Show Reviews – Spinning Platters

Show Review: The Linda Lindas with Be Your Own Pet at The UC Theatre, 3/20/25

It’s been about six years since Spinning Platters first encountered The Linda Lindas. They were all in middle school at the time but managed to score the opening slot for Bikini Kill’s second show in 20 years. They played 30 minutes worth of classic punk covers with the skill of players twice their age but with the enthusiasm and curiosity of, well, pre-teens. Fast forward six years, and they have three albums worth of critically acclaimed original material and have risen to be the band effectively leading Gen Alpha to rock ‘n roll.

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Noise Pop 2025: A Recap

Noise Pop 2025 kicked off with a bang — and my festival experience started with picking up my badge at the California Academy of Sciences on a Thursday evening. Coinciding with the Academy’s weekly NightLife program, the scene was electric. Even though I was solo, it struck me as possibly the best Bay Area date night I’ve seen in years. Noise Pop was in full swing, contributing DJs and a dance floor to the evening’s programming. But the real magic came from the Academy itself. There’s something about wandering through the aquarium under black lights, music pulsing through the exhibits as exotic fish glide by. People of all ages roamed the space in pairs or pods, sipping craft cocktails from the multiple bars scattered throughout. Small science demos popped up in every corner, adding an intellectual edge to the atmosphere. It was a perfect blend of science, art, and social buzz — I’d give it a solid 100 for ingenuity and wholesome romantic fun. Continue reading “Noise Pop 2025: A Recap”

Show Review: Bonnie “Prince” Billy at Sebastiani Theater, 2/10/25

On February 10, 2025, the Sebastiani Theatre in Sonoma hosted an evening of quiet magic as Bonnie “Prince” Billy (Will Oldham) took the stage alongside David Ferguson and friends. The historic theater, small and warmly worn-in, made for the perfect setting—where the low lights and unpretentious charm made everyone feel like they were sitting in a friend’s parlor rather than a concert hall. The staff, gracious and welcoming, kept things running smooth, with intermissions brief and timely, never pulling the audience too far from the spell being cast onstage. Continue reading “Show Review: Bonnie “Prince” Billy at Sebastiani Theater, 2/10/25″

Show Review: JoJo with Emmy Meli at The Warfield, 3/6/25

JoJo has spent the last 21 years as the “other” one. When she was a 13-year-old prodigy, she was marketed as the “new” Aaliyah. She spent years making movies and putting out records without achieving the notoriety of fellow prodigies of her era like Hilary Duff and Miley Cyrus. I can’t decide if this is bad or not. She has immense talent, but it’s also allowed her to create her own identity and continue pushing the boundaries of what you would define as R&B or Pop. Her sound has developed in a way that places her as a precursor to boundary pushers like SZA and The Weeknd, and the folks that kept their ears on her learned this.

I feel like in 2025, with her new EP, NGL, and her book, Over The Influence, it’s time for JoJo to make her formal re-introduction. This live show cements that. Continue reading “Show Review: JoJo with Emmy Meli at The Warfield, 3/6/25”

Show Review: Max Cavalera’s Schizophrenia

Photos and review by: Alan Ralph @ARPhotoSF

Max Cavalera tours a lot. Max and his brother Igor G. are best known for starting the band Sepultura in the early 1980’s, and since leaving that behind nearly 30 years ago, he has Soulfly, Nailbomb, Go Ahead and Die, and Cavalera Conspiracy keeping him and the Cavalera family very busy. They have plenty of good reasons to perform for their fans as much as they do, and that is because there is so much music to play! In fact, alongside Max on this particular excursion, both in the band and crew, is drummer/brother Igor G., guitar/son Igor A., manager/wife Gloria, and merchandise/son Richie.

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Show Review: Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy and Friends with Dave Hill at The Neptune Theater, 2/21/25

Shannon, Narducy & Hill: Attorneys at Rock

When I told people that I was going to see Michael Shannon perform the music of R.E.M. fronting a band that’s the alt-rock world’s equivalent of Ringo’s All-Starr Band, their reactions, for the most part, were Doc Brown in tone, asking, “Michael Shannon! The actor!?” Yes, that Michael Shannon. This particular music project of Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy (more on him later) is ten years in the making, and this is the second year they’ve been playing REM-themed shows exclusively. Continue reading “Show Review: Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy and Friends with Dave Hill at The Neptune Theater, 2/21/25”

SF Sketchfest Review: Jeopargay! with Spike Einbinder and Honey Pluton at Club Fugazi, 1/24/25

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”

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”