Schedule: Current Schedule
After a few years of mostly taking it easy and spending time with family, with occasional appearances at local open mic nights, John is back in the swing of things, playing a handful of select dates at local haunts and favorites. Come back and visit the site often to make sure you don't miss anything!
Upcoming Shows
| Date | Time | $ | Artist | Venue | Notes |
There are no upcoming shows currently scheduled | |||||
Past Shows
| Date | Time | Artist | Venue | Notes |
| 9/12/2020 | 6pm | John McGaraghan | West Coast Songwriters Association Annual Conference Sunset Concert Online | This year’s annual conference will be held online. The Sunset Concert this year, in which the annual songwriting competition Grand Finals winners traditionally perform, will be streamed for conference attendees. |
| 2/10/2020 setlist available | 7:30 pm | John McGaraghan | MidPen Media Center 900 San Antonio Rd., Palo Alto | West Coast Songwriters Association, Palo Alto Chapter, Songwriting Competition. UPDATE: My song Wester brought home the Best Song award. Another great night of incredible talent in the intimidating (for me!) environment of a TV studio taping the show live for later broadcast. What FUN! |
| 1/28/2020 setlist available | 7:30 pm | John McGaraghan | Cafe Zoe 1929 Menalto, Menlo Park | West Coast Songwriters Association Menlo Park Chapter, Songwriting Competition. UPDATE: My song Emmanuel! won best song of the month at the competition. What an honor to be chosen from so among many great tunes by so many great writer! |
| 6/9/2017 | 6pm-8pm | John McGaraghan | Devil's Canyon Brewing Company San Carlos | Beer. Food. Music. Kid and Dog Friendly. Free. Seriously? See you there. |
| 3/24/2017 | 6:30 - 8:30 | John McGaraghan | Cafe Zoe 1929 Menalto Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025 | I had a great time last time I played at Cafe Zoe. They've started hosting music again and had a great open mic the other night. I'll be returning Friday March 24th for a full show by myself, so come on by! Free, all ages, great food, coffee, beer and wine, and community. See the Flyer |
| 3/3/2017 | 6pm - 8pm | John McGaraghan | Devil's Canyon Brewing Company San Carlos | Back at DCBC again -- food trucks, great beer, dog and kid friendly, live music, lots of fun! Come on down and support our local businesses. I've got new tunes to share with you. See the Flyer |
| 2/26/2017 | 3pm - 5pm | Measure X House Concert | Private benefit for Measure X. | |
| 2/24/2017 setlist available | John McGaraghan | Cafe Zoe | Another drop in to the Open Mic night. Great times. | |
| 1/20/2017 | 8 | John McGaraghan | Cafe Zoe Menalto, the Willows, Menlo Park | Mini featured set at Cafe Zoe's new open mic night. Good times! |
| 11/11/2016 | 6pm - 8pm | John McGaraghan | Devil's Canyon Brewing Company 935 Washington St., San Carlos, CA | I'm coming back to Devil's Canyon Brewing Company once again for an evening of live music and Off the Grid food trucks. No cover, all ages, dog friendly, great beer (and root beer) -- bring the whole family down for a good time! |
| 4/28/2016 | 6:30pm | John McGaraghan | The Cuckoo's Nest 68 Willow Rd., Menlo Park, CA 94025 | A Storytellers style interactive evening where I'll be playing some, talking some, answering questions, sharing thoughts on my process, my influences, what inspires me, and the like. Should be fun! See the Flyer |
| 3/18/2016 setlist available | 6pm - 8pm | John McGaraghan & Friends | Devil's Canyon Brewing Company 935 Washington St., San Carlos, CA | I'm coming back to Devil's Canyon Brewing Company with Patrick Feehan on piano once again for an evening of live music and Off the Grid food trucks. No cover, all ages, dog friendly, great beer (and root beer) -- bring the whole family down for a good time! See the Flyer |
| 10/9/2015 setlist available | 6pm | John McGaraghan & Friends | Devil's Canyon Brewing Company 935 Washington Street, San Carlos | Devil's Canyon Brewing Company, together again with live music and an Off the Grid food truck frenzy -- what's not to like?! John will be joining forces with keyboardist extraordinaire Patrick Feehan, and banging out tunes for you while you enjoy fresh delicious craft beer and tasty food truck fare! No cover, all ages, dog friendly -- bring the whole family! I've got another brand new one to break out as well -- don't miss it! |
