Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 7/29/10-8/4/10

Look how much your girlfriend is enjoying herself at The Mountain Winery in Saratoga. So many concerts! So much wine!

As July transitions into August, The Mountain Winery continues to generally kick the ass of every other Bay Area concert venue this week—and it’s actually kind of an off-week for them. Nobody likes a showoff, Mountain Winery! Other highlights this week include Joanna Newsom, a free concert by Rickie Lee Jones, and the final performance by local favorites Make Me before they take an indefinite hiatus. All that and more, after the jump…

Thursday, July 29

Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Truth and Salvage Company at The Fillmore

Kenny Loggins at The Mountain Winery

“Footloose” is just more fun to sing when you’re drunk. Fact.

Friday, July 30

Make Me, Dreamdate, Schande at The Uptown Oakland

Not only is this Make Me’s final show before going on indefinite hiatus, but it’s also just a generally kick-ass bill featuring three of the Bay Area’s finest femme-fronted bands. And it’s free!

Wolf Parade, Moools, Zola Jesus at The Fox Theater

Guess who else is named Zola? The lead singer of Make Me, which will be performing a free show at the Uptown right across the street from the Fox, probably right around the time Wolf Parade is wrapping up! Just sayin.’

Kinky Friedman, Carletta Sue Kay at Great American Music Hall

Solange Knowles DJ set at Yoshi’s SF

Saturday, July 31

Black Star feat. Mos Def & Talib Kweli, Zion-I, DJ Mr. E

This is an obvious must-see. Read the Spinning Platters interview with Zion-I here.

Michael McDonald, Chaka Khan at The Mountain Winery

West Coast Country Music Festival and BBQ featuring Zac Brown Band, Jerrod Niemann, The Band Perry, Ryan Bingham & Dead Horses and more at The Great Meadow at Fort Mason

Ryan Bingham is best-known for his original songs from the film Crazy Heart. “Ryan Bingham” was the name of George Clooney’s character in Up In The Air. Ryan Bingham won an Oscar this year. “Ryan Bingham” lost to Jeff Bridges…who sang Ryan Bingham’s songs. Did I just blow your mind? No? Whatever.

Sunday, August 1

The English Beat, Squeeze at The Fillmore

Dar Williams at Freight & Salvage

John Legend at The Mountain Winery

Rickie Lee Jones, Meklit Hadero at The Stern Grove Festival

Monday, August 2

Joanna Newsom, Robin Pecknold at The Fox Theater

When I was at El Rio a few weeks ago, I saw a couple that looked SO MUCH like Andy Samberg and Joanna Newsom that I literally stared at them for the better part of an hour, debating (aloud) whether or not it was really them. I’m talking about, like, a 95% physical match. I ultimately concluded that it wasn’t them, but instead some kind of hipster impostors that impersonate them around the Mission for free drinks and cred. Nice work if you can get it, I guess.

Tuesday, August 3

Matisyahu at The Regency Ballroom

Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band at The Mountain Winery

Silversun Pickups, Against Me!, Henry Clay People at The Fox Theater

The Watson Twins, Ferraby Lionheart at Café Du Nord

While they’re perhaps best-known as Jenny Lewis’ harmony singers on Rabbit Fur Coat, The Watson Twins are just as dynamic and gorgeous on their own. Check ’em out.

Wednesday, August 4

Digitalism DJ set at Vessel

Blondie at The Fillmore

Blondie is rapidly becoming the Tina Turner of New Wave/punk bands (take that as you will). And like Tina Turner, you never know when they’ll abruptly stop their incessant touring, so see them while you still can.

2 thoughts on “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 7/29/10-8/4/10”

  1. What’s this? Couldn’t be bothered to recommend The Scorpions on their last Bay Area appearance? Or at least the last one until their next farewell tour?

  2. Ha! Sorry about that. I noticed it on our SonicLiving calendar after I’d already published, and I didn’t care enough to go back and revise. And now you’ve pointed it out in the comments, so all’s well that ends well!

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