Wednesday, December 4th
Brendan Canning, Holly Miranda at The Chapel
Broken Social Scene essentially called it a day in 2011. Which, of course, meant that 75% of all working musicians in Canada were suddenly without a job. Happily, a few of them have decided to pursue solo careers, and that means we get to hear these songs in intimate venues once again!
Le Wrens, Noah Gunderson at Cafe du Nord
Thursday, December 5th
Portugal. The Man, CVRCHES, NONONO, The Colourist at Mezzanine
As they do every year, Live 105 has put together another amazing gig at Mezzanine the night before their Not So Silent Night show. This year, however, they’ve really outdone themselves. The two headliners: Portugal. The Man & CHVRCHES have both already played sold out shows The Fox Theater, so it’s quite special to see them sharing a bill in a venue 1/3 the size. The two openers, NONONO and The Colourist are also pretty hot, and both of them could very well be selling out The Fox by the end of 2014.
The Bangles, The Three O’Clock, The Dream Syndicate, Rain Parade at The Fillmore
This one is pretty epic: Four of the greatest bands of the Paisley Underground scene of the early 80’s. Three of these bands haven’t played in SF since the 80’s. And the fourth band is The Bangles, who are pretty much amazing. And if you feel otherwise, you are simply wrong.
Friday, December 6th
Kings Of Leon, Vampire Weekend, Queens Of The Stone Age, AFI, Arctic Monkeys, Capital Cities at Oracle Arena
I think we can all agree that the headliner of this show is, in face, pretty terrible. That being said, you still are getting a lot of bang for your buck at this gig. Capital Cities have one of the most inescapable hit singles of the year. Arctic Monkeys have proven themselves capable of living beyond the obscene amount of hype they received when they first popped onto the scene. AFI are hometown legends that really should be headlining this gig. Both Queens Of The Stone Age and Vampire Weekend released, arguably, the best record of their careers in 2013. And you can beat the crowd and leave early.
The Aquabats, Kepi Ghoulie, Mike Park at Slim’s
Saturday, December 7th
Kendra Morris w/ Binky Griptite, Jordan and The Ritual, DJ Heylove at Brick & Mortar Music Hall
Binky Griptite is the bandleader for soul revivalist heroes Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. While Ms Jones is currently recovering from a bout with cancer, Griptite is hitting the road with another amazing singer. Morris has some big shoes to fill, and she definitely has the pipes to fill them.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Talib Kweli, Big KRIT at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
Sunday, December 8th
Ed Kowalczyk: The I Alone Acoustic Tour at Cafe du Nord
I really love a good 90’s pun. So the singer from Live doing a solo acoustic tour and calling it the “I Alone Acoustic” tour thrills me to no end. And, well, as much as I don’t want to admit it, these are some great songs.
My Jerusalem, Know Secrets, High Water at Thee Parkside
Monday, December 9th
Basia Bulat, Haunted Summer at The Chapel
Basia Bulat is a singer/songwriter from Montreal. Her voice is one of the most chilling voices I have ever heard. Her quiver is almost inhuman.
Hayden, Doncat at Cafe du Nord
Tuesday, December 10th
The Dismemberment Plan, Telekinesis at The Fillmore
Howie Day, Tyler Hilton, Anna Rose at Yoshi’s – Oakland
