Fall Arts Preview 2026: Our top music picks for the season

A slate of fall concerts across San Diego is drawing strong demand, with nearly two dozen area shows sold out since summer even as the wider economy faces inflation and a record $40 trillion federal deficit. The sold-out list includes performances at Petco Park by Deftones and Pierce The Veil, Mana and Jack Johnson at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, Gorillaz at Pechanga Arena, and Robert Plant at Humphreys. Other high-profile stops cover Kehlani at Viejas Arena and Michelle Branch with Jack White at The Sound, plus John Scofield and The Wallflowers at Belly Up. The preview also highlights non-sold-out picks and prices, including Chuck Redd’s free show and Brandi Carlile with CMAT at The Shell.