San Luis Obispo’s Concerts in the Plaza announces 30th anniversary season lineup
– Downtown SLO and the City of San Luis Obispo have announced the lineup for the 30th Anniversary Season of Concerts in the Plaza, a free weekly outdoor concert series held at Mission Plaza in San Luis Obispo.
The series runs every Friday from June 19 through Sept. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. Opening acts begin at 5 p.m., and main acts perform from 6 to 8 p.m. All concerts are free to the public.
Concerts in the Plaza began in 1995, initially hosting small-scale free concerts approximately once per month at Mission Plaza. The series has since expanded to include a full stage, two bars, weekly shows, and two acts per event. The series skipped 2020 due to the pandemic and has operated for 31 years total.
Block parties
To mark the anniversary season, Downtown SLO will host two expanded block parties. Each block party will include the closure of Broad Street from Monterey to Palm, adjacent to Mission Plaza, and will feature street vendors, photo opportunities, and a second stage with live entertainment.
On July 3, the 30th Anniversary Block Party will feature an Americana theme for the Fourth of July weekend, with performances by Moonshiner Collective and Max MacLaury & The Compromisers. On Aug. 14, the Family Night Block Party will feature children’s activities on Broad Street, along with performances by Holding Pattern and Brass Mash.
Full lineup
June 19: Opening act Ras Danny (authentic Jamaican reggae); main act The Loving Mosh (funk, rock, R&B).
June 26: Opening act Colleen Rhatigan (R&B, pop); main act Manuel the Band (pop, rock).
July 3 — 30th Anniversary Block Party: Opening act Max MacLaury & The Compromisers (folk, rock); main act Moonshiner Collective (Americana rock).
July 10: Opening act Kenny Taylor (rock, singer-songwriter); main act B & The Hive (indie-rock).
July 17: Opening act The Rivalry (acoustic duo); main act The Vibe Setters (funk, soul).
July 24: Opening act Jineanne Coderre (R&B, pop fusion); main act Resination (reggae).
July 31: Opening act Graybill (coastal folk); main act The Molly Ringwald Project (80s pop, rock, and dance).
Aug. 7: Opening act Noach Tangeras (Americana); main act The Mother Corn Shuckers (Americana, country).
Aug. 14 — Family Night Block Party: Opening act Holding Pattern (acoustic indie); main act Brass Mash (instrumental pop).
Aug. 21: Opening act Jamie Pennelly (pop); main act Damon Castillo Band (rock, soul).
Aug. 28: Opening act Sami Rouissi (pop, folk); main act IMVA (R&B, soul).
Sept. 4: Opening act Forever Green (soft rock); main act Hot 45 (R&B, soul, pop).
Performers are selected through a committee of local industry peers, media groups, community partners, and sponsors.
Food and drink
Food and drink will be available at each event. Guests may bring outside food; outside alcohol is not permitted. Beer, cider, wine, and non-alcoholic energy drinks will be available for purchase. Food from Woodstock’s Pizza and Quesadilla Gorilla will also be on-site. All beverages are sold in reusable cups or aluminum cans. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own non-glass reusable cups. Souvenir cups will be available for purchase.
