Groove: June concert calendar

May 24, 2018 11 AM PT

Top performers coming to San Diego this month include Kesha and Macklemore, Janelle Monáe, Kenny Chesney and Dua Lipa.

6.1: Lord Huron

The L.A.-based indie folk quartet, who is playing the second of back-to-back nights downtown, released their third studio album, Vide Noir, in April.

@ House of Blues, houseofblues.com/sandiego

6.2: Ray Lamontagne

The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter hits San Diego in support of his May-released seventh studio album, Part of the Light. Special guest Neko Case just released a seventh solo studio album of her own, Hell-On, after taking a break to record and tour with k.d. lang and Laura Veirs.

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

Ray Lamontagne. (Patrick T. Fallon/ For the Los Angeles Times)

6.2: Dr. Dog

On their first tour in two years, the Philadelphia-based rock quintet hits the road to support their April-released 10th album, Critical Equation. It’s the band’s first release with Thirty Tigers after a five-album run with ANTI- Records.

@ Observatory North Park, observatorysd.com

6.2: Curtis Harding

The Atlanta-based soul singer and Black Lips collaborator released his sophomore album, Face Your Fear, last October. Produced with Danger Mouse and Sam Cohen, the album cracked the top 25 of Billboard’s U.S. Heatseekers chart.

@ Casbah, casbahmusic.com

6.3: Calexico

Arizona’s finest musical export shows no signs of slowing down as Joey Burns and John Convertino continue to lead the Tejano/Americana collective in its 22nd year. The Thread That Keeps Us, the band’s 10th studio album, was released in January.

@ Belly Up, bellyup.com

6.5: Rodrigo Amarante

The Brazilian singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist hasn’t gotten around to following up his 2014 solo debut, Calvalo, because he’s been too busy scoring for film and television. Amarante wrote and performed Tuyo, the theme for the Netflix series Narcos, and composed the original motion picture soundtrack for recent political thriller, 7 Days in Entebbe.

@ Soda Bar, sodabarmusic.com

Rodrigo Amarante. (Photo credit DAVID MCNEW/AFP/Getty Images)

6.5: Iceage

Danish post-rockers continue to push even further on their May-released new album, Beyondless, with the inclusion of brass, strings and a duet with Sky Ferreira.

@ Casbah, casbahmusic.com

6.6: The Yardbirds

The iconic British blues-rock act that boasts Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck as former members was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. Original drummer Jim McCarty leads the band today.

@ Belly Up, bellyup.com

6.7: Michael Franti & Spearhead

The tall, barefoot troubadour and KAABOO veteran returns to San Diego on his Stay Human Summer Tour. Sticking with the theme, Franti will release a self-directed Stay Human documentary and the upcoming Stay Human 2 album later this year.

@ Humphreys, humphreysconcerts.com

6.9: Aterciopelados

The iconic Colombian electro-folk duo released their latest single, Play, in April. It features guest vocals from French-Chilean MC/singer Ana Tijoux.

@ Music Box, musicboxsd.com

6.9: The Sword

The Austin, Texas, stoner metal quartet released their sixth studio album, Used Future, in March. It was produced by Nashville-based studio guru Tucker Martine (R.E.M., Spoon, The Avett Brothers, Modest Mouse).

@ Belly Up, bellyup.com

6.12: The Adventures of Kesha and Macklemore

It’s a co-headlining tour for pop singer Kesha and rapper Macklemore. Kesha released her third studio album, Rainbow, last summer, while Macklemore dropped his second solo studio album, Gemini, a month later. The pair is donating a portion of all ticket sales to charity and will likely share the stage each night on their recent collaborative track, Good Old Days. Click here to win tickets to The Adventures of Kesha and Macklemore.

@ Mattress Firm Amphitheatre, livenation.com

6.13: Flatbush Zombies

The Brooklyn-based rap trio broke through with their 2016 debut, 3001: A Laced Odyssey. They followed it up in April with their highly anticipated sophomore effort, Vacation in Hell. The album features appearances from Joey Bada$$, Jadakiss, Portugal. The Man, Bun B and more.

@ SOMA, somasandiego.com

6.17: Chris Thile

The Oceanside-born, multiple-Grammy-winning mandolinist, singer, composer and radio host has played with both Nickel Creek and Punch Brothers. He returns to North County in support of his December-released seventh solo album, Thanks for Listening.

@ California Center for the Arts, Escondido, artcenter.org

6.19: The Get Up Kids

The veteran emo-punks from Missouri take things full circle as they return to the Casbah for this long sold-out show.

@ Casbah, casbahmusic.com

6.19: Stars

The Canadian indie pop sextet released their new single, Ship to Shore, in March, and re-issued their sophomore album, Heart, on limited edition vinyl in May.

@ Belly Up, bellyup.com

6.20 Janelle Monáe

After starring in the Oscar-nominated film Hidden Figures and three-time Oscar-winner (including Best Picture) Moonlight, Monáe made a return to music with the April release of her third studio album, Dirty Computer. The 14-track collection debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and features collaborations with Pharrell Williams, Brian Wilson, Grimes and more.

