As we near SXSW, we find that the quality of touring acts increases dramatically. This week is full of difficult decisions, and even a farewell tour by one of the most underrated and innovative bands of all time.
Thursday, March 1st
EMA, Reptar at Rickshaw Stop
EMA does a dark and brooding brand of synthpop that is tinged with just a touch of sarcasm. Reptar are quite a bit more bubbly, and live without a touch of irony. Let’s see how these two bands function on stage together.
Zola Jesus, Wymond Miles (Of The Fresh & Only’s), Talk Normal at Great American Music Hall
Friday, March 2nd
Rachel Yamagata, Dan Wilson at The Independent
Rachel Yamagata is one of those singers that you may not know by name, but her songs are so very present in our day to day lives, that you will know that most what she’s going to play tonight. And opener Dan Wilson has more Grammy’s than most people have molecules. You just don’t know that.
Ty Segall, White Fence, Mikal Cronin, The Feeling of Love, Anna Seregina at Great American Music Hall
Flipper, East Bay Ray & The Killer Smiles, Peligro, The Legendary Stardust Cowboy at The New Parish
Saturday, March 3rd
ESG at Mezzanine
Highly influential, all female, all sisters electro funk group ESG have been around since 1978, but they are making their final lap around America right now. This show marks your last chance at seeing these ladies play in the West Coast. So make it count!
Roky Erickson, The Night Beats at Great American Music Hall
Sunday, March 4th
Javier Colon, Reed Waddle at Uptown Nightclub – Napa
Korn, Sluggo, J Devil at The Warfield
Tuesday, March 6th
Andrew WK, Math The Band at The Regency Ballroom
Ten years ago, Andrew WK released the best album of your life, I Get Wet. Now he’s on tour celebrating the anniversary with a tour where he’ll be playing the album in its entirety. So if you want a loud, life affirming experience, get yourself to the Regency Ballroom on Tuesday and party hard. Opening is Math the Band, possibly the best named band ever. I really should have looked them up to see if they are math rock or if they just sing about arithmetic, but I want to be surprised by them.
Mia Doi Todd, Bells at Yoshi’s – SF
Wednesday, March 7th
La Sera, Cold Showers, Swiftumz at Rickshaw Stop
La Sera is the “side project” of Vivian Girls bassist Katy Goodman (Kickball Katy), and I put that in quotes because in a perfect world, Vivian Girls would be a side project of La Sera front-woman Katy Goodman, because this band is the one I like best. You find me something not to like about this new single of hers, and I’ll give you permission to stay home on Wednesday night.
Mobb Deep, Lock Smith, Richie Cunning at The New Parish
