Find a roundup of live music events in Santa Cruz County below, and explore even more local happenings by checking out Lookout’s public calendar, BOLO.
Tonight, the darkwave trio Urban Heat returns to Santa Cruz on the eve of releasing a new album, as covered here by Lookout contributor, Mat Weir. Later this week, venues like Bargetto Winery and our trivia partner, Abbott Square Market, are hosting concerts under the stars as we savor the final days of summer.
Then, the prestigious Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music makes its highly anticipated return to the Civic Auditorium, upholding its tradition as America’s longest-running festival dedicated to new orchestral music.
Wednesday, July 31
- Urban Heat | 8 p.m. @ Moe’s Alley
Thursday, August 1
- Alex Lucero LIVE at Thursday Night Music! | 6 p.m. @ Bargetto Winery
- John Jr Robinson | 7 p.m. @ Kuumbwa Jazz
- KR3TURE in Santa Cruz with DRMWVR, Agua Mayyim | 8 p.m. @ Felton Music Hall
Friday, August 2
- Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music: Parade | 8 p.m. @ Civic Auditorium
- Thomas Nicholas Band | 8 p.m. @ The Catalyst
- Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra | 9 p.m. @ Moe’s Alley
- Jerry’s Middle Finger: Celebrate The Days Between with JMF (Night 1) | 9 p.m. @ Felton Music Hall
Saturday, August 3
- Rod Stinson | 7 p.m. @ Abbott Square Market
- Rio and the Soup, Perch, Birote the Musical, Greaseball, Eldritch | 7 p.m. @ The Catalyst
- Minori Muzic: Rize Tour 2024 | 7 p.m. @ Moe’s Alley
- Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music: Unbound | 7 p.m. @ Civic Auditorium
Sunday, August 4
- Poetry & Music in the Park | 1 p.m. @ Brommer Street County Park
- Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music: In Concert with Philippe Quint | 7 p.m. @ Civic Auditorium
- Pokey LaFarge | 7 p.m. @ Moe’s Alley
- Milk For The Angry | 7 p.m. @ The Catalyst
