Late April in San Diego means the concert season is heating up, especially the outdoor concert season. This week, there are several interesting musical highlights, including the return of the warring Robinson brothers, Chris and Rich, and their bluesy rock band, the Black Crowes, at Harrah's Rincon Casino on April 26. Known for fighting among themselves, as well as their reverential influences of the Rolling Stones and the Faces in their music, the Crowes' back-to-basics rock n' roll is no frills, expertly played, and delivered with soulful grit by frontman Chris.

Speaking of frontmen, one of the best around for years has been Joe Elliott of pop metal rockers Def Leppard. A mainstay of MTV during their '80s heyday (remember "Photograph?" "Pour Some Sugar on Me?"), Def Leppard was one of the most melodic and savvy of the hair metal bands, creating some of the most perfect and enduring hard rock music around. Their heyday may be well behind them, but if you close your eyes while at the Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre on April 26 you'll relive those days of Union Jack T-shirts, curly permed hair and spandex. Rock on.

Avril Lavigne burst on the music scene in 2002 with her hit album Let Go and the monster hit, "Complicated." A poppy, skater girl, guitar slinging rocker, Lavigne was the anti-Britney and the public ate her up. She continues on tour with her latest album, The Best Damn Thing, and though she's a lot more polished than her skater girl days, she still commands an audience. Lavigne hits Cox Arena on April 30.

For a full schedule of this week's San Diego concerts, check out my concert listings right here.