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All Seasons

Season 1

  • S01E01 The Styletones & Bushwalla

    • January 11, 2013
    • PBS

    Experience the soul funk of The Styletones on this episode of Live at the Belly Up. Influenced by the sounds of James Brown and Janis Joplin, their punky funk and swinging soul sounds will have you struttin' your stuff. Then next up, the eclectic sound and vision of Bushwalla. Billy Galewood has an extensive background in musical theatre arts and it shows with "I Raise Up" and more.

  • S01E02 The Tilt & Dead Feather Moon

    • January 18, 2013
    • PBS

    On this episode of Live at the Belly Up, The Tilt hits the stage, lead by Jesse Malley, breathing life into organic rock and blues with flawless guitar-picking and soul wrenching vocals. Then next up, Dead Feather Moon, a rock and old country band. These Vista natives combine alt-country rock with elements of blues and psychedelia for “in your face” honest music.

  • S01E03 Vokab Kompany & Brawley

    • January 25, 2013
    • PBS

    Get down with the hip hop electro sounds of Vokab Kompany on this episode of Live at the Belly Up. Their energetic world music vibe combined with each musician's diverse background creates an incredible fusion of hip hop meets mad max. Then next up, California country styles of Brawley featuring singer/songwriter Nena Anderson, drawing inspiration from honky-tonk heroes Faron Young and Ray Price.

  • S01E04 The Devastators & Grass Heat

    • February 1, 2013
    • PBS

    On this episode of Live at the Belly Up, see why The Devastators soulful mix of roots, reggae, and funk have earned them multiple awards and nominations at the San Diego Music Awards for years. Their heavy drum and bass grooves, Hammond organ, clavinet, and piano are unforgettably jam worthy. Next up, the Grass Heat, a rock trio with southern flare, inspired by old Santana and Grand Funk Railroad.

  • S01E05 B-Side Players & Maren Parusel

    • February 8, 2013
    • PBS

    On this episode of Live at the Belly Up, groove out to the international and multifaceted set list of B-Side Players, a 9-piece latin global funk band. Combining Latin inspired rock steady rhythms with Samba, Boogalo and Jarocho. Then next up, Maren Parusel, bringing a unique European Flare and electronic vibe to the San Diego rock scene.

Season 2

  • S02E01 The Drowning Men & Candye Kane

    • January 24, 2014
    • PBS

    The Drowning Men hit the stage with special guest Matt Hensley of Flogging Molly. The band formed out of childhood friendships and together they create a raw pop sound mingled with string, theremin, and accordion melodies. Then next up, the sultry, swinging blues of the late Candye Kane. Candye Kane 's songs pull from life lessons learned and celebrate the many accomplishments we all have.

  • S02E02 Stranger & Paul Cannon Band

    • January 31, 2014
    • PBS

    Featuring a blend of reggae roots, rock and jazz, the band Stranger is recognized as one of San Diego's premiere reggae and world music acts. On this episode of Live at The Belly Up, experience a soulful and multicultural set reflective of the band's home region. Then, the warm, pop sounds of Paul Cannon Band. Check out this SD native's guitar-driven melodies and catchy lyrical hooks.

  • S02E03 Stripes and Lines & Earl Thomas

    • February 7, 2014
    • PBS

    Stripes and Lines is creating some of the most vital and progressive music in the indie rock genre; drawing from influences ranging from the songcraft of David Bowie to Pink Floyd to Police. Then next up: experience a powerful jumpin' rhythm and blues show when Earl Thomas reunites with original bandmates, the Rhumboogies. Relive traditional 1950s and 60s Chicago, Texas, and West Coast blues.

  • S02E04 Steve Poltz & Trouble in the Wind

    • February 14, 2014
    • PBS

    On this episode of Live at The Belly Up, San Diego's Steve Poltz delivers a fun, eclectic set of fan favorites from his solo albums. He is considered one of the most beloved songwriters of his generation. Then next up, Trouble in the Wind, this Carlsbad quartet has been labeled as folk, americana, alternative, country, surf rock, and more.

  • S02E05 Common Sense & Sara Petite

    • February 21, 2014
    • PBS

    Common Sense has brought their sundrenched sounds to The Belly Up since '87, and tonight continue to establish themselves as one of California's premier reggae rock bands with a high energy performance, heartfelt lyrics and melodic harmonies. Then next up: San Diego's new Americana sweetheart Sara Petite. Her style has been compared to country greats like Reba McIntyre and Dolly Parton.

