billy idol – Spinning Platters

Show Review: Billy Idol at Safeway Open, 10/6/18

The signature sneer says exactly what he said before leaving the stage: “My name is Billy Fucking Idol!”

Billy Idol is a living legend. Evidently, he’s also a man of few words, as I recently discovered. See, when life gives you a punk rock icon served up on a platter (or stage, as it were) in your own back yard, you take it and say thank you. That’s exactly what I did this past weekend when I stood with my camera at the feet of Idol himself on the grounds of Silverado Resort at the end of 2018’s Safeway Open. Idol took the stage without much ado and began his set strong with “Cradle of Love.” Continue reading “Show Review: Billy Idol at Safeway Open, 10/6/18”

Robert Plant, Grace Jones, and more make up the best of 2015 concert photos

Grace Jones at Fox Theatre Oakland — Grace Jones is an icon in her own right. Her sold out show in Oakland, this past September, exceeded my wildest expectations.

Like many people contributing to Spinning Platters, 2015 was a full and busy year to the point where I didn’t have the time to write and share as much as I would’ve liked. I didn’t go out often and chose to prioritize client work (and a burgeoning drone hobby) over excessive concert-going.

However, quality of the subjects trumped the quantity of shows I attended – especially compared to years past (apologies for the over-used analogy, my mind is on Holiday break). Legendary acts, big names, and a combination of both crossed my lens in the pit this year alongside some up-and-comers that should be on your radar if they’re not already.

Continue reading “Robert Plant, Grace Jones, and more make up the best of 2015 concert photos”

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 12/16/10-12/22/10

Twas the week before Christmas, and all throughout the Bay Area clubs, things are looking a bit sleepy. But, fear not! Because there is something high quality in the cards every night for the next 7 days, including a few rare performances by legends!

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 12/16/10-12/22/10”

Show Review: An Evening With Billy Idol at The Fillmore, 8/17/10

While waiting in line to see Billy Idol last night at the Fillmore, I was talking to a friend on the phone that was rather disappointed to learn that his show was sold out, and the asking price on the streets was about $160. We were talking about Idol’s history, and I was informed that Idol was once a member of Siouxsie & The Banshees, but left the band because he felt that they weren’t taking music seriously enough. My immediate response was, of course, to chuckle, but I thought about Idol’s place in our society and realized that there is nobody else out there quite like him. He is part of the new wave era, the punk era, and the hair metal era, and managed to escape all of those trends with dignity & credibility. There is a reason that he is still able to sell out The Fillmore on a Tuesday night 30 years after his first record.

Continue reading “Show Review: An Evening With Billy Idol at The Fillmore, 8/17/10”

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 8/12/2010-8/19/2010

pigeons hate beards — Pigeons hate beard rock. Love the Outer Richmond. Let's see what happens to Kings Of Leon this time!

This is Outside Lands weekend, and a surprising number of excellent non-Outside Lands related gigs are happening concurrently. So, if you don’t feel like watching Kings Of Leon getting pooped on (although who wouldn’t love to see that!), you’ve got some crazy good options. Read On!

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 8/12/2010-8/19/2010”