Results tagged “concerts”

This week's concert preview is being brought to you by Kevin Meenan of Epicsauce, providing detailed concert listings for the Bay Area every week. Follow them on Twitter.

                                          

Saturday was sunny and electronic; Sunday was chilly and leaned more toward back-to-basics rock. Also thrown in was some gypsy music, hip-hop, and whatever you want to call this new rock operetta thing The Decemberists can't keep themselves from playing, as well as several cupcake hovercrafts, and a steampunk sideshow with old-timey games hosted by Mister Gnogiurzauchshoff's Traveling Midway of Curiosities and Delights. And both days sold out! Weather shifts aside, the Treasure Island Music Fest was once again the swellest and most human-scaled festival we've ever been to -- and as Thao, she of the Get Down Stay Down, put it, it's simply "the bestival."

A few concerts for the week-end: Stanford Lively Arts presents the West Coast premiere of Uri Caine's The Othello Syndrome, based upon Verdi's opera Othello. We have tried to get into Uri's reinterpretation of Gustav Mahler, and we admit we struggled. But we're sure it's better live, and we appreciate effort to bring in new life and new audiences to Verdi. And when your singers are named Josefine and Bunny, it can't go wrong.

                 

We would have taken some more closups of the artists, but you know what? It was pretty goddamn crowded out there at HSB this year! It was especially crowded come around 5:30 p.m. when Neko Case went on in Lindley Meadow, which was perhaps too small a venue for her when the show's free. We think maybe Mr. Hellman should consider just taking over the polo field next year, or not inviting such big names. But it was, if you could stake out a few feet of grass to call your own, a lovely couple of days. (Photos by SFist/Joey DeRuy and Generik11 on Flickr.)

This SFist weekly concert preview is brought to you by Kevin Meenan of Epicsauce. Rely on Epicsauce for concert listing updates, and follow them on Twitter.

Those who have attended Coachella are probably familiar with the Empire Polo Club in Indio. And those who are avid Phish heads (or those who pay attention to our advertisers here on SFist) probably know about Phish Festival 8, which is happening on those same hallowed and well-stomped grounds -- this year over the 3-day Halloween weekend.

It's going to be a semi-warm weekend and just possibly (though we can't promise anything) it will be sunny in Golden Gate Park at least on Friday and Sunday, so the ninth annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass promises to be as jammed packed with free music seekers as ever. The annual roots music fest is sponsored by local billionaire and banjo-player Warren Hellman, and once again this year features some big acts that fall into the "hardly strictly" area, like Aimee Mann, MC Hammer, Okkervil River and Marianne Faithfull as well as a whole bunch of down-home American banjoin' and fiddlin'. It takes place in the Speedway and Lindley Meadows (basically the same grounds as Outside Lands, minus the Polo Field). And did we mention it's completely free? Below, a few quick recommendations.

Forgive us if her sugary sweetness leaves you wishing for a glass of milk (or some kind of metalcore antidote), but the Australian Madonna is hitting our shores for two shows starting tonight at the Fox. Kylie Minogue may not be as huge here as she is Down Under and across the pond, but she is a cancer survivor and she's sure to bring the gays and a certain contingent of teen girls out to party with her pure dance-pop confections. Some new tickets were JUST RELEASED are still available here, if you're into that kind of thing. Or just watch her new-ish four-year-old video for "I Believe In You" here.

Again this week, our concert preview is being brought to you by Kevin Meenan of Epicsauce, who provides concert listings for Bay Area venues in a neat, easy format each week. Follow Epicsauce on Twitter.

This week's SFist concert preview brought to you by Epicsauce, who keep track of the local music scene every week just for you.

The Pet Shop Boys are kind of like the Rolling Stones of the gayische electronic pop scene: they just never stop working and touring. But unlike the Stones, the Boys have been making new music, and while their sound doesn't change a lot, neither does their formula for crafting catchy, layered pop songs with a decidedly 80's flavor. Lucky for them, the 80's are hot again, especially when it comes to electric drums and string sections, and Neil Tennant's voice never faded. They're playing not one, but two shows at The Warfield next Tuesday and Wednesday, in support of their new double album Yes, which has about a dozen great tracks on it.

The week kicks off with Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White playing several just-announced all acoustic sets at Yoshi's Oakland. Then on Thursday, jangly French pop band Phoenix is at The Warfield, and their set will surely include the single "Lisztomania" (video above) from their latest album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. The lyrics are charmingly foreign, including the refrain, "Lisztomania / Think less but see it grow / Like a riot, like a riot, oh ! / I'm not easily offended / It's not hard to let it go / From a mess to the masses." We think it's about socialized medicine, or something. Anyway, it's fun.

