Historically, July has been a dead period for big music festivals. Recently, however, we’ve seen two amazing festivals pop up. Next week is Phono del Sol. This week, however, is the positively epic Burger Boogaloo! There is going to be 50 years worth of the finest garage bands ever in Mosswood Park, near MacArthur Bart in Oakland. However, there is plenty more happening this week in addition to that:
Thursday, July 3rd
Tove Lo at Rickshaw Stop
Aaron Axelson is a good friend of the blog. He also seems to be psychic. Tove Lo is an electro pop musician from Sweden. When this show was booked, nobody knew who she was in the US. In the months between the show getting booked and now, her single “Habits (Stay High)” is on it’s way to becoming the sleeper hit of the Summer. This is one of her very first shows in the US, and the only time she will every play a place this small. You should go to this show simply for the bragging rights!
Phox, Astronauts, etc at The Chapel
Phox are a rare band. They bring together elements of indie rock, jazz, and soul in the most perfect way, creating something that is both refreshingly unique, and palatable to all types of ears. This is the kind of show that you could safely bring your parents and your kids, and everybody will be grateful that you brought them.
Saturday, July 5th & Sunday, July 6th
Burger Boogaloo at Mosswood Park
This lineup is ridiculous! For the 5th year in a row, the good people at Burger Records have put together an epic two days of rock n roll music. Headlining the event is the legendary Ronnie Spector, doing a set of Ronettes hits with her 10 piece band. Also on the bill are former Bay Area garage titans Thee Oh Sees, 90’s fuzz veterans The Muffs, LA Punk supergroup OFF!, and many, many others. The weather is going to be perfect, and the amphitheater is one of the best, most underutilized venues in town.
Monday, July 7th & Tuesday, July 8th
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Mark Lanegan (Monday), Jonathan Richman (Tuesday) at The Warfield
Nick Cave is a genius. He is one of the finest lyricists in music history. He is also one of the finest composers, as well as an amazing performer. The last time he came to town, he played the cavernous Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. This time around, he’s doing two nights at The Warfield, one of the most beautiful and acoustically perfect rooms in town. The opening acts on this tour have all been pretty ridiculous, too! The first night gets us former Screaming Trees frontman Mark Lanegan. The second night is local troubadour Jonathan Richman. So, yeah, you should go both nights.
Monday, July 7th
Cloud Nothings, Metz, The Wytches at Great American Music Hall
Tuesday, July 8th
Chevelle, Black Map, Highly Suspect at The Fillmore
Wednesday, July 9th
Club Nouveau at Yoshi’s – Jack London Square
In the early 90’s, Oakland was spitting out R&B groups as fast as Seattle was spitting out rock bands. Club Nouveau might not have the same name recognition as their peers En Vogue & Tony! Toni! Tone!, they still have stacks of hits. This show is going to be obscenely fun.
Gag, Apriori, Fatigue at 1234 Go Records
