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San Diego-based musician Matthew Phillips is a rising pop force from Southern California, captivating audiences with infectious melodies, heartfelt storytelling, and a modern alternative sound that pairs electronic elements with cinematic soundscapes and classic, hook-driven lyrics. A standout guitarist as well as a songwriter, Phillips’ playing has drawn attention from major industry names including Fender, Ernie Ball, Taylor, Seymour Duncan, JHS, RJM, and Walrus Audio. Following the success of his 2023 singles “So in Love” and “Till It’s Over,” Phillips gained momentum as the “Till It’s Over” music video went viral—filmed live at San Diego’s House of Blues and capturing a powerful, lights-up moment of unity in the room. In 2024, he was nominated and won Best Pop Artist at the San Diego Music Awards, then brought his band to the legendary Belly Up in Solana Beach for a highly anticipated headline show, paired with the release of “Time Fades Love” and a live-shot video that quickly racked up views across platforms. With a growing list of festival and venue performances, international touring experience, and TV/film placements, Matthew Phillips continues to earn praise from journalists, industry insiders, and fans—raising the bar with every release and delivering a live show that feels both intimate and larger-than-life. Visit: https://www.sdfair.com/events/2026/matthew-phillips Matthew Phillips on Instagram and Facebook

Relive the unforgettable sound of The Carpenters with Top of the World, a world-class tribute that brings their iconic ballads and melodic pop classics to life with remarkable authenticity. Fronted by singer Debbie Taylor, whose warm tone and contralto range capture the magic of Karen Carpenter, this show is pure nostalgia—in the best way possible. Backed by a polished seven-piece band of seasoned, professional musicians, Top of the World recreates the Carpenters’ famously rich arrangements with serious attention to detail—sometimes using multiple keyboards to mirror Richard Carpenter’s intricate orchestrations, along with layered instrumentation like saxophone, trumpet, flute, and more to complete the sound. Expect a hit-packed set featuring favorites like “Close to You,” “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Rainy Days and Mondays,” “Please Mr. Postman,” and “Yesterday Once More,” plus fun backstories woven in along the way. Sit back, sing along, and enjoy—because with Top of the World, it truly feels like "Yesterday Once More." Visit: https://www.sdfair.com/events/2026/top-of-the-world Top of the World on Facebook

Join San Diego Poet Laureate and English teacher Paola Capó-García in this one of a kind art and writing workshop for tweens and teens! Participants will have the opportunity to examine poetry and then write their own work (or develop a piece they’ve already started previously). Then using a variety of art materials, poets will begin to create their own zines. Registration for this free program is required at sandiego.events.mylibrary.digital. Audience: Kids ages 11-18 Visit: https://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/locations/mission-valley-library Mission Valley Branch Library on Facebook

Bruno Mars tickets running for $2,000 and ones for SZA costing $600 caught California lawmakers’ attention. They’re advancing two bills targeting the resale market.

It’s not a party — it’s therapy at 120 decibels. House of Heavy is coming to San Diego on 29 May 2026, taking over Casbah for the loudest, hardest, most cathartic night out your city has to offer. Built for the fans who crave the pit, the riffs, the breakdowns, and the chaos, House of Heavy brings the energy of a packed metal show without waiting for the next tour to roll through town. This is a DJ-driven heavy music night built on nu-metal nostalgia, alt-metal anthems, and metalcore breakdowns, the tracks that raised you and still make you want to throw down. From Slipknot to Spiritbox, Korn to Knocked Loose, Deftones to Bad Omens, expect deep cuts, classics, and nonstop heaters all night long. Grab your crew. Lace up your boots. Bring your rage, your voice, and the energy you’ve been saving for the next festival. When your favorite band isn’t in town, House of Heavy is. Don’t wait for your favorite band’s next tour date, make this the night. House of Heavy on Instagram

The B-Side Players make music without borders—an infectious, genre-bending blend that pulls from the grooves of Latin America and the Caribbean while staying rooted in the funk, rock, jazz, and hip-hop rhythms of their Southern California home. Since forming in 1994, the band has crafted its own signature “global funk,” effortlessly weaving influences from places like Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico, and Brazil into a forward-looking, Latin-flavored future-funk that’s equal parts soul, swagger, and celebration. Known for incendiary live shows that turn crowds into communities, The B-Side Players pair dance-floor heat with an uplifting message of unity and brotherhood—music designed to move bodies and bring people together. With a deep catalog (including their release "Revolutionize") and a reputation as hometown heroes and beyond—plus multiple San Diego Music Award wins—the band delivers a live experience that feels like a party, a protest, and a joyful revolution all at once. Visit: https://www.sdfair.com/events/2026/b-side-players B-Side Players on Instagram and Facebook

Get ready for a no-holds-barred night of Texas rock with ZZ TEX – The Ultimate ZZ Top Experience, one of the nation’s premier tribute acts celebrating the legendary sound and style of ZZ Top. From the first crunchy guitar lick to the last groove-heavy encore, ZZ TEX delivers the iconic look and explosive live energy that made ZZ Top a rock institution. Expect all the signature details fans love—long beards, spinning fuzzy guitars, cheap sunglasses, and a set packed with the band’s most beloved classics. It’s loud, it’s fun, it’s unmistakably ZZ… and yes: have mercy. Visit: https://www.sdfair.com/events/2026/zz-tex ZZ TEX on Facebook

Artifakts is the multimedia project of producer and visual artist Garret Meyer, an ever-evolving creator known for blurring the boundaries between electronic styles. Founded in 2011, Artifakts has grown beyond the usual lanes of modern electronic music, pairing a forward-thinking sonic palette with a distinct visual identity that Meyer also shapes himself—making the project as much an artistic world as it is a sound. Since 2012, Artifakts has collaborated widely across the indie-electronic community, working with respected musicians, labels, and producers both musically and through design. While his discography often finds a home on study and chill playlists, the live experience is anything but one-note—moving fluidly from contemporary bass music to classic funk grooves and everything in between. Whether performing a live set or stepping behind the decks, Artifakts brings a dynamic, shape-shifting energy built for curious listeners and big-room moments alike. Visit: https://www.sdfair.com/events/2026/artifakts Artifakts on Instagram and Facebook

The survey asks how pollution in the river and beach closures have affected local businesses, employment, property values, tourism and school attendance.

Enjoy this show at no extra cost—it's included with your Fair admission! The Morgan Leigh Band is a vibrant 6-member country-rock ensemble with deep roots in San Diego’s live music scene—and a story that comes full circle at the San Diego County Fair. The band made its official performance debut at the Fair in 2012, igniting a journey that would see them grow from local favorites into a must-see live act. In 2018, they returned to the same stage and claimed victory in the Fair’s Battle of the Bands, a milestone that helped launch them to wider recognition. Since then, the Morgan Leigh Band has continued to build a reputation for electrifying performances, blending powerhouse vocals, rich harmonies, and polished instrumentation into a sound that’s both modern and timeless. Their momentum has carried them onto bigger stages, where they’ve opened for nationally recognized acts including Blake Shelton, Lady A, and Keith Urban—bringing their signature energy to audiences across the region. From their early Fair days to their continued success, the Morgan Leigh Band embodies the spirit of live music, community, and storytelling that defines the San Diego County Fair experience . Whether they’re playing to hometown fans or opening for chart-topping stars, they deliver a performance that’s equal parts heart, harmony, and high-energy fun. Visit: https://www.sdfair.com/events/2026/morgan-leigh-band The Morgan Leigh Band on Instagram and Facebook