7.7.2025-7.13.2025
My unsolicited opinions, a lot of different kinds of punk music, fusion jazz, Latin soul, a new venue to include, house music, a rap legend and more...
Hello all! Welcome to another week of live music in Sacramento. We’ve officially passed 4th of July, we are officially halfway into 2025, and let me just say an opinion of mine, my own opinion, not anybody else’s, but 2025 has stunk. Politically speaking obviously. But in other ways as well, economically (related to the politically) and morale-wise.
I’m sure I am not alone when I say I am brutally disappointed in the direction this country is going in, and that’s really putting it politely. Some days it’s a lot more than disappointment… it’s deeper and darker and much more brutal emotion I feel.
But silly as it is, this little blog has proven to me week after week that there are people out there who care about live music, and the inherent community that music should incubate. I’ve made friends through this blog, like real friends, not just party acquaintances. I’ve seen acts and artists that I would never have known about let alone gone out of my way to see, simply because it’s easy to stay stagnant.
I’m sure you all have heard the famous inertia quote by Newton? “A body at rest will remain at rest unless an outside force acts on it” well that quote is very true. It’s easy to stay still, at this age (I am 32), in this country it’s basically preordained for you that you get a bit more complacent each year that shimmers to dust in the rearview mirror. But I can safely say there’s a lot out there to see still, to hear still. And that’s just in Sacramento! Don’t stay still. Get up and get out there. See it. Hear it. Engage. Get out of yourself.
Once you’re out there, you’re gonna remember why it’s so important to be present in your community. Because we’re all we have.
Woof! Ok, enough seriousness. Let’s talk live music!
Monday, July 7th: Motown Mondays at LowBrau - Ok all Monday the 7th is a bit light, but there’s still options! If you’re in the mood to dance, come to LowBrau to groove. Cover only applies after 9 PM and you’re sure to hear some really good music. Plus as it gets hotter, somehow the patio at LowBrau becomes more and more the patio to be on? It’s some sort of math equation, not sure of the specifics. It was also the 11th year anniversary of Motown Mondays, and apparently they have a block party in the works for the near future. More on that later.
No ticket necessary for Motown Mondays, cover applies after 9 PM
Tuesday, July 8th: Profanatica at Cafe Colonial - Profanatica is one of the first black metal bands to emerge from the United States. After the band Incantation split up, Profanatica was born. They do the whole unholy thing, corpse paint etc. It’s kind of cool to see and the music is very loud and there’s screaming. But it’s a kind of theater that I find really interesting in live music. It’s not a schtick, they believe in what they’re doing and the music they are creating and the songs reflect that commitment to the bit that is not a bit. Would be worth checking out if you enjoy that kind of music simply because they’ve been cranking out this vibe since Bush Sr. was in office.
Wednesday, July 9th: Art School Debt at Musiclandria or The Globs at Cafe Colonial - Art School Debt! First of all, great band name. Very evocative. Really conjures an image here. Art School Debt (local band alert!) self-labels as “a five-piece band…that blends psych, garage, and punk” and really what is more punk than having art school debt? They seem to really enjoy clown attire at times, which is also fun. It will be a colorful, enjoyable and chaotic show. Enjoy!
If that scene isn’t for you, then head to another great all-ages intimate venue and see a different local band! The Globs, plus another local opening act, Mallard! The Globs see themselves as a “punk E Street Band”—if you’re unfamiliar with E Street Band, they are an American rock band that has primarily been Bruce Springsteen’s backing band—so this show will definitely include a saxophone! It’s gonna be a fun night, full of local talent. Choose wisely.
Thursday, July 10th: Lagrimas at Harlow’s - Lagrimas fall under the crust punk label. The punk path diverges so many times that there appears to be an almost infinite amount of variations upon the genre itself. However there is an ethos to punk music that should theoretically infuse all the many little genetic mutations that occur. That ethos is “encourage people to think for themselves, to question the status quo, and to express their unique perspectives and identities” and crust punk usually deals with themes of anarchy, political rebellion and anti-capitalism. Sort of apropos, isn’t it? Go wild and let loose, and daydream about a world where everyone can express their unique perspectives.
