Here is another lovely week to be a bay area resident. Please go to a show or 20!
Thursday, March 21st
Rudimental, Charlotte Church, Kidnap Kid at Rickshaw Stop
Remember 1998? There was a 12 year old singer that had a pretty monsterous hit record of lite classical music that took the world by storm. She put out three more like minded records and then disappeared. Well, now, at the ripe old age of 27, she’s making a comeback. Sure, the classical element is still there, however, she’s added some new layers to her sound, taking queues from Florence + The Machine, Annie Lennox, Kate Bush, and Sarah Brightman. She’s also playing Popscene instead of Davies Symphony Hall. Which is kind of rad, too.
Kermit Ruffins & The BBQ Singers, Bill Iuso & The Restless Natives, The Will Magid Trio at The New Parish
Friday, March 22nd
Har Mar Superstar, Colors, The Virgins at The New Parish
Mr Har Mar Superstar is the love child of Ron Jeremy and Neil Diamond. Every element of him is a fusion of these two men: rampant sexuality, smooth vocals, and gallons of pure absurdity.
The Joy Formidable, Guards, Fort Lean at The Fillmore
Saturday, March 23rd
The Specials, Little Hurricane at The Warfield
The Specials are a second wave ska band that has spent far too little time in the United States. They have scores of classic ska singles under their belt, and they will be playing almost all of them. Be sure to dress in your nicest dance wear and get skankin’ like it’s 1981!
Matt Costa, Carly Ritter, Sam Outlaw at Slim’s
Sunday, March 24th
Nile, Insanity at Slim’s
The first time that I had ever heard Nile, it was life changing. I have never before experienced a band quite so heavy, yet with so much care put in the vocals. They take death metal, and bring a sense of harmony to the growl, turning into something unlike anything I’ve every heard before.
Monday, March 25th
Today Is The Day, Black Tusk, Ken Mode, Fight Amp at Elbo Room
Unapologetically experimental, Today Is The Day have been expanding the boundaries of heavy music since 1992. While often called “noise rock,” TITD cobble the elements of rock into weaponized form, and they’re touring again. And they’re bringing their double-kick drum to The Elbo Room this week. (Christopher Rogers)
Mika (acoustic trio) at Great American Music Hall
Tuesday, March 26th
Clutch, Orange Goblin, Lionize, Scorpion Child at The Regency Ballroom
Road-tested heavy-footed groove rock soaked through with blue-collar determination and American myth. Testimonials to The Blues are shouted through beards and various demiurges are conjured. Clutch are friendly and full of teeth when they smile, like a yeti who happens to live in your neighborhood. You know that guy and he’s a good fella. (Christopher Rogers)
Off With Their Heads, Roll The Tanks, Sydney Ducks, Hear The Sirens at Thee Parkside
Off With Their Heads are an apology shouted by a grown man through tears at a closed third-story window. Punk rock as attempted curative balm to a life seemly inextricably spent from rent check to rent check, hand to mouth, fix to fix, and the terrible moments of conscience and clarity in-between. OWTH genuinely want to apologize, despite it all. Hoary shout-along anthems of punk rock defiance in the face of an existence that wears us down. And you can dance or drive to it. (Christopher Rogers)
Wednesday, March 27th
BOTH: Aimee Mann & Ted Leo, John Vanderslice at Bottom Of The Hill
Ted Leo is one of the great political punkers of our time. Aimee Mann is one of the greatest songwriters of our generation, and one of the funniest people on twitter. Tonight, we get to enjoy both of them doing a rare all duets set. There is no way this won’t be super awesome!
Sing-Along Beauty And The Beast at The Castro Theater
Holler along to “Be Our Guest” with a gleeful audience of literally all-ages inside the gorgeous Castro Theatre. There will be costume contests, goodie bags, and princesses of all kinds. An actual only-in-San-Francisco experience. (Christopher Rogers)
