LIVE FROM SAN DIEGO – Music on the coast this week

Spotlight

Iconic singer-songwriter Elvis Costello plays at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay on June 24. If you are a Costello fan or especially if you’ve never had the opportunity to see him before, then this is the tour for you.

Billed as Radio Soul: The Early Songs, for this road trip, Costello will be focusing exclusively on songs from 1977’s “My Aim Is True” album, through to 1986’s “Blood & Chocolate,” essentially the time frame that gave the world his best-known songs.

Costello has been playing a mostly different set each night on this tour, but you can rest assured songs like “Pump It Up” and “Radio Radio” will be included, as well as a set-closing, more relevant than ever version of, “What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding.”

Elvis Costello with Charlie Sexton: Tuesday, June 24 at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 7:30 p.m. $183. humphreysconcerts.com.

Recommended

Gifted young multi-instrumentalist, Martin Martiarena, will take the stage at the La Jolla Community Center on June 20.

A virtuoso musician, among a host of credits, Martiarena has toured as bassist with the national production of “The Simon and Garfunkel Story,” and as the music director and lead guitarist with the national tour of “The British Invasion Live on Stage.”

For this show, he will be playing in solo acoustic mode, with a repertoire of classic songs from the 1960s, including many he performed on those tours, from the likes of The Beatles and Paul Simon.

Martin Martiarena: Friday, June 20, at the La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. Noon. Free. ljcommunitycenter.org.

Mike Keneally

One of the most acclaimed guitarists to ever call San Diego home, Mike Keneally, makes a rare local appearance at The Holding Company on June 22.

A recipient of the 2023 SDMA Lifetime Achievement Award, Keneally is a first-call player, working with everyone from Andy Partridge of XTC to Frank Zappa over his four decades in music.

Prolific to a fault, he’s released dozens of albums, but live is the best way to catch a bit of Keneally magic. For this show, he will be joined by guest drummer Nathan Raney, who will also open the show with his band.

Mike Keneally: Sunday, June 22, at The Holding Company, 5046 Newport Ave., 1:30 p.m. $15. theholdingcompanyob.com.

Athenaeum

Guitar and percussion duo Jimmy Patton and Enrique Platas return to the Athenaeum for a performance on June 23 as part of their free lunchtime concert series.

Featuring occasional vocals from Platas, the pair specializes in Latin Jazz, classical, Flamenco, and pop, with an impressively varied repertoire that focuses on originals, but also might include a Brasil ’66 cover or a recast version of The Beatles’ “Here Comes The Sun.” When performing, Patton and Platas create a fun blur of motion, offering a sound that belies the fact that there are only two musicians onstage.

Jimmy Patton & Enrique Platas: Monday, June 23 at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St. Noon. Free. ljathenaeum.org.

Humphreys Backstage Live

Humphreys Backstage Live hosts the latest edition of Jeff Ousley Live on June 25.

With Ousley providing between-song banter, the night will include original music from Wookie Garcia, Maverick, Lords of the Satellite, and Party Crashers. All are well worth hearing, but especially good is Wookie Garcia, who has an arsenal of excellent tunes full of garage rock jangle and song hooks, such as their recent single, “Where the Trees Reach the Sky.”

This is a great chance to hear some of San Diego’s best up-and-coming talent in one of the area’s most scenic venues.

Jeff Ousley Live: Wednesday, June 25 at Humphreys Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 6 p.m. $5. humphreysbackstagelive.com.

Piano Competition

Classical music aficionados won’t want to miss the 2025 San Diego International Piano Competition and Festival for Outstanding Amateurs, taking place at the Baker Baum Concert Hall on the weekend of June 27-29.

This two-part event is a showcase for amateur pianists, featuring both competitive and non-competitive performances, with a roster of outstanding musicians from around the world set to take part.

While the word “amateur” is used, make no mistake — these are top-tier pianists given an opportunity to shine. Classical listeners will find a well-curated selection of unsung musicians at this music festival.

2025 San Diego International Piano Competition and Festival for Outstanding Amateurs: Friday-Sunday, June 27-29 at The Baker Baum Concert Hall at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. 10 a.m. theconrad.org.