Show 9pm // 18+
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
EMO NIGHT BROOKLYN
Welcome to Emo Night Brooklyn, a late night DJ based dance party blasting the best emo and pop punk jams. We may even invite some of your favorite artists and bands to surprise you and join the party. Get ready to scream your lungs out, mosh, and dance to all your favorite songs with all of your favorite people and experience the awesomeness that is Emo Night Brooklyn.
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
GLASS BEAMS
Initially conceived through the rekindling of childhood memories relating to his father, who emigrated to Melbourne from India in the late 1970's. Glass Beams aka Rajan Silva cites one particular memory — the watching of 'Concert for George,' a starstudded tribute to late Beatles member George Harrison performed at London's Royal Albert Hall in 2002, featuring legendary Indian sitar player Ravi Shankar with daughter Anoushka, alongside Western icons Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney and ELO's Jeff Lynne — as being especially formative. It is this spirit of cross-pollination between East and West, of old and new, that he has sought to capture in the self produced works of Glass Beams, whose output presents a timeless fusion of cultures and sounds beamed through a prism of live instrumentation and DIY electronica, all wrapped up inside a mesmerizing and mystical visual world of their own making. Through debut EP 'Mirage' and recent breakout EP 'Mahal,' Glass Beams have catapulted into the collective consciousness of millions of new followers who came to discover the serpentine, psychedelic-tinged tracks through social media, streaming services and word of mouth. Expanding from solo project to a trio for their live shows, the band have also seen phenomenal success selling out every show on both their debut European and North American tours — adding numerous additional dates and venue upgrades due to demand.
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
STRKKR
with MAMALARKY and HAPPY SAD FACE
In a journey that’s been taking new directions since it started, every step of the way has led STRFKR to Parallel Realms. The band’s energetic, danceable pop has assumed many forms since they first emerged in 2007, always reliably delivering unshakeable melodies and larger-than-life anthems infused with intellectually challenging lyrics. In recent years, STRFKR explored more experimental waters when they constructed a fuzzy dream world with their home-recorded 2020 album Future Past Life or subtracted structure entirely from fully instrumental collection Ambient 1. New album Parallel Realms finds yet another path, redefining the kind of direct, high-impact songwriting that’s long been the core of the band’s strongest material. Streamlined and immediate, the album distills STRFKR’s 15 plus years of artistic growth without forfeiting any of the perspective they’ve gained along the way. It’s their clearest, most organized, and most exciting work yet.
As with many other albums, Parallel Realms started with sorting through a mountain of ideas looking for inspiration. While combing through stacks of partially-realized demos, it became clear that the most interesting songs all had a consistent playfulness to them. A through-line of upbeat fun gradually came into view, with a joyous vibe that sometimes bordered on ‘80s synth pop euphoria. STRFKR followed this impulse further, digging back through their archives to seek out songs that hadn’t made sense until now, but matched the specific uplifting feeling that was becoming the connective tissue for the new album.
Subconscious lyrical patterns started arising, as well, repeatedly circling back to the idea of how different people can experience the same thing from wildly different emotional vantage points. This kind of parallel intake served as the inspiration for many of the songs, and ultimately the title of the album. Songs gelled around this concept quickly. Relentlessly hooky, “Together Forever” uses its rubbery bass line and melodic instrumentation to express different sides of the frustration and satisfaction of love. “Holding On” ping-pongs through tormented indecision about keeping a relationship alive or letting it go with a dreamy instrumental that sounds like sunbeams tearing apart the sky. Dark-yet-bubbly single “Armatron” evolves from tension to tenderness, mirroring a heated lover’s argument that settles into softness when tempers cool. This is reflected in how the song’s sassiness transitions into a more introspective feel in its second half, and is one of many moments on the album that STRFKR arrived at through heightened collaboration, not just between the band members, but with valuable input from network of trusted friends and advisors. For a band used to getting into the weeds with their highly controlled writing process, everything fell into place almost a little too effortlessly. At some point, though, they made a conscious decision to step out of their own way, not overcomplicate things, and just let the album come together around this new, singular energy.
This approach continued into the album’s recording phase. The band returned to the stripped-down mindset they’d used when making Future Past Life, but instead of that record’s psychedelic blurriness, they applied uncluttered, no-nonsense arrangements to electro-pop bangers. The abrupt gear-shifting and experimental detours of previous albums are reshaped into concise, song-serving flashes. Minute-long ambient interludes provide palate cleansers between immediately catchy floor-filling dance tracks, and neither overstay their welcome. What really rocketed the album past the finish line was handing over mixing duties to Chris Coady (Beach House, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Blonde Redhead). This marked the most hands-off STRFKR
has ever been with the final step of any of their records, relinquishing control and just letting Coady work his magic. This followed Parallel Realms’ tendency toward collective creation, and Coady’s mixing rivaled anything the band had achieved before. The rhythm sections are huge, the hooks are crystalline, and the entire album gels into a cohesive, dynamic whole. Gone are any hints of “indie” caliber production; these songs sound enormous, with a level of glitter that contends with modern commercial radio hits.
More than anything STRFKR has made before, Parallel Realms carries a triumphant sense of renewal. Though never implicitly stated, the elevated sound, straightforward songwriting, and especially unclouded vision of the album all convey the feeling of breaking through to new possibilities. Somehow, this many years into an ever-changing evolution, STRFKR has made some of their most accessible music yet while still furthering the introspective thinking and self-imposed challenges that have always pushed their art forward. Parallel Realms courses with positivity even in its heaviest moments. It sounds incredible, it encapsulates untold hours of multiple lives committed to making beauty out of song, and above anything else, it feels wonderful.
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
BABE RAINBOW
with YASAWA GROUP and QUEENTIDE
They say it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you’re at. But for Angus Dowling, Jack ‘Cool-Breeze’ Crowther and Dr Elliot ‘Love Wisdom’ O’Reilly, the character of their home, Australia’s idyllic Gold Coast, permeates every atom of the dreamlike, joyful, psychedelic music they create together as Babe Rainbow. “The old Aquarius hippie connection is everywhere around here,” singer Angus says. “We tap into it, and absorb it all.” And their new album, Slipper Imp And Shakaerator, is their most “homegrown” project yet – a suite of maverick, zephyr-light acid-pop following its own north star and chasing subtle, slippery, subterranean grooves to delirious destinations.
The trio grew up in Rainbow Bay, later relocating to nearby Byron Bay. An area of breathtaking natural beauty, where the waves are always strong, the magic mushrooms grow freely, and old, abandoned farm buildings abound. It was and remains the perfect locale for young dudes to play their music as loud as they want. “We were 16 and 17 years old, working at Tropical Fruit World in Duranbah, cruising around the kiosks and listening to the Nuggets compilations,” remembers Angus, of the group’s earliest days. “Jack and I met in the Australian youth choir as junior songbirds years before that, and he was still the only technical musical guy I knew, but I had the feeling we could all play this music we loved in our own way. We lived on an avocado farm up around then, in the macadamia orchard of the property. And it was so much fun making random noise while surrounded by the mangoes and the bush.”
The trio jammed tirelessly in those abandoned shacks, and as their sound began to develop, they booked shows in Brisbane, the nearest city, a two-hour drive away. While playing Brisbane, they crossed paths with King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, who began to book the embryonic Babe Rainbow as opening band at their shows. “This is before Gizz’s ‘stadium-rock’ period,” Dowling grins.
The Gizz connection would prove fortuitous for Babe Rainbow, who signed to the group’s Flightless label for their 2015 eponymous EP, and whose 2017 self-titled debut LP was produced by Gizzard King Stu Mackenzie. The album established a loyal following for Babe Rainbow, one which has only grown over the records since. And Babe Rainbow’s music itself has evolved across those years, as the band have travelled, toured the world and connected with new friends in faraway places. “Early on, we got to play in California, came early, stayed late, caught a ton of good waves and met some of the best people in the world,” Angus says. “We began rolling around the world, picking up new styles and collaborating with everybody.”
This creative sprawl reached its apotheosis with 2022’s The Organic Band, which Angus remembers as coming together “on the road, a lot of friends together. We met [drummer] Miles Myjavec from Sydney and began chucking ideas down. We were meeting amazing people in California and London and Paris just jamming and singing, everyone’s so happy, having the best time ever.”
For the new album, however, Babe Rainbow have opted for a different approach – one Angus says “keeps to the powers of the Rainbow”. The collaborations with all the free spirits they encounter along the way have been curtailed this time. “We’d done a few albums of us experimenting with people we met on the road and bringing in influence from everywhere,” says Angus. “This is the first record since our debut EP where it’s just the ‘original Gs’, pushing the songwriting in the direction we want, without any groove geniuses around helping us in those really deep and special moments of writing a song.” This back-to-basics, back-to-the-source vibe explains the album’s enigmatic title, the (Bunyip) Slipper Imp and the Shakaerator, aka the Yeoman plow, a sub-soiler chisel plow designed for the more extreme conditions found in Australia, the “revolutionary new ripper of great strength – haha!” says Angus.
