TURN IT UP

The Sound is on in Del Mar

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DMF MARKETING

Boasting 9,500 square feet, a capacity of 1,900, and a state-of-the-art VUE Audiotechnik sound system, The Sound is already making San Diego County’s entertainment scene bigger, cooler, and better. The stunning venue occupies the former site of Del Mar’s Surfside Race Place off-track betting facility and is owned by the 22nd District Agricultural Association, which runs the fairgrounds. Larger than House of Blues and Observatory North Park, the venue will be booked and managed for the next decade by Belly Up Entertainment, owner of the Belly Up music club in Solana Beach.

The Sound officially opened its doors to the public in early February with a pair of shows by reggae-music star, Ziggy Marley. It was also the site of a headliner concert by Grammy Award-winning Jason Mraz and his eight-piece “super band” on March 18.

“The sound at The Sound is amazing!” reports Karlos Paez, the guitarist and cofounder of the award-winning B-Side Players, who played there at a private performance earlier this year. “It will be a great place for bigger acts to play in San Diego in a venue with a 1,900 capacity but it still feels intimate.”

The Sound

2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar
General parking: $10
For events & tickets, visit ticketmaster.com

The Sound was designed with a standing-room area on the main floor flanked by 125 seats to each side, and a 125-seat balcony. The venue features four bars on the main floor, one bar in the balcony, and finger food is available for purchase.

Chris Goldsmith, president of Belly Up Entertainment and multi-Grammy Award-winning album producer, grew up in North County. He believes that a venue like The Sound is long overdue.

“San Diego has needed a venue like this for years and we’re really excited to be a part of this new chapter in local music history,” Chris says.  “We plan to program a wide range of styles, and our hope is that everyone in the county will find something they like at The Sound.”