Spinning Platters – Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds

Film Review: “The Invite”

Smart, funny SF-set dramedy skewers long-term relationships

Joe (Seth Rogen, l.) and his wife Angela (Olivia Wilde, l.) invite their neighbors Piña (Penélope Cruz) and Hawk (Edward Norton) over for dinner.

That actress/director Olivia Wilde’s new film The Invite feels like a stage play is not a coincidence. With the help of comedy screenwriters Will McCormack and Rashida Jones (2012’s Celeste and Jesse Forever), Wilde has remade a 2020 Spanish film called The People Upstairs, which itself is based on a play of the same name. Even if you don’t know that source material, Wilde’s picture might remind you of a more classic American play: Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Equally as uncomfortable, but infinitely more funny, The Invite is a terrific showcase for its four leads. Continue reading “Film Review: “The Invite””

SIngle of the Week: “Closer” by The Linda Lindas featuring Hayley Williams

The Linda Lindas keep getting better. “Closer” pushes their usual punky sound to pure, 00’s, rip your heart out and hand it to anyone willing to hold it emo. Lucia de la Garza’s delicate voice blends so nicely with guest singer Hayley Williams’ soulful croon that I’m getting goosebumps listening to this song. Another work of genius from the teenage rock saviors.

“Closer” is the second single off The Linda Lindas upcoming major label debut, GOTTA GET OUT, in stores and online August 28th!

Show Review: Killswitch Engage and Machine Head wrap it up at The Warfield!

Photos and review by: Alan Ralph @ConcertGoingPro

The Warfield hosted the final show of Leg #1 of the Killswitch Engage and Machine Head North American summer tour. This could not have been more perfect for Machine Head, who reside here in Oakland, to end a tour in front of an almost sold-out crowd of their friends and family (Killswitch Engage, on the other hand, will have had a long way to go to get their band, crew and equipment back home to Massachusetts!).

These two titans of metal will see each other two more times this summer and early fall. Leg #2 crisscrosses Canada in August and Leg #3 hits America one more time for a couple weeks in September.

Continue reading “Show Review: Killswitch Engage and Machine Head wrap it up at The Warfield!”

Single of the Week: “Watermelon Manicure” by Sad13

I love a short song. The shorter and more chaotic, the better. So, when Sadie Dupuis (of Speedy Ortiz) decided to release a full album of 1 minutish songs, I was more than excited. The first single off that release is an uncomfortable, noisy affair called “Watermelon Manicure.” It’s amazing, and I’ve listened to it almost 15 times now, and I’ve found more layers to this than your average 15-minute prog opus.

1331 is out July 10th! Preorder here! And our New England friends get the first chance to hear this brilliant record live:

7/9 – Brooklyn, NY @ Union Pool w/ New Idea Society, Russian Baths

7/10 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s w/ Hurry, Dina Hashem

7/11 – Malden, MA @ FACES w/ New Idea Society, Real Beaut

7/17 – virtual @ Blue Stoop – Verse Chorus Voice, a lyrics & songwriting masterclass

7/24 – Somerville, MA @ NICE, a fest w/ Krill, Downtown Boys, Dari Bay, Mal Devisa

Show Review: Metric, Broken Social Scene, and Stars at The Greek Theatre (Los Angeles) 06-16-2026

All The Feelings

Something that may not be entirely apparent, especially given the majority of shows I’ve covered, is that I like more than just metal music. Shocking, I’m sure, but true nonetheless, and as a kid who grew up through the 90s and very early 00s, the wave of Indie rock and indie pop was unavoidable. One thing I did have, however, was a bit of a discerning palate, but when a friend turned me on to Stars and then another to Metric in 2004, it was inevitable that I would go on a deep dive into a then-mostly unexplored genre for me, ultimately leading to a plethora of bands, but specifically to Broken Social Scene. So anyway, when I saw that not both Metric and Broken Social Scene not only had new albums coming out, but were to embark on a tour together, supported by Stars, well, I jumped at the opportunity.

Continue reading “Show Review: Metric, Broken Social Scene, and Stars at The Greek Theatre (Los Angeles) 06-16-2026”

Show Review: Belle & Sebastian do “If You’re Feeling Sinister” at The Masonic, 6/11/26

There are certain venues that seem designed for spectacle, and then there are rooms that feel built for stories. The Masonic in San Francisco sits somewhere in between. Perched high on Nob Hill, its steep seating and excellent sightlines make even a sold out show feel intimate. I’ve spent a lot of time there over the years, and somehow the room always manages to make a performance feel personal. Continue reading “Show Review: Belle & Sebastian do “If You’re Feeling Sinister” at The Masonic, 6/11/26″

OUTSIDE LANDS ANNOUNCES THE DOLORES STAGE LINEUP

Five weeks until Outside Lands!!! FIVE WEEKS!!! Time to start picking out your outfits and figuring out which shoes are most comfortable!!! And today, they are gifting us with ANOTHER stage’s worth of acts! The Dolores Stage is a tribute to the queer events of San Francisco, with each day curated by a different local promoter. Friday is presented by the great Hot Goth GF. Saturday is brought to you by the legendary Oasis team. Sunday has been brought to you by Polyglamorous!

They’ve also added “Dolores’ Courtyard,” featuring a glam bar, a barber, and cocktails!

Full Line-Up below. Tickets are SOLD OUT! Get on the waitlist here! Continue reading “OUTSIDE LANDS ANNOUNCES THE DOLORES STAGE LINEUP”

Single of the Week: “Wink Wink” by Charli xcx

I’ve been following Charli xcx for almost two decades now. I consider her a true musical genius, and I’m glad that Brat, one of the greatest records of all time, moved her into arenas and made her a household name. The one thing that I have realized about her is that she’s yet to give us a truly *dirty* song. Well, she’s been holding a LOT back, because “Wink Wink” would make Peaches blush.

“Wink Wink” is the third single off Charli’s upcoming album, Music Fashion Film, out July 24th. She’s also headlining Outside Lands and touring a TON this Fall.

HEAVENS TO BETSY ARE BACK!!!!

OH SHIT! OH SHIT! OH SHIT!!!! Heavens to Betsy, the legendary Riot Grrl band that put out one genius record and three 7″s in the early 90s and then closed up shop just after both members became old enough to buy beer, is back together! They played their first show in 32 years last night in Portland, and are prepping for a fall tour! My 14-year-old self is overjoyed that I’ll FINALLY get to see them! Tour dates and a clip from that first show below: Continue reading “HEAVENS TO BETSY ARE BACK!!!!”