The trio took over a massive warehouse on an old banana farm where they could get to work alongside friend and producer Timon Martin and magical Miles Myjavec on percussion and flute. The roots of the tracks often lay in riffs and figures cooked up by guitarist Jack Crowther. “‘Cool Breeze’ has always got something going on” says Angus. “He’s always keen to jam, and Timon’s so good with helping to realise the potential of a song.” The key this time was not to overwork these early ideas, to give them space “to flow, to grow”, he explains. “Keeping a loose feeling to the music is so important. An idea develops together outside but it doesn't take its wings until you take it into the studio. Every step of the way, I'm always trying to stay connected to Jack’s original moment of inspiration. We experiment with synths and drum machines and overdubs, and we love that, but we never wanna escape too far from the hippie power of the music. We're made of rainbow.”
That looseness and that true essence are key to the pleasures within Slipper Imp And Shakaerator. The album rambles gleefully wild, the jams running long but with purpose, lysergic harmonies loosely tethered to deftly funky rhythms loops and fragments of guitar that channel the lyricism of high-life (What Is Ashwagandha), the flash of 80s funk (Like Cleopatra, a glorious, sun-soaked pop banger in disguise), the white-heat of acid-rock (When The Milk Flows). There are haunting instrumental vignettes (Apollonia), nuggets of lo-fi introspection (Now And Zen), even a massive, ground-quaking, reggae-informed excursion starring old friend Stu Mackenzie (the woozy, wonderful Mt Dub), who also mixed the album.
Indeed, while the connection between the core Rainbow Babes here is crucial to the character of Slipper Imp And Shakearator, they weren’t working entirely alone. One key collaborator was singer Camille Jansen, who the group met through their friend and old band mate Maria Benz, and who joined them onstage on their recent US tour. “Cami sang on all the songs on the album, but I feel we haven’t fully tapped into our connection together yet,” says Angus. “She brings an insane new flavour, which is stupendous. It feels really cool and powerful to add her to this lineup.”
But ultimately, Slipper Imp And Shakearator is a celebration of all the colours of the Babe Rainbow – the milk, Angus jokes. “I love the fact that, with all the touring and the changing tides, and hair, the creative relationship within the band still feels so strong. I feel so lucky to have this psychedelic family, which is really the essence of the band. We’re just a bunch of laid back surfers, cattlemen’s sons.”
But as Slipper Imp And Shakearator proves, these babes have access to powerful, home-baked psychedelic magic, and they aren’t reluctant to share. Come grab some – all are welcome.
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
RED HOT TRIBUTE - The Premier Tribute to Red Hot Chili Peppers
Get ready for the #1 Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute in the nation—Red Hot Tribute! Established in 2015 and hailing from Los Angeles, California, this 4-piece powerhouse delivers an electrifying, note-for-note recreation of RHCP’s greatest hits, from ’80s classics to modern chart-toppers like Give It Away, Under the Bridge, Californication, and By the Way. With meticulous attention to detail, they capture the raw energy, sound, and look of the Peppers, bringing the full concert experience to life. Their authenticity and passion have earned them a reputation as one of the most respected tribute acts in the industry. From nationally televised NASCAR & KROQ events to major festivals, stadiums, and top casinos across the U.S., Red Hot Tribute faithfully honors the music and spirit of RHCP, delivering a high-energy live show that’s second ONLY to the real thing!
Show 9pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
KOLOHE KAI
with Special Guest FIA
Kolohe Kai stands as a pioneering force in Pacific Island reggae, blending island melodies, roots reggae, pop, and R&B into a sound that resonates across generations. Fronted by singer-songwriter Roman De Peralta, the Oahu-born artist has captivated audiences worldwide with heartfelt lyrics, smooth vocals, and an undeniable connection to the aloha spirit.
Since breaking onto the scene as a teenager, Kolohe Kai has amassed millions of streams, multiple Reggae Album of the Year awards, and a dedicated global fanbase. His signature hits, including “Ehu Girl,” “Cool Down,” and “Heartstrings,” have become anthems of island culture, while his recent collaborations and evolving sound continue to push the boundaries of the genre.
In 2025, Kolohe Kai embarks on his next chapter with the release of two powerful singles leading up to his upcoming full-length album, What Aloha Means. His January 24th release, “Day by Day” featuring The Green, showcases an uplifting, soulful collaboration with one of Hawaii’s most beloved reggae bands. Now, on April 4th, he follows up with the title track “What Aloha Means”, a deeply moving song that reflects the true essence of aloha—love, kindness, and connection. The track features the Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus, known for their role in the classic Disney film Lilo & Stitch, bringing an angelic harmony that enriches the song’s heartfelt message.
To celebrate the release of What Aloha Means, Kolohe Kai is set to launch a nationwide amphitheater tour in Summer 2025, bringing his signature feel-good energy and message of aloha to fans across the U.S. The tour will span major cities, including New York, Chicago, Denver, Phoenix, and multiple California stops.
With a career spanning over a decade, Kolohe Kai remains one of Hawaii’s most streamed and beloved reggae artists. His commitment to spreading positivity, embracing his island roots, and creating music that inspires has solidified his place as a leading voice in contemporary island reggae. Whether through viral hits, award-winning albums, or electrifying live performances, Roman De Peralta’s mission remains the same—to share the meaning of aloha with the world, one song at a time.
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
KOLOHE KAI
with Special Guest FIA
Kolohe Kai stands as a pioneering force in Pacific Island reggae, blending island melodies, roots reggae, pop, and R&B into a sound that resonates across generations. Fronted by singer-songwriter Roman De Peralta, the Oahu-born artist has captivated audiences worldwide with heartfelt lyrics, smooth vocals, and an undeniable connection to the aloha spirit.
Since breaking onto the scene as a teenager, Kolohe Kai has amassed millions of streams, multiple Reggae Album of the Year awards, and a dedicated global fanbase. His signature hits, including “Ehu Girl,” “Cool Down,” and “Heartstrings,” have become anthems of island culture, while his recent collaborations and evolving sound continue to push the boundaries of the genre.
In 2025, Kolohe Kai embarks on his next chapter with the release of two powerful singles leading up to his upcoming full-length album, What Aloha Means. His January 24th release, “Day by Day” featuring The Green, showcases an uplifting, soulful collaboration with one of Hawaii’s most beloved reggae bands. Now, on April 4th, he follows up with the title track “What Aloha Means”, a deeply moving song that reflects the true essence of aloha—love, kindness, and connection. The track features the Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus, known for their role in the classic Disney film Lilo & Stitch, bringing an angelic harmony that enriches the song’s heartfelt message.
To celebrate the release of What Aloha Means, Kolohe Kai is set to launch a nationwide amphitheater tour in Summer 2025, bringing his signature feel-good energy and message of aloha to fans across the U.S. The tour will span major cities, including New York, Chicago, Denver, Phoenix, and multiple California stops.
With a career spanning over a decade, Kolohe Kai remains one of Hawaii’s most streamed and beloved reggae artists. His commitment to spreading positivity, embracing his island roots, and creating music that inspires has solidified his place as a leading voice in contemporary island reggae. Whether through viral hits, award-winning albums, or electrifying live performances, Roman De Peralta’s mission remains the same—to share the meaning of aloha with the world, one song at a time.
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
SUNNY DAY REAL ESTATE
Formed in 1992, Seattle’s Sunny Day Real Estate are known as the godfathers of Emo. The four piece of Jeremy Enigk, Dan Hoerner, William Goldsmith and Nate Mendel released their debut album, Diary, on Sub Pop Records in 1994 to critical acclaim (including topping Rolling Stone’s “40 Greatest Emo Albums Of All Time”) and followed up with 1995’s LP2, which was released after their breakup. 1998 saw the reunited band (not including Mendel) release How It Feels to Be Something On, followed by 1999’s Live and 2000’s The Rising Tide before they disbanded for the second time. The original four piece band reunited for touring in 2009 and 2010 including their first ever European shows (debuting at Spain’s legendary Primavera Sound) and Coachella. Sunny Day Real Estate’s only new recorded output since The Rising Tide was 2014’s “Lipton Witch,” released on a split 7” with Circa Survive for Record Store Day. In 2022, Enigk, Hoerner and Goldsmith returned to the road on a sold out 24 city tour with the band rounded out by Greg Suran and Chris Jordan. 2024 sees the band celebrating the 30th anniversary of their debut album with a tour, a re-recorded version and their first new song in 10 years.
Show 8pm
FULLY SEATED
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
EAST FOREST
East Forest is a multidisciplinary artist, producer, speaker, and ceremony guide. Since 2008, East Forest’s “lush” (Rolling Stone) and “blissful” (NPR) music has blended ambient, neoclassical, electronic, and avant-pop to explore sound as a tool for inner journeys and consciousness expansion.
