Staff Picks

We started this page because, like you, we are music lovers and appreciate a recommendation on an act we may not have seen before. Below, the Belly Up staff, fans and SD celebrities pick the next show they are excited about, and a brief explanation why.

Meryl Klemow, – promotions, hospitality, staff pick manager
Endoxi on March 26


CELEBRITY PICK!!!!! Lauren O’Brien funny gal, former Belly Up’er and radio personality from FM 94.9’s The Mikey Show!
Devo on March 20

Beth Bennett, Marketing and Promotions Director.
Foster the People on March 22
New LA band making waves, hitting SXSW, then a stop in lovely Solana Beach, then Coachella. This should be a huge red flag saying “buy tickets now, this band is blowing up, and f$%&*ck, I missed seeing them at the Belly Up and had to pay $40+ dollar and ridiculous ticketing fees at some huge crappy venue and now I’m kicking myself.” Just saying. Our friends at 91x (Capone mainly, I guess, since he’s the program director), starting playing the single , “Pumped Up Kicks” early on. It’s catchy, I dig the energy and look forward to seeing all you hipsters there! Listen to me, this show is ONLY $10!!!! Don’t hate yourself later and wake up a gelatinous mess in a puddle of tears ‘cuz you missed Foster The People in our intimate, 600 cap room!

CELEBRITY PICK!!! Jennifer White with Sophie 103.7
Kenny Loggins on March 28

Damian DeRobbio, production manager, hunk
Orgone on Friday April 1
This band was a pleasant surprise that rocked my world. I am a big fan of afro beat
and old school dirty funk. To my surprise this band brought it all. Chicken scratch guitar, big horn lines and a raging rhythm section pounding out the funk while peppering in afro beat polyrhythms. Their sound is dirty, crunchy, heavy funk heaven led by female vocals with the pedal to the metal! The Meters, Sharon Jones, Fela? Underground global funk done right! This will be their first headlining gig at the Belly Up, get it!

Chy Zeldon, Lighting Designer

Orgone on Friday April 1
Orgone, It’s Time Tonight.. Who Knows Who? I Get Lifted, but I’m Not The Only One.. Don’t be The Last Fool.. Give It Up.. Do Your Thing Sophisticated Honky! Said and Done..


Chris Cote, From 80s HEAT, CBOT And The Paperwork, Kut U Up, TransWorld SURF, and more.
Kenny Loggins on March 28
Many of you may be on the fence about going to a Kenny Loggins show. Well, I’m here to push you off the fence and slap you with a hand full of reality—if you miss Kenny Logging at the BUT, you my friend are blowing it. Mr. Loggins has more danceable hits in his set that nearly anybody. And I’m not just talking about “Danger Zone” and “Footloose”. “This Is It” is a banger! “I’m alright”, duh, that song it amazing! “Playing With The Boys” is a lesser known gem you’ll be shaking your ass to for sure. And lets not forget the tender moments, “House On Pooh Corner” will have you in tears, and if you’re not slow dancing to “Meet Me Half Way” you have no heart. Enough said, I will see you all there, unless you’re scared to challenge me to a dance off to “Heart To Heart”—which you probably are.

FAN PICK!!! Carisa Owens, Belly Up friend and fan
Wed April 27 the Psychedelic Furs
I’m most looking forward to an evening with The Psychedelic Furs in April. First of all calling it “an evening with…” makes it sound so intimate & I enjoy intimacy. Haha. B.) I have la la loved Richard Butler & the Furs since I was a kid in the 80’s.