Single of the Week: “party 4 u” by Charli xcx

Way back in 2020, Charli xcx released a record called how i’m feeling now. It was written and recorded during the pandemic’s deepest, most unsettling parts. And I think it’s a perfect record. And I spent an absurd amount of time listening and relistening to “party 4 u,” which was not a single. But it struck a chord with me and many, many others. Fast forward to 2020, and it is finally becoming a single and getting the love it deserves. The emotional weight of this song is immeasurable. 

how i’m feeling now is getting a “glitter vinyl” repress, which can only be found on Charli’s webstore. 

 

Show Review: A Night at the Greek with Empire of the Sun, 5/3/2025

I have to admit something: after nearly six years in the Bay Area, this past weekend was my first time at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley. I promise, I love music. I just have never been drawn to a specific show there. That all changed when I saw that one of my all-time favorite musical acts was coming to town this year. Continue reading “Show Review: A Night at the Greek with Empire of the Sun, 5/3/2025”

Single of the Week: “what do you do?” by Jahnah Camille

“what do you do?” comes from Jahnah Camille. It’s a driving rocker complete with intensely anxious vocals. So, obviously, I LOVE IT. The lyrics paint a super honest and awkward picture of, well, being a human that meets other humans. The last time I heard a song describe this feeling this well was probably “The Problem With Public Places” by Cadallaca. 

“what do you do?” comes from Jahnah Camille’s latest EP, My sunny oath!, coming your way both physically and digitally on June 13th! 

Film Review: “Fight or Flight”

Fight or Flight is a brisk and exciting ride, despite narrative turbulence

Lucas (Josh Hartnett) is enjoying the fight on his flight.

The Josh Hartnett renaissance (Hart-naissance?) continues! From his supporting role in Oppenheimer and his cameo in The Bear, to the hammy lead role in last summer’s Trap, Hartnett is making moves to reclaim a movie star status he relished in the late ‘90s to early ‘00s. And, he seems to be loving every minute of it, taking on an assortment of roles: straight men, serial killers, and action heroes. Hartnett’s charm and underused physicality is on full display in Fight or Flight, a flawed B-movie thriller with a high level of violent choreography and cheeky humor. Continue reading “Film Review: “Fight or Flight””

An Appreciation of Phish at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, April 22 & 23, 2025

Photos by Tiffany Michelle Black

One doesn’t simply review a Phish concert. First, you have to show your bona fides. With that in mind, I’ll simply state that my first time hearing Phish was Jeffrey Quinlan’s Junta cassette that he brought back from Bowdoin College, where his brother had seen them. My first show was in 1992; I left early. My 20th show was in 1995, and somewhere after then, I just stopped counting. I didn’t think I’d ever need that number again until I started writing this. I’d hazard a guess at around 40.

One can’t simply review a Phish concert anyway. Either you love them or you don’t, and I’m not going to convince anyone in the cult to like or dislike something; same for those outside the cult. Everyone is convinced; there is no middle ground. Continue reading “An Appreciation of Phish at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, April 22 & 23, 2025”

BUMBERSHOOT 2025 LOOKS AMAZING!

Once again, Bumbershoot has released a lineup that is as close to “Spinning Platters” energy as possible. It’s bonkers in the most Gen-X meets Elder Millennial kinda “OMG! They got both Pretty Girls Make Graves AND Murder City Devils?!?! DEREK IS GONNA BE SO TIRED!” kinda way. And, seriously, the top line has Weezer, Sylvan Esso, Janelle Monae, and Bright Eyes?!?! We also have Digable Planets doing Blowout Comb, one of the most underrated albums of the ’90s. And the great Quasi (seriously- everyone needs to go to a Quasi concert before they die. Cathartic joy!)? And The Linda Lindas? And SPELLLING???? And HOLY SHIT LOOK AT THE POSTER: 

2-Day tickets start at $199, which makes it the best deal for a festival of this size. 

OUTSIDE LANDS 2025: SINGLE DAY TICKETS! BECK WITH SYMPHONY ADDED!!!

