Belly Up plans 50-show run to celebrate its half-century anniversary

• "We could have booked a show at a bigger venue, but that didn't make any sense," he said. "The only way to do it was to spread it out."

The latest: They've curated a 50-show run including local heroes who helped put it on the map, touring bands taking an opportunity to play a rare small show, and legacy acts who are part of its legend.

Case in point: X, the landmark early L.A. punk group immortalized "Decline of Western Civilization" will be joined by Mike Watt, founding member of the Minutemen, another pioneering '80s independent band.

• "The Belly Up is really kind of perfect," X frontwoman Exene Cervenka said in a release.

The vibe: San Diego local Karl Denson will also take a break from touring with the Rolling Stones to play with New Orleans jazz-funk legends Galactic.

• Acts like Spoon, Shakey Graves and Michael Franti & Spearhead are stepping way down in venue size to help celebrate.

• "They were willing to do that because they wanted to be part of the 50th," Goldsmith said.

What we're watching: The Wallflowers, Built to Spill, Steel Pulse, Black Uhuru, Ozomatli, WAR, Alejandro Escovedo, Cracker, Lettuce, Donovan Frankenreiter & John Craigie and Metalachi are also part of the stacked lineup.

• "And, hopefully, we have a few more to announce before it's over," Goldsmith said.

Read more: In photos: Belly Up through the years