As we warm up to the upcoming Noise Pop Festival, here’s a few shows to let you warm up your earplugs with.
Wednesday, February 17th
Mark Matos & Os Beaches, Little Wings, Apache Thunderbolt, Moomaw at Hemlock Tavern
A little bit of organ can go a long way, and Mark Matos uses the instrument in a way that’s very tasteful. It’s a delightful and new take on the electric folk sound.
Thursday, February 18th
Alkaline Trio, Cursive, The Dear & Departed at The Regency Ballroom
Long, long ago, I met a beautiful woman from New Zealand. She only came to San Francisco because of an early Alkaline Trio song, called “San Francisco,” from the album Goddamnit. Nothing ever came of me and this woman, other than an introduction to this great pop-punk band. They are a bit harder and darker than their peers, without over becoming overtly bombastic like My Chemical Romance. Main support, Cursive, are also pretty good. But you knew that already.
The Minks, Beauty & The Beat, Casey Castille, Lola Vauntz, Miss Balla Fire, Madam Chartreuse & Sister Kate at Uptown Nightclub (Benefit for Lighting Up The Sky)
Friday, February 19th
Erykah Badu, Goapele at The Fox Theater — Oakland
She’s smart, and a little bit prissy, and one of the finest voices on earth. Ms. Badu is unparalleled as a performer, and this will be an undeniable show. Opener Goapele isn’t too shabby herself from a performance stand point.
Sloan, HJK, Taylor Locke & The Roughs at Slim’s
Saturday, February 20th
I The Mighty, Via Coma, Finish Ticket, Ryan Karazija at Bottom Of The Hill
Emotionally direct and intense rock n roll music.
Vitalic, Sleazmore, Nisus at Mezzanine
Sunday, February 21st
MC Lars, k.flay, ytcracker at Bottom Of The Hill
People are always crapping on Nerdcore, but when it comes down to it, everything between The Last Poets and NWA was Nerdcore without anyone realizing it. Fresh Prince? Fat Boys? Sugarhill Gang? All intelligent, funny, and self-deprecating. MC Lars is totally old school hip-hop.
Medeski, Martin, and Wood at The Fillmore
Monday, February 22nd
Fanfarlo, April Smith & The Great Picture Show at Great American Music Hall
Tuesday, February 23rd
311, Visqueen, The Fainting Goats at The Catalyst – Santa Cruz
Normally, we don’t tell people to drive to Santa Cruz on a weeknight for a show. But this one is special. 311 & Visqueen aren’t really sharing a stage, sadly, but 311 are playing the main stage, and Visqueen are playing a side stage at this amazing club that’s about 90 minutes south of SF, and you will get to see both sets in one great place.
Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band, Deerhoof at The Fox Theater — Oakland
Gonna be great!
