Film Review: “Late Fame”

Dafoe delivers award-worthy turn in contemplative look at youth, art, and aging 

Former poet Ed Saxberger (Willem Dafoe, on sofa, r.) holds court with a group of admirers.

Based purely on its trailer, you’d be forgiven for thinking Late Fame is some sort of smug takedown of pretentious Gen Z and young millennials, something along the lines of Noah Baumbach’s While We’re Young. To be sure, the film does satirize a certain type of intellectual wannabe, but its ribbing is much more gentle and empathetic than you might imagine from the trailer, which includes some of the more overt bits of skewering. Unlike Baumbach’s picture, Late Fame has a fondness and a forgiveness for all its characters, despite—or maybe because of—their flaws. It also features a career-best performance from Willem Dafoe, which is reason enough to see this beautifully rendered, evocative meditation on the enthusiasm of youth, the drive of the artistic temperament, the melancholy of growing older, and the intersection of all three. Continue reading “Film Review: “Late Fame””

Single of the Week: “What If It *Is* Me?!” by Revenge Wife

Liz Nistico, AKA Revenge Wife, released one of the most captivating collections of songs and accompanying music videos back in 2020 called Background Songs For Your Boring Life, Vol 1. Apropos, since 2020 and 2021 were both the most stressful and boring years in human history. Six years later, and she’s still adding to the story of those videos with a pop-punk banger of a track called “What If It *Is* Me?!” This is the first single off her upcoming debut full-length, Alien Witch, out September 30th. Sign up for her mailing list here to keep up with preorder details, and follow her on Instagram here. 

HEAVENS TO BETSY’S FIRST RECORDINGS ARE FINALLY COMING OUT!!!

WOO HOO!!! The biggest surprise of 2026 is the groundbreaking riot grrl duo Heavens To Betsy getting back together and playing shows again. I did not expect to also get a new album. And by a new album, actually an album of demos recorded by Bratmobile legend Molly Neuman back in 1992. 

baby’s gone is coming to you from legendary punk label Kill Rock Stars on October 16th. Preorders, along with new merch, are available starting now! And, of course, don’t forget the tour! So many shows are already sold out, so don’t delay in locking in. I have waited my entire teenage AND adult life for this to happen. 

Show Review: Public Enemy “Bring the Noise” at Stern Grove!

Photos and review by: Alan Ralph @ConcertGoingPro

Each summer for the past 89 years, Stern Grove Festival presents ten weeks of free concerts every Sunday on the stage at Sigmund Stern Recreation Grove. Beginning in 2024, Stern Grove began to have a two-show final weekend called The Big Picnic Weekend… and the penultimate show of the 2026 season featured none other than Chuck D. and Flavor Flav and Public Enemy! 

Continue reading “Show Review: Public Enemy “Bring the Noise” at Stern Grove!”

Show Review: Kim Gordon with SASAMI at The Castro, 7/29/26

 

The Castro Theatre is seated in the most prominent gay position in the city. I have stood in front of it in the late ’90s and on Halloweens past and have enjoyed many a sparkly, fabulous night in and around it. But in 2024, a large budget and a reconfiguration began to change this venue into something almost unrecognizable, which is a big shock for a Bay native. Continue reading “Show Review: Kim Gordon with SASAMI at The Castro, 7/29/26”

Single of the Week: “Pretty Face” by Girl Tones

Sometimes you just need some loud guitars that start out anxious and then explode. And by sometimes, I mean all the time. It helps you stay sane. Girl Tones are the right kinda driving rock n roll that I need to keep going, and “Pretty Face” is big enough to really do it. 

“Pretty Face” is the first single off Precious, their debut album out November 6th. 

Outside Lands 2026 Instant Set Reviews

I’ve been to 16 of the last 18 Outside Lands. Some years have been more fun than others, of course. (I missed 2010 due to work and 2021 due to COVID anxiety) But I will always come back. This party in Golden Gate Park is always a good time — the music, the vibes, the food. I’ve never had a bad time. But this year, 2026, was the absolute BEST Outside Lands I’ve ever been to. It’s been a few days, and I’m still beaming over my OSL experience, and I can’t wait until next year. Which, I might add, Eager Beaver tickets go on sale 8/19 at 10am. Register here for the presale! 

On with my recap of the greatest OSL ever: 
Continue reading “Outside Lands 2026 Instant Set Reviews”

Show Review: St Vincent & The San Francisco Symphony with Arooj Aftab at Davies Symphony Hall, 7/30/26

St Vincent released Live In London earlier this year, a recording of a live show performed with a symphony orchestra. Normally, I’d do extensive research before a show, including listening to the record numerous times. I opted against that this time, and instead decided I wanted to be surprised. This was the right choice. Continue reading “Show Review: St Vincent & The San Francisco Symphony with Arooj Aftab at Davies Symphony Hall, 7/30/26”

Single of the Week: “Sick Of The Times” by THAO featuring Tune-Yards & The Linda Lindas

Thao Nguyen is back. And this track is a banger. It’s been six long years, and in that time she’s dissolved her long-time band, The Get Down Stay Down, and is simply going by THAO. And with that change, she’s giving us a fierce little number that’s both dancefloor and mosh pit ready. The grooves of Merrill Garbus (Tune-Yards’ leader and producer of this track) and the ferocity of The Linda Lindas are both key players here, but the classic THAO energy is still there, too. GOD, I LOVE THIS SONG!!!!

“Sick Of The Times” comes from THAO’s upcoming record, Show Me, coming your way October 30th from the legendary Kill Rock Stars label. A short Fall Tour is on sale TODAY at 10 am! 

 

Mosswood Meltdown Day 3 – Highlights from the Mosh Pit

Buy! your ticket to see your favorite artists.  Attend! to be with your closest 3,000 friends. Embrace! those odd conversations. Experience more music than advertised.  This year at one of the hidden side stages was a “BitchFit” performance.  A band of 4 friends unapologetically kicking in doors and yelling that violence will no longer be tolerated. Frontwoman Ailish shared a megaphone with fans to actively scream NO to their personal situation.  This was followed by the crowd’s response – “fuck (person’s name), you suck.” The four artists are small, but their ideals and voices are changing the world.  Continue reading “Mosswood Meltdown Day 3 — Highlights from the Mosh Pit”