Bring your lunch and soak up some sun (or find some shade) at Justin Herman Plaza at Noon today, while enjoying the sweet sounds of the San Francisco Symphony. Popular works will be featured, including Liszt, Mephisto Waltz No. 1; Rodgers, Carousel Walt; and Ravel, La Valse.

Current and/or former San Francisco crooner Spencer Day (his Facebook lists him as living in both San Francisco and Topanga Canyon) will appear on tonight, making this evening's show an explosion of pop-jazz tunes and handsome men. Day's appearance on the CBS late show -- which follows David Letterman -- will be a taped one. Why? Because, starting tonight, the award winning singer will appear at The Razz Room. Spencer Day's tenure at the Razz Room runs until 9/20.

by Moses Namkung
What do you get when you mix members of the Smashing Pumpkins, Hanson, Fountains of Wayne and Cheap Trick? Apparently... Tinted Windows. Aidan Vaziri at SFGate has an amusing interview with Taylor Hanson, the 26-year old father of four, in which he says, and we quote, "Heroin has a real down side, so I try to stay away from the hard stuff" and "I've figured out what to do with my hands ... onstage... I subtly molest the mike stand." The kid apparently has grown up a lot in the 12 years since 1997. You can catch the demi-supergroup at GAMH on Friday. Select list of shows around the city, after the jump...

by Moses Namkung

Outside Lands has arrived. Remember last year? Substantial Muni fail, Radiohead's sound cutting out, Mr. Clothezoff, and other freshman-year festival growing pains... this year, we have a gaggle of headliners and acts that hit their prime a generation ago, but also an array of potentially promising Outside Lands night shows the entire week, including The Dodos (sold out, unfortunately), Holy Fuck and Os Mutantes. And that's on top of a week that's already front-loaded with Ted Leo at BOTH and Pete Yorn at the Fillmore on Monday and SubPop's Fruit Bats at Ameoba SF and the Independent on Tuesday. We've been analyzing the schedule, trying to figure out which day of the festival we are the most (and least) excited for. For some reason though, while we do so, we're finding ourselves drifting off and daydreaming of the Flaming Lips, Girl Talk and Grizzly Bear...

Select list of shows around the city, after the jump...

by Moses Namkung

This week, the Bay Area plays host to Third Eye Blind, Green Day and the Warped Tour -- quite the triumvirate of throwback California alternative rock. Just wondering, is anybody out there going to the 3eb gig? Ever since we stopped contemplating purchasing their debut and/or ) on Tuesday and also has J. Tillman of Fleet Foxes fame on Sunday for a solo show. See you out there.Select list of shows around the city, after the jump...

Times seem to be tough for aging rockstars scheduled to play in the Bay Area this summer. Depeche Mode has had to cancel tonight's show at Shoreline Amphitheatre because of doctor's orders that David Gahan rest his vocal chords for 48 hours. The show will not be rescheduled and tickets will be refunded at the point of purchase. (Bummer for those who might have bought tickets second-hand though.)

Director Ang Lee, along with screenwriter/producer James Schamus and star Demetri Martin appeared last night at a preview of Taking Woodstock at Embarcadero Cinemas. The film is a gorgeously shot and executed ode to the late 60s, and, unlike much of Lee's work of the last decade, it is LOL funny and doesn't end tragically. It's anchored by the story of Elliot Tiber, a young gay man who, while managing his parents' motel in the Catskills, became a central figure in bringing the great hippie tsunami of '69 to Bethel, New York. The movie features a fine and subtle performance by stand-up comedian and first-time actor Martin (pictured above, tripping, with Kelli Garner and Paul Dano), a restrained turn by Liev Schrieber as a transsexual, and a killer performance by Imelda Staunton at Elliot's mother that will, mark our words, win her an Oscar.

by Moses Namkung

Did you miss out on buying tickets to the secret show for Sonic Youth at the Independent tonight? Never fear, they're available for... oh, wait... somebody's asking for the extortionary amount of $175, or 5x face, on craigslist!? For shame. If you aren't in the mood to shell out that kind of dough to see some aging rockers from two decades ago, you can still kind of get your 80's fix with Black Francis, aka the big, bald white guy from the Pixies, Frank Black, at Hotel Utah on Thursday and Friday.


Two other shows of note, both on Thursday, include Harlem, recently signed to Matador at Rickshaw Stop and The Dry Spells
celebrating their CD release at Cafe du Nord. Otherwise, it's a bit of a slow week in the Bay Area, so to keep you entertained, here's a nice mixtape of KZSU digital sessions, courtesy of the recently and dearly departed SF music blogger ipickmynose.

by Moses Namkung

The Mission Creek Music & Arts Festival,
the two-week long extravaganza featuring an array of "local
independent concert promoters, musicians, artists, filmmakers, dancers
and multi-media performance artists",
finishes this week with shows throughout the city including tonight's
gig at Cafe Du Nord featuring singer-songwriter Miranda Lee Richards.
Her soft folky tunes can help sooth the pain of Monday, but if you're
instead in the mood to shell out $30 to hear audience members yell for
more cowbell, you can see Blue Oyster Cult at Slim's tonight, as well.


