San Diego music is fine: Vieux Farka Touré at Music Box

Catch up quick: He's the son of Ali Farka Touré, the legendary guitarist from Mali credited with creating desert blues, a style that melds North American blues with Western Sahara music. But he's been an international touring artist on his own merit for more than a decade.

• San Diego's own Spacehall Sound Machine, a six-piece improvisational outfit, is opening and is absolutely worth checking out as well.

When, where, tickets: Wednesday, Aug. 2 at Music Box: 1337 India St. Tickets are $25 in advance, $27 day of.

If you can't make it, mark your calendars instead for Os Mutantes, the influential '60s-era Brazilian rock group, also playing at Music Box on Saturday, Aug. 19.