Show Reviews – Page 19 – Spinning Platters

Single Of The Week: Backyard by Personal Trainer

This week’s Single of the Week comes from Personal Trainer. This is the debut single from this power trio based out of both Philadelphia AND Brooklyn. (Odds are that there is some infighting about which town has the best pizza) This track starts out sounding deceptively simple, but builds into a delightful aural treat that spans an insane amount of emotions on 4:18. This song is a stunner, and I can’t wait to hear more from this band.

“Backyward” can be found on Soundcloud and Spotify. You can also follow the band on Instagram and Twitter to stay in the know when they put out more material.

Show Review: Wynonna & The Big Noise featuring Bob Weir and Cass McCombs, Christina Vane at The Fillmore, 2/6/2020

Tonight was an intimate, unique, and heartwarming night of music at the Fillmore, despite being a little rough around the edges at times. Continue reading “Show Review: Wynonna & The Big Noise featuring Bob Weir and Cass McCombs, Christina Vane at The Fillmore, 2/6/2020”

SF Sketchfest Review: Everything’s Great! at Cafe du Nord, 1/25/2020

Winding down my time at this year’s SF Sketchfest, I wanted to make sure to catch one more stand up variety show. Everything’s Great!, hosted by Demi Adejuyigbe, Nick Kocher, and Addie Weyrich, has been on my list as a must-see in Los Angeles. Past guests on their line-up have included Sasheer Zamata, Joel Kim Booster, Kyle Kinane and Rachel Bloom, amongst other big talents. Plus the hosts themselves are ridiculously entertaining; each of them has their own extensive and cool list of projects in comedy. Catching their SF Sketchfest show was exactly how I wanted to wrap up this year’s festival.

Continue reading “SF Sketchfest Review: Everything’s Great! at Cafe du Nord, 1/25/2020”

SF Sketchfest Review: UCB East (Highwater) vs. UCB West (Leroy): The Harold Competition at PianoFight, 1/24/2020

I’ve studied improv throughout the last 15 years, but nothing has been more simultaneously challenging and rewarding than studying the Harold, a longform improv style that became popular back in Chicago, thanks to legendary improvisation teachers Del Close and Charna Halpern. This particular style of improv is taught at the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) Training Centers in New York and Los Angeles, where house Harold teams perform weekly to packed houses. It is a genuine treat to see UCB’s Harold Night, and I was delighted to catch two teams from New York and Los Angeles come together to compete for SF Sketchfest.

Continue reading “SF Sketchfest Review: UCB East (Highwater) vs. UCB West (Leroy): The Harold Competition at PianoFight, 1/24/2020”

Show Review: Dermot Kennedy with SYML at the Masonic, 1/30/2020

Dermot Kennedy’s got that power over me.

I don’t know what it is about Dermot Kennedy. I first discovered his music when I heard “Power Over Me” on a music channel on my TV. It was literally love at first listen. Kennedy’s voice is unlike any other I’ve ever heard: haunting, soulful, and incredibly powerful. Add to that his ability to write lyrically and musically beautiful works of art, and I’m a fan for life. For now, Kennedy is still relatively unknown in the US, but those who know his music flock to his shows, resulting in regularly sold-out shows. Such was the case at last night’s show with SYML at the Masonic.

Continue reading “Show Review: Dermot Kennedy with SYML at the Masonic, 1/30/2020”

SF Sketchfest Review: Fred Armisen: Comedy for Guitar Players but Everyone is Welcome at The Chapel, 1/26/2020

Fred Armisen has come a long way since his days drumming for Trenchmouth. He’s been the bandleader for Late Night with Seth Meyers. He’s drummed for Devo. He had a sketch comedy series with Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie Brownstein where he took every opportunity he could to show off his musical chops. He’s had success in multiple fake bands on his other show, Documentary Now!. Despite acclaim as an actor and comic, he always seemed most at home as a musician. It came as no surprise when I learned he was doing a stand up special called Stand Up For Drummers, in which he exclusively told drum related jokes. When SF Sketchfest announced that he was branching out to guitarists this year, I decided that it was necessary for my own survival that I attend one of these. Continue reading “SF Sketchfest Review: Fred Armisen: Comedy for Guitar Players but Everyone is Welcome at The Chapel, 1/26/2020”

SF Sketchfest Review: BriTANick and Friends at the Gateway Theater, 1/23/2020

Years ago, one of my closest friends introduced me to BriTANick’s videos. I was instantly hooked. I’ve always loved sketch comedy, but BriTANick was the first sketch comedy group of my generation that seems to truly understand and master absurdity in their work. So when I learned that Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher were bringing BriTANick back to SF Sketchfest, I lost my goddamn mind—I had to go to this show. I wasn’t in town during their previous Sketchfest appearances and was over the moon to finally see them performing live. Continue reading “SF Sketchfest Review: BriTANick and Friends at the Gateway Theater, 1/23/2020”

SF Sketchfest Review: Women Crush Wednesdays at The Swedish American Hall, 1/11/2020

Every month Marcella Arguello curates a lineup of fierce women to showcase their jokes at The Improv in LA. What originally started as an open mic night at the Comedy Store, Women Crush Wednesdays has grown into a clear-cut way to find your new favorite comedian. Although this event normally takes place in LA, she’s teamed up with Sketchfest to deliver the vibes to the Bay Area. Marcella hosted the night at The Swedish American Hall and her lineup included the following; Jes Tom, Francesca Fiorentini, Kate Willet, Shalewa Sharpe, and Lydia Popovich. Needless to say, I’m proud that my first Sketchfest event was a Women Crush Wednesdays. Continue reading “SF Sketchfest Review: Women Crush Wednesdays at The Swedish American Hall, 1/11/2020”

SF Sketchfest Review: Tribute to Molly Shannon, in conversation with Bruce McCulloch + 20th Anniversary Screening of “Superstar,” Alamo Drafthouse at The New Mission, 1/13/2020

When presented with the opportunity to write about SF Sketchfests’ Superstar screening, I thought about watching the movie once before to refresh myself. I ultimately didn’t and went in remembering how much joy the film brought me and that I still do the “armpit move” today. This also happened to be my first time at the Alamo Drafthouse in San Francisco and can honestly say I’m a fan. Not only are you able to watch some of your favorite films, but you can do so with the option of ordering from a pretty nice food and drink menu. I really appreciated the wide range of food and drinks and being greeted by a waiter ready to take your order. I especially appreciated that they took the time to explain the process for a first timer like myself. They offered everything from traditional movie theater snacks to avocado toast and mixed drinks, all without leaving your seat. Continue reading “SF Sketchfest Review: Tribute to Molly Shannon, in conversation with Bruce McCulloch + 20th Anniversary Screening of “Superstar,” Alamo Drafthouse at The New Mission, 1/13/2020″

SF Sketchfest Review: Donde Esta Mi Comedy? at Cafe du Nord, 1/17/2020

I know that one of the big draws for SF Sketchfest is having big names perform throughout the festival, but I’m always pumped to see local acts getting to cut their teeth across town. That’s what really makes SF Sketchfest for me: ensuring that genuine San Francisco and Bay Area voices are heard. This year, I got my fix at Donde Esta Mi Comedy?, a stand-up show featuring Latino comedians from all over the state. Truthfully, I’ve been meaning to catch this show for a while; this is the second year Donde Esta Mi Comedy? has been part of SF Sketchfest. They also play shows around the Bay throughout the year.

Continue reading “SF Sketchfest Review: Donde Esta Mi Comedy? at Cafe du Nord, 1/17/2020”