| 8/7/2015 setlist available | 6-8pm | John McGaraghan | Devil's Canyon Brewing Company 935 Washington St., San Carlos | Devil's Canyon Brewing Company, teamed up with Off the Grid food truck frenzy -- what's not to like?! John will be pickin' tunes for you while you enjoy fresh delicious craft beer and tasty food truck fare! No cover, all ages -- bring the family! See the Flyer |
| 7/26/2015 setlist available | 5pm | John McGaraghan | Jupiter 2181 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA | I'll be sharing the bill at Jupiter in Berkeley with my brother Mike's band The Skinny. Come out and and join us to enjoy delicious food, stellar craft beer, tasty tunes, and a delightful family friendly atmosphere. |
| 5/21/2015 setlist available | 7pm | John McGaraghan | 50 Mason Social House 50 Mason St., San Francisco | Come join me, Erik Yates (Hot Buttered Rum), and Hassan El-Tayyab (American Nomad) while we hang out and swap mini sets for a few hours at this funky club in the 'Loin. All kinds of collaboration in the works... Discounted $5.00 tickets available in advance at http://turnstylemusicgroup.com/event/826129-bullywest-san-francisco/. |
| 11/14/2014 | 6-8pm | John McGaraghan & Friends | Devil's Canyon Brewing Company | What's better than Beer Friday at Devil's Canyon Brewing Company? John and Paul pickin tunes for you while you enjoy fresh delicious craft beer! No cover, all ages--bring the whole family! |
| 10/24/2014 | 6-9pm | John McGaraghan & Friends | Private Party | Playing a private event with the lovely and spectacular Jill Pierce. |
| 5/30/2014 | 6:30pm - 8:30pm | John McGaraghan | Cafe Zoe 1929 Menalto Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025 | Cafe Zoe is a wonderful little cafe in Menlo Park with delicious coffee drinks, pastries, sandwiches, and salads. Come by for dinner or a coffee and enjoy some music -- bring the kids! My good friend Lixian Hantover will open the show. |
| 12/27/2013 | 6:00-8:00pm | John McGaraghan | Devil's Canyon Brewing Co. 935 Washington St., San Carlos | Beer Friday!! Come join a family friendly post Christmas Beer Friday event in DCBC's new location (now with updated sound system). |
| 6/28/2013 | 6pm - 8pm | John McGaraghan & Friends | Devil's Canyon Brewery 935 Washington St., San Carlos | FIRST BEER FRIDAY IN THE NEW LOCATION!! Dou performance with Zac Matthews (formerly of Hot Buttered Rum and Oversoul). This will be John and Zac's first full gig together since Oversoul's disbanding in the mid 90's -- don't miss out! Lots of new tunes and some old favorites that have not been performed in over a decade. |
| 6/6/2013 setlist available | 7pm | John McGaraghan & Friends | 50 Mason Social House San Francisco | Sharing the bill with Billy Shaddox (http://www.billyshaddox.com), who is coming to town from Utah. See the Flyer |
| 2/17/2013 setlist available | 9pm | John McGaraghan | Fat Cat Tahoe City | The Skinny headlines, I perform a tweener set (special guests TBA) |
| 2/8/2013 | 7pm | John McGaraghan & Friends | Private Party Private Party | |
| 10/26/2012 | 6-8pm | John McGaraghan | Devil's Canyon Brewery 111 Industrial Road #7, Belmont, CA 94002 | |
| 2/10/2012 setlist available | 7pm | John McGaraghan | Cafe Zoe Menlo Park | Cafe Zoe is a cute little cafe. Looking forward to a chilled out acoustic evening right in my back yard! |
| 7/29/2011 | 6pm - 8pm | John McGaraghan & Friends | Devil's Canyon Brewing Company 111 Industrial Way #7, Belmont | I'll be playing an acoustic gig with my friend Paul Kelly. Some original, some cover, some together, some alone. Good beer, good tunes, good times. Come on out! |
| 4/29/2011 | 7pm | The Skinny | Annie's Hall 1610 Carleton St., Berkeley, CA | THE SKINNY CD RELEASE PARTY!! $5 gets you in the door, but $10 gets you into the show with a copy of "Half Belly Half Heart" in hand, so pony up the extra dough and don't go home empty handed! I'll be doing a short opening set, and sitting in with The Skinny. Note, the venue is in a residential neighborhood, so please be considerate when coming and going. |