The project's latest endeavor is "Music for Mushrooms," a feature-length narrative documentary showcasing the transformative power of psychedelics, music, and community. East Forest’s most recent musical release, “Lovingly: A Soundtrack For The Psychedelic Practitioner, vol. III” is an immersive long-form live album, over six hours in length, and intended to guide journeys of deep introspection from start to finish. The third volume of his Soundtrack For The Psychedelic Practitioner series, the music was recorded and improvised live inside psilocybin ceremonies facilitated between 2020 and 2024.
East Forest's extensive catalog includes over 30 albums and notable collaborations with artists such as Ram Dass, Jon Hopkins, Laraaji, Dead Prez, Nick Mulvey, Peter Broderick, Max Cooper, and DJ ANNA. The project has performed at major festivals and venues internationally.
As a trailblazer in meditation and inner resilience, East Forest offers guided meditations, retreats, and a podcast ("Ten Laws w/East Forest"). His approach promotes non-religious, accessible spirituality. He's a faculty member at the Esalen Institute and has collaborated with institutions across social justice, mental health, science, music, and creative fields, including Google, Johns Hopkins, UCSF, Stanford, and TED.
His work has appeared on Bright Antenna, Domino, Mercury KX, Aquilo, Ghostly, as well as Tender Loving Empire & Universal/Decca.
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS
NMA started by brother Luther and Cody Dickinson in 1996 as a loose collective of musicians from their North Mississippi home inspired by their father Jim Dickinson as well as neighbors and musical elders of their community; RL Burnside, Junior Kimbrough, Otha Turner and Fred McDowell.
Luther’s first national tour was the RL Burnside Ass Pocket of Whiskey tour in 1997, selling out shows in the US and Canada. “Kenny Brown hired me to tour with RL and Cedric and showed me the ropes. That experience blew my mind. Cody and I have been on the road ever since.”
NMA began touring in 1998 and over the years the touring lineup has included, Cedric, Duwayne and Garry Burnside, Chris Chew, Berry Oakley Jr, Oteil Burbruidgem and currently Joey Williams of the Blind Boys of Alabama and Ray Ray Hollowman, guitar player for Eminem and Nee-O.
Since their debut album in 2000 and hitting the never ending road, they have shared the stage with countless legends; Phil Lesh, Mavis Staples, Robert Plant, John Hiatt, the Allman Brothers, The Black Crowes, Buddy Guy, Snoop Dogg, and Jon Spencer to name a few, while earning multiple grammy nominations for their experimental albums of they like to call Modern Mississippi Music.
Show 8pm
FULLY SEATED
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
DEMOLA LIVE!
Demola (also known as “Demola the violinist”) is a musician, singer-songwriter, a multi-instrumentalist, record producer and an award winning SELF TAUGHT–
MULTI-GENRE VIOLINIST. He is viral and social media sensation with over 3.5million followers across his social media platforms, seen performing music from all genres and different countries and cultures across the world.
Demola was born in Lagos, Nigeria, he moved to the USA to pursue his solo music career. His love for music started at a very tender age, stemming from listening to different genres of popular and contemporary music by music loving parents.
He has performed for THOUSANDS OF AUDIENCES ALL OVER THE WORLD, including guest appearances in his home town of Houston, TX. Performing the National Anthem for the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Stadium packed with over 35,000 people, a packed house of about 15,000 people at the Houston Rockets Toyota Center, as well as sold out his own self produced concerts “FAC-TOUR” (‘Feel1ings’ & ‘Classics’ Original violin Album Classics Tour) at Houston’s prestigious Hobby Center for The performing Arts & One In A Million Tour at the House Of Blues in collaboration with Live Nation.
Demola is a fan favorite, representing the city of Houston touring with the City of Houston Mayor as well as performed the national anthem for both the World Series Champions Houston Astros, The Texans, Houston Dynamo as well as the Houston Rockets. With multiple appearances on local, national and international TV including GMA online, KPRC-2 local houston, FOX-26 Houston, CultureMap Houston, 97.9 KBXX Houston, FOX-31 Denver, WGN-9 Chicago, Black News Channel, and many more!
The native Lagosian turned Houston resident is a multi-hyphenate in his own right.
Adored by millions across the world, internationally recognized multi-genre violinist & award-winning artist, “Demola the Violinist” brings his electric personality and musical talent to any stage. Fusing the various timbres of Afrobeats, the colorful sounds of Reggae, the animated bounce of Hip-Hop, Dance Hall, Reggaeton, Jazz, Classical, Rap, Country, Rock & Roll … and his own ORIGINAL SONGS, Demola has made a name for himself and his artistry bridging the gap between traditional classical music and contemporary sounds. Demola is the official violinist for many award winning, legendary R&B groups including Tonytonitoné and Dwayne Wiggins. Based in Houston, Texas. He recently had a collaborative performance at the 2024 Houston rodeo with country music award winning sensation with Jelly Roll.
Demola travels the world sharing his musical talent and has acquired a significant following of over 2M followers across social media who turn to his music for inspiration and entertainment.
Aside from being a seasoned violinist and musician, Demola is a singer, songwriter, and producer. He is one of the first artists of his kind fusing the various timbres of AFRO-BEAT, the colorful sounds of Reggae, R&B, Reggaeton, Jazz, a bevy of buoyant Pop tones and the animated bounce of Hip-Hop while coherently blending it all together with the EUPHONIOUS MELODIES OF HIS VIOLIN.
Winning multiple awards in 2023 for his music and philanthropy, Demola was honored with a proclamation by the Mayor of Houston in Tx.
Demola is set to release his vocal + violin album in 2024.
He released his lead single off the album “One In A Million” on Feb 14, 2023 and this song has received positive and great reviews by fans and people worldwide. He followed with the successful release of his second single ”Mbappe” which also has millions of streams.
His 24 city world tour in 2023 : “One In A Million” tour was wildly successful with sold out shows in every city. He is set to release his vocal + violin album in 2024 and follow up with the One In A Million Tour 2.0 to support the album.
In 2022 Demola released Feel1ngs, Original Violin album which has garnered millions of streams across platforms alongside his cover albums Classics with Demola volume 1 & 2.
To learn more, visit www.demolatheviolinist.com
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
GARY NUMAN
with TREMOURS
May, 1979. It’s an ordinary Thursday evening, which means it’s time for Top of the Pops. Amidst a zeitgeist of punk and disco, the show suddenly appears to be interrupted by a transmission from the future. A luminous synth riff echoes out, a beat drives on and up steps an otherworldly figure - part robot, part alien - to deliver an enigmatic lyric depicting some kind of android existence in a dystopian future. It’s Gary Numan fronting Tubeway Army for their breakthrough hit ‘Are ‘Friends’ Electric?’.
Of the millions that are watching, few would’ve recognised that this moment foreshadows the shape of music to come, from synth-pop to industrial and alt-pop. That, however, can’t stop it igniting the imagination of an audience that would swell into a devoted following.
Fast-forward to January, 2021. Numan’s first single ‘Intruder’ (from the Intruder album) pulsates ominously as if it’s soundtracking an imminent threat. As austere synths loom like shadows and industrial beats are detonated, the beguiling hook towers like a beacon in the darkness. It’s visionary and venomous, with a narrative that imagines the Earth growing angry at mankind's actions, and more than willing to fight back. In the accompanying video, Numan looks even more out of time than he did back in 1979, like an intergalactic refugee fighting for his own existence.
Those two songs show how Numan has consistently fought against the grain to stick resolutely to his creative vision. In a career that spans over forty years, the music evolves and the themes change. But fans remain fascinated by Numan for the very fact that he’s so uncompromising.
Any story charting four decades will be a mixed blessing of momentous highs and meagre lows. The achievements are remarkable for someone who never made any concessions to mainstream success. Seven Top 10 singles, including ‘Are ‘Friends’ Electric?’ and the debut solo hit ‘Cars’; eight Top 10 albums, three of which topped the charts; and huge critical acclaim, most notably with the Inspiration Award at the prestigious Ivor Novellos.
Naturally, there were times when Numan was very much not in vogue. Sure, there would be ripples of rediscovery but there were years when his increasingly conceptual albums were primarily embraced by hardcore fans. He wasn’t troubling the charts, but audiences were still flocking to see him perform - almost every UK tour would include a sold-out show at the 5000 capacity Hammersmith Apollo.
Gradually, though, praise from Nine Inch Nails, Prince and David Bowie led to a reappraisal of his work. And that has been magnified in recent years with Kanye West, Lady Gaga and Dave Grohl citing him as an influence.
And so, a new narrative emerged. An unlikely icon returned to the top while making music that was darker, fiercer and more inventive than ever.
