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Staff Picks from Treasure Island Music Festival – Sunday 10/17/2010

1333 — Monotonix did not get the memo on the San Francisco weather

I sent out an email to everyone from Spinning Platters that went to the Treasure Island Music Festival on Sunday. I asked them to send me back something about their favorite act from the day. From some people, I got nothing, but from nearly everyone who responded, I got the same news. Belle & Sebastian was their favorite act. So you’re about to read mainly a Belle & Sebastian love-fest, and look at a whole lot of pictures of Monotonix. And other than the rainy, windy, cold conditions and some energetic sets from Surfer Blood, Superchunk and Rogue Wave, that’s my biggest takeaway, too. Continue reading “Staff Picks from Treasure Island Music Festival — Sunday 10/17/2010”

Show Review: Rusko at The Mezzanine, 9/28/2010

If you’re not into electronic music, then Rusko might be hard for you to swallow. However, if you are, it might be exactly that new pill you’ve been asking about that no one seems to have. Rusko is undisputedly one of the premier dupstep producers and DJs in the world, and also one of the busiest. By the end of 2010 he will have attacked San Francisco four times! Cramming all those gigs in might seem tiresome, that is until you see Rusko. With more power and energy than that drumming pink bunny, Rusko takes hype and turns the heat up. In fact. the heat was quite literally turned up Last night at the Mezzanine mostly due to the 80 degree weather outside at 10pm, but also due to a room full of half-naked 20-somethings most likely juiced on more then just a tall boy of Pabst. Continue reading “Show Review: Rusko at The Mezzanine, 9/28/2010”

Show Review: Dirty Projectors with J. Tillman at Brookdale Inn and Spa, 9/26/2010

dirty-projectors

As I was driving down the windy Bear Creek Lane toward Brookdale, California, it got headlights dark. It was daylight, still, but the sunlight was completely obscured by trees. It was a bit creepy. And I passed yet another sign warning me of more windy roads ahead, and yet another hairpin turn, I thought that this crazy drive through the Santa Cruz Mountains had better be worth the effort. You see, (((FolkYeah!))) has this habit of throwing really cool events in out-of-the-way places, and tonight they were presenting the Dirty Projectors “with special guest” in a room whose claim to fame is that “a river runs through it.” I just had to see it for myself. Continue reading “Show Review: Dirty Projectors with J. Tillman at Brookdale Inn and Spa, 9/26/2010”

Show Review: Vampire Weekend with Beach House and The Very Best at The Greek Theater, 9/25/10

The audience does the official "Mansard Roof" dance

It was a beautiful night at the Greek Theater, warm and clear, something that hardly ever happens in my experience. For my fourth time seeing Vampire Weekend this year, it was yet to be seen if this show would be something different, or more of the same. Either way I was sure to not be disappointed. Continue reading “Show Review: Vampire Weekend with Beach House and The Very Best at The Greek Theater, 9/25/10”

Show Review: Marina & the Diamonds with Young the Giant at The Independent, 9/15/10

_DSC0267_0266 — Marina, working outfit #2 for her "Diamonds"

The sold out crowd at The Independent was radiating energy at the Marina & the Diamonds show. It packed full of people pretty early, with the stage crush beginning during openers Young the Giant’s set. During sets the crowd bounced and cheered and in-between everyone waited politely, leaving room for friends off buying drinks. We were ready for an excellent night of music.

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Show Review: Rondo Brothers with Oona, King Midas in Reverse and Matthew Hansen at Slim’s, 8/26/2010

On Thursday night, Slim’s hosted a dynamic range of Bay Area music. Opening with R&B, eased into alternative rock, Pop with soul, then jumped into Hip Hop and ended with fans twirling to Electric Trance. Contrary to logic, the various of styles had a smooth transition from one band’s music flavor to another, which was appreciated by a tight crowd as loyal as family. Continue reading “Show Review: Rondo Brothers with Oona, King Midas in Reverse and Matthew Hansen at Slim’s, 8/26/2010”

Show Review: She & Him with The Chapin Sisters at The Fox Oakland, 5/29/10

When Zooey Deschanel walked on stage in a sparkly dress you would have thought it was the next messiah walking out to greet her followers. In a weird way I guess she is the messiah of sweet indie-ness. Between her movie career and the success of She & Him, Zooey Deschanel is the It girl of indie rock. She certainly looked the part at The Fox: bouncy perfect hair, cute make-up, black tights and kitten heels, but what really sold the show was her voice. From the first note it was strong, clear and emotive, and for the next hour and a half it was glorious. Continue reading “Show Review: She & Him with The Chapin Sisters at The Fox Oakland, 5/29/10”

Show Review: OK Go with Earl Greyhound and Grand Lake at The Fillmore, 5/26/10

Tim Nordwind, Damian Kulash and Andy Ross of Ok Go — A rare moment without confetti

During OK Go’s show at The Fillmore in San Francisco on Wednesday night, lead singer Damian Kulash tried to explain why the band’s home is San Francisco. “Because we live on YouTube” was his explanation. Yeah, alright, whatever. But it’s clear what they meant was that the Bay Area is made to appreciate a label-leaving, DIY-video-making band of nerds like them. And this video thing is working out for them. One blog recently called them the “shtickiest band ever,” so what sort of shtick did they bring with them? Continue reading “Show Review: OK Go with Earl Greyhound and Grand Lake at The Fillmore, 5/26/10”

Show Review: Transatlantic at The Palace of Fine Arts, 4/18/10

TransatlanticTop++ — The return of the Neal Morse face! Yes!

Everything you really need to know about Transatlantic’s virtuoso performance on Sunday night at The Palace of Fine Arts can be summed up like so:

Six songs, three-and-a-half hours.

If this doesn’t appeal to you, you’re probably done reading. If the thought of such things makes you grin uncontrollably for hours, then this review is for you. Read on, prog nerd. You’re among friends here.

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Show Review: Atoms For Peace (Thom Yorke) at the Fox Oakland, 4/15/10

An international man of mystery. No, not that one. Thom Yorke’s experimental genius continues to grow over the years and has culminated into his current project entitled “Atoms For Peace.” Bay Area music fans were treated to two performances on what has been a very brief and selective tour, ending with a headlining performance at this year’s Coachella music festival. As most ticket holders to Wednesday’s performance have already claimed, they did not leave disappointed. It would be safe to assume that a large majority of Thursday’s audience were veterans of the previous night’s performance. Given the opportunity, who wouldn’t allow Thom and his new group of lads to dazzle them two nights in a row?

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