Noise Pop week. It’s pretty much impossible, isn’t it? It’s the single best programmed week of live music the Bay Area gets all year! And this year marks the return on the Noise Pop Film Series! There is other fun stuff in store, like a photo exhibit at Hotel Biron, and some secret late shows at Cafe du Nord! So, yes, there is plenty do to that ISN’T seeing a band. Which is my life’s blood, and probably your’s, too, since you are reading this preview. Since there is a lot to do, this is not a comprehensive guide to the fest by any means. (That can be found here) This is one show per day that you should go to, plus a movie on some days. And if you don’t want to buy nine sets of tickets, pick up a badge that can get you into EVERYTHING!
Monday, February 24th
Injury Reserve, Tony Velour, Haviah Mighty, Heno. at The New Parish
Injury Reserve harken back to the Quannum Projects era of hip-hop: innovative beats that aren’t quite traditional hip-hop, combined with lyrics that are both funny and poignant, and almost always catch you off guard.
Tuesday, February 25th
jennylee + TT (of Warpaint), Kills Birds, Sour Widows at Bottom Of The Hill
This is special… Usually Warpaint play to large theaters. Tonight we get a stripped down version of Warpaint, playing songs from Warpaint’s extensive catalog, as well as jennylee’s and TT’s amazing solo work. You will never hear these songs this way again, and you will never get to experience the music of Warpaint quite this intimately.
Wednesday, February 26th
Rosie Tucker + Pom Pom Squad, Pendant, Diners at Bottom Of The Hill
I love it when something uncomfortable and raw is given a mask of perky joy. Pom Pom Squad are just that- songs that are upbeat, layered with that thing that’s just a tiny bit off that either gives you that instant boost of catharsis while listening, or makes you so uncomfortable that you need to turn it off right away. If you are like me and crave the former, this show is for you.
Thursday, February 27th
Sonic Youth: Daydream Nation at The Roxie
Daydream Nation is arguably Sonic Youth’s finest moment on wax. And, to celebrate it’s 30th (well, 31st Anniversary now), Lance Bangs made a movie centering around a performance of the record in full, but also going into detail about one of rock’s finest moments. Tonight’s event features a Q+A with Bangs after the film!
Sasami, Mandy Harris Williams at The Chapel
I was BUMMED when I learned that keyboard animal Samasi left Cherry Glazerr. She was the centerpiece of their live show. I was thrilled to learn that she’s released a fantastic solo record, and also puts the same intensity into her solo show, only she goes even harder because she’s the star of the show.
Friday, February 28th
Raphael Saadiq, Jamila Woods, DJ Duggz at The Fox Theater – Oakland
Raphael Saadiq is a living legend of Bay Area music. As the lead singer of Tony! Toni! Tone`!, he brought the live band back to R&B, and helped usher in both New Jack Swing and the Neo-Soul movement. Since then, he’s been putting out one classic solo record after another, and worked with artists such as Janelle Monae, Kelis, Mary J Blige, and many, many more. Tonight promises to be a full career retrospective, so you get to enjoy three decades of amazing R&B. Opening the show is Jamila Woods, a woman that put out one of the best records of 2019. So, seriously, do not miss this one.
Saturday, February 29th
Habibi, Rudy De Anda, Babewatch, Nobody’s Baby at Bottom Of The Hill
Habibi’s self-titled debut came out in 2014, and it was a lofi garage rock treasure. Six years later, we were gifted with a new full length that’s just a little bit slower, a little bit sexier, and a lot more psychedelic. This is going to be a good show to for letting both your brain and your heart go swimming in an array of harmonies and flourishes of guitars.
Sunday, March 1st
CRIME: 1978 + Invasion of the Body Snatchers at Alamo Drafthouse at The New Mission
Crime were often considered to be the “first” West Coast punk band. (Yes, you can argue that punk rock was invented in Washington State by The Wailers, The Sonics, and even The Kingsmen) Crime:1978 is one of the very few full length performances of this band caught on film. This is a very rare chance to see carefully preserved footage of one of SF’s most important punk bands, but the film was shot at Mabuhay Gardens, SF’s premier punk venue / Filipino Restauarant in the late 70’s. Filmmake Jon Bastian will be there in person for a Q+A after the film, and if you want to stick around to see a little more about SF’s seedy underworld as it was in 1978, you will get to enjoy a screening of the 1978 remake of Invasion Of The Body Snatchers.
Destroy Boys, Gymshorts, Clit Kat, Twompsax at Bottom Of The Hill
Now that you’ve seen footage of one of the most intense punk bands in 1978, it’s important to remember that intensely confrontational punk rock is STILL coming from the west coast. Destroy Boys are aggressive and intense and put on a live show that will leave you coated in sweat, even if you are standing still in the back of the club. Throw them in with three of the best punk bands the Bay has to offer, and you’ll get a mosh that will force you to remember that your knees aren’t what they used to be.