‘Splinter (Songs From A Broken Mind)’ set the ball rolling by peaking at #20 in 2013, its precise, post-industrial sound delving into Numan’s experiences with depression. He started a new deal with BMG in 2017 and released ‘Savage (Songs From A Broken World)’, an album which depicted earth as a barren wasteland in which humanity and culture had been largely crushed by the effects of global warming. ‘Savage’ hit #2 in the UK charts.
His next album, ‘Intruder’, presented a fresh but complementary narrative. It’s a philosophical examination of a potential future apocalypse: the planet can only survive by purging its inhabitants. ‘Intruder’ also hit #2 in the UK charts.
Numan explained: “‘Intruder’ looks at climate change from the planet’s point of view. If the Earth could speak, and feel things the way we do, what would it say? How would it feel? The songs, for the most part, attempt to be that voice, or at least try to express what I believe the earth must feel at the moment”.
The planet sees us as its children now grown into callous selfishness, with a total disregard for its well being. It feels betrayed, hurt and ravaged. Disillusioned and heartbroken it is now fighting back. Essentially, it considers human kind to be a mistake, a virus attacking the planet. Climate change is the undeniable sign of the Earth saying enough is enough, and finally doing what it needs to do to get rid of us, and explaining why it feels it has to do it.”
Partially written and recorded during lockdown, it’s no surprise that current circumstances have been assimilated into its themes. It’s especially evident in ‘The Gift’, which evolves from a sparse introduction into a resonant Middle-Eastern sonic motif. It imagines Covid-19 as the first weapon that the planet deploys in order to eradicate mankind and once again flourish.
While anger and vengeance rage in its opening chapters, ‘Intruder’ charts a wider spectrum of emotions. ‘Is This World Not Enough’ and ‘A Black Sun’ exude regret and then despair that this fate could’ve been avoided. The finale presents a black-hearted double-bill to bring the curtain down on the tale. First ‘Now And Forever’ offers a hope of eternity in the end days during its theatrical intensity, before the sparse, sorrowful ‘The End Of Dragons’ ends on the chilling reminder that what’s broken can’t always be fixed.
Collectively the album proves that Numan’s creative spark shows no sign of being extinguished.
Numan toured the Intruder album at over 130 shows around the world, finally ending in mid 2024 when he toured the US with Ministry. Since then he’s been back in the studio writing and recording his next (and 23rd) album, due out in early 2026. This one looks at a near future world where humanity lives or dies based on the whims of an AI controlled system. He did take a few weeks out of the studio to play a major UK tour in the Fall to celebrate the 45th Anniversary of his ‘Replicas’ and ‘The Pleasure Principle’ albums, both UK Number 1’s when first released.
That’s just a snapshot of the tale behind one of music’s most singular talents. The full story can be found in Numan’s critically acclaimed autobiography ‘(R)evolution’, which The Observer described as an, “exhaustive, entertaining and often poignant life story.” What comes next will surely be just as intriguing.
Show 8pm
FULLY SEATED
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
MICAEL RICHARDS
Michael Richards is a three-time Emmy Award winning actor beloved for starring as Cosmo Kramer on the groundbreaking classic television series Seinfeld. Considered one of the great physical comedians of our time, Richards has worked extensively on TV, in film, and on stage in a career spanning five decades.
His recently released memoir, Entrances and Exits, a candid, insightful, humorous, and complex memoir about his life and storied career with Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, Jason Alexander, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and other iconic figures in show business, added “New York Times bestselling author” to his already illustrious credits.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, grew up playing on nearby studio backlots nourished by silent era comedies, television sitcoms and movies while finding comfort in nature and the Los Angeles landscape. He discovered a love of acting in school and was an award-winning standout in National Forensic League competitions. Throughout high school and college, he acted in theater productions and stand-up comedy clubs before joining the army during the Vietnam War era.
As a student at CalArts, Richards became a student of the avant-garde and was influenced by Allen Kaprow, Grotowksy, Ionesco, Pinter and Becket. Later he began performing in L.A.’s legendary Comedy Store and Improv, coming up in a red-hot comedy scene alongside Robin Williams, Sam Kinison, and Jay Leno.
Starting in 1980, he spent three seasons starring on the sketch comedy show Fridays where he first worked with Larry David and famously collaborated with Andy Kaufman. Following that series, which remains revered for its edgy work and deep roster of talent, he spent the decade guest-starring on Night Court, St. Elsewhere, Miami Vice, Cheers and other top shows of the day. He also had memorable roles in cult comedy films Transylvania 6-5000, UHF, Airheads, and Problem Child. He also starred in the Diane Keaton-directed drama Unstrung Heroes.
Richards has also won two Screen Actors Guild awards and been nominated for various honors more than 20 times.
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
GET THE LED OUT: A CELEBRATION OF "THE MIGHTY ZEP"
From the bombastic and epic, to the folky and mystical, Get The Led Out (GTLO) have captured the essence of the recorded music of Led Zeppelin and brought it to the concert stage. The Philadelphia-based group consists of six veteran musicians intent on delivering Led Zeppelin live, like you’ve never heard before. Utilizing the multi-instrumentalists at their disposal, GTLO re-create the songs in all their depth and glory with the studio overdubs that Zeppelin themselves never performed. When you hear three guitars on the album...GTLO delivers three guitarists on stage. No wigs or fake English accents, GTLO brings what the audience wants...a high energy Zeppelin concert with an honest, heart thumping intensity.
Dubbed by the media as "The American Led Zeppelin," Get The Led Out offers a strong focus on the early years. They also touch on the deeper cuts that were seldom, if ever heard in concert. GTLO also include a special “acoustic set” with Zep favorites such as “Tangerine” and "Hey Hey What Can I Do."
GTLO has amassed a strong national touring history, having performed at major club and PAC venues across the country. GTLO’s approach to their performance of this hallowed catalog is not unlike a classical performance. "Led Zeppelin are sort of the classical composers of the rock era," says lead vocalist Paul Sinclair. "I believe 100 years from now they will be looked at as the Bach or Beethoven of our time. As cliché as it sounds, their music is timeless."
A GTLO concert mimics the “light and shade” that are the embodiment of "The Mighty Zep." Whether it's the passion and fury with which they deliver the blues-soaked, groove driven rock anthems, it's their attention to detail and nuance that makes a Get The Led Out performance a truly awe-inspiring event!
Paul Sinclair – Lead Vocals, Harmonica
Paul Hammond – Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Mandolin, Theremin Tommy Zamp – Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Vocals
Eddie Kurek – Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals, Percussion
Derek Smith – Drums, Percussion
Seth Chrisman – Bass, Vocals
https://www.gtlorocks.com/bios
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
ROBIN TROWER
Few would dispute that the title of Robin Trower’s latest album – ‘No More Worlds To Conquer’ – is a fair summary of the thumbprint he has left on the musical universe. But as he reminds us, it should not be misinterpreted as his mission being accomplished. “I definitely feel like I’m still reaching,” he considers, “with the guitar, and the songs, and everything else.”
For more than six decades, Robin Trower’s career has known no bounds. At the age of 76, the British guitarist can reflect on a journey in which he has planted flags across the musical sphere and played every role imaginable. He’s been the driving force behind Sixties icons Procol Harum. The transatlantic solo star who filled US stadiums with 1974’s Bridge Of Sighs. The collaborator and occasional supergroup member. The elder-statesman songwriter whose late period still crackles with invention.
Featuring vocals and bass from the late Jim Dewar – along with jaw-dropping guitar work from Trower that has influenced everyone from Steve Lukather to Opeth – the US-gold-selling ‘Bridge Of Sighs’ is perhaps his flagship album.
“With every album, it’s the best I can do at that particular time. I think that’s what it’s about. I set myself goals and each song has to live up to them,” he reflects.
“What usually happens is that I’m playing the guitar for fun and an idea will suddenly appear,” he continues. “Then you’re looking for a lyric that grows out of the music and enhances the mood. it’s lovely when you’ve gone right the way through from the beginning of the first little guitar idea that grows into a song and eventually you get a track down and finished – and it’s something like how you heard it in your head.”
Turning once again to his trusty toolkit of Fender Stratocaster and Marshall amp, Trower’s guitar work is ageless, whether that’s the tough chop of “Ball Of Fire,” “Losing You and Cloud Across The Sun,” or the slower-burn wah squalls of the title track and “Deadly Kiss.” “Each track has to work as a sound,” he says, “as well as music and everything else. I’m very particular over guitar tones. I drive people mad, but in the end, it’s worth all the aggravation.”
On “Waiting For The Rain To Fall,” Trower’s playing is crystalline as a dew drop, while the aching finale, “I Will Always Be Your Shelter,” offers a solo whose masterful touch is compelling as anything in his catalogue. “That’s a real high point for the playing,” he nods. “And ‘Waiting For The Rain To Fall,’ I think is influenced by Tamla Motown. It’s a bit left-of-centre for me to do a song like that. But I think it’s potent stuff. I’m hoping this album will surprise people.”
