Not many bands land their biggest hit on their ninth album, but REO Speedwagon proved the rare exception with 1980’s Hi Infidelity. Released at the tail end of the year, it became the biggest selling rock record of 1981, landing the band a #1 hit in the arena-sized power ballad “Keep On Loving You.” This sound would come to define the band, equally noticeable in their second #1 hit, the very, very ‘80s sounding “Can’t Fight This Feeling.” Tender piano intro? Check. Big, wet drums? Check and check. Soaring guitar solo? Buddy, don’t get me started.

REO Speedwagon
Sat, 8pm, $49+
San Jose Civic, San Jose

Jack Harlow isn’t afraid to ask bold questions of his listeners, such as in his song “WHATS POPPIN,” which dares to ask—what is popping? The answer of course is “Jack Harlow’s career,” as the man has been on a meteoric rise to the top of the rap game since his 2020 debut That’s What They All Say. Based on streaming numbers alone, it is statistically difficult to not be exposed to Harlow’s tasteful beat choices and trance inducing flow. He’s collaborated with everyone at the summit of today’s pop music, but his signature style needs no accompaniment when he brings the party to San Jose.

Jack Harlow
Thu, 8pm, $34.50+
San Jose Civic, San Jose

Starting from a single viral video, the tenors, baritones and basses of Straight No Chaser have dominated the a cappella scene for over a decade now. The group’s blow-up led to two gold records featuring irreverent arrangements of beloved holiday classics. 2013’s star-studded Under The Influence (which itself has a holiday edition!) includes collaborations with Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton and Seal on immaculate a cappella versions of their own hits, and 2020 release Social Christmasing includes a version of “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” No doubt a fitting track for the evening’s setlist.

Straight No Chaser
Wed, 8pm, $34.50+
San Jose Civic, San Jose

Christmas music is good! I normally try to avoid injecting such controversial takes into this paper, but it needs to be said. While the detractors of Christmas music are sometimes deafening in their criticism, I sleep well at night knowing that I’m on the same team as Dave Koz. The saxophone virtuoso doesn’t just “make Christmas albums.” This nine-time Grammy nominee has made Christmas music a pillar of his three-decade musical career. Fresh off the heels of his 2021 release The Golden Hour, Koz is in peak form as he brings his campaign of Christmas (and Chanukah!) cheer with him to San Jose Civic.

Dave Koz + Friends
Thu, 8pm, $57.50+
San Jose Civic, San Jose

Zeds Dead—one of the most popular names in electronic music—is throwing an exciting display of booming bass, flashing lights and rapid-fire electro-beats on Saturday. Dylan “DC” Mamid and Zack “Hooks” Rapp-Rovan, the two behind the Canadian duo, started in the electronic world in 2009 and have mashed the gas ever since. With world tours under their belt and a looming discography of music, Zeds Dead is known to slay a crowd with a thrilling show. Whether in a concert hall or a festival’s grass field, the Toronto-based project brings waves of basslines and fast-paced melodies to anyone ready to feel the rhythm.

Zeds Dead
Sat, 8pm, $35+
San Jose Civic, San Jose

Columbian pop rock star Camilo Echeverry will be filling up the San Jose Civic Sunday for a Latin music party. After soaring to the top of Latin pop music through the pandemic, Camilo is finally looking to take some of his top hits on the road and show people what this music is all about. The pandemic may have limited Camilo’s reach on the stage, but now his popular tracks like “Millones,” “Ropa Cara,” “Vida de Rico” and many more can finally be experienced in person during Camilo’s “Mis Manos” tour. This music is to party and dance to, with plenty of love in the center.

Camilo
Sun, 7pm, $49+
San Jose Civic, San Jose

For the second time ever, New Japan Pro Wrestling is drop-kicking into San Jose. Long a cult sensation in the US, NJPW has brought some of the best talent in the world. American wrestling superstars like the Young Bucks and AJ Styles cut their teeth first in the promotion, and homegrown stars like Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada are absolutely sensational to behold. This show will be headlined by a great title match between New Zealander villain “Switchblade” Jay White and the “Stone Pitbull” Tomohiro Ishii, and rounded out by matchups from top talent from both the US and Japan.

New Japan Pro Wrestling
Sat, 8pm, $44+
San Jose Civic, San Jose

It’s time to dance around, and Colombian singer-songwriter Karol G knows how to get listeners on their feet. This Monday, the versatile reggaeton and Latin trap singer will headline the San Jose Civic as part of the Bichota Tour, hitting 21 cities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Karol G broke ground with her hit song “Tusa” with Nicki Minaj, before bringing in a world of fans with her acclaimed third album KG0516. This will be the first time the singer can perform the songs from her latest album, and it’s bound to be an incredibly exciting return to the stage—and the dancefloor.

Karol G
Mon, 7:30pm, $59.95+
San Jose Civic, San Jose

Bisbal till you fall! When the famed reality-television alumni released his latest record, En Tus Planes, in January 2020, Kobe Bryant was still alive and the phrase “social distance” would’ve been a word salad with no discernible meaning. Despite some unfortunate timing, the record’s hit single “Si Tú La Qieres”—on which he collaborates with Spanish teen-pop sensation Aitana—reached 94 million streams on Spotify. So all things considered, David did alright. Now finally getting a chance to do a real tour of the record, his shimmering voice and Latin Grammy-winning song library are set to dazzle at San Jose Civic this Saturday.

David Bisbal
Sat, 8pm, $45
San Jose Civic, San Jose

RL Grime has long enjoyed the best of both worlds—whether he’s collaborating with A-Listers from the world of hip-hop, EDM or traditional pop, genre has never been able to limit the LA producer’s magic touch. He can bring in millions of streams and still maintain the DIY ethos of his soundcloud roots. Having built his early reputation on the strength of his annual Halloween mixes and animated visuals, there is no artist better equipped to kill a late October set at San Jose Civic this Saturday. If you can’t do the time, don’t do the Grime!

RL Grime
Sat, 7:30pm, $44.95
San Jose Civic, San Jose