ON SALE SOON
Thursday, Jun 11 2026, 10:00 AM PDT

Belly Up Presents
Al Di Meola - Guitarchitect Tour
Mon, 21 Sep, 7:30 PM PDT
Doors open
7:00 PM PDT
Belly Up
143 S. Cedros Ave, Solana Beach, CA 92075
ON SALE SOON
Thursday, Jun 11 2026, 10:00 AM PDT
Description
Al Di Meola, Monday, September 21, 2026, at Belly Up in Solana Beach, San Diego, CA
VENUE PRESALE 6/11/2026 @ 10:00AM PT
PUBLIC ON SALE 6/12/2026 @ 10:00AM PT
2026: Al Di Meola returns with his acoustic band and the program “The Guitarchitect,” a refined concert experience that unites five decades of music, sweeping multimedia visuals, and the stories that shaped a lifetime of artistry.
This tour is a celebration of legacy, innovation, and the evolution of the Di Meola sound — performed with the unmistakable precision and passion that have defined his world-renowned career.
Join us for an evening that honors the past, embraces the present, and looks toward the future.
THERE IS A DELIVERY DELAY IN PLACE FOR THIS SHOW. Tickets will be delivered to your inbox 72 hours in advance of the show start time.
General Admission Ticket Price: $55 adv / $60 day of
Gold Circle Seat Ticket Price (1st 4 rows on the floor): $97
Reserved Loft Ticket Price: $97
Note: Loft, GA & Gold Circle tickets available at box office. Convenience service charges apply for online & phone purchases. Loft Seating Chart / Virtual Venue Tour
Box Office: 858-481-8140 | Boxoffice@bellyup.com | FAQ
A SEATED SHOW
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There are no refunds or exchanges on tickets once purchased.
All times and supporting acts are subject to change.
Event Information
Age Limit
21+
eTicket Delivery
Your tickets will be e-mailed closer to the event date.
Refund Policy
There are no refunds for any tickets bought from the Belly Up, any time, without exception. In the event of a reschedule or show postponement there will be a refund window in which customers can request a refund by contacting boxoffice@bellyup.com - in these instances no fees incurred by purchasing over the phone or online will be refunded.
In the event of a full show cancellation - a full refund including fees will be refunded automatically at the point of purchase.

Jazz
Al Di Meola
Al Di Meola
Jazz
Al Di Meola occupies a rare and enduring position in contemporary music as a living legend whose work continues to define the present moment. For more than five decades, he has shaped the language of modern instrumental music through an unmistakable synthesis of jazz, rock, Latin, Mediterranean, and world traditions—marked by rhythmic sophistication, compositional intelligence, and extraordinary precision.
Widely regarded as one of the most respected composers in contemporary music, Di Meola’s artistry extends far beyond virtuosity. His compositions are distinguished by intricate rhythmic structures, lyrical melodic architecture, and a deep engagement with global musical traditions. This ability to merge technical mastery with emotional clarity has made his work both enduring and widely studied.
A GRAMMY Award–winning artist, Di Meola is the recipient of the Miles Davis Lifetime Achievement Award and the BBC Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a seven-time recipient of Guitar Player Magazine’s Best Guitarist award and a multi-year winner of DownBeat Magazine’s Readers Poll. His standing among the Greatest Guitarists of All Time is consistently affirmed by leading international publications and cultural institutions.
Di Meola first rose to global prominence in the mid-1970s as a core member of Return to Forever, the seminal ensemble led by Chick Corea. During this period, the group’s recordings redefined instrumental music, expanded its audience, and established new artistic benchmarks that remain influential today.
His solo career—launched with Land of the Midnight Sun and followed by landmark albums including Elegant Gypsy, Casino, Splendido Hotel, Electric Rendezvous, and Scenario—confirmed his stature not only as a virtuoso guitarist but as a composer whose works are performed, analyzed, and revered worldwide.
His historic acoustic collaborations with Paco de Lucía and John McLaughlin produced Friday Night in San Francisco, one of the best-selling instrumental albums of all time. The recording fundamentally reshaped global perceptions
of acoustic guitar performance and demonstrated the power of instrumental music to command mainstream attention.
Di Meola’s musical vision is further distinguished by its dialogue with great compositional traditions. His affinity with the spirit of Astor Piazzolla is evident in his rhythmic depth and structural approach, while his refined instrumental interpretations of the Lennon–McCartney canon reflect a deep respect for melody, form, and songcraft—reimagined through his own harmonic and rhythmic vocabulary.
In recent years, Al Di Meola has reconceived the live concert format, transforming his performances into immersive, cinematic experiences. Music is presented within a carefully curated visual and narrative framework, turning each appearance into a cohesive artistic journey rather than a conventional program. The result is a live experience that is contemporary, emotionally engaging, and unmistakably authoritative.
His continued cultural relevance was recently reflected in a benefit performance for the victims of ICE cruelty and the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, where he appeared alongside Bruce Springsteen and Tom Morello—a peer-level context underscoring both his artistic stature and his engagement with the present cultural moment.
Deeply connected to Italy and the Mediterranean world, Di Meola is widely regarded as an ambassador of Mediterranean culture. His music reflects the region’s rhythmic vitality, lyricism, and elegance, complemented by a refined appreciation for Italian heritage, cuisine, and the art of living. This sensibility adds a distinctive cultural dimension to his work, resonating strongly with international audiences and presenters.
Al Di Meola’s performances stand as living expressions of mastery, cultural depth, and enduring artistic relevance.