Historically, Bay Area residents have been fond of hearing music at outdoor venues. In early August 1879, for example, a Bay Area German social club called the San Jose Turn Verein invited members and the public to an "excursion and picnic" via narrow gauge railway to Pine Grove Park in Alameda, "one of the handsomest places in California for pleasure purposes," according to an announcement in the San Jose Daily Morning Times newspaper. Members of the German Glee Clubs of San Francisco and Oakland would greet the picnic goers upon arrival and later sing during the featured outdoor concert. Attendees were also promised "excellent accommodations for dancing and a first class band of musicians." 

Today, many summer concerts are free civic affairs hosted or sponsored in part by local  governments. Outdoor concerts have long been an integral part of Fourth of July celebrations but the practice of holding a public series of summer concerts for the residents of a town or city is a much more recent development. Many trace the existence of these popular events back to Chicago's nonprofit Civic Music Association. 

"Founded in 1913, the Civic Music Association encouraged music instruction, concert attendance, and community singing," according to the Encyclopedia of Chicago. Naturally, the Civic Music Association supported many more music-related activities than outdoor public concerts. But the idea of those concerts proved appealing to many outside of Chicago. Over the 1920s and 1930s, Civic Music Associations spread across the nation and from coast to coast with the help of music-loving residents and supportive organizations that included private companies.

Under the headline "Mayo Recommends Music For Ailments," the United Press reported on the benefits of music in 1928. "A good dose of music for bodily ills was recommended today by Dr. Charles Mayo of Rochester, Minn., one of the famous Mayo brothers," noted an article published in the January 15 edition of the Napa Journal newspaper. "Dr. Mayo, here to attend a convention of the Civic Music Association, said music could aid digestion, help cure nervous diseases, or raise or lower blood pressure." According to the article, Dr. Mayo and his brother tried to "have as much music as possible" at their hospital while noting that the effect of music "was only temporary."

Summer Tradition

Temporary delight is still delicious, however, and Tri-Valley residents and visitors have many chances to enjoy live music over the summer. The Livermore Cultural Arts Council, for example, is hosting the Tuesday Tunes Summer Concert Series on the Shea Homes Stage in front of the Bankhead Theater from 6:45 to 8:15 pm through August 26. Performances will include East Bay Grooveline playing funk, groove, Motown, and rhythm and blues on July 22; Electric Sandbox playing rock and roll, Latin, and jazz rock on July 29; Audio Illusion playing classic rock, pop, and blues on August 5, and Ruff Stock playing country covers on August 12.

The City of Dublin began its annual Summer Concert Series on Thursday, June 12. Each Thursday, until August 7, a concert will be held between 6 and 8 pm during the Dublin Farmers' Market. The Good Time Collective will play hip-hop and rhythm and blues covers on July 17. Citizen Flannel, which calls itself the Bay Area's Premier '90s Tribute Band, will play on July 24. Fast Times will play hits from the '80s and beyond on July 31. The last concert in the series will feature Pop Rocks, which calls itself the Ultimate Dance Band, on August 7.

The Pleasanton Downtown Association's 2025 Concert in the Park Season started on July 11 and continues until August 29. The Friday concerts are held from 7 to 8:30 pm at the redesigned bandstand in Lions Wayside Park. Upcoming performances include the Evan Thomas & The Brotherhood blues band on July 18, the Cool Tones Big Band playing jazz and swing on July 25, the Urban Outlaws playing country on August 1, and Other People's Money playing rock music on August 8.

Other Live Music Options

There are a host of opportunities to enjoy live music in beautiful Tri-Valley settings. Many Livermore wineries host live music and tasting evenings over the summer. Wente is well-known for its summer concerts, but it is hardly alone. Dante Robere Vineyards, Fenestra Winery, and Rios-Lovell Estate Winery are among the many other Livermore viticulture businesses that host summer music and tasting events.

Live music lovers can also find enjoyment at a variety of Tri-Valley restaurants, pubs, and other venues in Pleasanton and elsewhere. Mavericks, which is located at Hacienda, is a restaurant and country bar that offers regular live music nights as well as line dancing. McKay's Beer Garden in Pleasanton also supports live music. Mexican restaurant Casa Orozco, which has locations in Dublin and Livermore, features live music events at both locations. 

In short, Tri-Valley visitors and residents can enjoy live music outdoors and indoors at many locations over the summer months and beyond. Such music may not necessarily aid digestion, help cure nervous diseases, or raise or lower blood pressure as Dr. Mayo believed. But as many fans have experienced, live music can lift the spirit and leave listeners in a good mood.

For more information about the Tuesday Tunes Summer Concert Series in Livermore, please visit www.livermoredowntown.com/do/tuesday-tunes-2.

For more information about the City of Dublin's Summer Concert Series, please visit dublin.ca.gov/1917/Summer-Concert-Series.

For more information about the Pleasanton Downtown Association's 2025 Concert in the Park Season, please visit www.pleasantondowntown.net/concert-in-the-park.

For more information about live music events at local wineries, please visit the Livermore Valley Wine Community website at www.lvwine.org/events.

For more information about Mavericks, please visit www.maverickspleasanton.com/line-dance-and-live-music.

For more information about McKay's Beer Garden, please visit www.mckaysbeergarden.com/events.