Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds
Akron/Family are a band that has alluded me for years. I’ve known the name, and nothing more. However, after hearing about their killer opening set for Two Gallants at The Fillmore a few months ago, I decided to explore them. I was expected something folk leaning based on the name, but found they were something much more. Much weirder. And way more electric. And decided that I needed to see them live.
Continue reading “Show Review: Akron/Family with Avi Buffalo at The Independent, 5/29/13”
Another week, another nearly exhausting week of amazing rock n roll in the bay area.
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 6/6/13-6/12/13”
You know it’s a good week when Insane Clown Posse are playing an opera house in Oakland. Just sayin’…
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 5/30/13-6/4/13”
Another week. Another crop of shows.
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 5/23/13-5/29/13”
Remember the year 2007? It was the year that gave us Lily Allen, a bratty pop singer that was going to change the world. From the same city we also got to meet Kate Nash, a timid 20 year old singer / songwriter that played piano and wrote catchy songs primed for radio and play on british teen soaps. Here we are, six years later, and Lily Allen has essentially fallen out of view, and Kate Nash is a world away from the Kate Nash that we knew and loved in 2007. The piano has long been put away, and it has been replaced by loud, fuzzed out guitars. The question is- will the sold out crowd at The Chapel be willing to embrace this new Kate Nash?
Continue reading “Show Review: Kate Nash with Peach Kelli Pop at The Chapel, 5/11/13”
It’s been a rough three years for Paramore. In that time, they’ve gone through almost as many drummers as Spinal Tap, and had to deal with one of the most public and bitter band break ups in recent memory. However, they have returned with a self titled album that is a collection of tracks that bring to mind their early forays into emo and hardcore, as well as some of the most positive songs they’ve released in years. Since it’s been a while, they are warming themselves up with small venue tour. However, since they like a challenge, they brought Kitten along for the ride- a live experience so dizzying that only the most confident band should try to play afterwards.
Continue reading “Show Review: Paramore with Kitten at The Warfield, 5/4/13”
Sometimes I get exhausted just putting this list together, let alone trying to figure out how I can be in 20 places at once…
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 5/16/13-5/22/13”
Usually when festivals come around, the most exciting thing about them is the pick up gigs bands make around them. With Bottle Rock’s inaugural outing this year, we were lucky enough to score a solid double bill Steve Earle’s song Justin Townes Earle and North Carolina songwriter Tift Merritt. To make the show even more special, the two acts on the bill opted to play a stripped down set. Just voice, guitar, and a single accompanist. Put that into one of the most acoustically perfect venues in San Francisco, and you have a night out.
Continue reading “Show Review: Justin Townes Earl with Tift Merritt at The Chapel, 5/10/13”
While the majority of the bands playing in the Bay Area this week are up at Bottle Rock in Napa, which, yes, in an amazing looking festival, it isn’t quite the Bay Area. The following shows (with one exception) are all easily accessible via BART. So enjoy your rock n roll, and remember not to drink & drive!
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 5/9/13-5/15/13”
May is looking almost as crazy as April on the show front. And this time there isn’t a Coachella to blame it on. You just need to blame it on how awesome the bay area is! Now, got do some rocking. Or Else…
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 5/2/13-5/8/13”