Another week of gigs to keep your ears sated. This is typically a quiet period around these parts, but there are a lot of interesting things going on this week if you are willing to give your ears a challenge.
Thursday, July 13th
An Evening With Huun Huur Tu at Great American Music Hall
Just going to throw this out there. I love Tuvan throat singing. It pretty much blows my mind. And Huun Huur Tu are pretty much the best out there. If these guys don’t blow your mind, something is deeply wrong with you.
On a much sadder note, The Wombats are canceling their appearance at Popscene because of visa issues. Boo.
Friday, January 14th
Public Enemy w/ Live Band at Yoshi’s – SF
When was the last time the legendary Public Enemy played SF? It’s been quite a while, and this time they are playing the intimate confines of Yoshi’s in San Francisco for two nights! This show will be pretty ridiculous, especially since it looks like everyone is going to be there: Chuck D, Flava Flav, Professor Griff, and the S1W’s! (Also Playing 1/15)
DRI, Attitude Adjustment, Instant Asshole at Slim’s
Still Flyin’, Social Studies, La Corde at Rickshaw Stop
Saturday, January 15th
Dashboard Confessional, Chris Conley (Saves The Day), Lady Danville at The Regency Ballroom
Dashboard Confessional’s debut record, Swiss Army Romance, is ten years old now. How old does that make you feel? Because it makes me feel like I’m about 100. After spending many years mocking the record, I have allowed myself to give it a try again, and although it is quite precious, it’s not a bad record. The somberness is quite sincere, and the hooks are very catchy.
Crocodiles, The Fresh & Onlys, Magic Bullets at Slim’s
Sunday, January 16th
Neurosis, Saviours, US Christmas at Great American Music Hall
Very few metal bands are described as “smart”, Neurosis are definitely one of the brightest bands in the history of the genre. Just as a heads up- the Saturday gig is sold out, so this one will sell out very soon. Buy your tickets ASAP!!!
Bad Books, Right Away, Great Captain!, Gobotron at Bottom Of The Hill
3 bands. 3 Manchester Orchestra Side Projects. Manchester Orchestra are the most underrated band to get the emo tag.
Tom Russell, Jesse Winchester, Jimmy Webb at Freight & Salvage
Monday, January 17th
Youth Speaks Presents A Tribute To Martin Luther King, JR at Herbst Theater
MLK Jr Day is kind of quiet on the indie rock front. So instead, honor the king and watch about a bunch of young people pay tribute to him with spoken word, music, and other assorted performance. It might be the coolest thing you do all year.
Tuesday, January 18th
Snoop Dogg, Pilot at The Fillmore
The first rapper to become a household name is doing a short West Coast run of tiny venues, and he’s starting off in SF. Why SF? Probably because of our lenient pot laws. But he’ll probably do “Sexual Eruption,” and that’s good enough reason to buy a ticket.
Defiance, Ohio, Kimya Dawson, Songs For Moms at Thee Parkside
Wednesday, July 19th
Roy Hargrove Quintet at Yoshi’s – SF
Roy Hargrove is one of the few musicians working in contemporary jazz music that is actually pushing boundaries while still making accessible music. He’s got just enough hip hop in him to make him cool, and is completely void of any smooth jazz tendencies. Even Questlove has given him a thumbs up, so you know he’s alright.
Snoop Cookie Cook? That sounds like his appearance on Martha Stewart…