just before he performed at that year’s Wonderfront Festival. He released a new EP in 2024 called The Moon View Sessions.
Where: Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, 1380 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego
When: Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 6 pm
Ages: All ages
Art of Elan: Boundless
Art of Elan (File photo courtesy of San Diego Reader)
Season 19 of the Vision series presents Art Of Elan: Boundless, which ties into the current museum exhibit Boundless Reflections in Southern California Landscapes. The evening’s musical program invites deep listening and explores how music (and the arts in general) can capture the spirit of a place. Featuring music by Kian Ravaei and Dirk Michael Kirsch, among others, this program takes listeners on a kaleidoscopic journey through time and space. A champagne reception takes place at 6 pm, with the concert starting at 7.
Where: Mingei International Museum, 1430 El Prado, San Diego
When: Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 7 pm
Ages: All ages
19th Annual Indian Music & Dance Festival
Indian Festival (Photo courtesy of indianfinearts.org)
Happening in La Jolla March 23 through March 29, the 19th Annual Indian Music & Dance Festival is a celebration of Indian music and dance with performances featuring over 75 artists from India and the U.S. and 150 children from San Diego and around the country. Organized by the Indian Fine Arts Academy of San Diego and taking place at multiple venues, the event highlight classical music and dance, including a biographical play about the late Ravi Shankar, Enchantment, and a dance presentation of Aham Pravahini by Guru Shobana, a Bharatanatyam production that explores the flow of the inner self via grace, strength, devotion, and expressive storytelling. Artists and performers slated to appear include Malladi Suribabu, V.V.S. Murari, S. Sowmya, T.M. Krishna, Ashwani Shankar, and Vishaka Hari.
Where: David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre and Indian Fine Arts Academy, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla
When: March 23-29, 2026
Ages: All ages
Boyce Avenue
Boyce Avenue (Photo courtesy of House of Blues)
Acoustic rockers Boyce Avenue are recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most-viewed independent band in the world, especially on YouTube, boasting over 6.8 billion views and 16.8 million subscribers. The Florida-based trio – consisting of brothers Alejandro, Fabian, and Daniel Manzano – is best known for their melodic and offbeat covers of pop songs and rock hits, as well as for original music released on their own label, 3 Peace Records. They’ve also collaborated with artists like Bea Miller, Fifth Harmony, and Sarah Hyland. The downtown concert will be opened by Erie, PA-based rock cover band First To Eleven, who have gained over two million YouTube subscribers by posting weekly covers.
Where: House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Avenue, San Diego
When: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 7 pm
Ages: All ages, minors must be accompanied, see ticket page
Crowbar and Eyehategod
Crowbar at Soda Bar (Event poster)
Pioneering New Orleans sludge metal band Crowbar earned their sterling rep on the NOLA metal scene with a distinctively slow and heavy sound, blending doom metal with hardcore punk. Led by vocalist-guitarist Kirk Windstein and recently rejoined by former member Pat Bruders, they are recognized for crushing down-tuned riffs on emotionally heavy tracks like “Existence Is Punishment,” “The Lasting Dose,” and “Like Broken Glass.” New Orleans-based co-headliner Eyehategod, formed in 1988, is widely known as pioneers of sludge metal. Extant since 1988, they blend Black Sabbath-style riffs with punk and bluesy feedback-heavy southern rock. The City Heights bill includes doom/hardcore trio Killwatt, featuring original members of the influential hardcore band BL’AST!
Where: Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego
When: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Ages: 21+