Alejandro Escovedo News Today

Concert attendance is on the rise. That trend is likely to continue with a busy summer concert schedule with legacy acts and hot newcomers.

The Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with a 50-show concert series beginning in July.

Indie-rock act Dreamer Boy, which adds to Southern twang to Americana, R&B and rock, also is coming to town.

Our picks range from such hometown heroes as Jewel, Gregory Porter, blink-182, Charles McPherson and Alison Brown to legends like Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson to Lainey Wilson, Tinariwen, Los Lobos and Soft Machine, which will perform in San Diego for the first time since 1968.

Our picks range from such hometown heroes as Jewel, Gregory Porter, blink-182, Charles McPherson and Alison Brown to legends like Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson to Lainey Wilson, Tinariwen, Los Lobos and Soft Machine, which will perform in San Diego for the first time since 1968.

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The Rolling Stones, B.B. King, Lady Gaga and Willie Nelson have played at the 600-capacity San Diego venue the Belly Up. Artists who will perform as part of its 50th anniversary include The Wallflowers, Steel Pulse, X, Jimmy Dale Gilmore and such San Diego music mainstays as the Beat Farmers and Sara Petite.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Belly Up in Solana Beach stands as a testament to the enduring power of live music and the independent live entertainment community. The iconic venue will mark its anniversary this summer with 50 Years and 50 Shows starting July 3 running through September 30 featuring artists that have played the legendary venue since its inception including Shakey Graves, WAR, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Alejandro Escovedo, Cracker and The Wallflowers.

Highlights also include "The Cher Show," "Sharks" at the Witte Museum, George Lopez, Def Leppard's Stadium Tour and the Philharmonic's take on Zeppelin.