A guitarist who has spent decades on stage with Paul McCartney is turning his attention to the Coachella Valley's own music scene. Brian Ray and local musician Matt King will present Desert Scene, a new showcase built around regional bands, on Friday, Nov. 20, at the Plaza Theatre in downtown Palm Springs.
The event marks the latest project from Ray, whose day job has him touring arenas and stadiums as a guitarist for Paul McCartney, according to The Desert Sun. Desert Scene is billed as a platform for regional bands, giving Palm Springs audiences a chance to see homegrown talent share the same historic stage that has hosted touring headliners.
A Guitarist With Deep Ties to the Plaza
Ray's involvement in the showcase is not his first connection to the venue. He sits on the board of the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation, a role that pairs his touring experience with hands-on involvement in the theater's programming and fundraising efforts, according to the Coachella Valley Independent.
That same outlet reported that a 2022 benefit concert at the theater, Rock the Plaza, raised $200,000, underscoring how music events at the venue have doubled as fundraising vehicles for the historic space. The same report noted that the Plaza Theatre is not tied to a single promoter — any promoter can rent the room, meaning events like Desert Scene fit into a broader pattern of varied programming cycling through the stage.
What's Known About Desert Scene So Far
Beyond the date, location, and the two names attached to it, specifics about Desert Scene remain limited. The report crediting Ray and King as hosts does not detail which bands will perform, what time the show starts, or how much tickets will cost. For now, the confirmed details are simple: regional bands, the Plaza Theatre stage, and a Friday night slot on the Palm Springs calendar.
The pairing of King, a local musician, with Ray's industry-level credentials gives the showcase a dual identity — rooted in the valley's own talent pool while carrying the credibility of someone who has shared stages with one of music's most famous names. The article crediting the pair was published by author Brian Blueskye on Nov. 3.
