So it’s the run up to our annual journey to SXSW in Austin, and frankly, I haven’t been paying too much attention to what’s playing here in the Bay Area this week. But if our SXSW previews are meaningless to you because you’re staying here (as I assume most of you are), it turns out there’s plenty of good music happening right here at home, as usual. So here’s some good spots to spend your hard earned dollar.Thursday, March 10th
Datarock with Dirty Ghosts and Baertur at Bottom of the Hill
Ignore Swedish dance music at your own peril. Others will have a good time while you’re home wondering who this is. Don’t wonder, just go.
Medeski Martin Wood with Edmund Welles at The Independent
Friday, March 11th
Revolver, Hey Rosetta! and 7 Orange ABC at Rickshaw Stop
Hey Rosetta! is featured in my SXSW preview of Canadian bands. Since I’ll be working that night, I’m going to miss it, but you don’t have to. Revolver, the “headliners” tonight, are real good, too. Please go for me.
Hard Tour featuring Simian Mobile Disco, Fake Blood and others at The Fox Oakland
Saturday, March 12th
Clay Aiken at The Warfield
Never miss an American Idol winner! These people won American Idol for a reason! What’s that you say? He didn’t win?
Joan Rivers at The Castro Theater
This is sold out, but worth standing in line, hoping for a late release of tickets. (See the Experts Note below.)
Sunday, March 13th
Meshell Ndegeocello plays Prince at The Independent (also 3/11 & 3/12 at The New Parish in Oakland)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWz11RO1OyA
Tahiti 80 with It’s For Free Grace and Sunbeam Rd at Rickshaw Stop
Monday, March 14th
No one’s got anything booked tonight for some reason. Seriously. Stay home and watch a movie. May I suggest the greatest concert film of all time?
Tuesday, March 15th
Great Big Sea at the Mystic Theater (Petaluma)
How about a Canadian band that plays pop tinged with celtic flavor, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day? They’re worth the drive.
House of Pain at The Fillmore
Speaking of Irish music, you can spend three hours watching hip-hop to hear this ….
Wednesday, March 16th
Warpaint with PVT and Family Band at The Independent
Another sold out show, and this one features a band that sounds great, but doesn’t do much on stage. Buy the album, and you truly get all the experience you need. I’m not saying you shouldn’t see them when you have the chance; I’m saying that even though you don’t have the chance (if you don’t have tickets or follow the experts note), you should still listen to Warpaint.
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Experts note: There’s a few sold out shows this week, but experts know that venues release tickets to sold out shows all the time. Follow them on Twitter, stop by the box office the day of the show, beg at the door on the night of the show. There’s almost never a need to pay over face value for your tickets. Good luck, and happy showgoing!
