There’s more to life than Noise Pop. Not much more, so these week’s list is going to be a bit shorter than usual, but there is still plenty to do that isn’t with the masses.
Wednesday, February 24th-27th
Kronos Quartet at Z Space
All four nights will feature John Rose’s “Music From Four Fences,” which is exactly what you expect it sounds like, music created on four fences. If that wasn’t a selling point, each night will also feature a different new work from a composer under the age of 30, as well as by Terry Riley (father of minimalism) and a superstar musician’s composition. Wednesday gives you Blur’s Damon Albarn, Thursday is a work from John Zorn, Friday is Clint Mansell of Requiem For A Dream fame, and Saturday closes up with a work by The National’s Bryce Dessner. It should be awesome and challenging.
Thursday, February 25th
311, The Wailers at The Fox Theater — Oakland
We’ve recently had one of the marketing folks at Noise Pop on our podcast, and we talked about how awesome it would have been if this show was a Noise Pop show. It isn’t, but I’m ditching the Noise Pop this night to enjoy some good old middle school dance groove on.
Dan Black, Free Energy at 330 Ritch — Popscene
Friday, February 26th
Mariah Carey at Oracle Arena
The most successful female pop star ever makes a rare live performance. Take this opportunity out for another middle school fun fest.
Sleepy Suns, Wooden Shjips, Carlton Melton at The New Parish
Sunday, February 28th
Kid Sister, Honor Roll at The New Parish
Wonderful dance pop that hasn’t had this much innovation since the early days of Missy Elliot.
Evan Dando, Milo Jones at Cafe du Nord
Dando is taking a break from his electric project, The Lemonheads, to play a bunch of solo acoustic shows. Expect a bunch of songs you forgot you knew, and a few ones that is feels like you know.
Saying Mariah Carey “the most successful female pop star ever” sounds like something wikipedia would say.
Well, it was billboard mag, not wikipedia.