Outside Lands has graced us with their single-day lineups today, for those who can’t do the whole thing and need to pick and choose their days! And, on top of that, they added Beck performing with a symphony to Friday night! We also learned what the whole deal with Vampire Weekend appearing twice means—Vampire Weekend will open and close on Saturday. Single-day tickets are on sale NOW to Chase cardholders here. For those who use *other* banks (you know who you are), you’re gonna have to wait until tomorrow at 10 am to grab your single-day tickets here. Or you can also still grab some 3-day passes, because, trust me, one day isn’t enough. 

Outside Lands 2025 Daily Lineup

*artists subject to change* 

Friday, August 8 

Doja Cat

John Summit

Beck with Symphony

Doechii

Still Woozy

Thundercat

MARINA

ROLE MODEL

ARMNHMR

Floating Points

Nico Moreno

Fujii Kaze

BUNT.

DJ Koze

Mark Ambor

Jessica Pratt

Mannequin Pussy

NOTION

Fcukers

Vansire

Destroy Boys

INJI

nimino

ATRIP

Midrift

Alexandra Savior

NewDad

Baalti

Alemeda

Avatari

Saturday, August 9 

Tyler, the Creator

Vampire Weekend

Gracie Abrams

Gesaffelstein

Ludacris

Wallows

Royel Otis

Claude VonStroke

Artemas

Bakar

flipturn

2hollis

Walker & Royce

Dombresky

LaRussell

Girl Math (VNSSA b2b NALA)

DJ Pee. Wee

Wasia Project

Klangphonics

Kate Bollinger

Sarah Kinsley

Matt Champion

Wunderhorse

Amelia Moore

Paco Versailles

Good Neighbours

The Army, The Navy

Bay Ledges

DJ Mandy

almost monday

Vincent Lima

Infinite Jess

Vampire Weekend

Sunday, August 10

Hozier

Anderson. Paak & the Free Nationals

Glass Animals

Jamie xx

Bleachers

Jorja Smith

Black Coffee

Sammy Virji

FINNEAS

BigXthaPlug

Levity

BLOND:ISH

Claptone

Rebecca Black

CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso

julie

Mayer Hawthorne

Big Freedia with the SF Gay Men’s Chorus 

Hope Tala

Luna Li

&friends

Naomi Sharon

Neal Francis

Lexa Gates

TxC

Orla Gartland

Arcy Drive

Nourished by Time

bLAck pARty

Midnight Generation

Alex Amen

Cassandra Coleman

BANKSIA

Show Review: Kraftwerk at The Greek Theater, 4/18/25

When Kraftwerk played the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on April 18, 2025, it was a crystalline reminder of why they remain the architects of electronic music’s DNA. Under the open sky of one of California’s most storied venues, the night was a precise microchip and as alive as the humming bodies on the floor. Continue reading “Show Review: Kraftwerk at The Greek Theater, 4/18/25”

Single of the Week: “Escape” by Ginger Winn

I’m a sucker for a good anxiety anthem. Maybe because I experience it to a nearly debilitating amount sometimes, and struggle with getting it under control properly. And, also, have you spent any time with the news lately? Dear God… A lot to be afraid of, and it doesn’t feel like we have a path out. That being said, this song feels right. And using a wolf to represent your anxiety? No animal has felt more right there. This song is gorgeous and feels like the warm hug that says, “I don’t know if we are gonna make it out of this, but we are in this together.”

“Escape” is off of Ginger Winn’s upcoming record, Freeze Frame, coming your way June 13th. You can find all things Ginger Winn here!

Film Review: “The Surfer”

Toxic masculinity gets menacingly vibrant and sun-soaked in The Surfer

Nicolas Cage just wants to surf in ‘The Surfer’

“You can’t stop a wave. It’s pure energy.” What a great line to start a film, especially when the line is delivered with philosophical sincerity by Nicolas Cage to kickstart a gonzo psychedelic thriller. The Surfer is the new film from Lorcan Finnegan (Vivarium) and it takes its opening line to heart, stylistically and performatively. Finnegan submerges The Surfer in 1970s era orange and turquoise and utilizes Cage’s unique talent for capturing a character’s descent into madness. The result is a blistering portrayal of toxic masculinity. Continue reading “Film Review: “The Surfer””