Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds
The week is the first official week of Fauxchella. There is plenty to look forward to, including a healthy dose of Coachella bands that you can see without the threat of sunburn, and only limited threat of somebody on Ecstasy deciding that you have the prettiest hair in the world and they need to pet it for 45 minutes while you watch The Cult.
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 4/3/14-4/9/14”
I haven’t been to SXSW in four years. I can’t say I was too sad about that fact, though. Ever since 2007, the festival has changed dramatically, and not necessarily for the better. To paraphrase, I don’t agree with Lady Gaga’s comment, during her keynote, that corporations are what make this festival remarkable or even possible. SX thrived long before big business descended upon Austin in droves, and will be just fine if some decided to pull out in the future.
That being said, I did enjoy seeing Big Freedia and my new Houston hero, RiFF RaFF, perform in the Doritos-sponsored tent. Yes, it was as crass an atmosphere as you could imagine from a brand targeting youth with their mass-produced, processed food; but the free chips and ample lounge seating were a relief after a long day of walking. Damon Albarn’s set was a bit disappointing at Stubb’s, largely due to the incompetence of the crew setting up between gigs, but he brought the real thunder, in the form of original Gorillaz’ members, Del tha Funky Homosapien, De La Soul, and even Snoop, at the Levi’s-sponsored Fader Fort.
Overall, I had a wonderful time. This is partly due to the fact that I was in good company alongside Michelle Viray and Dakin Hardwick, who wrote quite the remarkable review of all the bands we took in during our four-and-a-half-day sojourn. Though it’s not quite possible to see every act on one’s list, having a wristband does help in certain circumstances (like getting into the Hype Machine’s Hype Hotel for evening shows). I still wish we had discovered this guy, though. Without further ado, here is a collection of some of my favorite photos taken last week.
It’s Labor Day weekend, and half the editorial staff a Spinning Platters is heading up north to Bumbershoot. Because sometimes you just don’t get tired of music festivals, and word on the street is that this one is one of the best. (Sadly, both Charlie XCX and Icona Pop canceled on their sets at Bumbershoot and the Bay Area this week) We’ve got a lot of Bumbershoot bands playing the bay this week, so you won’t be missing out too much. Heck, you probably won’t need an umbrella for any of these show!
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 8/29/13-9/4/13”
Check out the spooky array of shows happening around the Bay Area as pumpkin month gives way to turkey month.
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 10/28/2010-11/3/2010”