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.
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?
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!