Once again, Trower also handles bass duties, but as a lifelong servant of the song over his own ego, he didn’t hesitate to enlist other musicians. “Livingstone Brown played bass on three tracks, and Chris Taggart is on drums,” he explains. “He’s a wonderful drummer, and he’s done the last three or four albums. And I started to realize, after I’d tried to sing these songs myself, that I wasn’t vocally up to it. Richard Watts has done a great job on vocals. He’s got a fantastic instrument – such a soulful singer – and he’s willing to get it exactly how I’m hearing it in my head. The other great thing about having Richard is that there’s quite a few songs on this album that I wouldn’t be able to play and sing live at the same time.”
“It was difficult, but I’m glad I did it,” he considers. “This album is an evolution. I’m hoping that’s what is always happening with my music. There’s a huge step between Bridge Of Sighs and now. It’s like anything. The more you work on it, in theory, the better you should be at it. And I definitely feel like this album is one of the best things I’ve ever done.”
Show 7pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
CG5
CG5 (born Charlie Green) is a name you may recognize from the iconic “Probably because I am CG5” TikTok sound, seen and liked by millions. The 25-year-old singer/songwriter and music producer is from Arizona and has an impressive viral following, well known for his popular YouTube channel which touts over 8.6 million subscribers. His channel has obtained over 3.2 billion views making CG5 one of the platform's leading music creators. To date, CG5 has amassed over 1.2 billion worldwide streams on Spotify alone accompanied by 2.5+ million monthly listeners, and has over 500+ million streams from his singles; “THX,” “Lonely King,” “4GET,” “Dancin’,” “Vibrant Eyes,” “Good To Be Alive,” “I See a Dreamer,” “Sleep Well,” “Listen To The Music,” “OCD,” “Let Me In,” and “Break Out The Box”. In addition, you can find over 7.6 Million video creations on TikTok based on his songs, with 4 million followers on the platform. Charlie captivates fans with his original compositions, remixes, and covers inspired by viral memes, TV shows, original concepts, and video games such as, Dream SMP, Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNaF), Cuphead, Among Us, etc. His YouTube channel found its stride in 2017, driven by the success of his FNaF tracks like “I Got No Time (Remix),” “Labyrinth,” and the Bendy and the Ink Machine-inspired track “Amen,” establishing him as a FNaF community pioneer. Simultaneously, his single “Absolutely Anything,” boasting over 7.2 Million video creations, was hand-picked by Warner Music Group’s imprint label Spinnin’ Records for redistribution—in turn, marking the artist’s first commercial success. Today, Charlie is preparing for his upcoming international tour, and is working on new music & exciting projects that he will be ready to share with his audience soon.
Show 9pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
GRATEFUL SHRED
After a meteoric rise from obscurity to a national touring band, Los Angeles-based Grateful Shred has made the most of its time in the spotlight. The lineup, featuring Dan Horne and Austin McCutchen alongside keyboardist Adam MacDougall woke the Grateful Dead cosmos with a unique laid-back harmony driven sound. The band literally went from playing the Shakedown Street vendor area prior to Dead and Company shows to touring the United States.
The moment that sent the band’s popularity soaring is the “Busted at the Bowl” video, a YouTube video that features Shred members starting an impromptu set in the parking lot of the Hollywood Bowl before a Dead and Company show in 2017. They don’t get too far before drawing so much attention that the police shut them down. Instantly creating Shred-cred, this was a bit of good fortune that doesn’t get past McCutchen. “We’ve been dealt some pretty good cards,” he states. “It’s been cool to roll with it and push forward and continually make stuff happen. Things have gone our way. Even that video happened magically. It was put together at the last minute, and boom!”
The thing is, Grateful Shred manage to channel that elusive Dead vibe: wide-open guitar tones, effortless three-part vocal harmonies, choogling beats, and yes, plenty of tripped out, Shredded solos. The look, the sound, the atmosphere. It’s uncanny. Far from being a historical re-enactment, Grateful Shred’s laissez faire vibe infuses the band with a gentle spirit, warmth, and (dare we say it) authenticity. From their killer merch game to their eminently watchable YouTube channel, they’re clearly having a rad time and spreading the love. Strangely enough, in a world overflowing with wax museum nostalgia and Deadly sentimentalism, we need the Shred, now more than ever.
Grateful Shred is: Austine Beede, Dan Horne, Alex Koford, Mikaela Davis, Adam MacDougall, Austin McCutchen, John Lee Shannon
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
DIGGIN DIRT
From behind the redwood curtain of Humboldt County, California, the seven piece funk-soul band Diggin Dirt has carved out a niche as a live party not to be missed. Shoveling their own path, Diggin Dirt has seen sustained growth over the past few years, with multiple national tours and festival stops at Jam Cruise, High Sierra, Hulaween, Same Same but Different, Live Oak, Cascade Equinox, Joshua Tree Music Festival and many more.
Per a 2024 Jam Cruise writer, “This was the soul music I grew up with in the ‘60s and ‘70s, but I confess I wasn’t expecting [Diggin Dirt] to be throwing it down this hard. This group is impossibly tight, and Zach Alder might be the best soul shouter I’ve ever heard, and I’ve heard a few.”
Their infectious sound is fueled by blazing horns, searing guitars and a relentlessly driving rhythm section, and tying it all together is the band’s frontman who launches the ensemble into rarefied air with his pipes, charisma and natural-born soul. With flashes of James Brown or Sly and the Family Stone, Otis Redding or Tower of Power, the band’s sound is both familiar and yet refreshingly original, layering psychedelic rock, Motown soul, afrobeat and even reggae atop a thick foundation of late-60s inspired funk.
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
GBH
GBH are:
Colin Abrahall – vocals
Jock Blyth – guitars
Ross Lomas – bass
Scott Preece – drums
Formed in Birmingham, England.
Years active, 1979-present.
All members original except for Scott Preece, who joined in 1993.
One of GBH’s earliest songs was called “No Survivors”. As the band returns to the United States celebrating their 45th Anniversary, they find themselves in rare rock and roll territory; a multi-generational act in an industry where most artists don’t last five years. The secret, according to vocalist Colin Abrahall, was set long ago: "This isn't a phase or fashion. It’s more than a lifestyle. It’s our life.”
The live show has always been the beating heart of GBH. They tour relentlessly, routinely playing over 100 shows a year, from squats to stadiums, constantly attracting new fans with their legendary blistering performance. “Some people have been coming to our shows since our first US tour in 1983, Abrahall explains. "Other people find us because of our records or reputation. Some kids just because they've seen some celebrity wearing our shirt. I suppose it's like being part of a global family where you keep meeting relatives you didn't know you had.”
“I love the small clubs", says bassist Ross Lomas, “proper punk rock.” Abrahall relates how the band got their first gig, "the owner of The Crown pub told us we could play if we rebuilt his stage. So we like people doing their own scene, like Crash Fest in San Francisco." With a laugh he quickly adds "don't get me wrong; we like the bigger venues too." Lomas stresses the importance of the bands who tour with GBH "We're out with Slaughterhouse this time. We've had The Bronx, The Casualties, Piñata Protest. Last US tour Nis opened. Great bands. So it's not just about us. It's about friends. It's about good music."
Family. Friends. Odd words for the originators of hardcore punk; pioneers who made a fast and furious sound cited as an influence by artists across the musical spectrum, especially punk and metal. But they’ve always been central concepts to GBH. "Maybe we've been together so long because we were friends before we were in a band together" said Abrahall.
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
STEELY DEAD - A Sonic Fusion of The Grateful Dead and Steely Dan
Hailing from the vibrant music scene of Denver, Colorado, Steely Dead is a national touring band that has satisfied the curiosity of music lovers with their unique blend of Grateful Dead and Steely Dan. Comprised of four exceptionally talented musicians – Dave Abear on guitar, Matt Abear on bass, Chris Sheldon on drums, and Dylan Teifer on keys – Steely Dead has gained a dedicated following with their electrifying performances and soulful interpretations of classic tunes.
Steely Dead’s repertoire is a carefully crafted fusion of Grateful Dead and Steely Dan songs, between the arrangement and precision studio recordings of rock legends Steely Dan, cross-pollinated with the Grateful Dead’s free-flowing, melodic improvisation and masterful song segues. Steely Dead merges these major concepts together infusing the influence into each band, all the while creating an original jam element with the song segues. Steely Dead’s performances are a musical journey that takes audiences on a nostalgic trip through the golden era of rock and roll.
As a national touring band, Steely Dead has built a loyal fan base that eagerly anticipates their shows and follows them from city to city. Their performances are not just concerts, but communal gatherings where fans come together to celebrate the music they love, dance, and create lasting memories.
