Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds
How have I not written about Lambrini Girls yet? This generation’s finest political punk band has gifted us yet another mosh-friendly jam. An earworm assault on the senses that could, potentially, make its way to mainstream alternative radio in the States if programmers were willing to take the chance.
“Bang Bang Bang” is the first single of Lambrini Girls’ upcoming album, No Refunds, coming out just in time to miss all the best of 2026 best of lists: January 8th, 2027!
Regular followers of Spinning Platters will notice that we largely ignore dance music. Why? Because I strongly dislike electronic dance music. Yet, somehow, I’ve gone to Portola twice and had a fantastic time both times I went. And this year looks exceptionally good. Why? Well, it might be due to the significant number of Swedish acts on the bill, the best pop music country in the world. I mean, ROBYN IS HEADLINING?!?!? She hasn’t played the Bay Area in seven years, and her comeback album, Sexistential, is amazing. Plus, we also have 2026 breakout star Zara Larsson, sleaze pop icon Tove Lo, and, of course, the biggest Swedish act since ABBA, Swedish House Mafia! Who else? The first SF Solo Appearance by Beastie Boys legend Mike D! Bay Area legend DJ Shadow playing his Entroducing… record from front to back. An actual Spice Girl, Melanie C. And my personal favorite find from 2026- Idaho’s brilliant Gelli Haha.
Tickets are still available, but are going fast. Those can be found here!
It’s been quite a long time since we’ve gotten a new Carissa’s Wierd cut. They last dropped a 7″ in 2011 and faded away as emo bands do. But, since everything that’s truly good comes back again, Jen Champion and Mat Brooke are back together with an absolutely stunning single, “No One Lives Here Anymore.” Their harmonies are as strong as ever, as are their adventurous arrangements. This song is a stunner.
Next year gives us the first full length Carissa’s Wierd record in 25 YEARS! (Which makes me feel, like, painfully old saying). Somewhere Further Than Far Away comes out January 8th, 2007, making it your first record preorder of next year!
Stones Throw Records really doesn’t get the credit it deserves. They started out as a hip-hop/funk label, but lately have been pumping out some of the best “under the radar” bangers that seem to defy genre in almost every way. The latest is “Feelin’ Wee” by Japan’s Kiko Mizuhara. This spacey psychedelic pop jam harkens back to the days of Grand Royal Records, and it shares a spiritual home with the likes of Cibo Matto, Bran Van 3000, Luscious Jackson, and, yes, even The Beastie Boys at their most lounge.
“Feelin’ Wee” is Kiko’s first EVER single. It’s one hell of a debut, and I can’t wait to hear what else is coming from her. Follow her on Instagram and Bandcamp!
HOLY MATRIARCHAL TRINITY, BATMAN! Labor Day week is bringing us to the Bay Area, the ultimate week of Riot Grrl legends coming to town. Arguably, the three most significant bands of the classic PNW / Olympia, WA scene are all playing in the same week.
First, on Tuesday, September 8th, we have Bikini Kill at The Warfield playing with what is being touted as the last EVER Bay Area appearance by THE ALICE BAG BAND. Yes, that’s Bikini Kill and Alice Bag on at the historic Warfield in downtown SF. Tickets are available here.
The next night at the gorgeous Greek Theater in Berkeley, we have Sleater-Kinney. Arguably the greatest American live band, under the stars on a lovely early Fall evening. I’m so unbelievably excited about this show. To make matters all the more enticing, indie rock legend Liz Phair and soon-to-be legendary Soccer Mommy are both on the bill, too! Tickets here.
Closing out the week will be two nights at Bottom Of The Hill with the great Bratmobile! These are their first proper headlining gigs since reforming, and, sadly, both are sold out. So you’ve gotta hope for a miracle to land tix to these shows on Friday, September 11th, and Saturday, September 12th.
And, if that’s still not enough for you, just over a month later, Heavens To Betsy are playing their first SF shows in like 30-some odd years on October 17th and 18th, but sadly, they are also sold out. There are still a few more tickets left for Team Dresch’s pair of November shows! Tickets for Wednesday, November 4th are here. And Thursday, November 5th are here.
“Cahokia” is a brilliant track that hearkens back to the classic era of 90’s britpop… Greg Freeman has definitely studied Supergrass, Super Furry Animals, and the greatest britpop band to come from Portland, OR, The Dandy Warhols. Great melodies and hooks, psychedelic flourishes, all compressed into a brilliant 4 1/2 minute pop song.
“Cahokia” is the latest single off his upcoming full length, All Set The Bone, coming your way October 2nd! Tour dates below!
Tour Dates:
08/27 – Paris, FR @ Supersonic
08/28 – Eindhoven, NL @ Hit the City Festival
08/29 – Vlieland, NL @ Into The Great Wide Open
10/20 – Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair *
10/22 – Toronto, ON @ The Mod Club *
10/23 – Lakewood, OH @ Mahall’s *
10/24 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall *
10/25 – Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon *
10/27 – St. Paul, MN @ Amsterdam Bar & Hall `
10/28 – Omaha, NE @ Reverb Lounge `
10/30 – Denver, CO @ Marquis $
10/31 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court $
11/02 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern $
11/03 – Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theater $
11/05 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent $
11/06 – South Pasadena, CA @ Sid The Cat Auditorium $
11/07 – San Diego, CA @ Voodoo Room at House of Blues San Diego $
11/10 – Austin, TX @ Antone’s Nightclub #
11/11 – Dallas, TX @ Club Dada #
11/13 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade – Purgatory Stage #
11/14 – Asheville, NC @ Eulogy ^
11/15 – Durham, NC @ Motorco Music Hall ^
11/16 – Washington, DC @ The Atlantis ^
11/18 – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church ^
11/20 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall ^
11/21 – South Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground Ballroom ^
* w/ Hello Shark
` w/ Walker Rider
$ w/ Trinity Ace
# w/ Touch Girl Apple Blossom
^ w/ Robber Robber
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.
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.
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.
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”
