Officially, this is the last weekend of Summer. Which means, of course, a lot of weird festivals. Including a 90’s rock festival, a leather fest, and an amazing multiband gig full of wonderful jangle pop!
Thursday, September 20th
Azure Ray, Soko at Swedish American Hall
Azure Ray are at the point in there career where they aren’t really sure if they are still together or not. Which means that if you are to ever experience their dreamy blend of folk and pop live, you have to do it now. Of course, since this show is at Swedish American Hall, which is the best venue in town for dreamy music, and the blissfully eccentric french singer/songwriter Soko is opening, you’d be foolish not to come out.
Sondre Lerche, Fancy Colors at The Independent
Friday, September 21st & Saturday, September 22nd
Wilco, Cibo Matto (Fri Only), Jonathan Richman (Sat Only) at The Greek Theater, UC Berkeley
There are two types of people in this world: people that love Wilco and people that have never heard Wilco. Anyone I know that has ever spoken ill of this band has never actually heard them. Although, really, the best way to experience this band is live. They are one of the greatest, most powerful live acts I have ever seen. As a bonus, they are supplying us with some amazing support for these gigs, too! On Friday we have Japanese pop experimentalists Cibo Matto, while on Sunday we have the amazing troubadour Jonathan Richman.
Friday, September 21st
Religious Girls, Field Trips, Buttons, Pang, George Chen, Alison Stevenson at Night Light – 311 Broadway in Oakland
Saturday, September 22nd
Stevie Jackson, The Softies, Lilys, Kim Baster, Allen Clamp, Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket) at Rickshaw Stop
This is the first time the amazing underground fanzine Chickfactor has brought it’s live show to San Francisco. They opted to “blow our minds” with the line up. We’ve got a wide assortment of bubbly pop music designed to make your ears happy as clams. Kim Baster and The Softies are both members of the amazing All Girl Summer Fun Band (RIP), while headlining is Stevie Jackson. You may know him from his other band, a little Scottish indie project called Belle & Sebastian.
Sunday, September 23rd
Stone Temple Pilots, Bush, The Deftones, Chevelle, Oleander, and more at Discovery Park – Sacramento
Yes, this show is in Sacramento. Could this show happen in the bay area? Maybe, but it will be much more fun to have your late 90’s rock handed back to you in Sacramento, where people are actually going to have fun. And, seriously- you know you want to go to this thing!
Little Boots, Ladyhawke, The Limousines at Folsom Street Fair
I’ve never actually wanted to go to this before, but this talent line up is pretty spot on!
Monday, September 24th
Serj Tankian, Viza at The Fillmore
The voice of System Of A Down tends to take a much more experimental turn when he plays solo shows… At this gig, expect flourishes of gypsy music, drum n bass, opera, and much more to be blended with the hard rock power.
Tuesday, September 25th
Sonnymoon, Naytronix, Bells, B Lewis at Cafe du Nord
Looking for quirky local music? Well, Cafe du Nord has you covered tonight.
Wednesday, September 26th
Dragonette, The Knocks at Mezzanine
Brazilian by way of England by way of Canada pop group Dragonette deserve to be the biggest band on Earth. So far, their biggest hit so far ended up getting credited to producer Martin Solveig, so Dragonette are not, yet, a household name. Soon. Very soon.