Also of potential interest later in the week, the heavily-hyped (translation: got 8.0+ on Pitchfork?) The Pains of Being Pure At Heart will return to Rickshaw Stop, while electro-pop duo La Roux heads up Cafe Du Nord on Wednesday. Over in the east bay, funky Of Montreal and Halle Berry's ex-husband will head up shows at Fox Theater on Friday and Sunday, respectively. See you out there.


Select list of shows around the city, after the jump...

The trio comprising twin brothers and a Japanese girl one of them once dated known as Blonde Redhead is playing their second and last show tonight at The Independent (get tickets here), and for your afternoon palate cleanser we offer you this swell live footage of the band playing one of our favorite songs from the early aughts, "In Particular."

The 13th annual Mission Creek Music & Arts Festival starts tonight with an Opening show at the Knockout. The Fest will then be concentrated in Oakland tomorrow through Monday, and will continue it's epic line-up in San Francisco on Wednesday for the following ten days. Check the full calendar. All-ages shows are in colored boxes.

The week ahead in music is a quiet one, as if the Bay Area needed some time off to nurse it's collective post-Pride hangover. Quiet doesn't mean silent, however, and there are still plenty of offerings for those who want a little auditory stimulus for their come-down. Two shows featuring roots music are worth checking out this week: Deer Tick at The Independent on Wednesday and The Moondooggies at The Rickshaw Stop on Thursday. The B-52's make an apperance on the peninsula on Tuesday, continuing to surprise those who see them live with their durability and tight musical chops. As you plan ahead for the Fourth of July weekend, make sure to check out the Fillmore Jazz Festival, consistently one of the best street festivals in San Francisco. The fest regularly features top-notch talent from across the jazz spectrum while celebrating the musical heritage of the Western Addition neighborhood. Best of all, it's free. Highlights of this year's festival include: Spencer Day, Marcus Shelby Orchestra, Kim Nalley, Sila & the AfroFunk Experience, Norman Bautista, and many more. Check out www.fillmorejazzfestival.com for more details. If you feel the need to escape the city for the weekend, you can always head up to the Marin County Fair and join graying hot-tubbers as they sway to the retro sounds of Sha Na Na and the latin rock of Los Lobos.

Brooklyn-based quartet Grizzly Bear has had the indie music community abuzz with rave reviews of their latest album, Veckatimest, which even cracked the Billboard Top 10 a couple weeks ago, just ahead of... Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts. Yes ladies and gents, they've hit the big time. All Shook Down certainly loved 'em last night (apparently it was better than seeing a unicorn) and they're back for more tonight. Also, the Greek Theatre in Berkeley has David Byrne and Wilco back to back nights; as for recommended local acts, A.A. Bondy and Telekinesis are hitting up Cafe Du Nord and BOTH, respectively. See you out there. Select list of shows around the city, after the jump...

If you're planning to purchase lawn tickets for any Shoreline Amphitheatre concerts this summer, be sure to get them via Live Nation on a select No Service Fee Wednesday, including today, for an all-in-one price of $24.99. This is an especially great deal for concerts such as Depeche Mode and Def Leppard/Poison/Cheap Trick, where regular lawn tickets start at $40, once all of the annoying service fees are factored in.

It's bits-and-pieces of '90s cult alterna-band week in San Francisco, with members of both Ween and Primus (Gene Ween and Les Claypool respectively) gracing the stages of Great American Music Hall and the Warfield. Meanwhile Steve Albini's noise-rock band Shellac will be making a two night stand at the Great American Music Hall and indie rock powerhouse Grizzly Bear, freah from the release of their latest album Veckatimest, will begin their two night gig at the Fillmore on Sunday.

The Harmony Festival, coming up this weekend in Santa Rosa, will feature Michael Franti & Spearhead, India.Arie, Cake, ALO (Animal Liberation Orchestra), Balkan Beat Box and countless other musical acts over the course of the three day festival. Come join up and see that "at the Harmony Festival, it becomes obvious that we are all one." Er, yes. Go out and feel those good rhythms of humanity, brah. Select list of shows around the Bay Area after the jump...

The last time we saw Jens Lekman, as his set ended he apologized that he had run out of time. The lights went on, he hopped down from the stage to mingle with the crowd, and then said, "I'd like to keep playing music. Do you know of anywhere else we can play some more music? I'm not from around here." Phew, such a nice guy. We suggested Union Square in NY, went there and waited in the cold, but he sadly never showed - he apparently "got lost in Halloween weekend traffic".