KCPR’s Fall 2026 Concert Guide
Fall semester is in full swing. As the sun sets behind Bishop Peak earlier each day and summer becomes a distant memory, San Luis Obispo has plenty of concerts to check out this season. Whether you’re looking for an excuse to get out of the dorms or escape the impending doom of midterm season, here’s a list of shows worth having on your radar.
Foxtide at Libertine Brew Co.
Starting off the fall concert season, Foxtide, a surf rock band from San Diego, will be playing at Libertine Brewing Company on Sept. 18.
The four-piece band gained traction on TikTok with videos promoting their self-proclaimed “surf-jazz” sound. They released their latest album, “Entropy” in April, which experiments with electronic-pop fused with their classic sound. If you’re finding the transition into fall especially challenging and still holding onto the remnants of summer, Foxtide might be exactly what you need: a little reminder of salty air and sun-soaked days.
Tickets can be found here.
Foxtide song recommendations: “She’s Not Yours,” “Entropy” and “Wait It Out.”
Fckuers at the Fremont Theater
The electronic duo Fckuers are bringing the energy of Y2K electropop to the Fremont Theater on Sept. 24. This will be their second time playing in San Luis Obispo this year, after their Shabang Music & Arts Festival set had avid listeners and random stage-hoppers alike transfixed.
They released their first full-length album, “Ö”, in March, landing them on Spotify’s RADAR US artists list, which recognizes and supports emerging artists with a promising future. Since then, Fckuers have been making their mark on the live music scene, playing major festivals like Glastonbury in England and Bonnaroo in Tennessee while opening for RÜFÜS DU SOL and Harry Styles on tour.
If their rising popularity is any indication, Fckuers’ Fremont set should be a standout for anyone looking to dance their way into fall.
Tickets can be found here.
Fckuers song recommendations: “Bon Bon,” “I like it like that” and “Beatback.”
Bella White at SLO Brew
Bringing a taste of the Appalachia to San Luis Obispo, bluegrass singer-songwriter Bella White will perform at SLO Brew on Sept. 29. Drawing from traditional bluegrass music, the blend of fiddle, mandolin and her haunting vocals create a sound that is both timeless and distinctly her own.
In June, White released her third full album, “A Sign In The Weather,” continuing a run of accomplishments, including her music being featured in the highly anticipated “Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.”
White’s show will provide a perfect setting for someone looking to trade the noise of everyday life for something a little more nostalgic.
Tickets can be found here.
Song Recommendations: “Just Like Leaving,” “Stuff” and “Gutted.”
CupcakKe at the Fremont Theater
For those looking for a more freaky show this Halloween season, the viral sensation CupcakKe will be putting on a show like no other at the Fremont Theater on Oct. 3.
After releasing her most recent album, “The BakKery,” late last fall, she has been headlining venues across the U.S. since. Widely known for her hyper-explicit and sexual rap lyrics, CupcakKe brings that same unapologetic energy to her live performances. Expect hilarious crowd interactions, camp outfits and a crowd that is just as unhinged as the performer herself.
Tickets can be found here.
Song Recommendations: “CPR,” “Deepthroat” and “Squidward Nose.”
Slightly Stoopid at Vina Robles Amphitheatre
Another option for those seeking an endless summer, Slightly Stoopid will be playing at Vina Robles Amphitheatre on Oct. 8. Slightly Stoopid’s sound is rooted in hip-hop and reggae, with tangs of ska that make their music appealing for anyone not quite ready to let summer go.
The band has had a busy year, traveling coast to coast on their “Road Trippin Summer Tour” while preparing to release their tenth album, marking their return to the studio after eight years. In July, they released their latest single, “Backseat Drivin”,” featuring Wiz Khalifa and G. Love, a summer anthem that has only amplified excitement for what they’re up to next.
If you’re not quite ready to break out the fall sweaters, Slightly Stoopid’s appearance on the Central Coast gives the perfect excuse to keep summer alive well into October.
Tickets can be found here.
Song Recommendations: “Officer,” “Bandalero” and “2am”
Shakey Graves at the Fremont Theater
Shakey Graves offers the perfect soundtrack for settling midterm-season anxieties, bringing his lo-fi, country-folk sound to the Fremont Theater on Oct. 18 for a calming escape from the stress of the semester.
While Graves has evolved from his early days as a man-with-a-guitar act to performing with a full backing band, Shakey Graves still nods to his roots by breaking out his iconic suitcase kick drum for solo songs and older tracks.
The minimal production of his newest album, “Fondness, etc.,” released in May, features muffled vocals and a bare-bones feel that gives the album a raw sound that is both tender and dreamlike. The performance at the Fremont will surely provide a warm refuge as we edge further into the fall season.
Tickets can be found here.
Song recommendations: “The Boilermaker,” “Tomorrow” and “When the Love Is New.”
First Day Back at San Luis Obispo Grange Hall
The next rising DIY band to come out of UC Santa Cruz, First Day Back is performing at San Luis Obispo Grange Hall on Oct. 22.
The band self-released their debut album, “Forward” last year composed entirely of live takes recorded in their friend’s living room. Their sound channels the ’90s Midwest-emo era, combining lead singer Maggie Masumi’s fiery sing-scream and violin with jamming guitars.
Catch them while you can in the intimate setting of the Grange Hall, before they require a bigger venue to satisfy their growing fanbase.
Tickets can be found here.
Song recommendations: “Upstairs (212),” “Sure, Ok” and “Paint.”
Modest Mouse at Avila Beach Golf Course
Few songs feel more synonymous with a Cal Poly house show than Modest Mouse’s “Float On,” and on Oct. 22, you can hear it live at Avila Beach Golf Course. Modest Mouse will be accompanied by grammy-nominated Caroline Rose in a concert presented by Shabang Music Festival, venturing away from their classic spring festival into a standalone concert.
Thirty years after their debut, the band released “An Eraser and A Maze” in June, their first album release following the death of founding drummer Jeremiah Green. The album blends seamlessly with the band’s earlier work, and the setting of Avila Beach makes an ideal backdrop to revisit three decades of Modest Mouse.
Tickets can be found here.
Song Recommendations: “3rd Planet,” “Life’s a Dream” and “Dramamine.”
The California Honeydrops at Fremont Theater
The California Honeydrops, a blues and soul band that formed in the underground subway systems of Oakland, are expected to put on a show to remember at the Fremont Theater on Nov. 11.
The band’s live performances can feature up to nine performers, including the core five members and joined by a regularly appearing horn ensemble. Renowned for their improvisational skills, no two shows are the same.
Anyone looking to add a little spontaneity to their bustling fall schedule should check out this show, which feels less like an overly-produced concert and more like an authentic jam session unfolding in real time.
Tickets can be found here.
Song Recommendations: “365 Flavors,” “Call It Home” and “Lovin’ Made Easy.”
Buck Meek at SLO Brew
To cap off our most anticipated shows, the folk musician, Buck Meek, also known for his role in the popular indie-folk band, Big Thief, will be performing at SLO Brew on Dec. 9.
His fourth studio album, “Mirrors,” released earlier this year was inspired by a conversation with his Big Thief bandmate and producer James Krivchenia. On the album, Buck Meek experiments with adding subtle electronica elements to his typical folk sound, which adds a sense of playfulness to his sweet vocals that wrap around you like a warm hug.
If you’re seeking a little comfort as the colder months roll in, Buck Meeks performance is a go-to.
Tickets can be found here.
Song Recommendations: “Pretty Flowers,” “Gasoline” and “Cannonball! Pt. 2.”
