Category: Features

Film Feature: Carrie Picks the 2023 Oscars

Who will – and who should – win the 95th Academy Awards

The 95th Academy Awards air tomorrow, Sunday March 12th, on ABC at 5:00 pm PST (Don’t forget to spring forward so you don’t miss the beginning!). Tune in to see not only who will take home Oscar gold, but also how host Jimmy Kimmel will handle the elephant in the Dolby Theater – last year’s infamous Will Smith/Chris Rock moment, AKA the Slap Heard ‘Round the World. Whether we get any similar jaw-dropping moments this year is anyone’s guess, but, in the meantime, there’s always your good old-fashioned Oscar pool to keep you entertained. See how your predictions line up with mine, below:

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OUTSIDE LANDS 2023 LINE UP ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!

Christmas came really early this year! We’ve got the full lineup for Outside Lands 2023 six whole weeks earlier than last year!!!! And they did very well, as usual. Topping the bill is Kendrick Lamar, making his first trip to the bay since the amazing Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers came out, as well as the first Foo Fighters set since the passing of Taylor Hawkins and ODESZA, making them the first electronic act to close out Lands End. Other Spinning Platters favorites include Megan Thee Stallion (Yes. This is the act I’m most excited to see), Janelle Monae, The 1975, Maggie Rogers, Lil Yachty, Interpol, Father John Misty, Orville Peck, ALVVAYS, beabadoobee, Soccer Mommy, Shaquille O’Neal (!), and my favorite current Bay Area band, Fake Fruit! 

I’ve already started studying for our annual “Top 10 from the bottom half” of the poster, but don’t miss your shot to buy tickets! 3 DAY GA, GA+, VIP, and Golden Gate Club tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10am. 

Outside Lands 2023 Lineup Continue reading “OUTSIDE LANDS 2023 LINE UP ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!”

Outside Lands 15th Anniversary Eager Beaver Tickets On Sale 3.1.23 at 10am

I’m looking outside, watching the rain drench my block as my thermometer shows temperatures at depths that the Bay Area has never seen in my life. I’m eagerly awaiting Summer. To leave the house in a short sleeve shirt. To feel the sun on my skin outdoors (sunscreened, of course!), melting into the lawn while enjoying some live music. 

Our good friends at Outside Lands are well aware of our desperation, and they are giving us an opportunity to get excited about the sunny months by unleashing Eager Beager tickets for the 15th Anniversary of Outside Lands, Aug 11-13th. We’ve got GA tickets starting at $409+fees, the new GA+ ticket type complete with expedited entry, an exclusive GA+ lounge with access to flushable bathrooms, complimentary water & soft drinks, and a full-service bar and food for purchase. Those tickets are running $634 + Fees. You’ve also got the classic VIP for $929+fees and the Golden Gate Club for $4,669 + fees. OH! I forgot the best part- ALL EARLY BIRDERS GET FIRST ACCESS TO NIGHT SHOWS!!! Remember how pissed you were that you didn’t get to see Phoebe Bridgers solo acoustic at The Indy? Well, here’s your chance to correct that in 2023. 

Tickets go on sale at 10am on Wednesday, March 1st. Tickets are available ONLY here. (Don’t get swindled by unauthorized sellers!) And for the most up-to-the-minute news that I don’t share, follow Outside Lands on TikTok and Discord! 

Outside Lands 2022: 20 Instant Gig Reviews

My last Outside Lands was in 2019. I’ve gone nearly every year up until that point, only missing the third year. I had tickets for 2021. Lizzo, The Strokes, and Hinds are all on my “never miss” list, but by October, Delta was rearing its ugly head, and I just couldn’t do it. This year, I was still on the fence until the week beforehand. With BA.5, the virus has become more contagious, and outdoor transmission is more prevalent. However, with wastewater tracking showing a downward trend, toddler vaccines FINALLY seeing the light of day, and studies seem to indicate that N95s and a good breeze are still very effective at thwarting the virus, I decided to give it a go. I packed like ten masks, two packs of antibacterial wipes (which made me the most popular guy at the festival at times. One woman actually proposed marriage when I gave her the end of one of my packs!), an empty water bottle, and several layers of clothing, and decided to make a solid go of it.  Continue reading “Outside Lands 2022: 20 Instant Gig Reviews”

Broken Clover Records is donating 100% of proceeds to charity in August

Our dear friends at Broken Clover Records are doing something lovely this month: They are donating all label revenue to a slew of different charities, including the ACLU, Muttville, SFUSD, and many, many more. Just head over to their Bandcamp page, and you can pick up many exemplary records, including Zones by Enablers. 