  • S02E06 The Heavy Guilt & The Earful

    • February 28, 2014
    • PBS

    Deeply original and known for producing new and interesting sounds, The Heavy Guilt brings a myriad of styles and genres on this episode of Live at The Belly Up: from Americana to avant garde garage, from folk blues to psychedelic indie stomp. Then from the experimental to high powered funk, The Earful hit the stage with barn burnin' base and drum rhythms and stabbing brass hits.

Season 3

  • S03E01 Donavon Frankenreiter

    • January 23, 2015
    • PBS

    Listen to the surf-soaked sounds of Donavon Frankenreiter on this episode of Live at the Belly Up. His full quiver of songs feature beachy acoustics to rippin' 70s sounding electric guitar songs. As a young surfer, he befriended Jack Johnson, and together they developed their untapped musical talents. Donavon performs "Move By Yourself", "Your Heart", and other hits.

  • S03E02 Trigger Hippy

    • January 30, 2015
    • PBS

    Jam along to Trigger Hippy, a Nashville rock band with gritty blues, heart-searing soul, sinewy grooves, sublime vocal harmonies and a rich, earthy sensibility steeped in Americana roots. Featuring Jackie Greene, Joan Osborne, Steve Gorman, Nick Govrik and Tom Bukovac. The performance includes hits "Rise Up Singing," "Cave Hill Cemetery," "Dry Country," and more.

  • S03E03 Lukas Nelson & the Promise of the Real

    • February 6, 2015
    • PBS

    On this episode of Live at the Belly Up. features Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real, a torch-bearing band of guitar barring American Rock. Based out of California and Hawaii, this band's music is a diverse collection of sounds and styles with multi-genre influences such as Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young, B.B. King and Pearl Jam. Rock out to favorites like, "Peaceful Solution", and "Living it Up".

  • S03E04 Vaud and the Villains

    • February 13, 2015
    • PBS

    Romp through 1930s New Orleans with the Vaud and the Villains on this episode of Live at the Belly Up. Their 19-piece band performance breathes new life into vintage New Orleans jazz, R&B and gospel soul music -- it's all part concert, part revival show, part Americana Noire, part Moulin Rouge. Listen in on favorites "Going Back to Louisiana", "It's a Sin", "Take My Hand", and more.

  • S03E05 The White Buffalo

    • February 20, 2015
    • PBS

    On this episode of Live at the Belly Up. experience the bone chilling voice and timeless tales of The White Buffalo. Singer/songwriter Jake Smith spins tales of relationships, loss, and love accompanied by blues, country western, folk, and punk rock.

Season 4

  • S04E01 Anderson East

    • January 13, 2017
    • PBS

    Offering up a heaping helping of alternative rock with a healthy dose of timeless Americana influence, Anderson East is a dynamic artist who fuses modern sound with the rich undertones of his southern roots.With lyrics exploring timeless and thought provoking subjects, vocals that soothe and mend the human urges to love, hate, cry and lose control.

  • S04E02 Matisyahu

    • January 20, 2017
    • PBS

    Since the release of Matisyahu's wildly popular 2005 release "King Without A Crown," the reggae/hip-hop phenom has released 4 studio albums each earning top marks for rap/reggae charts in the US. Matisyahu's affinity for musical improvisation, aligned with his unwavering spirituality, have made his passionate blend of reggae unlike any other.

  • S04E03 Yonder Mountain String Band

    • January 27, 2017
    • PBS

    The Yonder Mountain String band takes its nomination as a Progressive Bluegrass group seriously. Of their 11 album discography, 5 are live recordings meant to reflect how swiftly their sounds evolves as a group. Each live performance from them is promised to be unique from the last, and after almost a year since the release of their last studio album "Black Sheep," who knows what surprises await?

  • S04E04 Johnny Clegg

    • February 3, 2017
    • PBS

    Johnny Clegg is a dancer, anthropologist, singer, songwriter, academic, activist and French knight. He recently became a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. He has always been a political and social advocate for South Africa which is greatly reflected in his lyrics. His upbeat music will make you groove, while making you think at the same time!

  • S04E05 Nahko and Medicine For The People

    • February 10, 2017
    • PBS

    The oral tradition of storytelling is so important for our generation and part of what Nahko and Medicine for the People are trying to convey through their music is accountability and empowerment. The band embraces Bob Marley's idea of world-bridging and bringing people together to resolve differences. They believe music is a tool to create, heal, and activate people to change their surroundings.

  • S04E06 Soul Rebels Sound System

    • February 17, 2017
    • PBS

    The New Orleans brass tradition blended with funk, soul, jazz, hip hop and rock. Talib Kweli joins Soul Rebels Sound System for a very special show charting new territory in hip hop as they combine songs and grooves that celebrate dancing, life, funk and soul.

