Summer Arts Preview: Pop, Rock, and Jazz

Summer is upon us, which means plenty more reasons to get out and enjoy all that Santa Barbara has to offer. And as the temps rise, so does the volume of stellar live shows. Below you’ll find a selection of the many summer-season highlights S.B.’s live-music scene has to offer. So mark your calendars, snag your tickets, and don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for all the still-to-be-announced concert fun.

This week alone, venues in town are dishing up a veritable smorgasbord of eclectic-ness. This Friday, June 25, finds roots reggae legend Don Carlos playing SOhO. On Tuesday, June 29, nouveau flamenco composer Ottmar Liebert takes to the SOhO stage with his band Luna Negra. And on Wednesday, June 30, the rock fusion institution known as Little Feat hit the Lobero Theatre.

Come July, things start heating up — both figuratively and literally. On Thursday, July 1, S.B. staples Big Jugs team up with The Mutineers for a night of lighthearted folk at SOhO. The evening will also serve as a CD release party for Jugs’s self-titled full-length. On Friday, July 2, L.A. neo hippies Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros bring their zany brand of sermon-like folk rock back to S.B. to take on the Lobero. And considering their sold-out showing at SOhO earlier this year and their high-energy contribution to UCSB’s Extravaganza, we’re betting this will be one not to miss. On Thursday, July 8, S.B. New Music brings the free improvising trio of Jim McAuley, Andrew Pask, and Scott Walton to Muddy Waters along with Angria Duo. The following Friday, July 9, finds Brooklyn keyboard trio Au Revoir Simone bringing their dreamy pop to Velvet Jones and jam rockers Carbon Leaf teaming up with Central Coast stalwarts Still Time for a show at SOhO. On Saturday, July 10, the Santa Barbara Bowl season ramps back up with blues-rock legend Steve Miller and opening act Los Lobos. And on Tuesday, July 13, Club Mercy (clubmercy.com) brings seminal indie rockers Built to Spill back to S.B. for a show at SOhO.