Friday, July 11th: Ludacris at the California State Fair - If you wanna have some fun, check out Ludacris at the California State Fair. If you buy a ticket to the fair, you get in for free to the concert of the evening and with the line-up being a little chaotic this year (so many cover bands??) Luda is the shining star of the run. Plus this is kind of a practice run for him, playing to a measly 700 people in Sacramento when he is headlining Outside Lands this August! I would arrive earlier though, as he is probably gonna “sell out” that is, reach capacity early. Check out the rapper/actor responsible for “Blueberry Yum Yum” and “Stand Up”, as I truly think it will be cool to see him. Kind of a bargain too considering a fair ticket is less than $20 if you buy in advance.
Saturday, July 12th: Valley Wolf at Press Club, Almas at Old Ironsides, or Sour Diesel Jams at Fox & Goose Public House - Valley Wolf is a Modesto-based group that has taken Latin psychedelia, punk, cumbia, rock, soul and more and turned it into a rioting good time. They’re known for putting on an energetic live show and they have a lot to say politically right now, which I think will be a breath of fresh air. If seeing “4 vatos from Modesto”—those are their words, not mine—isn’t what you had in mind, then consider another path for Friday evening.
Another option is what I believe is the first of “The Iron Sessions”, a dual-promoting concept from Polaris & WeDoMusicHere with music from ALMAS, SAV, DNEB, and Lexmeup. If you like trance, house, dream state, progressive kind of techno and IDM then this event is where you want to be on Friday evening. It’ll be on a smaller scale but it will be fun vibes at a historic Sacramento venue.
Let’s get back to jazz baby! Sour Diesel Jams is a jazz fusion band that entwines funk, rock, Afro-Cuban, and Latin traditions in the musical sense. They are also a local band, heyo! They’ve played at Shady Lady, Torch Club and Twin Lotus Thai—a venue that is newly on my radar (thank you Kathy!), opened by jazz legend Joe Gilman—and I think it’ll be an interesting and fun Friday night situation, and it should prime you for a nice rest of your weekend.
It’s also free, so, gotta have an affordable option on the table here.
No tickets necessary to Fox & Goose, show starts at 8 PM
Sunday, July 13th: MATTE BLVCK at Goldfield Trading Post Midtown - If you enjoy industrial dark synth then this is the show you must be at. Plus Holy Water, a local artist with similar sounds will be an opening act so you can support them plus discover new artists along the way. I particularly like their remix of “NC-17” by Health. This show could be a great way to let off some steam before the real world crashes down on you on Monday. Get rid of those Sunday Scaries.
Ok back to preaching. To try to clarify my rant up top in the newsletter, let me simply say this. I started this blog because I thought it sounded fun to do, and I was sort of surprised that it didn’t appear there already a person doing it. Now the benefits of this blog have been numerous, connections with people in the industry, tickets to see artists, feeling plugged in to the town and what’s going on, and I have a lot of positive feedback.
But the aspect that has been the most valuable to me is that getting outside myself phenomenon that I wrote about. It’s really easy nowadays to remain interior-focused. What is happening to me, and me alone? Why am I feeling this way? This isn’t working for me.
There’s a lot of factors at play for why that drive to think about self seems so powerful. Evolution, capitalism, narcissism, Instagram, internet, military-industrial complex. But…yet…every day I see people being their authentic self, trying to push what they’ve created into the world. For others.
I see groups, individuals, organizations all trying to make connections. Sure they want to sell some stuff but they also want you to just show up. Enjoy it. Spread the word.
I urge you to do so. It’s made me feel better.
Ok enough of me yapping, I hope you’ve enjoyed this newsletter and that a show catches your eye. As always, if you have tips on a show, on an event, on a venue or anything you think might be pertinent or you think there’s something I am missing, text me at (209) 565-1629. I’ll be on the case 🕵🏻♀️
Appreciate these newsletters :) I don't get out to see live shows as much as I'd like but I am part of a local political organization (shout out sac DSA) which does something similar--gets me outside myself, connects me to my community, helps me find purpose and meaning. Stay strong and if u wanna get organized...hit us up! 💪