Steely Dead’s performances are a testament to the power of live music, bringing people together and creating an unforgettable experience that resonates long after the last note fades. Steely Dead is not just a band; it’s a musical experience that captures the hearts and souls of music lovers everywhere.
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
THE HIP ABDUCTION
Evoking the ocean and guided by the spirit of travel, The Hip Abduction pilot a sonic expedition past genre barriers. The band is the moniker for singer/songwriter David New who writes and produces music in between travel excursions and touring. Live shows morph into a versatile musical ensemble consisting of Matt Poynter (drums), Chris Powers (bass), Justino Walker (guitar, vocals, ngoni), and Cody Moore (keys, sax); each of whom have a mutual appreciation for African (Afrobeat/Soukous/Malian Blues), Reggae, and American (jam/electronic/indie) music. Since 2012, the band has played almost every noteworthy music festival in the country, has landed major TV/Movie syncs and Sirius Xm radio spins, have 1 million+ mo listeners on Spotify, have provided direct cross country tour support for artists like Dirty Heads, Stick Figure, Slightly Stoopid, The Revivalists, and who’s highly energized live show have landed the 5-piece a sizable fanbase across the US and Canada.
Show 7pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
STRUNG OUT & AGNOSTIC FRONT
with MURPHY'S LAW and LA ARMADA
Strung Out -
If you listened to Songs Of Armor And Devotion with no prior knowledge of Strung Out, you probably wouldn’t guess that the California band has been together for almost 30 years – such is the intensity and fresh energy of these 13 songs. Produced by Cameron Webb, who was behind the helm of 2009’s Agents Of The Underground, it’s a record that brims with the same ferocious fire the band had at the very start of its career when front man Jason Cruz was still a teenager, but which also demonstrates how far the California five-piece have evolved as songwriters, musicians and people.
“I don’t want to be 19 years old again,” says Cruz, “but the fact that we still have that energy, but we’re not 19 years old is a real feather in our cap. We’re older, but I’m so grateful that I still have a lot to do. I hope people hear this record, and they know that we’re not tired, that I still have ideas.”
Those ideas flow throughout this record both musically and thematically, the vulnerability and uncertainty of Cruz’s lyrics lying in stark contrast to the fierce and ferocious pummeling nature of its songs. That juxtaposition has always been present in Strung Out’s songs, but for this record, that push and pull has become the central basis and focus of this record, as his heart and thoughts struggle to make sense of the chaos of the world at large. That’s not to say this album has the answers, but in analyzing everything, it offers the listener – and Cruz himself – the various contradictory paths of life that, hopefully, can lead to some kind of truth or understanding.
“Some songs can be armor: they can repel and they can guard you,” explains Cruz. “And they can also bring you comfort and speak of love and belonging to something. To be a good and gentle person, you have to put up a little bit of armor, but that armor never works, because you’re so caring and sensitive and vulnerable, that your heart is going to be displayed on that armor anyway. There are so many thoughts and feelings in my head I think that with this album I just opened up the pen and let it go to explore the duality of having to defend and protect what’s inside, and at the same time make it available for the world.”
Much of Cruz’s vulnerability stems from the death of someone he was incredibly close to. That’s something which has exaggerated and exacerbated Cruz’s emotional fragility and continues the spiritual and philosophical journey he says he’s found himself on in recent years. At the same time, though, these songs are also infused with a spirit of hope and defiance.
“I lost my best friend six or seven months ago,” explains Cruz. “It was right before we started writing this record, and that really put a shadow on things. Some of these songs – especially “Monuments” and “Bloody Knuckles” – reflect that loss. But that’s what’s always made our band work. The music is this metal machine and then you get these vocals that express this vulnerability in a melodic way – and there’s love and there’s searching in all that machine. This record starts out hopeful and then it kind of degrades. It sobers and ends with loss. But there are so many things on this record that I’m still figuring it out.”
All those thoughts and feelings swirl together on this record as Cruz – who refers to himself and his vulnerability as the “flesh in the machine” – tries to find some sort of resolution. The moody “Daggers” tells a story of personal turmoil within the backdrop of an increasingly dystopian America, while the grief and sadness contained with “Monuments” is offset by the pulsating, defiant frenzy of the song’s tune. “Disappearing City” blends a raucous energy with a sense of resignation but – importantly – not defeat, “Under The Western Sky” brims with Strung Out’s trademark sense of melody and coruscating aggression, and the insistent ebb and flow of album closer “Bloody Knuckles” is ravaged with both a despair and a kind of beauty at the same time.
Yet while these songs are fuelled by a power and aggression, the band – completed by guitarists Jake Kiley and Rob Ramos, bassist Chris Aiken and new drummer (since 2018) RJ Shankle – infused them with plenty of nuance, too. Some of that is thanks to the lessons learned from last year’s acoustic yet expansive acoustic EP Black Out The Sky, something Cruz says was a necessary step the band had to take in order to then make this record. Underneath it all, however, is the same desperate need to write these songs and get them out of his system.
“This opportunity I’ve been given, and everything I’ve been doing, I don’t have any say in it,” Cruz says. “I don’t have a choice. I have to fucking do this. I have things inside of me that swell up when I go through this, but it’s what people put into what they hear and what they then take out of it that’s the magic. I need to do this, but if it’s not making a connection, I have no right to be here. My favorite part about America is the pain of the poor people and what they create out of it – the culture that the poorest people of this country have created. From that came blues, jazz, rock n roll, and, to me, coming from nothing and creating something is everything to me.”
You can hear how that is – how true that still is – from the beginning to the end of Songs Of Armor And Devotion. It’s a punk record, but it’s also much more than that. It’s a political record that addresses the state we’re in, but at its core is a heart and humanity –and a belief in that humanity – that overrides everything else. It’s pain and sadness and hope and rebellion all wrapped into one powerful statement that also serves as a culmination of the band’s three decades together. And while the record sees Strung Out still writing at the height of their abilities, at the same time, when Cruz reflects back on these songs, he thinks they represent something monumental for the band, even if he’s not entirely sure what that actually is.
“I find that it’s time for a new adventure,” he says. “I feel like I’ve given what I needed to give to Strung Out. I feel like we did what we needed to do and it’s time to move on. I’ve grown. I’m not angry like I used to be – I feel like this was the end of something, and now it’s time for a new life. I look back on the record and I think ‘Done.’ For me personally, it’s a new beginning. We still have a lot left and as long as we listen to each other and we care about what each other has to say, I don’t see an end for Strung Out. I just don’t want to repeat things that I’ve done. I can’t write like that anymore.”
Agnostic Front-
A Godfather figure is understood to be a purveyor of genre; a pioneer in a particular realm of creation. Perhaps more importantly, and after over 3 decades molding the Hardcore realm, AGNOSTIC FRONT have protected and nurtured Hardcore music in such a way that it still exists healthily & in its proper form, today. As a band that has cultivated their reputation with honesty, and that prioritizes affirming their social messages to the world, GET LOUD! is well suited as the title for their 12th, full length studio album. Although the sociopolitical climate has transformed considerably since the release of the United Blood EP in 1983, the basic concepts of political corruption and social unrest have only been enhanced, and with them the fuel on AGNOSTIC FRONT’s fire. “We’ve always had a voice; had a lot to say. We’re always screaming for a change” says frontman Roger Miret. “Speak up, get loud, say what you have to say. Be the change you want to see in the world. You can’t change the whole thing, but you can make little differences that will matter, eventually.”
For such a memorable album, the reappearance of Cause For Alarm artist Sean Taggart was vital in order to deliver a piece of art that perfectly combined the old school with the current state of the world. Bringing the CFA characters back to life in a new age, the artwork will be familiar to AGNOSTIC FRONT fans the world over, but still maintains a modern freshness. When CFA was initially released in 1986 it was a distinguished and prosperous time for the world of Hardcore, and it is that time, and that vibe, that this album aspires to reassert.
GET LOUD! is compiled of 14 tracks that are nothing short of classic, home grown, NewYork Hardcore, but still includes some thrashy and punky variety. The title track carries a common message for the entire album. It’s a moody and riveting version of “speak up, aren’t you sick of the same day to day routine? It’s time to make that change and stop climbing up that same exact wall. That’s what GET LOUD! is all about.” says Miret. Songs like “ I Remember ” are important glimpses into the lives of the men of AGNOSTIC FRONT and thus tie in strongly with their recent release of Ian McFarland’s Documentary: THE GODFATHERS OF HARDCORE (2017). Although it was written after the release of the film, the track serves almost as a theme song for the documentary in which Miret and founding guitarist Vinnie Stigma recall their pasts and their most groundbreaking records; even first meeting one another. Songs like “Conquer And Divide” speak to the current state of where we as humans are today. “It’s like all the government has ever wanted is to divide the people, and then come in and conquer. I see it happening today; social media is a huge let down in that way. Now everyone has a voice, and I get it, but I can’t believe how quickly some people are willing to jump headfirst into something that doesn’t care about them” Miret explains. “Power of expression, power of the mind, freedom of speech, live free or die, stand up and resist, gotta fight to exist, break down the walls that divide.”
