Dakin’s off this week, and he left me in charge, which means I totally mentioned sports. It’s championship week in the NFL, and for those of you not as sports minded as the rest of us (aka those of you make jokes like “what’s happening in sports ball this week?”), I’m also recommending some “music concerts” for you.
Thursday, January 17
Lady Gaga with Madeon and Lady Starlight at HP Pavilion
What does anyone have to left to say about Lady Gaga? She’s been milking this last album for years, and it’s almost like people don’t care anymore. Discount tickets are all over the place for the “Virgin Mobile Presents The Born This Way Ball starring Lady Gaga” (their capitalization), and with a name like that, is anyone surprised? Oh, I’m sure it’s a good show, but this sort of billing is no way to get career longevity.
Friday, January 18
Ty Segall at The Fillmore
Is there an opening band for this show? I’m not sure, because the new Fillmore website is a disaster. No matter, though, because you can go get your world rocked by Ty Segall by himself just as well. This guy does everything, and does it prolifically. It’s the only show I’m recommending tonight because it’s the only thing worth seeing tonight.
Saturday, January 19
Budos Band with Afrolicious at The Mezzanine
Holy Funky Saturday, Funky Batman! This show is going to be incredible. Just a dark, sweaty mess. Have fun.
Pinback with Judgement Day at Bimbo’s 365 Club
We will always recommend seeing Judgement Day, in any situation anywhere.
Sunday, January 20
Go Niners! at The Independent (Seriously, watch football. Walk your dog. Hug somebody. Make a nice pot of coffee. Stream a movie.)
Monday, January 21
Martin Luther at Yoshi’s Oakland
See this talented soul singer and guitarist on the day chosen to honor his namesake.
Tuesday, January 22
Jackson Browne at San Jose Civic Arena
This guy is one of the all time great songwriters, and I imagine he’s actually made more money from writing The Eagles’ hit “Take It Easy” than anything he recorded himself, but for my money, this is his greatest song, and he wrote the darn thing when he was 16 years’ old. What had you accomplished when you were that age?
Clint Holmes at The Rrazz Room
If you’re like me and have been going to Vegas regularly for the last several years, you’ve probably seen this guy’s picture on a sign or two. It’s mostly due to his #2 single from 1973, “Playground in My Mind.” He starts a week at The Rrazz Room tonight.
Wednesday, January 23
Gojira with Devin Townsend and The Atlas Moth at The Fillmore
Gojira put out my favorite metal record of 2012. Devin Townsend has been one of the best and most interesting people in hard rock for the last 20 years. The Atlas Moth, having been asked to play with those two, must be great, but I don’t know anything about them.
Jason Becker’s Not Dead Yet 2013 at Slim’s
Thanks to YouTube for allowing me to let a link explain why this show is so important, more than the amazing list of people playing in it: Steve Morse, Uli Jon Roth, Richie Kotzen, and many many more.
And the trailer for the documentary:
