Thursday, May 22nd
Dressy Bessy, Dreamdate, Swiftumz, Monster Treasure at The Knockout
Dressy Bessy were one of the lesser known bands to come out of the Elephant Six Collective. They are also the happiest of them. It’s been an obscene amount of time since they last played in the Bay Area, so this is a special night. It’s also the opening night of SF Popfest, so expect a bunch more hooky, bouncy music.
Band Of Skulls, Deap Vally at The Regency Ballroom
Friday, May 23rd
24 Hour Cynic Cave at Lost Weekend
Looking for the most ambitious show of the week? This is it. Our good friends at Cynic Cave, the comedy club hiding below Lost Weekend Video in the Mission, will be doing a 24 hour comedy show. Starting with 7 PM on Friday, and ending 7 PM on Saturday. For $10, you’ll get to see over 70 comedians, many of the Bay Area’s best and brightest. Your hosts Kevin O’Shea, George Chen, Joey Devine and Johan Miranda will be working around the clock to make history happen.
Suzanne Vega, Ari Hest at Great American Music Hall
Saturday, May 24th
Metalachi, Bobby Joe Ebola & The Children Macnuggits at Uptown Nightclub
There aren’t very many cover bands that actually merit recommendation. Most of them are just an excuse for drunk yuppies to sing along to their favorite Toto songs in a small club. Metalachi, on the other hand, take the cover band to the next level, doing your favorite metal songs, and recasting them as mariachi songs.
Sunday, May 25th
An Evening With Yelle at Rickshaw Stop
Non-English speaking bands tend to fair somewhat poorly in the US. Yelle have defied that, and have had a series of dance club hits entirely in French. How do they do that? By simply writing great songs and putting on one of the best live shows out there! This is going to be a great time for everybody that shows up.
Terry Malts, Lunchbox, Wimps, Zebras at Hemlock Tavern
Monday, May 26th
Potty Mouth, Perfect Pussy, Wild Moth, Crabapple at Rickshaw Stop
Perfect Pussy’s debut full length, Say Yes To Love, is a brilliant record. It was one of the fastest, most ferocious records I’ve ever heard. It’s the kind of album that would inspire the folks of Melt-Banana to ask you to calm down. It’s a delirious assault on the eardrums, and it makes me happier than anything else on Earth these days.
Chet Faker, Sweater Beats at The Independent
Tuesday, May 27th
Elbow, John Grant at The Fox Theater – Oakland
Mercury Prize winners Elbow are one of the biggest bands in the world. In the US, however, they still haven’t quite caught on. So enjoy being a cultured American, and come out to see Elbow play one of the smallest venues they will be playing on this tour.
Parquet Courts, CCR Headcleaner, Scraper at The Independent
Wednesday, May 28th
Bruno Mars, Aloe Blacc at Oracle Arena
Bruno Mars is the perfect pop star. He’s got style, he’s got hooks, he’s practically perfect. The only thing better is Aloe Blacc. His deep baritone is chilling, and this double bill is about as good a show as you will get in an arena this year.
