This is another week where you just have to feel lucky living in the bay… It’s a great combination of living legends and awesome low profile gigs, so I hope you have some money and sick time, because this one is gonna be busy!
Thursday, October 20th
Theophilus London at Rickshaw Stop
It’s pretty amazing how loosely the term “rapper” is used these days, but Theophilus London has been given that label. I guess if you call sexy industrial electro funk experimentalism “rap,” then you are covered. Of course, London defies genre. He just plays music. Really good music. And his David Sitek-produced debut record, Timez Are Weird These Days, will end up on many best of 2011 lists.
John Doe, Dead Rock West at Great American Music Hall
X are pretty much perpetually on tour now, as are The Knitters. It seems that solo John Doe shows are a very rare commodity.
Friday, October 21st
Portishead, Thought Forms at The Greek Theater – UC Berkeley
You didn’t buy a ticket? Neither did I… I’ll be with you hanging out in front of the Greek, hoping for magic to happen. Or, at least, hope to still be able to make rent after I spend way too much money on a Portishead ticket. Damn you for touring the USA once every decade.
Check Yo Ponytail Tour: Spank Rock, The Death Set, Big Freedia, Pictureplane, Frankie Chan at Mezzanine
Of course, you can spend $20 instead of $100 from a scalper to go see this epic line up of some of the most exciting, innovative, and fun names in electronic music. Instead of achieving catharsis with Portishead, you can let your serotonin levels go crazy at Mezzanine.
Saturday, October 22nd & Sunday, October 23rd
The 25th Annual Bridge School Benefit Concert at Shoreline Amphitheater
Good old Neil Young has done it again. He pulled out his rolodex and called a bunch of big stars to play his annual benefit concert for his school for children with severe speech and physical impairments. This school is pretty awesome, but his annual acoustic benefit show is always the highlight of the year. This year is no loser, either. We have Beck doing his first shows in like 4 years, Dave Matthews and Eddie Vedder playing sets without their “bands,” Carlos Santana and his wife, drummer Cindy Blackman, doing lord knows what, indie rock gods Mumford & Sons and Arcade Fire, who are only there to insure that the bars stock PBR, Devendra Barnhart, who is simply around so people can be envious of his facial hair, and The Little Willies, Norah Jones’ drunken Willie Nelson tribute band, which means you may get to hear this amazing song live:
Shellac, Helen Money at The New Parish
Although, if you wanna enjoy some legends along the BART line, at The New Parish we have Shellac, Steve Albini’s loud and reclusive rock band playing a rare show in Oakland. Although with both things happening over the course of two days, you can have your Shellac and eat it, too!
Sunday, October 23rd
Julieta Venegas, Ximena Sarinana at The Fox Theater – Oakland
I already spoke at length as to why these two singers are amazing during my Outside Lands preview piece, but I really, truly adore these two vocalists. Sarinana is the girlfriend of guitar legend Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, who recently put out a blissful, summery pop record that was produced by the unlikely team of The Bird & The Bee’s Greg Kurstin and TV On The Radio’s David Sitek. Venegas is Mexico’s angsty, accordion wielding heroine, whose impressive delivery has won over fans in many different languages. If you ever wanted to know what a Mexican show was like, this might be the show to go to. Not might- IS!
Anthrax, Testament, Death Angel, Chimaira at The Warfield
Although, it’s hard to deny this show.
Monday, October 24th
Jenny Lewis, former lead singer of Rilo Kiley, was supposed to play a solo show at Swedish American Hall this night. Well, due to “personal matters” she had to cancel her fall tour dates. So, I recommend staying home and listening to Rilo Kiley records, now that Blake Sennett has nailed that coffin shut, at least for the time being. And, since no amount of money could get any of them to play “The Frug,” here’s a Rilo Kiley rock block!
Tuesday, October 25th
Lindsey Buckingham at The Uptown Theater – Napa
Looking for a good reason to take a Tuesday off of work? How about to go wine tasting during the day, and keep the party going to seeing a living legend live- Lindsay Buckingham, guitarist and male vocalist for Fleetwood Mac. He may not have the same presence as Stevie Nicks, but he’s got the chops, and arguably some of the better Fleetwood Mac songs.
Wednesday, October 26th
Kitsune Club Night featuring Is Tropical (live), Database and Beataucue
Kitsune is a French clothing company and music label. Every once in a while, they release a compilation CD, and these have become the best one-stop shop to find the newest in electro and electric pop music. Bands such as Phoenix, Yelle, and Two Door Cinema Club all came to my attention through these discs. And now they are bringing their club nights, currently the rage in Europe, to the U.S.
Headliner Is Tropical wears masks, but they can’t hide their dance beats. Check out this NSFW video for their newest single, “Lies.”