  • S04E07 Ziggy Marley

    • February 24, 2017
    • PBS

    From his earliest days, raised in Trench Town, Jamaica, to the present, the eldest Marley son has been guided by his keen awareness and driving compassion which has lead to the production of decade spanning reggae hits.

Season 5

  • S05E01 The Blind Boys of Alabama and Friends

    • January 26, 2018
    • PBS

    The legendary vocal group the Blind Boys of Alabama and friends.

  • S05E02 Thievery Corporation

    • February 2, 2018
    • PBS

    As electronica music pioneers Thievery Corporation has mixed genres of dub, bossa nova, electronica, hip hop and more to create a sound uniquely their own.

  • S05E03 Deer Tick

    • February 9, 2018
    • PBS

    Indie roots rockers from Rhode Island, led by the intimate songwriting and ragged but tender vocals of John McCauley. Their songs emerge from a place where alternative rock, folk, blues and country all get some center stage time.

  • S05E04 Beats Antique

    • February 16, 2018
    • PBS

    San Francisco Bay Area based Beats Antique mix of electronic programming and live instruments will take you a world away from the Golden State. The band’s mix of electronica, downtempo, hip-hop, old school jazz, afro-beat and Middle Eastern belly dance music can take you from Oakland to Nigeria, Israel and any points in between.

  • S05E05 Sam Outlaw

    • February 23, 2018
    • PBS

    Sam Outlaw’s SoCal Country refashions honky-tonk and pop country to produce a Southern California vibe. His sound is influenced by the country legends you’d expect such as Asleep At The Wheel and George Jones. Outlaw also takes notes from pop greats like The Beatles.

Season 6

  • S06E01 Ozomatli

    • January 18, 2019
    • PBS

    Ozomatli brings a dance party down from Los Angeles with an exciting mix of Latin, hip hop, and rock music that is as diverse as their hometown.

  • S06E02 Punch Brother

    • January 25, 2019
    • PBS

    Mandolin master Chris Thile leads the bluegrass-inspired, genre-leaping acoustic music band Punch Brothers at the Observatory North Park in San Diego.

  • S06E03 KT Tunstall

    • February 1, 2019
    • PBS

    Scottish singer-songwriter and musician KT Tunstall performs an intimate rock show full of guitar, loops, drums and charm.

  • S06E04 Eric Hutchinson & The Believers

    • February 8, 2019
    • PBS

    Eric Hutchinson & The Believers bring their harmonies and their high-energy show full of soul, pop, Americana, and humor.

  • S06E05 Willie K

    • February 15, 2019
    • PBS

    Legendary Willie K shares his mastery of guitar, ukulele, and vocals across an island-steeped set of Hawaiian blues and classic rock songs.

Season 7

  • S07E01 Samantha Fish

    • January 24, 2020
    • PBS

    Samantha Fish ranks among the top contemporary blues guitarist performers, known for her powerful vocals that can wring the soul out of a ballad and belt out a rocker with roof-shaking force. Her songs are “strong messages from the heart” - expertly crafted and created to deliver potent emotional impact.

  • S07E02 The Motet

    • January 31, 2020
    • PBS

    Throughout history, unity starts on the dance floor. From ancient tribal cultures to neon night clubs, beats bring bodies together. The Motet, an American septet, hopes to harness that energy with their energetic melange of boisterous funk, swaggering soul, and thought-provoking pop.

  • S07E03 Marc Broussard

    • February 7, 2020
    • PBS

    Marc Broussard is a singer, songwriter, performer, and humanitarian. His commitment to making the world a better place is a mantra that he has been bound to since the beginning of his career. His signature sound, a mix of funk, blues R&B, rock and matched with distinct Southern roots offers a universal appeal for listeners of all ages.

  • S07E04 Joseph

    • February 14, 2020
    • PBS

    Joseph is an American folk trio from Portland, Oregon. With their intimate storytelling and restless intensity, Natalie Schepman and her sisters Allison and Meegan Closner detail their journey together in songs that claim a wide range of sound, from dreamy folk to gritty and dynamic pop rock.

  • S07E05 Tab Benoit

    • February 21, 2020
    • PBS

    Tab Benoit’s guitar mastery is one of a kind. An American blues guitarist, he grew up in Louisiana where he developed his gritty blues and Cajun-influenced sound that is as rich as the delta soil.

  • S07E06 Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors

    • January 14, 2020
    • PBS

    Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors bring the Americana of Tennessee to the stage with his rich voice and passionate lyrics. With songs that have always charged his listeners' hearts and minds, he is one of the genre's most popular stars.