CALIFORNIA COUNTRY: For many Californians, country music is a genre that glorifies all that they see as backward about red-state conservatism. Yet alt-country is experiencing a surge in popularity partly due to acts like Bright Eyes and Ryan Adams, who have proven that their sound can appeal to the NPR set without forgetting its Americana roots. Drew Victor, Widower, and a Locomotive-three Brooklyn-based outfits whose members often intermingle-are also part of this movement. Victor’s style is a unique blend of stark lyricism and acoustic minimalism with a subtle banjo twang. Similarly, Widower and A Locomotive embrace a folksy wistfulness that channels Harvest-era Neil Young. The result is a trio of enthralling folk-country acts that is both sophisticated and colloquial. The bands will appear at Muddy Waters on Sunday, July 1 at 8p.m. -Joel Aurora

Marco Antonio Sol-s

EL BUKI IS BACK: Though the feathered locks and sequined costumes of Los Bukis are long gone, the qualities that made Marco Antonio Sol-s the group’s unstoppable force-his flair for the dramatic, consummate musicianship, and dashing good looks-are alive and well. In his latest solo release, Trozos de Mi Alma 2, Sol-s fuses elements of contemporary rock, big band, and dance with modern norte±o and tejano sounds. The result-10 lovely tracks of romance and yearning-proves that his illustrious, decades-old career has only just begun. With the heart-wrenching vulnerability and vocal force of Harry Nilsson, the versatile showmanship and orchestral know-how of Bobby Darin, and live orchestral accompaniment, Sol-s is sure to impress. He performs bellbottom-free at the Santa Barbara Bowl, Friday, June 29 at 7p.m.-Jessica Hilo

Bad Religion

TIME WARP: With dozens of bands in the lineup and action sports in between, the Vans Warp Tour has something for everyone. The lucky 13th year of the tour will be no exception, offering the same great combination of fresh sounds and established talent we’ve all grown accustomed to. Fronting the show will be punk legends Bad Religion, The Vandals, and Pennywise-but not without the support of younger bands like The Used, Coheed and Cambria, Yellowcard, and Circa Survive. The diversity continues with the straight-edge heroes of Throwdown, Canadian rapper k-os, reggae-ska hybrid Pepper, along with many others. So get your tickets, put on some sunscreen, and head out to Ventura’s Seaside Park on June 30 for an unforgettable day of music. -Kevin Spracher

RED, WHITE, AND INDIE: After the sunburns soak in on the Fourth, be ready to enjoy some tunes delivered by three indie performers at UCSB’s Storke Tower. The folk punk sounds of imadethismistake arrive a long way from Florida to express the band’s poetic distress. By speak-singing passionate lyrics varied with likable melodies, frontman kylewilliam campol brings an original spin to his emotional demons. Mike XVX joins the show with mostly politically-driven, clever lyrics wrapped around a pretty acoustic guitar. Also performing in her sweetly titled band Watercolor Paintings, Rebecca Redman sings witty takes on classics (listen for “No Scrubs”!) with a voice as sweet as sage. It all goes down at 7 p.m. on Independence Day. -Bianca Calhoun

Benise

PARKING IT: What’s more beautiful than the sound of flamenco guitar? Easy-the sound of flamenco guitar intertwined with nature’s own resonance. On Thursday, June 28 at 6 p.m., guitar virtuoso Benise will be spicing things up at Chase Palm Park with the help of his sultry flamenco dancers. To get a double dose of flamenco music, cruise over to Alameda Park on Sunday, July 1 to see the Anthony Ybarra Trio. Ybarra and his boys offer up classic Spanish and Latin American music beginning at 3 p.m. Gipsy Kings, watch out! This summer’s Concerts in the Park series boasts a variety of talent, so sit tight and check out santabarbaraca.gov for the complete lineup. -Jessica Small

REVIVAL REVIVAL: Revival bands can often become stale, paling in comparison to the heyday of their predecessors. Creedence Clearwater Revisited is not one of those bands. Formed in 1995 by Stu Cook and Doug Clifford, two of the original members of the popular 1960s and ’70s rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival, CCR is far from stale. The revival quickly rose to fame, and people happily welcomed back the familiar sounds of the band that caused hearts to break when they broke up in 1972. The audience is bound to start mouthing lyrics when the first notes of “Proud Mary” and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” wash over the Samala Showroom at the Chumash Casino next Thursday, July 5. Don’t miss it. -Arabella Watters

Creedence Clearwater Revisted

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