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

Janelle Monáe. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Entertainment Weekly)

6.20: Steve Poltz

Part of the Aquarium’s annual Green Flash concert series, San Diego’s favorite troubadour and storyteller returns to the Birch for an encore performance after playing the series last summer. And if the most gorgeous backdrop to live music in the entire county isn’t enough motivation, multiple San Diego Music Award-winner Lisa Sanders (performing as a duo with Brown Sugar) opens the show.

@ Birch Aquarium (GreenFlash Concert Series), aquarium.ucsd.edu

6.21: Kenny Chesney

Last October, the country music superstar hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 (for the eighth time!) with the release of his two-disc, 29-track live album, Live in No Shoes Nation. He’ll follow it up this July with Songs for the Saints — his 17th studio album. After many years with Columbia, it’s the first release for Chesney on Warner Music Nashville and was inspired by the 2017 loss of his home during Hurricane Irma. Click here for a chance to win tickets to Kenny Chesney!

@ Mattress Firm Amphitheatre, livenation.com

6.21: Post Malone

After breaking out with his 2016 smash debut, Stoney, Post Malone (aka Texas-based rapper, singer and songwriter Austin Post) continues his ascent with the April release of Beerbongs & Bentleys. Post’s sophomore effort debuted at the top spot on the Billboard 200, hit No. 1 in 10 other countries, and is the first album in history with over 400 million audio streams in a single week.

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

6.22: Vans Warped Tour

Goodbye, Warped! And thanks for all the shoes! The iconic punk showcase takes a farewell lap in its 24th year. Helping to close down the longest-running touring music festival in North America will be the likes of Reel Big Fish, The Used, Taking Back Sunday, Frank Turner, SUM 41, Pennywise, Bowling for Soup and more.

@ SDCCU Stadium, vanswarpedtour.com

6.22: Belle and Sebastian

After releasing three five-song EPs in consecutive months, the Scottish indie pop collective packaged them together in February’s How To Solve Our Human Problems (Parts 1 -3). It’s the band’s first release of original material since 2015’s Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance.

@ Observatory North Park, observatorysd.com

6.23: Trampled By Turtles

The Minnesota bluegrass/alt-country sextet released their eighth studio album (and first in four years), Life is Good on the Open Road, in May. Rhode Island rockers Deer Tick open the show.

@ Humphreys, humphreysconcerts.com

6.23: Bell Biv DeVoe

Billed as the Magic 92.5 Summer Jam!, the headlining trio that brought you hits like Poison and Do Me! will be joined by colleagues Tony! Toni! Toné!, Warren G, Coolio and more.

@ Valley View Casino Center, valleyviewcasinocenter.com

Bell Biv DeVoe. (Photo credit FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)

6.24: The Specials

The 2 Tone/Ska legends hit 40 years together in stride last year and are still led by founding members Lynval Golding and Horace Panter, as well as original member Terry Hall.

@ House of Blues, houseofblues.com/sandiego

6.24: Seu Jorge

After playing Pelé’s father in the 2016 biographical film Pelé: Birth of a Legend, the Brazilian singer and actor returns to music. Although recent tours have focused on Jorge’s unique interpretations of David Bowie hits, he returns with a full band that draws on his entire samba-inspired catalog.

@ Belly Up, bellyup.com

6.24: Shakey Graves

Austin, Texas-based singer/songwriter Shakey Graves (aka Alejandro Rose-Garcia) released his fifth studio album, Can’t Wake Up, in May. Inspired, in part, by The Wizard of Oz, Can’t Wake Up finds Rose-Garcia mostly forgoing his dusty Americana and skewed folk for off-kilter dream-pop.

@ Observatory North Park, observatorysd.com

Shakey Graves. (Photo by Mickey Bernal/Getty Images for Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival)

6.25: Violent Femmes

Vocalist/guitarist Gordon Gano and bassist Brian Ritchie — two of the Femmes’ original three members — keep the iconic Wisconsin indie rock act going these days. 2 Mics & the Truth: Unplugged & Unhinged in America, a 25-song collection of live cuts recorded at radio stations and special appearances, was released last year.

@ Humphreys, humphreysconcerts.com

6.27: Slum Village

T3 and Young RJ continue the legacy of this Detroit hip-hop crew that once featured J Dilla. After last releasing new material in 2016, the band dropped The Lost Scrolls, Vol. 2 in April. It features previously unreleased demos and remixes from their early years.

@ Music Box, musicboxsd.com

6.29: Dua Lipa

The English singer and model was last here in February at the House of Blues. But on the heels of her self-titled debut and singles with Sean Paul, Martin Garrix, Wale and Major Lazer last year, Lipa dropped the April single One Kiss with Calvin Harris in time for the venue upgrade.

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

6.29: The Go-Go’s

They’re baaaack. And for the first time in six years, all five original members will take the stage together. Maybe having their new musical, Head Over Heels, debut on Broadway brought the band back together.

@ Humphreys, humphreysconcerts.com