San Diego City College’s Soundsation festival, designed to highlight the talents of its up-and-coming musicians, is preparing for an exciting return this Saturday at Curran Plaza.
Originally conceived as a platform exclusively for SDCC students, this year’s festival marks a significant evolution in its offerings.
The festival will kick off at 11 a.m. on Saturday, and one of the most notable changes is its scheduling on a weekend.
This new setup allows for greater accessibility, encouraging members of the general public to join in and experience the musical showcase.
Another significant addition this year is the inclusion of arts and crafts vendors, diversifying the festival experience beyond just music.
However, the biggest change is the introduction of professional musicians as headliners, a first for the event.
Performing at Soundsation will be local favorites, including the rap group The Neighborhood Kids and the acclaimed indie rock band The Band Cope, both of which will share the stage with various talented student and faculty artists connected to City College.
Mr. Growly, a surf/punk rock instrumental trio composed of two SDCC Commercial Music professors, Mike Espar and Bob Kostlan, along with guitarist Rick Wilkinson, is one of the noteworthy acts representing the college.
In an interview with Times of San Diego, Espar discussed the festival’s rich history and its growth.
“The festival was started back in 2022 by students in the City College Music Club who wanted to showcase the talented student musical artists here at City College,” he explained.
Espar played a pivotal role as the faculty adviser during the festival’s inception, and he credited the club’s leadership for its initial success and establishment as an annual celebration.
As Soundsation grew, students in SDCC’s Commercial Music 220: Music Marketing & Promotion class became instrumental in planning and organizing the event from 2024 onwards.
Last year’s festival featured 10 student artists on two stages, while this year boasts a lineup of over a dozen performers.
“Our aim by incorporating professional bands and moving the event to a Saturday is to increase attendance and promote City College as a community destination for music and the arts,” Espar noted.
He expressed hopes of showcasing the college’s Commercial Music Program as an exceptional place for aspiring musicians to learn about creating, recording, performing, and promoting music.
In planning the festival, students from the Commercial Music 220 class were allocated into groups based on their interests and expertise.
One group worked on selecting bands, utilizing their connections within the San Diego music scene while prioritizing the inclusion of City College musicians.
The Neighborhood Kids, a Barrio Logan hip-hop collective, were chosen as headliners due to their talented musicianship and their insight on local and global events that resonate with the City College community.
The group recently won two trophies at the San Diego Music Awards, securing titles for Best New Artist and Best Hip-Hop or Rap Artist.
Offering a contrast to the hip-hop vibe, The Band Cope contributes an indie/alternative sound, further enriching the diversity of this year’s lineup.
“With such an eclectic mix of artists, we are thrilled for what promises to be a fun and engaging show,” Espar remarked, looking forward to the festival.
image source from：https://timesofsandiego.com/arts/2025/05/27/with-soundsation-city-college-stakes-claim-as-community-showcase-for-music-arts/
