Noise Pop is celebrating its 33rd iteration, and it’s 34th year (DAMMIT COVID!), which means it’s the 33 1/3 Noise Pop. Not really, but I prefer to label it as such. Because of records. But it could also take 33 1/3 years to dig through the lineup. Feeling like some Noise Pop (or, as Swami John Reis referred to it at Bimbo’s in 1999, “popping noise music”) but don’t want to do the work? Here’s what I like. The full schedule is here. Badges and limited individual tickets are still available for many shows.
Thursday, February 12th
NP Photography Show: A Tribute to Bottom of the Hill at Hi Hat
There are only 9 1/2 more months left of the greatest little indie rock room in the universe. (Investors, please call me! I’d love to buy Bottom Of The Hill) It has been the home of Noise Pop for 3 decades, and they will pay tribute tonight with photography from Noise Pop’s history and from Bottom Of The Hill. Also, two Spinning Platters photographers, Emily Anderson and Paige Parson, will be showcasing their work.
Thursday, February 19th
An Evening of Words & Music with Roxy Music’s Phil Manzanera at Great American Music Hall
Roxy Music is the band that gave us Bryan Ferry and Brian Eno, and also had a few non-Bryans in the band, too! Including the great Phil Manzanera, who played lead guitar and helped produce those great records. Tonight, he will be showing off his legendary guitar work and will spend some time discussing his storied career.
Friday, February 20th
Tropa Magica, Flaco el Jandro, Valley Wolf at Kilowatt
Psychedelic rock just *sounds* better in Spanish. Tropa Magica is a young band that sounds like classic ’60s Latin rock dipped into, like, a vat of acid, then a vat of espresso. So you are gonna dance and sweat until you are seeing things at this gig.
Saturday, February 21st
Death Valley Girls, Forty Feel Tall, Grooblin at Kilowatt
I don’t like to go to the desert. Death Valley itself sounds like hell. Humans were never meant to go there. Yet, when I put on the fuzzy darkness of Death Valley Girls, I want a pet jackrabbit. The best music should, indeed, spark the worst decisions.
Sunday, February 22nd
Wisp at Great American Music Hall
Never was “kids loving shoegaze” on my trend bingo card. But it’s 2026. Life is hard. Fascism is on the rise. The economy feels like there is no future in store for anyone. It really feels a lot like the era that birthed My Bloody Valentine and Lush. So, yeah, we’ve got a 20-year-old shoegaze prodigy, and she is AMAZING.
Monday, February 23rd
Stephen Malkmus, Cole Pulice at Great American Music Hall
Yes. Pavement are finally the monster rock stars that the indie rock press always pretended they were destined for. Which means intimate shows with the members of the band are few and far between. So Noise Pop is gifting us a rare “club” show from their leader, Stephen Malkmus. Bring your earplugs and sweater!
Wednesday, February 25th
NIIS, Carrion Kids, Starzdust at Kilowatt
GAWD. Sometimes, some good, old-fashioned, punk rock just feels good. Loud and a little dangerous, but also wholly accepting? Listening to NIIS feels, well, just plain NICE.
Thursday, February 26th
Shannon Shaw & Friends at KQED Commons
Shannon Shaw is a local hero. She can jump between blistering punk, heart-wrenching country, acid rock, and surf, and it all feels so genuine and real. And that voice is so potent!!!! Tonight, she is even offering meet & greets with her amazing dog, Spanky Joe.
Friday, February 27th
The Fiery Furnaces with Spacemoth. (Solo) at The Chapel
I’ve said it before- every band that ever existed currently exists. But, also, goddamn have I missed the Fiery Furnaces and their noisy, yet poppy goodness!!
Lyrics Born, Siji Oda, Trackademics at Gray Area
Lyrics Born is really pushing this whole “retiring from performing” bit. But I’m not sad about that, because he’s a mic monster and I love any chance I have to see him live.
Saturday, February 28th
illuminati hotties, Pity Party, Buzzed Lightbeer at Bottom Of The Hill
Obviously, with Bottom Of The Hill closing at the end of the year, you should get there as often as possible. But an afternoon show with a trio of the best femme punk bands in the land? It’s optimal BOTH. My favorite memories of this spot are the Sunday Afternoon BBQs. So grab a beer and a burger for lunch and enjoy yourself!
Sunday, March 1st
An Evening with The Sun Ra Arkestra at The Chapel
Sonic Youth’s favorite jazz band. The worst person you know AND the best person you know think “Angels and Demons At Play” is the greatest composition of jazz’s most experimental era. Also, there will be musicians on stage who have reached triple digits in age, outplaying any 25-year-old.