The raw and emotional journey of “THE GODFATHERS OF HARDCORE” can be
credited as having some affect on the course of this record cycle. “It was nothing like I expected, it was mind blowing because it was SO US” Miret reflects. “It was pretty incredible to have that, for my family, the future of my family. Put something out there digitally, and it’s out there forever. I’m really happy we never did anything like this, that this is it. It will hold through the tests of time. It’s not just a movie about punk, or hardcore, or metal, it’s about humanity and it’s awesome.”
An old school band in a new era can be an adjustment, but there’s something to be said for the technological advances that have enabled AGNOSTIC FRONT to write this new album, even with distances between the core members of the band. Ideas, lyrics, and riffs were tossed around amongst the guys in a digital universe, and once solid skeletons were formed, the final portion of the writing, the finessing, and the recording began in person. Produced by Miret himself, longtime friend Paul Miner of Buzz Bomb Studios then tracked, recorded, mixed, and mastered the album. GET LOUD! is now arranged, groomed, and ready to make its debut to fans the world over.
“Something real. I think that’s the secret to our longevity. People see us, and they see something that’s real and genuine, and they want to be a part of that. Who wants to be a part of something that’s fake? If you feel a connection to something and it feels real, you wanna know about it and be a part of it.”
Show 6:30pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
MICRO MANIA WRESTLING
MicroMania Tour is a high powered, explosive, athletic Pro Wrestling show with just the right touch of comedy thrown in to make for a unforgettable BIG event not necessarily BIG people!!
These micro athletes may be short in stature but are giants in the world of entertainment where they will keep you on your feet screaming from the opening bell through the Main Event!
Show 10pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
MICRO MANIA WRESTLING
MicroMania Tour is a high powered, explosive, athletic Pro Wrestling show with just the right touch of comedy thrown in to make for a unforgettable BIG event not necessarily BIG people!!
These micro athletes may be short in stature but are giants in the world of entertainment where they will keep you on your feet screaming from the opening bell through the Main Event!
Show 9pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
THE BONES OF J.R. JONES
Growing up, Jonathon Linaberry was obsessed with the radio.
“I remember sitting there at night, glued to the boombox, cassette player ready to record
whenever my favorite songs came on,” he recalls. “There was something so thrilling about it,
something romantic that I think we’ve lost now that everything’s available at our fingertips. I
wanted to find a way to get back to that place, to recapture those feelings of excitement and
anticipation and possibility.”
Linaberry does precisely that on Radio Waves, his sixth studio album as The Bones Of J.R. Jones.
Recorded in Toronto with producer Robbie Lackritz (Feist, Bahamas), the collection is moody
and hypnotic, steeped in the sonic landscape of the ’80s and ’90s as it excavates the past with
equal parts nostalgia and curiosity. The arrangements are utterly entrancing here, built on the
tension between acoustic instruments and retro synthesizers, and Linaberry’s performances are
raw and visceral, at times aching in their vulnerability. Put it all together and you’ve got a
poignant exploration of memory and longing delivered by a relentless searcher, a revelatory
work of personal reflection steeped in the endless beauty, pain, and chaos of youth.
“I’ve never really resonated with the idea of ‘the good old days,’” Linaberry reflects. “Your
understanding of the past and your relationship with it change as you get older, and I’ve always
been more interested in the evolution of those feelings than in wearing any kind of rose-
colored glasses.”
Born and raised in central New York, Linaberry got his start playing in hardcore and punk bands
before becoming enamored with the field recordings of Alan Lomax, who documented rural
American blues, folk, and gospel musicians throughout the 1930s and ’40s. Inspired by the
unvarnished honesty of those vintage performances, Linaberry launched The Bones of J.R.
Jones in 2012 and, operating as a fully independent artist, began releasing a series of critically
acclaimed albums and EPs that would land his songs in a slew of films and television shows
(including True Detective, Suits, Daredevil, Longmire, and Graceland) and lead to countless tours
across the US and Europe (including stops everywhere from Telluride Blues to Hardly Strictly
Bluegrass). Along the way, Linaberry also shared bills with the likes of The Wallflowers, G. Love,
and The Devil Makes Three, soundtracked an Amazon commercial helmed by Oscar-winning
director Taika Waititi, and earned praise from Billboard, American Songwriter, Under the Radar,
and more.
“After a dozen years of touring and recording, I found myself getting burnt out by the constant
barrage of new music that’s out there,” Linaberry reflects. “In some ways, it’s great to have that
kind of access, but it can also be numbing, and I found myself missing what it felt like to have an
album change your life, to listen to your cassette of Born In The USA so many times you have to
wind the tape back up with a pencil.”
Linaberry set out to tap back into that magic on Radio Waves, writing songs steeped in the
sounds and stories of his own coming of age. He tuned out the modern world in favor of stark,
lo-fi demos built around fingerpicked guitars and old school electronics, and when it came time
to record the album, he leaned into working with an outside producer for the first time,
traveling to Canada for two ten-day sessions at Lackritz’s studio.
“A lot of these songs started on a drum machine, which was very intentional,” Linaberry
explains. “I wanted to focus on simplicity, on stripping tracks back to their most essential
elements so that the melody and the vocals could shine.”
The result is an almost primal sound, familiar yet uneasy, like a memory hanging perpetually
just out of reach.
“These songs live in the night—the endless kind, where you get in your car just to drive and
listen to music, to feel like you’re going somewhere even if you’re not,” Linaberry says. “It’s the
sound of a kitchen heavy with the leftover heat of an August day and a table crowded with
drinks, of arguments and first loves and first heartbreaks, of not living up to your potential, of
breaking promises, of being human.”
Take a listen to album opener “Car Crash” and you’ll understand exactly what he means. Tender
and hazy, the track offers up a bittersweet embrace of life’s imperfections, finding meaning and
connection in our shared flaws and shortcomings. “I want your whole heart,” Linaberry
professes, “even the broken parts.” Like much of the record, it’s insistent yet understated, as
much a celebration as it is a confession. The sensuous “Savages” revels in the reckless abandon
of young adulthood, while the spare “Heart Attack” stares disappointment directly in the face,
and the piercing “Shameless” works its way through a lifetime of what ifs.
“Our lives are an endless series of revolving doors,” Linaberry reflects. “Even the smallest
decisions can change our entire trajectory. What kind of arrogant fool doesn’t look back and
wonder?”
That sense of lostness, of uncertainty as to who we are and where we belong turns up
throughout the record. The blistering “Drive” devours itself from the inside out in the tedious
solitude of the road; “The Devil” grapples with identity, intimacy, and dependence; and the
breezy “Catching You” wonders what we were ever trying to prove with all the debaucherous
nights and bad decisions of youth.
“I think so many of us live in the past because it’s easier to face than the future,” Linaberry
explains. “But I’m not interested in going back. I’m interested in understanding the feelings and
experiences that made us who we are: the passion and the hunger, the faults and the failures,
the hopes and the fears.
Truth be told, those feelings never really go away. They’re all still out there, floating in the
ether, drifting through eternity on an endless sea of radio waves. All you have to do is tune in.
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
LOTUS JUICE
with Special Guest RAJ RAMAYYA
Lotus Juice-
One of the pioneers in rap for official Japanese anime and game music, Lotus Juice's ingredients are from 90's Hip Hop, J-Pop, Dub, Rock, Comedy, Love and many more. He is well known for his works with Shoji Meguro from ATLUS Japan, ripping the mic on the track "Mass Destruction" on the game Persona 3. He has been traveling around the world from Argentina, Mexico, to USA performing at anime and game conventions in front of his international fans. His unique flow has caught attention from Taque Iwasaki, and their collaboration has gained substantial recognition.
Beyond Persona, Lotus Juice has contributed his signature rap vocals to a wide range of anime series, including JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Soul Eater, Bungo Stray Dogs, Black Butler, Noragami, and The Irregular at Magic High School. His work in gaming spans titles like Persona Q, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, and Persona 2: Innocent Sin.
Raj Ramayya -
Raj Ramayya is an award-winning singer, songwriter, andproducer who is most renowned for his musical contributions to iconic anime such as Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell: Standalone Complex, Wolf’s Rain, Made in Abyss, and Tower of God. His work is also beloved for its inclusion in video games like Resident Evil: Dead Aim, Shenmue 2, and Muse Dash.
Ramayya has collaborated with a plethora of esteemed artists, including Yoko Kanno, Kevin Penkin, Tastuya Oe, and Ryuichi Sakamoto. His music has also achieved critical acclaim, winning Best Soundtrack in the 2022 Crunchyroll Anime Awards and being nominated for a Canadian Screen Award in 2024.
