Dirty Heads Bring Ska Back to Nashville
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - August 1: Dirty Heads perform at headline show at The Pinnacle. (Photo by Dylan Basden for Pretty Nifty)
In between dates on their summer co-headline tour with 311, Dirty Heads make a special pitstop in Nashville for their own solo night. On the road supporting their new album, 7 Seas, the band is long overdue for a return, last playing Music City back in 2024.
Hitting the stage in dramatic fashion, the band get things start with “Seven Seas,” a rowdy, reggae-infused ska track and the opener from the new album. Co-vocalists Jared "Dirty J" Watson and Dustin "Duddy B" Bushnell are front and center, with Dirty J taking on the choruses and Duddy B the verses. Backing them, the absolute ensemble that is the full might of Dirty Heads. Jon Olazabal, their percussionist, feels omni-present, adding in crisp steel drum and congas that give the song its beach tones. Mark Bush (trumpet) and Ruben Durazo (trombone) add a little flair of funk, another calling card from the band’s bottomless bag of tricks.
Shifting into a more synth-heavy direction, Dirty Heads land on 2014’s “Burn Slow,” a track where we see Dirty J really get into the pocket. Mixing a heavy dose of rap and hip-hop into their production, Dirty J is fully in the zone overtop bassist David Foral and keyboardist Shawn Gonzalez. It is a downright good time, with the crowd fully onboard at this point. For their part, this is a die-hard fanbase, evidenced by the sheer amount of merch and the lengthy line to get in the venue. Ska may not be the hottest genre on the scene like it was twenty years ago, but Dirty Heads are in no danger of fading away.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - August 1: Dirty Heads perform at headline show at The Pinnacle. (Photo by Dylan Basden for Pretty Nifty)
Wrapping up the first three songs with “Bum Bum,” it is clear that Dirty Heads are not slowing down. Arguably the highest energy song of the band’s set, Duddy B has ditched his guitar in favor of trading blows more directly with his counterpart. Him and Dirty J are a dynamic duo, commanding the stage as they circle each other, laying down verse after verse with effortless flow. Matt Ochoa throws a sharp beat underneath on drums, easily driving the song along as it punches you in the chest. This one was a barn-burner.
Setlist
Seven Seas
Burn Slow
Bum Bum
Heavy Water
Oxygen
Stranded
My Sweet Summer
Life’s Been Good (Joe Walsh cover)
One of Those Days
Lay Me Down (ft. ROME)
Better
Driftin’
That’s All I Need
Vacation
Sloth’s Revenge
Island Glow
Sound Boy Killa
Medusa
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - August 1: Dirty Heads perform at headline show at The Pinnacle. (Photo by Dylan Basden for Pretty Nifty)
The band is a little over halfway through with their co-headline run with 311, and while there are a handful of offshoot dates like Nashville, chances to catch Dirty Heads this summer are drying up fast. For those on the East Coast and through the Rust Belt, you may be out of luck in 2026, but I’d be shocked if the band didn’t make their way back to your neck of the woods sooner rather than later.
You can find all of Dirty Heads’ upcoming tour dates here.
Aug 2 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park^+*
Aug 4 – Kansas City, MO – Morton Amphitheater^+*
Aug 5 – Council Bluffs, IA – Harrah’s Stir Cove^+*
Aug 7 – Casper, WY – The Gaslight Social*
Aug 8 – West Valley City, UT - Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre^+*
Aug 10 – Bonner, MT – Kettlehouse Amphitheater*
Aug 11 – Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater^+*
Aug 12 – Airway Heights, WA – Northern Quest Amp^+*
Aug 13 – Auburn, WA – White Water Amphitheatre^+*
Aug 15 – Concord, CA – Toyota Pavilion at Concord^+*
Aug 16 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl^=*
Aug 18 – Long Beach, CA – Long Beach Amphitheater^=*
Aug 19 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre^=*
Aug 22 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater^=*
Aug 23 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion^=*
Aug 25 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory^=*
Aug 26 – Rogers, AR – Walmart Amp^=*
Aug 28 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre^=*
Aug 29 – Tampa, FL – MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre^=*
Aug 30 – West Palm Beach Farms, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre^=*
Oct 10 – Las Vegas, NC – Vegas Vibes 2026
^ co-headline w/ 311
+ w/ Ocean Alley
= w/ Atmosphere
* w/ ROME
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - August 1: Dirty Heads perform at headline show at The Pinnacle. (Photo by Dylan Basden for Pretty Nifty)
Fans of 311, Sublime, and Slightly Stoopid, you should already be aware of Dirty Heads, but if not, this show is a must-see. For the outsiders looking in, this is an immensely fun show, don’t let the band’s fiercely loyal fanbase scare you off, this show is incredibly welcoming. You’re bound to have a great time.