FELTON

Pacific Roots return to roots at Felton

They have played all over, but it is no surprise that reggae-rock band Pacific Roots often return to their roots in Santa Cruz County. They will be doing just that Friday with a show at Felton Music Hall.

Pacific Roots released their self-titled debut in 2017 and then reformed with a new lineup a year later. In addition to reggae, they also combine elements of punk, hip-hop and even metal for a sound that is uniquely Californian. They were selected as winners of the Reggae Rise Up Artist Discovery Contest in 2020 and also played at the Reggae Rise Up Festival in Las Vegas in 2021. Additionally, Pacific Roots have shared stages with the likes of Steel Pulse, UB40, Sly and Robbie, Black Uhuru, Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds and The Expendables, but they have also returned to their hometown to play at venues such as Moe’s Alley, the Catalyst Club and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Opening will be Dub Souljah and Geoff Wears of The Expendables.

The show is 8 p.m. Friday at Felton Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $27.77 for general admission. This is a 21-and-older concert. For more information, go to FeltonMusicHall.com.

SANTA CRUZ

Robert DeLong headlines the Catalyst

The spirit of 2010s alternative radio will be alive and well with a bill consisting of Robert DeLong, Atlas Genius and Normal Behaviour at the Catalyst Club atrium Thursday.

Based out of the Seattle suburb of Bothell, Washington, and now residing in Los Angeles, DeLong released his debut album, “Just Movement,” in 2013. He took inspiration from electronica acts like the Chemical Brothers and Daft Punk. However, he set himself apart from other acts of the time by using a variety of less conventional instruments, like a MIDI interface and even video game peripherals like a Nintendo Wii remote and Sega Genesis controller to create unique sounds. In 2015, he scored a Billboard Alternative Top 10 hit with “Long Way Down,” which gave him further exposure. He also collaborated with K. Flay on the song “My favorite Color is Blue” and has toured with the likes of Twenty One Pilots and AJR.

Those who purchase tickets for $85.87 will also be entitled to a VIP package that includes first entry to the venue where applicable, a meet and greet with DeLong, individual photo-op and commemorative signed VIP laminate.

And that is not all. The bill also includes South Australian indie duo Atlas Genius — who had hits with songs like “Trojans,” “If So” and “Molecules” — and fellow Aussies Normal Behaviour, who blend ’70s rock with ’90s grunge.

The show is 8 p.m. Thursday at the Catalyst, 1101 Pacific Ave. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $26.72 for general admission, $32.12 at the door and $85.87 for the VIP package. This is a 16-and-older concert. For more information, go to CatalystClub.com.

Grammy winner Macy Gray to perform at Rio

The sweet, soulful vocals of Macy Gray will fill the halls of the Rio Theatre when she comes to perform Friday.With the neo-soul sound still riding high at the dawn of the millennium, Gray made a big splash in 1999 with her Billie Holliday-influenced vocals and single “I Try,” which was nominated for three Grammys and won the award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. In the early 2000s, she became very prolific, working with the likes of Fatboy Slim, Erykah Badu and Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante, in addition to having roles in movies like “Training Day” and “Spider-Man.” Since then, she has released 10 studio albums — including a covers album putting new spins on songs by artists like Metallica and My Chemical Romance — collaborated with singers like Ariana Grande and competed on both the American and Australian editions of “The Masked Singer.” Those who see her live will get a soulful meditation on the meaning of life.

The show is 8 p.m. Friday at the Rio, 1205 Soquel Ave. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $69.50 for general admission and $89.50 for Gold Circle members. For more information, go to RioTheatre.com.

Kingston Trio coming to Kuumbwa Jazz

As folk music began to enter the mainstream in the late ’50s, one of the groups at the forefront was the Kingston Trio, which had many hits over the next few years and paved the way for many folk musicians since. While all of the original members have passed on, the name continues to live on in the form of a new trio who perform the Kingston Trio’s classic hits, as they will be doing at Kuumbwa Jazz Saturday.

The Kingston Trio was formed in 1957 by Stanford University and Menlo College students Dave Guard, Bob Shane and Nick Reynolds, who were brought together over a shared love of harmonies and old folk and calypso songs. They released their self-titled debut album the following year, that contained a cover of the traditional murder ballad “Tom Dooley,” which became a No. 1 hit and earned the trio Best Country & Western Performance at the first Grammy Awards. Over the next five years, they recorded multiple albums per year and had hits with covers of songs like “The Tijuana Jail,” “M.T.A.” and “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” As the folk-pop scene gave way to other genres, the Kingston Trio continued in several permutations, even with different members. With the name trademarked in 2017, the current members are Mike Marvin, Tim Gorelangton and Buddy Woodward, all of whom have had connections to the original trio. They will be performing some of the trio’s most iconic songs as part of the group’s Keep the Music Playing Tour.

The concert is 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Kuumbwa Jazz, 320 Cedar St. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are $38 at the door, $34 for general admission and $49 for Gold Circle members. For more information, go to KuumbwaJazz.org.

This week’s calendar was compiled by Nick Sestanovich.