Concert Reviews – Page 21 – Spinning Platters

Concert Review: The Kronos Quartet – Music From 4 Fences at Z Space @ Artaud, 2/24/10

The Kronos Quartet isn’t really the type of show we normally review. There are no earplugs required, you’re sitting in seats and most of the audience is over 35. In fact, it’s not even really a show, it’s more of a concert. But Spinning Platters wanted to cover what they are doing this Noise Pop week; a West Coast premier of Jon Rose’s Music From 4 Fences along with music written by various musicians more well known in popular culture. I especially couldn’t miss tonight’s offering: music composed by Damon Albarn of Blur and Gorillaz fame (the other artists showcased this week are listed here). There were many things I expected from The Kronos Quartet, like professionalism and amazing talent and skill, but it was the surprises that make it an experience I highly recommend. Continue reading “Concert Review: The Kronos Quartet — Music From 4 Fences at Z Space @ Artaud, 2/24/10”

Noise Pop Show Review: Rogue Wave at Bottom of the Hill, 2/24/10

Rogue Wave Dancers — Ain't no party like a Rogue Wave party!

When a Rogue Wave show ends with a couple dozen people dancing on the Bottom of the Hill stage, you know a sea change has happened in the band. The press materials for the new album Permalight go into a lot of detail about this, but nothing in the press materials could prepare you for the new sounds coming out of the band: a little bit of dance (backing tracks?), a lot more volume, and some spirited takes on some old friends. Continue reading “Noise Pop Show Review: Rogue Wave at Bottom of the Hill, 2/24/10”

Noise Pop Show Review: Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band with Deerhoof at The Fox Oakland, 2/23/10

I have spent a lot of time defending different artists in my day. Usually this is because, well, my tastes are difficult to define, to say the least. (Case in point: two of my early reviews, which happened one right after the other were this and this) But, the one single artist that I come to the defense of more than any other is Yoko Ono. Everyone has an opinion about her, and generally speaking, this opinion is pretty negative. The primary cause of this is most likely either a.) they blame her for the break up of The Beatles (I still think that this was Linda’s fault) or b.) they blame her for the widespread acceptance of the avant garde. I personally don’t hold her responsible for either of these things. I also think people either don’t take her seriously enough, or take her far too seriously.

I must give a respectful shout-out to the good people of Noise Pop for making this show happen. They took a chance at booking such a divisive figure for their opening night show, and it paid off pretty nicely.

Continue reading “Noise Pop Show Review: Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band with Deerhoof at The Fox Oakland, 2/23/10”

Show Review: Fanfarlo at Great American Music Hall, 2/22/10

FanfarloGAMH — Fanfarlo entertaining a loving crowd.

Fanfarlo wants you to know that they are not nerds. I‘m sitting with them in their supremely messy dressing room after their show to a packed audience at the Great American Music Hall while they go through press clippings from the local weekly papers. “It’s all because Justin used to work at a bookstore and all he’d talk about was books,” Cathy the mandolin/violin player announces. “We’re really not that bookish.” When the cooler of drinks is empty, we migrate to the Hemlock before they have to wake up early to fly to Portland. Continue reading “Show Review: Fanfarlo at Great American Music Hall, 2/22/10”

Show Review: Vitalic at The Mezzanine, 2/20/10

Friday night I had my housewarming party. It was filled with Scotch and dalliances; to say the next day was rough would be an understatement. I had to use a strength rivaled only by Conan the Barbarian to get out of my bed. That morning also happened to be the day Vitalic was in town. Continue reading “Show Review: Vitalic at The Mezzanine, 2/20/10”

Show Review: Mumford & Sons at 330 Ritch (Popscene), 2/11/10

Popscene is known for getting its share of buzz bands on the way up. Marcus Mumford, lead singer of Mumford & Sons, the newest such band to grace the Popscene stage, commented on this as well.

“There’s a wall of fame downstairs, and it’s a bit intimidating.”

Will Mumford & Sons follow in the footsteps of such past performers like Muse, Bloc Party, Amy Winehouse, The Killers, and countless others? I’m guessing yes. I’m also guessing it’s not going to be cool to like this band in a few years. I should explain. Continue reading “Show Review: Mumford & Sons at 330 Ritch (Popscene), 2/11/10”

Show Review: Wild Beasts at The Independent, 2/11/10

I want to start this off by saying Wild Beasts were really appreciative of the sold out crowd at The Independent. They seem like really nice guys but man did I dislike that show last night.

The show started with a narration over some sort of noise that indicated an epicness was about to occur. The band had yet to take the stage and as this English narrator talked of nature and such, the band finally took the stage.

I wrote down in my notes, “I can already tell this is going to be a good show.” Continue reading “Show Review: Wild Beasts at The Independent, 2/11/10”

Show Review: The Thermals, Thao with The Get Down Stay Down, and Grass Widow at Great American Music Hall, 2/5/10

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I agreed to cover Friday nights show at the Great American Music Hall. I wasn’t even aware of the set up of the show; co-headliners The Thermals (whom I had never even heard of before) and Thao with The Get Down Stay Down. Because of this, I arrived late thinking TWTGDSD was the opener, the real opener just finishing as I entered the venue. Sorry Grass Widow. I promise to check out one of your various shows in Austin at this years SXSW. Continue reading “Show Review: The Thermals, Thao with The Get Down Stay Down, and Grass Widow at Great American Music Hall, 2/5/10”

Show Review: VV Brown with Ebony Bones! at 330 Ritch (Popscene), 2/4/10

I generally avoid Popscene when possible. There are myriad reasons for this, which needn’t be explained to anyone who’s been there. For one, it’s notoriously 18+, which: no thanks! Any club that needs to see my special grown-up wristband before letting me have a beer is a place I’m happy to avoid. Secondly, there’s the inherent wrongness of any establishment that bills itself as “San Francisco’s premier indie nightclub.” So. Much. Wrong. Third, it’s scene-y in a superficially obvious way that still makes me feel I’m Susan Boyle standing around at Danceteria or something (cue the glittery 18-year-olds: “Who at the what?”).

And finally, I resent their unassailable skill at booking the hottest, coolest young acts and forcing the rest of us to go all the way to 330 Ritch in Mission Bay to see them (plus, I’m still mad I couldn’t get tickets when they hosted Amy Winehouse for her only Bay Area show to date). But sometimes these various negatives can come together for a really amazing positive. Last night’s show was one such exception. Continue reading “Show Review: VV Brown with Ebony Bones! at 330 Ritch (Popscene), 2/4/10”

Show Review: Mos Def, Jay Electronica and Supernatural for Haiti relief at The Independent, 2/3/10

The character that is Mos Def never stops to entertain, on stage, in film or in person. His music is layered with decades of influence and years of knowledge wrapped up in a style that undoubtedly his very own. This night is no different than the Mos Def that we’d expect. Arriving ever so fashionable, and fashionably late, with an entourage to boot. He takes the stage with his bright red mic, circa 1960, and a perfectly knotted bow tie. Clean and smooth with a swagger that makes it clear that the show is completely under his control. Continue reading “Show Review: Mos Def, Jay Electronica and Supernatural for Haiti relief at The Independent, 2/3/10”