Category: Show Previews

Single of the Week: “Loving You (Demo)” by Wet Leg

Wet Leg are arguably one of the few bands to have a “really good pandemic.” They broke through with amazing videos and the right hooks to rise above the misery. And they have been excellent at giving back when they can, sort of thanking the world for their success. In 2021, they donated merch money to Afghan Refugee women. And now they are donating the original demo of “Loving You,” one of the most beautiful and serious tracks off their debut album, to The Brigid Alliance, an organization that helps connect women with abortion services. 

“Loving You (Demo)” is the first track from Good Music To Ensure Safe Abortion Access For All, a digital compilation available TODAY and only TODAY from Bandcamp! It’s chock full of exclusive tracks from Sleater-Kinney, Bully, Ty Segall, and many more. There are also a slew of alternate takes and live versions of tracks, including a re-recording of David Byrne’s “Empire” with help from Devo, a much desired Thao & tUnE-yArDs collaboration on “Meticulous Bird,” and, really, too much more to name. Oh, and 100% of the proceeds will go to The Brigid Alliance and Noise For Now! Full tracklisting after the jump! Continue reading “Single of the Week: “Loving You (Demo)” by Wet Leg”

Aftershock 2022: What you do not want to miss!

It’s not often that we leave the breezy confines of the San Francisco Bay Area, but on occasion, we like to venture outside of our comfort zone, and the annual Fall festival in Sacramento known as Aftershock is one huge reason to do so.  They definitely didn’t hold back on the lineup this year, and it looks like a great opportunity to go and show off all the black t-shirts that we’ve collected over the past year of catching up on live events.  Like any other music festival with multiple stages and dozens of bands, Aftershock doesn’t happen without a bit of scheduling conflicts that will make it impossible to try to decide which barricade to consider posting up on.  Fear not though, as Spinning Platters will attempt to breakdown any major conflicts and present reasonably valid reasons to choose one band over another throughout the four-day weekend. 

Continue reading “Aftershock 2022: What you do not want to miss!”

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! 

Continue reading “Top 10 from the Bottom Half of the Outside Lands Poster 2022”

Halloween Meltdown 2022 Line Up Announcement!

Good news! Halloween Meltdown is BACK for a second year! And it’s bigger than ever! John Waters and the $500 Costume Contest are back, but we will also get to see the historic Mosswood House turn into a Haunted Mansion!!! And the lineup? It’s pretty much magic. We see the triumphant return of Demolition Doll Rods. We have rare appearances from The Spits and Josie Cotton. Living legends Lydia Lunch and Kid Congo Powers will be there, too! Plus Amyl & The Sniffers, Shannon & The Clams, FUZZ, Sheer Mag, Body Double, NIIS, and more to come! VIP & GA tickets are on sale now, and you should buy them soon because I’m scared they will sell out. (Get it? Halloween? Scared?)

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:

Continue reading “OUTSIDE LANDS NIGHT SHOW ON SALE FRIDAY AT 10AM!”

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”

BottleRock Napa Valley 2022 Preview

In the 2+ years since the world changed forever, I’ve missed live music more than most things. Fortunately, I’ve finally been able to start attending live shows again, and I can’t believe how much good it does for my well-being! I always knew music played a huge role in my life (hell, even my last name is musical!)… but it wasn’t until I had to live without it that I came to realize just how much my mental health needs music, especially when experienced live.

It feels like it’s been eons since I was able to bask in the glory of a perfect-weather weekend right here in Napa with loads of amazing food, drinks, and live music. Thankfully, the wait is almost over – this year’s BottleRock Napa Valley starts two weeks from today!

This year’s lineup includes two artists I’ve been hoping I would eventually play this festival: P!nk and Twenty One Pilots. Additionally, Metallica rounds out the list of the biggest names this year, and I for one can’t wait to see each of them! I’m also really looking forward to seeing (in no particular order!) Chvrches, Spoon, Royal & the Serpent, Atlas Genius, The Black Crowes (who I still remember enjoying at the very first BRNV back in 2013), Silversun Pickups, Bleachers, Vance Joy, Amos Lee, The Happy Fits, Blu DeTiger, Mister Wives, The Alive (who have yet to let me down at this festival), Grandson, and Eliza & the Delusionals. I hope these next 14 days absolutely fly by so I can get down to the Expo to soak up all this good music and sunshine! Who are you most excited to see?

As I do each year, I made a new preview playlist to get hyped as I count down the days. Listen, share, enjoy, and I’ll see you in Napa in a few weeks!

Don’t have your tickets yet? Get them here!

Thee Stork Club Hath Returned

One night, maybe about a decade ago, I found myself bar hopping with a group of friends and, somehow, my high school girlfriend. It was already a weird night, and we landed on The Stork Club. I had heard about this place for years, but, somehow never entered it’s hallowed halls. There was a real drunken haze to the night already, but I am pretty sure there was a burlesque show happening when we arrived at like 11pm. Then at midnight it turned into an 80’s goth dance party. Then at 1am, I’m pretty sure a jam band started setting up. It was a very weird night. But it brought me much joy, too… So I was gutted when they ended up shutting in 2020. 

Fast forward to 2022, and the folks behind Mosswood Meltdown, Eli’s Mile High Club, and Hemlock Tavern have gotten together to reopen the place. Only with an extra “e”, so it’s now Thee Stork Club! And there will be a retro cocktail bar, a live performance space, and what is especially vital in this day and age- THEY ARE OPENING UP IT’S BACK YARD!!! So you might actually be able to enjoy a drink with a limited threat of COVID! 

Opening night is July 1st, and it will be a special show with John Waters, Shannon Shaw, and Budget Rock’s DJ Chris Owen. Sadly tickets are sold out, but there will be plenty more fun where that came from!

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!

Stern Grove 2022 Season Has Been Announced

GOOD NEWS! We weren’t sure it was going to happen after the crappy thing that happened just before the last show of the 2021 season… But it looks like the Stern Grove Festival will be returning for it’s 85th year! Like last year, they will be doing reservations to ensure the safety and security of attendees. The Oakland-powered Tower Of Power & Too $hort show originally scheduled to close last year will be opening this year on June 12th! So be prepared to blow the whistle and get FREE tickets! The entire schedule, including Spinning Platters favorites Liz Phair, Cat Power, Amythyst Kiah, Monophonics and more!  Reservations will become available on staggered dates throughout the Spring and Summer right here! Continue reading “Stern Grove 2022 Season Has Been Announced”