The Desert Sun’s weekly Hot Picks column shares can’t-miss live performances.
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In the mood for some live entertainment this weekend? Here are my picks for the can’t-miss live performances in the Coachella Valley and surrounding communities Sept. 5-7.
HOT PICK
Friday: Candlebox at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa
Rock: In 2023, the Seattle grunge-rock band Candlebox announced “The Long Goodbye” farewell tour, which ran through the following year. But when founding guitarist Peter Klett returned in February 2025, it seemed like Candlebox might stick around for a little while longer and has extended its tour, which includes a stop on Friday at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa.
The band’s 1993 self-titled debut released on Madonna’s Maverick Records, sold over four million copies and the single “Far Behind” still receives heavy radio play on rock radio stations. Subsequent albums such as “Lucy” and “Happy Pills” failed to achieve the same level of success during the post-grunge era.
If you go: 8 p.m. Friday, Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. Tickets $29.95 to $59.95. aguacalientecasinos.com
BEST BETS
Friday: The Soda Crackers at Mojave Gold
Country: If you enjoy spirited honky-tonk country music, you’ll love The Soda Crackers, a five-piece Bakersfield country-western band that performs original songs as well as covers of iconic tunes by Merle Haggard, Bob Wills, and Hank Thompson.
The Soda Crackers will perform on Friday at Mojave Gold.
If you go: 8 p.m. Friday, Mojave Gold, 56-193 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley. Tickets $15.31. mojavegolddesert.com
Saturday: Gavin DeGraw at Morongo Casino Resort and Spa
Pop: Singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw is renowned for his 2003 hit “I Don’t Want to Be,” which became the theme for the TV drama series “One Tree Hill.” His piano pop sound and ballads “Follow Through” and “In Love With a Girl” also became popular at the time.
In 2024, DeGraw celebrated the 20th anniversary of his debut album “Chariot” by releasing a re-recorded and reimagined version of the entire album.
DeGraw will perform on Saturday at Morongo Casino Resort and Spa.
If you go: 8 p.m. Saturday, Morongo Casino Resort and Spa, 49-500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon. Tickets start at $68.50. morongocasinoresort.com
Tribute: U2 performs a stadium-sized show, but the tribute band The U2XPERIENCE brings the spectacle of U2’s shows to smaller venues. Expect to hear hits such as “Where the Streets Have No Name” and “With Or Without You” when The U2XPERIENCE performs on Saturday in The Rock Yard at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.
If you go: 7 p.m. Saturday, The Rock Yard at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. Free. fantasyspringsresort.com
Sunday: The Black Angels at Pappy and Harriet’s
Rock: The Black Angels are renowned for its modern psychedelic rock sound featuring heavy fuzz guitars, droning basslines and hypnotic rhythms. Some of the Austin band’s highlights have been performing at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Desert Daze, Lollapalooza and the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.
The Black Angels will perform on Sunday at Pappy and Harriet’s.
If you go: 7 p.m. Sunday, Pappy and Harriet’s, 53-688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown. Tickets $37.56. pappyandharriets.com
(This story was updated to include a link.)
Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment for the Desert Sun. He can be reached at [email protected].
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