Music

Man holding red electric guitar wearing black beret smiling with eyes closed

Playing Live

March 31, 2026

Legendary folk-rock guitarist Richard Thompson brings decades of masterful songwriting and virtuosic playing to the stage, delivering an unforgettable live performance rooted in British folk and rock tradition. At The Rio, Sunday April 5.

Two of a Kind

From Santa Cruz stages to distant coasts, two musical brothers return home for a rare reunion performance at the Ugly Mug.

Bach to the Future

From Baroque brilliance to modern vocal innovation, Ensemble Monterey delivers a concert that pushes classical music into new territory. At Holy Cross Church, May 23, 8pm, May 24, 4pm.

Wolf Jett returns

Santa Cruz’s own Wolf Jett return to Felton Music Hall with a powerful new album—and a sound built for connection and redemption.

Krewe’s World Music Returns

Toubab Krewe connects with lovers of “world” music and with aficionados of the jam band scene. Performing at Moe’s Alley tonight, Friday March 20, 9pm

Master Blaster

Dave Alvin returns with The Third Mind, a fearless psychedelic jam band channeling the spirit of the ’60s into something wild, loose and completely unpredictable. Thursday at Moe’s Alley, 8pm.

The Voice

A community gathers to celebrate the life, voice and spirit of beloved Santa Cruz singer Tammi Brown at a special tribute concert on March 22, 2026

Born Under a Good Sign — Living Out of the Box

Virtuoso guitarist Charlie Hunter and vocalist Lo Steele bring groove, soul and fearless musical storytelling to Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz on March 16.

Thank You, Sly Stone

Legendary multi-instrumentalist Vicki Randle joins an all-star band celebrating the music of Sly and the Family Stone at Moe’s Alley, bringing decades of musical history—and hard-earned wisdom—to the stage.

Take One for the Violent Femmes

On Tuesday, March 3 Santa Cruz was graced by 1980’s punk rock royalty when seminal folk punks, the Violent Femmes played the Santa Cruz...

Opera: the Final Frontier

UC Santa Cruz musicians and performers bring science fiction to the opera stage with The Trial of Spock, a new work inspired by Star Trek mythology and the classic episode “The Menagerie.”