Thank god for SF Sketchfest! Seriously, if there’s one thing I hope we can all agree on in America right now, it’s this: we need comedy. Give us a reason to laugh. We may never see eye to eye or agree on who’s right and what needs to change, so there’s never been a better time for us to come together and soothe our uncertainties with the balm of a few hours’ worth of laughs. And last Friday night, that’s exactly what I did. I grabbed my cousin (and fellow Jeopardy! lover) and we headed to Club Fugazi for Jeopargay! with Spike Einbinder and Honey Pluton. It promised to be a fun night of trivia and humor. Continue reading “SF Sketchfest Review: Jeopargay! with Spike Einbinder and Honey Pluton at Club Fugazi, 1/24/25”
Category: Show Reviews
SF Sketchfest Review: Tinder Live! with Lane Moore at Cobb’s Comedy Club, 1/24/25
I adore Lane Moore. She’s a gifted human with an impressive perspective on the human condition. Her two books, How To Be Alone and You Will Find Your People, are genius. I’ve been following her for years, yet I haven’t seen her signature show, Tinder Live!
Thanks to the good people of SF Sketchfest and their persistence in bringing her out west, I finally got to experience it. Holy shitballs, that was magic. Continue reading “SF Sketchfest Review: Tinder Live! with Lane Moore at Cobb’s Comedy Club, 1/24/25”
Show Review: Alan Sparhawk with Circuit des Yeux at Great American Music Hall, 1/20/25
The Great American Music Hall, steeped in San Francisco’s history since its opening in 1907, is a venue that seems to absorb the spirit of every artist who graces its stage. Once a bordello and later a jazz hotspot, its gilded balconies and chandeliers whisper stories of the countless musical legends who’ve played there. Last Monday night, the Hall once again became a sacred ground for music, hosting Alan Sparhawk in a performance that felt both monumental and deeply intimate. Continue reading “Show Review: Alan Sparhawk with Circuit des Yeux at Great American Music Hall, 1/20/25”
SF Sketchfest Review: Airplane! 45th Anniversary Live Read at Palace Of Fine Arts, 1/18/25
Photos By Jakub Mosur
I have no idea how old I was when I first saw Airplane!. All I knew was that it was likely far too young, but it’s been a significant part of my entire life. Which makes sense since I’m 45, and it turns 45 this year. Who is to blame for this movie following me my entire life? You guessed it. My own father is the one who showed me this piece of chaotic art at far too young an age. Continue reading “SF Sketchfest Review: Airplane! 45th Anniversary Live Read at Palace Of Fine Arts, 1/18/25”
Sweet Relief presents A Night Honoring Joan Baez
I’ve gotta say… I get really jealous when I see these press releases for big events honoring an important songwriter, where that songwriter performs with a significant acts that were influenced by them. Patti Smith had one in NYC earlier this year, and they are always in New York or LA. NEVER in SF.
UNTIL NOW! Sweet Relief is paying tribute to local legend Joan Baez, the charity set up to ensure musicians have the money they need when medical issues arise (Y’know, an American issue). And the arena-level acts along for the ride? None other than Bonnie Raitt, Hozier, and Rage Against The Machine lead shredder Tom Morello! Other legends on stage include Emmylou Harris, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Roseanne Cash, Margo Price, Taj Mahal, Joe Henry, and others that aren’t yet announced.
The event happens on February 8th at The Masonic in SF. Tickets are on sale Friday, December 20th at 10 am here. GOOD LUCK!
Show Review: The Dandy Warhols’ 30th Anniversary Show at Bimbo’s 365 Club, 12/6/24
It’s insane to me that The Dandy Warhols have been doing their thing for 30 years now. Even crazier is the realization that I’ve been along for the ride (pun intended) for roughly 27 of those years, first seeing them at The Fillmore opening for The Charlatans UK and coming back with zero memory of the headliner. That night, while my friend was desperately trying to stalk Courtney Taylor-Taylor (with limited success), I tripped over Zia McCabe, and she signed the back of my poster. Why not the front? Because I’m an idiot. But she was incredibly kind and remains probably the nicest person in rock. Continue reading “Show Review: The Dandy Warhols’ 30th Anniversary Show at Bimbo’s 365 Club, 12/6/24”
Show Review: Testament, Kreator, and Possessed at The Hollywood Palladium, 10-26-2024
Klash of the Titans
I love heavy metal. Shocking, I know, and there are still so many legendary heavy metal bands that I’ve never seen, so whenever a chance arises, I try to snap it up. So when I found out that Testament and Kreator were going to tour together and that, on top of that, they got Possessed to join in? I couldn’t beg fast enough for that press pass!
Show Review: The The at The Fox Theater – Oakland, 11/7/24
On November 7, 2024, The The returned to the stage at Oakland’s historic Fox Theater, presenting a performance that transcended the boundaries of a standard rock concert—with a two-set format and no supporting act, the evening highlighted their new album, Ensoulment, and a retrospective of their catalog, offering a reflective journey that resonated profoundly with fans. Continue reading “Show Review: The The at The Fox Theater — Oakland, 11/7/24”
Festival Review: NOFX -The Final Shows-
41 Years of Fucking Up: NOFX Bids Us Farewell
To call this an end of an era is the most obvious understatement. Forty years of fucking shit up as a punk band is a long time, and while some bands have been at it for just as long if not longer, the impact of NOFX cannot be overstated. They did things DIY when their peers were signing on with and subsequently getting dropped by major labels. They’ve courted controversy, spoken their minds, and rocked the fuck out while doing it. It was fitting that the final three performances of the band’s career would be celebrated in Southern California, where it all began.
Show Review: Danny Elfman with Johnny Jewel + Desire at Shoreline Amphitheater, 11/3/24
I remember it like yesterday. October 26th, 1995. The eve of my 16th birthday. Oingo Boingo were scheduled to play their final SF show, and I couldn’t have been more excited. As a “ska” teen, despite Oingo Boingo not being a ska band, they were still part of my world, and I was eager to suit up and get sweaty. Well, the band was too eager to close up shop and canceled every show except the one that was recorded for their Farewell album, and I ended up having a beach bonfire and broke a femur running from the cops instead.
Dammit Danny. Continue reading “Show Review: Danny Elfman with Johnny Jewel + Desire at Shoreline Amphitheater, 11/3/24”