Or another Spinning Platters’ Favorite, Gold Country – Country Gold by Secret Emchy Society! 

Or Orpheo_Nebula by Switzerland’s torpedo, which doesn’t have a YouTube link, but this record is out in September, and the first single, “HELL,” is excellent. 

Top 10 from the Bottom Half of the Outside Lands Poster 2022

It’s as if the last Outside Lands was only 9 1/2 months ago… But it’s time for ANOTHER Top 10 from the bottom half of the Outside Lands poster. There is so much good stuff on here that you’ll be mad you slept in. Tickets are *somehow* still available here! 

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OUTSIDE LANDS NIGHT SHOW ON SALE FRIDAY AT 10AM!

As we slowly approach Outside Lands 2022, bigger and better things keep happening. FIRST- THEY ADDED THE LINDA LINDAS TO SATURDAY! This is really good, since the day Green Day are playing was pretty light on punk, so adding the best punk band to come out in a decade was a smart move. If you aren’t hip to them yet, it’s time to change that. They also added the great Rina Sawayama, Symba, and salem ilese, BUT THAT’S NOT ALL! The night shows were announced today, too! Highlights include a packed Thursday Night at The Independent with Pussy Riot, ILOVEMAKONNEN, REI AMI, and salem ilese, a rare acoustic set from Phoebe Bridgers, as well as sets from Spinning Platters’ faves Best Coast and MICHELLE. Tickets are on sale here at 10 am on Friday, July 15th to EVERYBODY! No presale. No special code that gives Outside Lands pass holders a leg up. Everyone has got an equal shot at this onsale. 

OUTSIDE LANDS 2021 NIGHT SHOWS LINEUP:

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Outside Lands 2022 Daily Lineups / Single Day Tickets

Daily Lineups for Outside Lands 2022 dropped today! If you are like me and prefer to plan your August in May (No sarcasm there! Making plans months in advance is comforting for me), it’s a great time to figure out what you are doing. And if only one or two days appeal to you, Single Day GA / VIP / Golden Gate Club are on sale tomorrow at 10am! Continue reading “Outside Lands 2022 Daily Lineups / Single Day Tickets”

Sing It Hasselhoff: Chris Jericho’s Band Fozzy

So, we haven’t posted a “Sing It Hasselhoff” in like a decade on this site. However, I’ve finally forced myself to sample legendary wrestler Chris Jericho’s band, Fozzy. Their latest record, Boombox, is out tomorrow, and it’s filled with giant, anthemic metal suitable for, well, kicking off a wrestling match? Check it out for yourself! And on Sunday Night they are bringing the “Save The World” Tour to Great American Music Hall, and, by golly, we really need it right now. Seriously, Mr. Jericho, please save us!

Film Feature: 65th SFFILM Festival Spotlight #3

The 65th SFFilm Festival opened on Thursday and will run through Sunday, May 1st, so there’s still plenty of time to check out some new films this weekend and through next week. Here’s a look at four more offerings. 

1.) NAVALNY
(USA/Germany/Russia, 2022. 98 min)

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Back in late January, nobody knew just how relevant this documentary about Russian opposition leader, poisoning victim, and current prisoner Alexi Navalny would be just a few weeks later, as the Russians invaded Ukraine. Nominated for Sundance’s Documentary Grand Jury prize and winning both the Festival Favorite Award and the Audience U.S. Documentary Award, this portrait of courage is as relevant as it is intriguing. An eye opening look at Russian politics, director Daniel Roher’s film shouldn’t be missed.  

Screenings (click here for tickets):
– Sat., April 23rd, 4:30pm at the Castro
– If you miss Saturday’s screening, the film is also available on CNN.

Continue reading “Film Feature: 65th SFFILM Festival Spotlight #3”