Raj Ramayya’s additional discography includes over 26 albums, many of which have placed in the Billboard top 20 and charted at #1 on the iTunes charts. These songs have made appearances in NHK, MTV, CBS, NBC, History Channel, and Discovery Channel series and films. His singing can be heard in projects from a diverse variety of companies, ranging from Sega to Disney to Sony. He is known as the voice behind memorable commercials for Windows, Toyota, Coca-Cola, and many more products. He frequently performs concerts at anime and game conventions worldwide.
Learn more about Raj Ramayya at https://www.rajramayya.com.
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
Y&T
Before Mötley Crüe, before RATT, even before there was a Metallica, Y&T was slogging away in sweaty rock clubs around America. When the band formed in the early 1970s, little did they know they would set the standard for hard rock bands that trailed. Many of the biggest acts of the ’80s became popular opening for headliners Y&T—and cut their teeth on the band, as evidenced by the Y&T mentions in tell-all books by acts such as Metallica and Mötley Crüe.
Born in Oakland, California, Y&T is one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s own innovators of the hard rock sound. Whether performing to a festival crowd of fifty-thousand or in an intimate nightclub, Y&T’s high-energy set and passionate performances still captivate legions of fans around the globe, proving Y&T’s music timeless.
Originally formed as Yesterday and Today, the initial powerhouse quartet—featuring Dave Meniketti (lead guitar/lead vocals), Phil Kennemore (bass), Leonard Haze (drums), and Joey Alves (rhythm guitar)—tore through the ’70s and ’80s with their own brand of hard rock. After two ’70s albums on London Records, they shortened their name to Y&T and released eight albums on A&M in the ’80s. Two more albums with Geffen Records marked an era of change with Jimmy DeGrasso (Alice Cooper, Suicidal Tendencies, Megadeth) on drums and Stef Burns (Alice Cooper, Berlin, Huey Lewis) on guitar.
With a discography of 18 albums, three greatest hits collections, plus a boxed set, Y&T has sold over four million albums since their 1974 inception. The band’s most recent single I’m Coming Home has climbed to roughly 1.5 million views on YouTube. Y&T received extensive airplay with hits such as Forever, Rescue Me, Mean Streak, Don’t Stop Runnin’, and Summertime Girls—which played in heavy rotation on MTV. Y&T songs have been featured in a multitude of movies and television shows, including Real Genius, Out of Bounds, Baywatch, and Hunter. After five top 100 albums, songs that tipped into the 40s, two Bammie Awards, and many international television appearances, Y&T’s hits are still played on VH1 Classic and classic rock radio stations worldwide.
With the passing of Kennemore, Haze, and Alves, it’s Meniketti who carries on the legacy that is Y&T. Y&T continues to tour the world, featuring the dynamic original frontman Dave Meniketti (lead guitar/lead vocals), John Nymann (guitar/vocals), Aaron Leigh (bass/vocals), and Mike Vanderhule (drums/vocals), playing songs that span the band’s five-decade career and including all the hits and fan favorites. Prepare to have your face melted.
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
THE EXPENDABLES
The Expendables have proven anything but in their nearly 25-year career since starting out as a spirited party band in high school performing surf-rock covers for birthdays and family gatherings. A quarter-century later, elementary school buddies Raul Bianchi, Adam Peterson and Geoff Weers, along with bassist Ryan DeMars, who joined in 2000, have forged a unique sound born in the laid-back beach life in their hometown of Santa Cruz, CA. The Expendables’ infectious hybrid of ska, surf-rock, punk, reggae and metal can be heard in their latest streaming track, “Surfman Cometh,” a spaghetti-western meets “Pipeline” twang that could easily form the soundtrack to the latest Quentin Tarantino film. The song is the first release from the group’s new and improved Band Room, their longtime rehearsal space in a 1,100 square foot warehouse and former wine cellar on Coral Street, where Adam Patterson took charge of the final mix to great effect. The band’s previous studio album of original material, 2015’s Sand in the Sky, was followed by The Expendables’ second release featuring acoustic reworkings of past material, Gone Raw, 2019’s follow-up to 2012’s Gone Soft. The Expendables continue woodshedding until they can get back out on the road. Their 2017 Moment EP, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Reggae chart, showed the band starting to move into different musical directions, a set featuring collaborations with reggae crooner HIRIE, rapper Tech N9ne, Eric Rachmany, and Micah Peuschel
Show 9pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
THE CALIFORNIA HONEYDROPS
“The California Honeydrops...evoke the greasy rumble of Booker T and channel the spiritual ecstasy of Sly and the Family Stone.” -Rolling Stone
Formed in the subway systems of Oakland, retro-soul outfit The California Honeydrops are an electrifying group that defy convention at every turn. They’ve become a mainstay at festivals including Byron Bay Bluesfest (Australia), Outside Lands, Monterey Jazz, Lightning In A Bottle, and touring with B.B. King, Dr. John, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, and Allen Toussaint. Led by the enigmatic and energetic frontman, Lech Wierzynski, and percussionist Benjamin Malament, each member of the band is a virtuoso in their own rite — Yanos “Johnny Bones” Lustig on saxophone, Lorenzo Loera on keyboards/guitar, Beaumont Beaullieu on drums, Miles Blackwell on bass, and regularly accompanied by Oliver Tuttle on trombone, Leon Cotter on saxophone/clarinet, and Miles Lyons on trombone/sousaphone — navigating through a vast repertoire of original songs and timeless classics every night. But what truly sets them apart is their unwavering commitment to the art of improvisation - a skill so finely honed that they have completely abandoned the use of set lists and no two shows are ever the same. Off stage, their music has been streamed more than 200 million times, and placed in a variety of TV and films, including “Dead To Me,” “Alaska Daily,” “Black-ish” and more. They are currently touring North America in support of their new album, ‘Keep On Diggin’.
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
THE FRIGHTS
with LIILY and BUDDHA TRIXIE
The Frights - A couple of months after graduating from high school, Mikey Carnevale (vocals/guitar) and Richard Dotson (bass) got together as The Frights to play a one off 30 minute set as sort of a joke. The feeling they got from the crowd in their hometown of San Diego inspired them to become a "real" band almost in spite of themselves. Along the way, they recruited Marc Finn (drums) and released You Are Going To Hate This (produced by Zac Carper of FIDLAR) in February 2016. Jordan Clark (guitar) added to the band's musical prowess in the ensuing year of touring around North America. The Frights signed to Epitaph in early 2018 and got to work on Hypochondriac. Like You Are Going To Hate This, the band’s third full-length was produced by Zac Carper of FIDLAR (who’s also produced albums for SWMRS and Dune Rats). But for Hypochondriac, Carnevale took a more deliberate and exacting approach to his songwriting, resulting in The Frights’ most nuanced work to date. After a sold out show at The Observatory North Park in their hometown of San Diego the same date as the release of the album, the band embarked on the Hypochondriac headline tour that is documented on their upcoming live album.
Liily - Liily has spent the past few years garnering a dedicated cult following due to some of the most manic and exciting shows on the west coast. The band, consisting of Dylan Nash (vocals), Charlie Anastasis (Bass), Sam De La Torre (Guitar), and Maxx Morando (Drums), are responsible for some of the most rousing music coming from LA right now. The band hailing from the city’s vast DIY music scene is looking to sustain that sense of agency over all of which they create, their community and sound is grounded in the punk of the San Fernando valley as well as the post punk/alternative scene happening from LA to New York. This was the catalyst to record the entire new Self Titled EP in Maxx’s airstream trailer in the valley, alongside producers and friends Austin Corona, Wyatt Brenard, and Carlos De La Garza. Since the bands inception they have put out an EP I Can Fool Anybody In This Town and their full length LP Tv or Not Tv both under indie label Flush Records. These releases, though vastly different in sound, have helped shaped the path for their Self Titled EP to exist. It’s by far the most well rounded project they’ve ever made and want it to speak for itself.
Buddha Trixie - (San Diego, CA) Products of Park Village Elementary School, guitarist Andrew Harris, singer/drummer Daniel Cole, and bassist Dennis Moon grew up side by side, witnessing all of each other's awkward years. They harnessed that unbreakable bond into a sick cover of "Gravity" by John Mayer that every parent at their middle school graduation fucked with hard. A bunch of years later, and Kenzo Mann joins the fold, bringing hot synths and hot guitar. They stop playing "Gravity" and write their own songs. Their old fanbase of parents say they've changed. It's okay. The kids love the new songs about whatever Daniel's deal is. Every song they record soon becomes a #1 single. They exclusively tour the planet Earth, citing the crowds on Mars being "wack". Although now drowned in money and fame, the four haven't forgotten their roots -- they humbly sleep in the same bed like the grandparents from Charlie & The Chocolate Factory.