Groove: April concert calendar

Top performers coming to San Diego this month include Chance the Rapper, Alina Baraz, Kings of Leon, HIRIE and The 1975.

4.1: Squirrel Nut Zippers

Bandleader Jimbo Mathus and drummer Chris Phillips reformed the swing revivalists last year to coincide with the 20th anniversary of their 1996 smash LP, “Hot.” Things went well and they’re back for more.

@ Music Box, musicboxsd.com

4.1: DJ Quik

The rapper and producer hasn’t released a solo album since 2014’s “The Midnight Life,” but the West Coast hip-hop legend did collaborate with fellow Compton rapper Problem on last year’s “Rosecrans” EP.

@ Observatory North Park, observatorysd.com

4.2: Passenger

Smash single “Let Her Go,” from the English singer’s 2012 fourth record “All the Little Lights,” has more than 1.3 billion views on YouTube. His latest album, “Young As The Morning Old As The Sea,” came out in September.

@ House of Blues, houseofblues.com/sandiego

4.3: Tiffany

The ‘80s “I Think We’re Alone Now” singer has continued to write and perform while working in TV and film, even releasing her first full country record, “Rose Tattoo,” in 2011. She wrote and produced her latest album, “A Million Miles,” last year.

@ Belly Up, bellyup.com

4.4: Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters

The Academy Award-winning actor released four solo albums before hooking up with the Boxmasters in 2008. Since then, they’ve kicked out six albums together. Their latest, “Boys and Girls... And the World,” was released in 2016.

@ Belly Up, bellyup.com

4.6: Alina Baraz

The young singer is opening for Coldplay this fall and counts Sam Smith as a fan. And if that isn’t enough, her latest single, “Electric (feat. Khalid),” is nearing 10 million streams.

@ Observatory North Park, observatorysd.com

4.6: Jeezy

Atlanta rapper Jay Wayne Jenkins (aka Jeezy) released his seventh studio album, “Trap or Die 3,” in October. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The widely announced follow-up, “Snow Season,” has been pushed back to later in 2017.

@ House of Blues, houseofblues.com/sandiego

4.7: HIRIE

The local band’s latest, “Wandering Soul,” hit the top spot on Billboard’s Reggae Albums chart and also got them nominated for a pair of San Diego Music Awards.

@ Belly Up, bellyup.com

4.7: The Damned

Brit punk legends take a victory lap to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their classic debut, “Damned Damned Damned.” L.A. pop-punk sister act Bleached opens the show.

@ House of Blues, houseofblues.com/sandiego

4.8: Green Day

Grammy Award-winning rock trio and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees hit the road on their Revolution Radio North American Tour. Led by Laura Jane Grace, Florida rockers Against Me! open the show.

@ Valley View Casino Center, valleyviewcasinocenter.com

4.8: Don Carlos

Originally the singer of Black Uhuru, the vocalist and composer has gone on to release more than a dozen solo albums. The Jamaican legend stops in San Diego as part of his 2017 Peace and Love Africa Tour.

@ Belly Up, bellyup.com

4.9: The Head and the Heart

The Seattle band released their third album, “Signs of Light,” in September. They also honored Tom Petty recently with a performance at the Musicares Person of the Year gala.

@ SOMA, somasandiego.com

4.9: Desiigner

The 19-year-old Brooklyn rapper hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with his single “Panda.” His highly anticipated debut album, “The Life of Desiigner,” is rumored to be coming soon.

@ Observatory North Park, observatorysd.com

4.10: of Montreal

Songwriter and front man Kevin Barnes is still going strong with his Athens, Ga., psych-rock outfit. He released their 14th studio album, “Innocence Reaches,” last August. He followed it with the surprise release of an EP, “Rune Husk,” earlier this year.

@ Music Box, musicboxsd.com

4.10: Kristin Kontrol

Former San Diego-based singer Kristin Welchez (aka Dee Dee of the Dum Dum Girls) returns to her onetime home to promote her debut solo album, “X-Communicate.”

@ The Hideout, casbahmusic.com/venues/hideout/

4.11: Subhumans

The hardcore Brit punks (not to be confused with the Canadian punk rock band of the same name) have gone through multiple hiatuses and haven’t released an album since 2007. But vocalist Dick Lucas (also of Citizen Fish) continues to lead the almost all-original lineup through multiple tours.

@ Observatory North Park, observatorysd.com

4.11: 21 Savage

The Atlanta-based rapper made his name with mixtapes, but released an official EP, “Savage Mode,” with St. Louis beatmaker Metro Boomin last year. He recently signed to Epic Records, so expect a proper full-length in the near future.

@ House of Blues, houseofblues.com/sandiego

4.11: A Perfect Circle

Maynard James Keenan’s (Tool, Puscifer) super group hasn’t released an album since 2004’s “Emotive,” but new music is said to be on the way. The band still includes original lead guitarist Billy Howerdel, as well as Smashing Pumpkins co-founder James Iha.

@ Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre, as.sdsu.edu/calcoast

4.12: Father John

Fresh from an appearance on “Saturday Night Live” in March, the former Fleet Foxes drummer released his third album as Father John Misty, “Pure Comedy,” this month. He also produced an accompanying 25-minute short film about the process of recording the album.

Misty @ Humphrey’s, humphreysconcerts.com

4.13: Banks

The former CRSSD headliner returns to San Diego in support of her second studio album, “The Altar,” released in September. It was produced in conjunction with Brit singer/producer SOHN.

