It looks like things aren’t calming down for the bay area this July 4th… There are more than enough options, including several of the most controversial performers of the last 30 years… There is even a loin clothed wearing tea party icon playing on Divisadero, and I can’t wait to see what happens with that.
Thursday, June 30th
Rihanna, J Cole at Oracle Arena
Cee Lo Green just dropped of this tour, which means that you won’t have to endure that pretentious performer. Rumor has it that his sets on those tour have bee lackluster, and he rarely has shown up on time for any other gig he’s played this year. That might mean that up & comer J. Cole will have a chance to stretch out & impress like he did at SXSW this past year. And, of course, you have Rihanna on her 2nd headlining tour. Word on the street is that she has truly come into her own as a performer, and she has a arsenal of hits up her sleeve to throw out you.
Bobby Joe Ebola & The Chldren Macnuggits, The Dead Westerns, Emily’s Army, The Reaction, Freedom Club, Mary Van Note at Thee Parkside
Of course, if you want to take in a good local show, this assortment of five wonderful, and super catchy local poppy punk bands will serve you nicely. Also appearing is local stand up comedy hearthrob Mary Van Note.
Friday, July 1st
Sonny & The Sunsets, The Sandwitches, Calvin Johnson, Wounded Lion at Great American Music Hall
The sunset district isn’t exactly known for it’s great rock bands, but maybe it’s time for that reputation to change. Case in point- Sonny & The Sunsets, a blissful, 60’s flavored pop band.
Battlehooch, Ghost & The City, Sun Hop Fat, Panhandlers at The Independent
Giant Squid, Judgement Day, Cormorant at Thee Parkside
Ozomatli at Alameda County Fair
Saturday, July 2nd
Los Amigos Invisibles, Funky-C at Thee Parkside
Saturday Night’s are awesome. Saturday night’s during a 3 day weekend are even better, because you have two days of recovery time… I highly recommend to you that you spend your Saturday night with the amazing latin disco rock fusion band Los Amigos Invisibles. You won’t be upset that you did…
New Kids On The Block, The Backstreet Boys, Ashlyne Huff at HP Pavilion – San Jose
Vans Warped Tour at Shoreline Amphitheater
Sunday, July 3rd
Neko Case, The Dodos at Stern Grove
One of the coolest things about living in San Francisco is Stern Grove, a beautiful outdoor venue hiding in the sunset, and every Sunday throughout the Summer they do free shows. This Sunday brings us Neko Case, one of the greatest singers alive, and she’s on tour to preview her record that she’s been recording with T-Bone Burnett, and this will be your first shot to preview these songs.
Paul Collins Beat, Nikki Corvette, Grass Widow, Scumby, Bare Wires, Garbo’s Daughter, Pataha Hiss, Animals And Men, The Vignettes, Feeding People, Nectarine Pie, Primitive Hearts, Dirty Cupcakes at The Stork Club
Monday, July 4th – Wednesday, July 6th
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic at Yoshi’s – Oakland
It’s Independence Day! And what better way to celebrate it than with the man who wrote the lyric “Free Your Mind, And Your Ass Will Follow.” Especially since Jack London Square doesn’t have outdoor fireworks anymore, so your only shot is too see them indoors.
Tuesday, July 5th
Ted Nugent, Brent James & The Contraband at The Independent
I hate everything this man stands for. I personally believe that anyone that subscribes to Ted Nugent’s belief system can only hate humanity. That being said, I think that the best place to see him is in a largely black neighborhood with plenty of wonderful vegetarian restaurants. So, be sure the throw some Seitan Cheesesteaks at him while you are dancing to Cat Scratch Fever. You will be getting plenty of amazing and misinformed rants that you will disgust you until that make you laugh.
Religious Girls, Zorch, Primary Colors at Hemlock Tavern
Wednesday, July 6th
The Rosebuds, Other Lives at The Independent
This indie-pop duo wrote their most recent record while they were going through a divorce. From each other. What this led to was Loud Planes Fly Low, a beautiful collection of songs written under the least happy of circumstances. Luckily for us, the marriage died, but the band stayed together. I have no idea what kind of dynamic this will bring to the live show, but please, somebody, call Mates Of State and make sure that they are still madly in love with each other.
Maus Haus, Swahili Blonde, Zaza, Jason Grier at Rickshaw Stop