| 4/16/2010 setlist available | 7 pm | John McGaraghan | House Concert Menlo Park, CA | Swapping 40 minute sets with Big Water |
| 9/26/2009 setlist available | 12:00 pm | John McGaraghan & Friends | Starry Plough Berkeley | A surprise party for my birthday -- pickin' all day with my good friends and musical cohorts Jill and Steve Pierce, Mike McGaraghan, Zac Matthews, Tim Fisher, Joe Creitz, and Nomi Tuzman-Eagan. What a day! |
| 8/1/2009 | 9 pm | The Skinny | Mojo 639A Divisadero, S.F. | Playing with the Skinny at Mojo bike shop and cafe. A very hip spot, I'm told... |
| 6/21/2009 | 5 pm | The Skinny | Jupiter Berkeley, CA | Fathers' day mando pickin' with The Skinny |
| 6/19/2009 | 9 pm | Various | British Bankers' Club Menlo Park, CA | Playing a song with Sara Haze and Nick Bearden |
| 3/28/2009 | 7pm | The Skinny | The Bazaar Cafe 5927 Calfiornia St., SF | Sitting in for a set of music with The Skinny, co-billed with the Courtney Janes. |
| 12/20/2008 setlist available | 9:00 pm | Nat Keefe | The Independent Divisadero St., SF | I'll be playing as a cast member in Nat Keefe's (Hot Buttered Rum) Concert Carnival (NKCC). The goal of the NKCC is to bring together artists from different groups and different mediums to do new performance in new ways. A variety of performance art, illuminated with music, including electronica, rock, jazz, bluegrass, oldtime, Western classical, group improvisation, with an emphasis on songwriting and singing. Get your tickets now! |
| 12/14/2008 | 110 am - 1 pm | The Skinny | Nomad Cafe 65th and Shattuck, Oakland, CA | Playing with the Skinny for Nomad's "Sunday Brunch". |
| 10/18/2008 | 8 pm | Hot Buttered Rum | Private Engagement | Wedding party |
| 9/13/2008 | 1:30 pm | The Skinny | Berkeley Old Time Music Convention Berkeley | We'll be playing a short set as a part of the OTMC in the park, downtown. TONS of music all day -- come check it out! |
| 8/3/2008 | 5:30 pm | The Skinny | Jupiter Berkeley | Acoustic Music Sunday -- come drink one of Jupiter's fine hand crafted ales and enjoy their dilectable vittles while enjoying The Skinny on the back porch! |
| 7/31/2008 | 7 pm | The Skinny | Berkeley Ecology Center Berkeley | A quick set before a lecture |
| 4/6/2008 | 7:45 | The Skinny | Epic Arts (Twang Cafe) Ashby & MLK, Berkeley | Sittin in with The Skinny again... |
| 2/23/2008 | 9:30 | The Skinny | Hotel Utah Saloon 4th & Bryant, San Francisco | The Utah is a great venue (4th & Bryant, San Francisco), and this will be a great night of music -- come out and join us! |
| 12/8/2007 | 1 pm and 4:30 pm | The Skinny | Make, Trade, Buy & Sell Arts and Crafts Bazaar 1812 9th, Berkeley | I'll be playing two sets with The Skinny on dobro and mandolin. |
| 12/8/2007 setlist available | 3pm | John McGaraghan | Make, Trade, Buy & Sell Arts and Crafts Bazaar 1812 9th, Berkeley | Playing solo and with The Skinny at a sweet arts and crafts fair taking place from noon until 6 pm. Stop by and check out arts, crafts, and live music! Solo set at 3pm, sets with the Skinny at 1 and 4:30. |
| 10/13/2007 | 11:30 pm | Various | 12 Galaxies 2565 Mission St., San Francisco | I'll be performing as an honorary member of "Dork and the Alphadork Allstars" after my solo opening set. We'll be playing a bunch of 60s-90s pop rock which should be a blast! Show Poster. |
| 10/13/2007 setlist available | 8:30 pm | John McGaraghan | 12 Galaxies 2565 Mission St., San Francisco | I'll be opening at this benefit for the Children's Council of San Francisco, and sitting in with headliners Dork and the Alphadork Allstars. The Frail, SynthFace, and the Mighty Bushmen will also play. Show Poster. |
| 9/16/2007 | 7pm | The Skinny | Jupiter Berkeley | 3 song set as part of the Berkeley Old Time Music Convention cabaret night event at Jupiter. Tons of great music, so come on out! |
