You know what to do. Go out and support your local live music venue. Buy your niece merch for Christmas. Join Boy George in encouraging Adele to quit smoking.
Thursday, December 1st
Morrissey, Kristeen Young at The Fox Theater – Oakland
Too $hort w/ live band at The New Parish
On the surface, these two artists have nothing in common with each other. Quite on the contrary, they both have been chugging along in the music business for over 30 years, neither have taken any extended time away from performing, and they are both highly controversial figures that say exactly what they mean, and refuse to censor themselves. They are also both playing down the street from each other in Oakland on the same night. I, personally, can’t decided which one to go to. Both will be great.
Friday, December 2nd
My Morning Jacket, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
Jim James & Co are coming back to the Bay Area entertain us with their blissful guitar rock. They are little but jammy, and a little bit indie, and a whole lot of melody. They are one of the greatest live bands in rock, as well. It also takes some serious guts to ask Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings to open for you.
Jane Birkin, Foxtails Brigade at The Lodge at The Regency
Saturday, December 3rd
Jake Shimabukuro,Leftover Cuties at The Warfield
The ukulele is a very “hip” instrument these days. Shimabukuro isn’t the hippest guy on earth, but he might be the best. We aren’t going to hear any olde timey vocals or melodramatic tales of lost love this evening. Just some impressive uke pyrotechnics.
Papercuts, Dominant Legs, Tim Cohen’s Magic Trick at Rickshaw Stop
Sunday, December 4th & Tuesday, December 6th
Iggy & The Stooges, Le Butcherettes at The Warfield
Looking for a chance to see the greatest rock & roll frontman ever? Well, you’ve got two nights at the Warfield to do that. And, to make matters even sweeter, you get to see Le Butcherettes, with one of the greatest rock & roll frontwomen of all time.
Sunday, December 4th
Peter Murphy, She Wants Revenge, Hussle Club at The Fillmore
The tour seemed a little odd to me. We have the godfather of goth on tour with She Wants Revenge, a band that has been slowly falling further into obscurity since they first popped out onto the scene in 2005. What will happen this night? Well, my assumption is that She Wants Revenge will sing a song about “wanting to tear you apart,” while Peter Murphy will actually tear you apart.
Monday, December 5th
The Frail, Young Digerati at The Elbo Room
Looking for a fun way to handle a cold, winter Monday night? Well, local dance rock band The Frail will be warming you up at The Elbo Room! The cover is only $5, and the venue is right by BART, with plenty of great food near by. What more could you want in a show?
Tuesday, December 6th
Anna Calvi at Great American Music Hall
Calvi has one of those deep, intense, sultry voices that can both melt your heart and, still, frighten you just a little bit. This will be a wonderfully intense and stunning show, in one of the finest venues in SF.
Wedenesday, December 7th
Jonathan Richman featuring Tommy Larkins on drums at Great American Music Hall
Richman is a bay area treasure. He writes some of the most amazing songs on earth, and is a mighty fine showman as well. He plays the Great American Music Hall every year at on this date because it’s the venue’s booker’s birthday. I kind of wish I had that power to have my favorite musician play my birthday every year. C’est La Vie!
Puscifer, Carina Round at The Palace Of Fine Arts
