Del Mar has offered just about one of every kind of musical experience available over the past 21 summers of its highly popular concert series. Summer #22 this year follows that theme with a special emphasis on the fan favorite reggae beats that have lifted and lilted the free shows virtually since their beginnings.
Del Mar’s Summer Concert Series will present 11 concerts over the course of the track’s eight-week season, starting with the award-winning Americana rock band The Wallflowers on Friday, July 17 and peaking with the return of the alt rock heavyweights Weezer, who’ll be making their fifth Del Mar appearance on Sunday, September 6.
Along the way, racing/musical fans will be able to enjoy the return of five of their choice performers from the past and six brand new acts to the series that kicks into gear shortly after the last race on all concert evenings.
Four of the groups will bring reggae front and center, three of them in return performances. Back for a third appearance locally are reggae veterans The Wailers (Friday, July 24), while returning for a sixth show are the roots reggae group Steel Pulse (Friday, August 14). Headlining a special Saturday (August 1) Reggae Fest will be one of the most popular acts to ever perform at Del Mar, Ziggy Marley, the gifted son of reggae legend Bob Marley. This will be Ziggy Marley’s 10th Del Mar concert. Finally, the fusion rockers Pepper will make their Del Mar debut on Friday, August 21.
A pair of electro-house acts will take the stage during the summer, both making their local debuts. On Friday, July 31 electronica specialists The Crystal Method will appear, followed on Friday, August 7 by the transient rhythmic sounds of Thievery Corporation.
Last year Del Mar presented a first when world-renown DJ Steve Aoki brought his cake-throwing and champagne-spraying act to the Seaside Stage, which proved to be a huge hit. Another world-class DJ will follow up this season on Friday, September 4 with the arrival of the decorated Paul Oakenfold, a pioneer of the genre who has been spinning his sounds internationally for decades.
The final two shows on the schedule underline the track’s willingness to stick-with-a-winner while also trying something new. Returning on Saturday, July 25 for their third local outing are the SoCal punk legends The Offspring, considered by most to be the best-selling punk rock band of all time. Then on Friday, August 28, showman deluxe “Weird Al” Yankovic, termed a singer/songwriter/parodist/satirist/actor/author among other things, will bring his fully zany production on site for the first time. While all concerts in the series are limited to 18 and up, the “Weird Al” show will be a family exception and available to all ages.
The Friday concerts are presented by Harrah’s Resort SoCal. Del Mar’s Summer Concert Series is presented by Harrah’s Resort SoCal, Coors Light, Heineken and Toyota. For concert basics visit http://www.delmarscene.com/concert-info.
Racing at Del Mar begins on Thursday, July 16 and continues until Labor Day Monday, September 7. The sport is conducted Wednesday through Sunday throughout the summer with first post at 2 p.m. on all days but Fridays when it shifts to 4 p.m.
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