Performances & Events

Name: Punch Brothers
Start: 2026-10-09T19:30:00+00:00
End: 2026-10-09T19:30:00+00:00

Fri October 9th

Punch Brothers

Unsung North American Expedition

Fri October 9th

Punch Brothers

Unsung North American Expedition

Event Details

Date: Friday October 9th, 2026
Time: 7:30PM

Gates open

6:30 pm

Presented by

ArtPower at UC San Diego

Pricing

Tickets: $31–81
UCSD Students: Limited free tickets via SSO (Available Sept. 1)

Ticket prices are inclusive of fees.

Punch Brothers have partnered with PLUS1 so that $1 per ticket goes to supporting organizations working for equity, access, and dignity for all. www.plus1.org

Punch Brothers, formed by mandolinist Chris Thile in 2006, is known for pushing the boundaries of acoustic music. In addition to Thile, the band currently comprises guitarist Chris Eldridge, bassist Paul Kowert, banjoist Noam Pikelny, and violinist Brittany Haas. Punch Brothers has garnered critical acclaim, including a Grammy for Best Folk Album for All Ashore (2018). The Washington Post applauded them for taking “bluegrass to its next evolutionary stage, drawing equal inspiration from the brain and the heart.”

Over the past two decades, Punch Brothers has become a pioneer in modern string music, with albums like Antifogmatic (2010), Who’s Feeling Young Now (2012), and The Phosphorescent Blues (2015) showcasing the group’s genre-defying sound. Rolling Stone praised their work as “wild virtuosity used for more than just virtuosity,” cementing their reputation as trailblazers in contemporary acoustic music. The band’s most recent album, Hell on Church Street (2021), is a reimagining of, and homage to, the late bluegrass great Tony Rice’s landmark solo album Church Street Blues.

Most recently, Punch Brothers have been focused on the band’s musical variety show, The Energy Curfew Music Hour. Season One is available on all podcast platforms, with season two exclusively out on Audible. Season 1 was nominated for a Webby Award in the Podcast: Features, Experimental & Innovation category; it also won Most Innovative Audio Experience, Best Live Podcast Recording, and Best Sound Design in the Listener’s Choice category of the 2025 Signal Awards.

The Unsung Adventures of Punch Brothers, the seventh album from the Grammywinning band—and its first comprising all instrumental tunes as well as its first with fiddle player Brittany Haas, who joined the quintet in 2023—is due July 24, 2026, on Nonesuch Records. The album features eight new original compositions by Punch Brothers as well as three traditional songs they arranged.

VIP – The Unsung Adventure Club Includes:

One (1) premium reserved seat
Invitation to the pre-show Punch Brothers experience, including:
Private pre-show performance by Punch Brothers
Q&A session with Punch Brothers
One (1) limited edition merch bundle, including a signed photo of the band
Early access to merchandise shopping before doors open to the general public
On-site event host

GETTING HERE

The Epstein Family Amphitheater is located at 9480 Innovation Ln, La Jolla, CA 92093.

Take the Trolley: The amphitheater is located next to the Blue Line Trolley, UCSD Central Campus Station. For more information about the trolley, visit the MTS website >

From the North: Take I-5 south and exit La Jolla Village Drive. Use the right lanes to turn right onto La Jolla Village Drive and take the first right onto Villa La Jolla Drive.

From the South: Take I-5 north and exit La Jolla Village Drive. Use the left lanes to turn left onto La Jolla Village Drive and take the first right onto Villa La Jolla Drive.

PARKING

The closest parking structure is Gilman Parking Structure. UC San Diego requires parking permits 7 days a week. Permits can be purchased at permit machines or through the Parkmobile App. Visit UC San Diego Transportation for information on where to buy your permit, and costs.

ABOUT THE VENUE

Accessible Seating

Wheelchair-accessible seating is available in all seating areas for patrons in wheelchairs and their companions.

MORE INFO

If you need additional information andor assistance, please contact amphitheater@ucsd.edu.

WHAT CAN I BRING TO THE SHOW?

You may bring in empty refillable water bottles, small personal bags (16” x 16 “ x 8”). All bags are subject to search by security officers. We encourage that you dress in layers and for those who have tickets to the General Lawn Section to wear shoes without heels.

WHAT CAN'T I BRING TO THE SHOW?

Additional prohibited items include: strollers, large backpacks, flags, tobacco products, alcohol, cans, bottles, ice chests, picnic baskets, lawn furniture, weapons of any kind, umbrellas, pets, hula hoops, musical instruments, laser pointers, bicycles, and skateboards. Cameras with a detachable lens of any kind and professional recording devices are not allowed, including GoPros. Scooters, skateboards, roller skates, and other recreational wheeled equipment are not permitted at the Epstein Family Amphitheater. UC San Diego is a smoke-free campus.

If you have questions, please contact amphitheater@ucsd.edu.

CAN I BRING LAWN FURNITURE, CUSHIONS, OR BLANKETS?

For the safety and comfort of all, you may not bring lawn chairs or furniture. The lawn is quite steep and not safe for lawn chairs. You can bring in personal seat cushions, blankets, or seating, as long as they fit your personal space. We encourage the same for the stone bench seating areas on both General Admission and reserved seating shows.