Noise Pop Phase 1 Line Up Announced / Tickets On Sale TODAY at 10am!!

I always think of Noise Pop 2020 as the “last” festival… They managed to finish up just *barely* before the pandemic began to take a grip on society and pretty much end fun as we know it. So, seeing them announce their return today left me feeling a little bit of… Dare I say hope? Ages 5-11 are now able to get vaccinated. California is still doing fantastic at keeping both infections and hospitalizations down. I’ve spoken to a few venue managers in the Bay, and people are surprised by how few infections seem to be happening in the live events community, at least locally. So maybe, just maybe, Noise Pop 2022 (running Feb 21-27) *might* end up being our first time to safely and collectively “let loose” in two whole years. 

And there is SO MUCH HOPE in this line-up! The first thing that caught my eye was noticing Quasi is back! This would be drum master Janet Weiss’ first Bay Area performance since her near-fatal car accident in 2019, as well as her first visit since leaving Sleater-Kinney. There are also comeback sets by Spinning Platters’ favorites Papercuts, The Drums (performing Portamento), and The Microphones. We also have a performance by Faith No More keyboardist Roddy Bottum’s quarantine protect Man On Man. Yes, I’m old, but I like new things, too. And I’m particularly stoked to see Hunny, King Princess, Hand Habits, and Ian Sweet all on the bill. AND THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST WAVE!!! I’m already exhausted trying to figure out what I’m going to go to.  Schedule and tickets for individual shows can be found here. Don’t like making decisions in advance? There are still a few badges available at Phase 1 prices! $159 for “all you can eat” live music for a whole week? You can’t beat that! 

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts: 10/3/14-10/8/14

This is strictly blue grass.
This is strictly blue grass.

Yes, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is this week. It’s an amazing line up as usual. It’s free, so everyone is there. However, there is more than enough great music happening this week. Enjoy the shows!

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts: 10/3/14-10/8/14”

Spinning Platters Guide To Noise Pop 2012

For the last 20 years, the good folks of Noise Pop have turned a single show at Kennel Club (now known as The Independent) into a huge, weeklong festival that causes Bay Area music nerds to clear their calendar every year. In recent years, the fest has expanded beyond music- we have movies, craft fairs, and literary events in addition to one of the best programmed music fests you will ever go to. Go to 2012.noisepop.com for a full listing, but if you want to know what I think you should go to, follow the jump!

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Guide To Noise Pop 2012”

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 4/28/11 – 5/4/11

He thought he was playing The Fillmore tonight, but it's not him.

Since I’m filling in recommending shows to see this week, I’m changing things up! Some nights, I’ll recommend only one show, meaning if you’re not seeing this, you can stay home, play with the cats, cook dinner for your loved ones, or anything else you feel like doing. And other nights, I’ll recommend many shows, which means if you’re not at a show, you’d better have a darned good excuse!  (And if you’re in Vegas this weekend, say hi. Click that cool floating contact bar on the left.) Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 4/28/11 – 5/4/11”

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 4/7/11 – 4/13/11

Sorry, Tsunami aren't getting back together to raise money to help earthquake victims. But opportunity to raise money & have fun doing it still exists. Just read on!

This week kicks off week one of Fauxchella, the awesome assortment of bands that are also playing Coachella, only we get full length sets, with air conditioning and sound checks. Another reason the Bay Area is better than Southern California. Enjoy the shows!

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 4/7/11 – 4/13/11”

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 11/11/2010-11/17/2010

Old queen extraordinaire Rufus Wainwright brings her latest extravagant musical project to San Francisco for its world premiere this weekend. Photo by Michael Forester.

Check out the concerts happening around the Bay Area this week — after the jump.

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 11/11/2010-11/17/2010”

Staff Picks from Treasure Island Music Festival – Sunday 10/17/2010

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Monotonix did not get the memo on the San Francisco weather

I sent out an email to everyone from Spinning Platters that went to the Treasure Island Music Festival on Sunday. I asked them to send me back something about their favorite act from the day. From some people, I got nothing, but from nearly everyone who responded, I got the same news. Belle & Sebastian was their favorite act.  So you’re about to read mainly a Belle & Sebastian love-fest, and look at a whole lot of pictures of Monotonix. And other than the rainy, windy, cold conditions and some energetic sets from Surfer Blood, Superchunk and Rogue Wave, that’s my biggest takeaway, too. Continue reading “Staff Picks from Treasure Island Music Festival — Sunday 10/17/2010”

New Release Round Up 11/24/09 – 20 Instant Album Reviews

Not a new release; rather, the editor's favorite Thanksgiving music.
Not a new release; rather, the editor's favorite Thanksgiving music.

With Turkey day here. my mind is focused on cooking two heritage turkeys. Lucky for you I still listen to music during this intense focusing. Continue reading “New Release Round Up 11/24/09 — 20 Instant Album Reviews”

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide To Bay Area Concerts: October 13th-October 19th

Sadness be that it is merely an island of treasure, not a planet
Sadness be that it is merely an island of treasure, not a planet

As we all know, this weekend is the Treasure Island Music Festival.  It’s always a really good weekend, and the night shows are pretty awesome this year, too! I will be there, and you should, too! But, just in case you have a deep phobia of pirates and buried treasure, we’ve got a few more ideas for you:

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide To Bay Area Concerts: October 13th-October 19th”

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide To Bay Area Concerts: September 8th-14th

Opening for Flogging Molly at The Fox on Friday Night!
Opening for Flogging Molly at The Fox on Friday Night!

Now that Labor Day has come & gone, and the bridge is fully functioning again, here’s another guide to a week’s worth of rock & roll that you might enjoy:

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide To Bay Area Concerts: September 8th-14th”