Author: Dakin Hardwick

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

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!

Label 51 Recording Presents: A Showcase at Great American Music Hall

I got wind of the most magical and random mini festival happening at Great American Music Hall on Sunday, May 4th! For the low price of $25, you get a set of hits from David J’s extensive catalog, including his work with Night Crickets, Love & Rockets, and Bauhaus headlining, with support from Jefferson Starship’s Prairie Prince, Industrial pioneers Snake River Conspiracy side project Mojave Phone Booth, Paisley Underground legends Rain Parade, Bay Area Riot Grrl groundbreakers Frightwig, and Bay Area punk forefathers Screaming Bloody Marys! 

Tickets are, once again, only $25. Don’t miss this gig!  

Single of the Week: “Gunslinger” by Natalie Bergman

Remember Wild Belle? The brother/sister duo that played a blissful blend of psych, ’60s girl groups, and reggae that released three outstanding records in the 2010s and just disappeared? Well, the group’s sister, Natalie Bergman, went solo, signed to Third Man Records, and is pushing the sonic envelope that her old band was already making with the blissful new track, “Gunslinger.”

“Gunslinger” is the first track off My Home Is Not In This World, in stores and on servers July 18th. You can prepare for this by preordering or presaving here!

Show Review: Beth Gibbons with Cass McCombs at The Warfield, 4/15/25

On October 21st, 2011, I impulsively bought a ticket to see Portishead at The Greek Theater that night. My familiarity with the band was effectively “I know the singles” and not much more, but I had lots of friends attending, and nothing else was going on. When I did show up, I couldn’t find my friends, and eventually found a friend that I hadn’t seen in years, and enjoyed reconnecting. Then the music started, and I was profoundly transfixed for nearly two hours. It was emotionally turbulent and a genuine catharsis. Nothing happened as planned, and it may have been all the better for it. 

Continue reading “Show Review: Beth Gibbons with Cass McCombs at The Warfield, 4/15/25”

Single of the Week: “The Mothership” by Alexandra Savior

So, I’ve been microdosing on Alexandra Savior since 2022, listening to bits and pieces of songs and keeping her on my radar. Mostly due to Courtney Love’s seal of approval. I’ve liked everything, but I kept getting pulled away by life and such. But then “The Mothership” arrived, and you can’t ignore that. Seriously, this song is so large and delicate and beautiful. It’s a cinematic gem of a song, and I’m now fully immersed in the world of Ms Savior. 

“The Mothership” comes on the heels of her full-length debut, Beneath The Lilypad, coming your way May 16th! And, of course, don’t miss her at Outside Lands this year! 

 

Single of the Week: “Spike Island” by Pulp

What do Pulp sound like, 25 years after their last full-length album, 12 years since their last release? Well, “Spike Island,” their first new music since 2013, may not be littered with double entendres like their 90s hitmaking era, but it does spotlight the *other* thing Jarvis Cocker is known for: his innate ability to find joy in life. It’s reflective without being sickeningly sweet. And, of course, anytime you gift me with a song about the joy of music, I’m all in—especially a song about the joys of making music. 

“Spike Island” is the first single off Pulp’s upcoming new record (did I really say that? A NEW PULP ALBUM?!?!), More, in stores and on the web on June 6th. I can’t wait to hear more! 

VIDEO PREMIERE: “Playing Records” by Lane Moore + It Was Romance at 9 PM PST/12 AM EST TONIGHT!

Remember a few weeks ago when I was glowing about “Playing Records” as the single of the week? Well, Ms Moore sent me the video to preview, and it’s, like, the most adorable thing in history. 

Final Girl can be streamed at your favorite DSP. I’m putting out into the world West Coast tour dates and a physical release as a wish, and if enough of you folks stream this excellent EP, maybe that will turn both into a reality. 

STERN GROVE LINEUP!!! DIANA ROSS!!! SLEATER-KINNEY!!! ORVILLE PECK!!! WOAH!!!!

Stern Grove just announced its 2025 season, and it’s, well, totally bonkers, as usual. Including your editor-in-chief’s all time favorite band, Sleater-Kinney, East Bay Legends The Pointer Sisters with fellow East Bay Legend, Lyrics Born, Queer Country icon Orville Peck, and many more. OH! And closing out the season is one of the last great rock pioneers, MS DIANA ROSS!!!! 

They are also changing things up a bit to help ensure a fair ticket distribution and discourage third party resellers from hogging up the servers. I think it’s smart and opens up to multiple opportunities for fans to score free tickets: Continue reading “STERN GROVE LINEUP!!! DIANA ROSS!!! SLEATER-KINNEY!!! ORVILLE PECK!!! WOAH!!!!”