| 9/9/2007 | 11am-1pm | The Skinny | Nomad Cafe 6500 Shattuck, Oakland, CA | My alter-ego, "Knuckles McGee" will be sitting in as an honorary member of The Skinny at this gig, playing mandolin and dobro and singin'. |
| 8/17/2007 setlist available | 9 | John McGaraghan | Mama Buzz Cafe 2318 Telegraph, Oakland, CA | Sharing an evening with San Diego friends Podunk Nowhere. |
| 3/20/2007 setlist available | 10 pm | The Skinny | Starry Plough Berkeley, CA | I'll be playing the feature spot at the Plough's open mic. This is actually a loose formation with no name yet, featuring Tanya Brown (banjo/guitar) Koralie Hill (fiddle/banjo), Mike McGaraghan (dobro/guitar), and John (mandolin, guitar). Everybody sings! |
| 3/10/2007 setlist available | 7:30 | John McGaraghan | Nomad Cafe 6500 Shattuck (at 65th) in Oakland | Scott Waters will open the show, I'll go on around 7:30 or 8. Nomad is an all ages cafe with great coffee drinks, food, and beer and wine. |
| 1/27/2007 | 10 am | The Skinny | Berkeley Farmers' Market | Pickin' at the Berkeley farmers' market with Mike, Tanya, and Koralie. |
| 12/9/2006 setlist available | 9:00 pm | John McGaraghan | The Starry Plough Berkeley, CA | Opening for local Grateful Dead cover band "Workingman's Ed" |
| 10/13/2006 setlist available | 7 - 9 pm | John McGaraghan | A Cuppa Tea Berkeley, CA | John McG and Friends will be playing acoustic at this great local tea/coffee shop, located at 3200 College Ave (at Alcatraz), in Berkeley, CA. See the Flyer. |
| 2/2/2006 | 9 p.m. | Lee Simpson Band | Hotel Utah Saloon San Francisco | I'll be joining Lee's Electric band for a couple of songs. |
| 1/17/2006 setlist available | 10:00 | John McGaraghan | Starry Plough Berkeley | Open Mic Night Featured Artist. John and Mike McG will play a half hour set starting around 10:00 pm. |
| 11/16/2005 setlist available | 9 pm | Lee Simpson Band | Hotel Utah Saloon San Francisco | Playing from 9 to 9:40 with former King Harvest band mate Lee Simpson, playing a mix of both of our songs. |
| 11/8/2005 setlist available | 9:45 | John McGaraghan | Starry Plough Berkeley | Open Mic Night |
| 10/18/2005 setlist available | 9:00 | John McGaraghan | Starry Plough Berkeley | Open Mic Night |
| 10/4/2005 setlist available | 9:00 | John McGaraghan | Starry Plough Berkeley | Open Mic Night |
| 5/24/2005 setlist available | 8:30pm | John McGaraghan | Canes Mission Beach, SD | Performing 3 songs as part of the Acoustic Alliance artist showcase. A limited number of free tickets are available. Email John for info (they're going fast, so get 'em while they're hot!). |
| 5/20/2005 setlist available | 9:30 | John McGaraghan | The Whistle Stop South Park, San Diego | Opening for San Diego's best americana roots band, the 7th day buskers. |
| 5/14/2005 setlist available | 10:30 | Lee Simpson Band | The Gig 7302 Melrose Ave., Hollywood | An acoustic performance with former King Harvest band-mates Lee Simpson and Jason Fletcher, accompanied by sidemen extraordinaire Bruce MacMillan and Brit Smith. This will be Lee's SoCal CD Release party for his new self titled debut album, which features a cover of John's song Those Old Times A limited number of free tickets are available directly from me. contact john@johnmcg.com for more info. 323-936-4440 |
| 5/10/2005 setlist available | 8:30 | John McGaraghan | Winstons Ocean Beach, San Diego | Opening for "High Altitude Bluegrass" sensations the Hot Buttered Rum String Band |
| 4/7/2005 setlist available | 10 pm | John McGaraghan | The Tiki House Pacific Beach, San Diego | A Showcase with Headtrip Superstar, Jordon, and Shoestring Strap brought to you by "Listen Local San Diego" |
| 1/5/2005 setlist available | 9:30 | John McGaraghan | Winston's Ocean Beach | Appearing with High Altitude Bluegrass superstars the Hot Buttered Rum String Band. John will be doing an opening set and sitting in! |
| 2/27/2004 setlist available | 9 | John McGaraghan | Chris Clark House Concert San Diego | John opening for Hot Buttered Rum, and sitting in to debut John's new song Big Sky with the butter boys accompanying. view the pics |
| 11/20/2003 | 9:30 | Lee Simpson Band | The Fillmore Auditorium San Francisco, CA | With Lucinda Williams and eastmountainsouth |