@ Humphrey’s, humphreysconcerts.com

4.16: Little Dragon

The Swedish electro-pop quartet hasn’t released an album since 2014’s “Nabuma Rubberband,” but they just dropped a new single, “High,” in February. They hit San Diego between weekend appearances at Coachella.

@ Observatory North Park, observatorysd.com

4.17: Toots & The Maytals

The reggae legends return once again to San Diego with indomitable bandleader Frederick “Toots” Hibbert leading the charge. He still brings it like he just turned 34 instead of 74, but it’s probably smart to see these innovators while you still have the chance.

@ Belly Up, bellyup.com

4.17: Local Natives

The L.A.-based quintet released their third full-length, “Sunlit Youth,” last September. It was recorded in Thailand, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Hawaii, and California.

@ Observatory North Park, observatorysd.com

4.17: Tech N9NE

Kansas City rapper Aaron Dontez Yates (aka Tech N9ne) returns to San Diego in support of his 17th studio album, “The Storm,” released in December. It features collaborations with everyone from Logic and Gary Clark Jr. to Bizzy Bone and Boyz II Men.

@ House of Blues, houseofblues.com/sandiego

4.18: Coheed and Cambria

New York prog rockers broke with their tradition of concept albums and released “The Color Before the Sun” last year. It was their first album not connected to The Amory Wars storyline.

@ Observatory North Park, observatorysd.com

4.18: Snoop Dogg

The Doggfather returns once again to San Diego - this time with fellow weed enthusiasts Method Man, Redman, and Cypress Hill in tow.

@ Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre, as.sdsu.edu/calcoast

4.19: Mitski

The 26-year-old singer/songwriter released her critically acclaimed fourth studio album, “Puberty 2,” last year. She hits San Diego in between appearances at Coachella.

@ The Irenic, theirenic.com

4.20: Lil’ Wayne

Weezy hits San Diego as part of the 2017 Kloser 2U Tour, one of three separate tours the rapper has planned for the year. He’s also set on releasing four separate projects, including the highly anticipated “Tha Carter V.”

@ Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre, as.sdsu.edu/calcoast

4.20: Reverend Horton Heat

Founder and namesake Jim Heath (along with longtime members Jimbo Wallace and Scott Churilla) continues to lead this long-running psychobilly trio. Their last release was 2014’s “REV.”

@ Belly Up, bellyup.com

4.20: Lila Downs

The Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and actress continues to tour in support of her 2015 release, “Balas y Chocolate.” It features appearances from Juan Gabriel and Juanes.

@ Humphrey’s, humphreysconcerts.com

4.20: Califone

Los Angeles-by-way-of-Chicago bandleader Tim Rutili brings the long-running Califone back to San Diego. The band is touring on the release of their “Insect Courage” EP from last year, as well as celebrating two decades of making music.

@ The Hideout, casbahmusic.com/venues/hideout/

4.20: Twin Peaks + Hinds

A double dose of awesomeness as Chicago’s Twin Peaks joins forces with Spain’s all-girl rockers Hinds. Both bands released albums in 2016.

@ The Irenic, sodabarmusic.com

4.20: Lee Fields & The Expressions

Last here in November, the man who loves the soul and funk of James Brown so much they call him “Little JB” brings his high-energy show back to San Diego for another round.

@ Music Box, musicboxsd.com

4.22: Pixies

Frank Black and the gang return to San Diego after the pioneering indie rock outfit released their sixth studio album, “Head Carrier,” last year.

@ Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre, as.sdsu.edu/calcoast

4.23-24: Clint Black

Although he was just here in October, the award-winning country superstar returns once again to support his latest studio album, “On Purpose,” released in 2015.

@ Sycuan, sycuan.com

4.24: Vieux Farka Touré

The son of Malian Grammy-winner Ali Farka Touré, Vieux has continued his father’s musical legacy with a solid catalog of his own. His latest, this month’s “Samba,” features all new songs recorded live in front of an audience.

@ Casbah, casbahmusic.com

4.24: Chance the Rapper

Despite the Chicago-based rapper releasing his albums for free, his latest, 2016’s “Coloring Book,” just took home the Grammy for Best Rap Album. This show is sold out.

@ Valley View Casino Center, valleyviewcasinocenter.com

4.25: Jamey Johnson

The Grammy-nominated country singer from Alabama was last here in October and has been working on his seventh studio album for a while now.

@ Observatory North Park, observatorysd.com

4.25: The 1975

Another act that hit SD in October but just can’t stay away, the Brit rock quartet released their sophomore LP, “I like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It,” a year ago.

@ Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre, as.sdsu.edu/calcoast

4.26: Willie Nelson & Family

The 12x Grammy Award winner, 9x CMA Award winner, and Kennedy Center Honoree returns once again to San Diego.

@ Humphrey’s, humphreysconcerts.com

4.28: Sallie Ford

The Portland singer and songwriter no longer performs with her band The Sound Outside, and she just released her second album without them, “Soul Sick,” last month.

@ Casbah, casbahmusic.com

4.28: Kings of Leon

The Nashville-based family affair keeps rolling with their seventh album, “WALLS,” released in October.

@ Mattress Firm Amphitheater, live nation.com

4.30: The Wedding Present

David Gedge is the only remaining original member of the veteran Brit indie rockers, but the singer and musician continues to add to their legacy with the release of their ninth album, “Going, Going...” last year.

@ Casbah, casbahmusic.com