[Cover photo features The Rolling Stones at the Belly Up (2015)]

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Belly Up in Solana Beach, California stands as a testament to the enduring power of live music and the independent live entertainment community. The iconic venue will mark its anniversary this summer with 50 Years and 50 Shows starting July 3 running through September 30 featuring artists that have played the venue since its inception including Shakey Graves, WAR, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Alejandro Escovedo, Cracker and The Wallflowers.
 
Established in September of 1974 in a beach town outside of San Diego, the Belly Up is a musical landmark in the same vein as the Troubadour, The Bottom Line, and The Stone Pony. From its humble beginnings, hosting prominent acts such as John Lee Hooker, BB King and Etta James, to its evolution as a venue for global superstars like the Rolling Stones, Jimmy Buffet, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Green Day, the Belly Up has become an integral part of the touring artist landscape.

Under the leadership of owners Steve Goldberg and Phil Berkovitz, who acquired the club in 2003, the Belly Up has expanded its influence.  Operating as a booker and promoter of concerts and festivals nationwide, the club has also launched its record label, Belly Up Live, and a television broadcast, Live at the Belly Up.
 
Reflecting on the club’s rich history, founder Dave Hodges emphasizes its role as a labor of love:

For me, it’s always been about family and community that Belly Up created all those years ago. Seeing its evolution, and being a part of so many people’s lives for so many years has been one of the high points of my life and legacy.

You can join the celebration of the Belly Up’s 50th anniversary with a series of special concerts and events throughout the summer, culminating with The Wallflowers on September 30. For more information and tickets, visit bellyup.com.

Belly Up Celebrates 50 Years and 50 Shows:

• July 3: 80’s Heat w/Bella Lux (50th Anniversary Kick Off Party)
• July 11 & 12: WAR
• July 13: The Beat Farmers 13th Annual The Beat Farmers Hootenanny
• July 14: Alejandro Escovedo
• July 16 & 17: Donavon Frankenreiter and John Craige
• July 19: Lettuce
• July 22: Paul Thorn
• July 23: Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore with The Guilty Ones
• July 24: Michael Franti & Spearhead
• July 26: Ozomatli with Special Guest B-Side Players
• July 27: Cracker
• July 30: X
• August 3: Super Diamond
• August 6: Pokey LaFarge
• August 7: Shakey Graves
• August 10: Tainted Love
• August 14: Galactic with Special Guest Karl Denson
• August 15: Landon McNamara & Cisco Adler
• August 17: The Pine Mountain Logs and Venice
• August 22: Charlie Musselwhite with Special Guest Kid Ramos
• August 23: Ghostland Observatory
• August 28 & 29: Tab Benoit & Anders Osborne
• August 30: Pato Banton and Common Sense
• August 31: Steel Pulse
• September 3: Aaron Frazer
• September 5: Black Uhuru
• September 14: Beats Antique
• September 17:  Kishi Bashi
• September 19: Kevin Nealon
• September: Built To Spill
• September 26: Hayes Carll & The Band of Heathens
• September 27: Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers
• September 30: The Wallflowers

 More Shows To Be Announced.