Adams Avenue Unplugged headliner tickets, Alejandro Escovedo

On April 25, 2026, Adams Avenue will host the free musical walkabout, Adams Avenue Unplugged. This event features 90 live musical performances at 26 locations hosted by restaurants, bars and coffee houses lining a two-mile stretch of Adams Avenue. The event runs from University Heights, through Normal Heights, and into Kensington. Live music is also staged at various outdoor locations and at the Normal Heights United Church. Most venues are all-ages. AABA hopes to treat musical aficionados and foodies to the rich neighborhood culture.

This year’s Unplugged headliner is Alejandro Escovedo, a celebrated singer and songwriter, who has an eclectic a background and body of work as any rock artist of his generation. As comfortable performing with a string ensemble as he is with an amped-up power trio, and as likely to bare his soul in his lyrics as he is to display some serious rock & roll swagger, Escovedo had already played an important role in punk (with the Nuns), roots rock (the True Believers), and alt-country (Rank & File) before he launched a solo career that’s seen him work with everyone from Tony Visconti, John Cale to Bruce Springsteen. Beginning with 1992’s Gravity, Escovedo’s music has been consistently literate, ambitious, and eclectic, with 2001’s A Man Under the Influence exploring different genres and approaches from track to track, while 2008’s Real Animal and 2016’s Burn Something Beautiful focused on passionate, guitar-based rock & roll. 2018’s The Crossing (and its 2021 Spanish-language counterpart La Cruzada) told a richly detailed story of the immigrant experience.

Alejandro Escovedo was born in San Antonio, Texas on January 10, 1951, one of 12 children. His family was steeped in music: His father played in mariachi bands and swing combos both before and after he emigrated from Mexico to the United States. Alejandro’s older brother Pete Escovedo is a recognized jazz artist and studio musician; he was a member of Santana and founded the group Azteca. Another older brother, Coke Escovedo, also worked with both jazz and Latin groups, enjoyed a solo career, and was a member of Santana and Malo. Pete’s daughter Sheila Escovedo became a pop star and an acclaimed drummer as Sheila E. Alejandro’s younger brother Javier Escovedo founded the early Los Angeles punk band the Zeros. And another younger brother, Mario Escovedo, played in the hard rock outfit the Dragons.

For general information about the festival including schedules and lineup please check out: Adams Avenue Unplugged. The event is free and open to the general public, except for the headlining artist performance. Click here for tickets for Alejandro Escovedo ($40) performing at the Church Main Stage, which also hosts the Community Beer Garden. You can take advantage of the VIP Food & Drink Deal ($25) which includes a combo plate from Ponce’s Mexican Restaurant and three 16oz. brews from Mission Brewing.