Tag: photos

Show Review: Live 105 Not So Silent Night with Smashing Pumpkins, My Chemical Romance, Phoenix, The Black Keys and Broken Bells at HP Pavillion 12/10/10

My Chemical Romance poses for the cameras

Not So Silent Night really lived up to its name this year.  It was loud and booming in the half empty HP Pavillion in San Jose.  Unfortunately this made for some pretty bad sound, especially from the back of the room.  Why it was so empty I have no idea as the line up of Broken Bells, The Black Keys, Phoenix and My Chemical Romance seemed like they could draw a crowd (yes I’m leaving Smashing Pumpkins out on purpose).  Or was this a case of just too many disparate bands? Continue reading “Show Review: Live 105 Not So Silent Night with Smashing Pumpkins, My Chemical Romance, Phoenix, The Black Keys and Broken Bells at HP Pavillion 12/10/10”

Show Review: Turkey Trot 2010 with The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit, Misisipi Rider, Hang Jones and Walking in Sunlight at Cafe Du Nord 11/26/10

Walking in Sunlight

This show was a big step away from the ordinary and comfortable for me.  I do not generally listen to country music unless Jenny Lewis and She and Him’s first album count, and I’m pretty sure they don’t.  So really I had no idea what to expect.  What I got was a fun evening full of talented musicians and smiles.  Continue reading “Show Review: Turkey Trot 2010 with The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit, Misisipi Rider, Hang Jones and Walking in Sunlight at Cafe Du Nord 11/26/10”

Show Review: Young the Giant with Geographer at Rickshaw Stop, 11/5/10

Sameer Gadhia of Young the Giant

Since I saw Young the Giant open for Marina & the Diamonds earlier this year their self-titled album has been in heavy rotation on my iPod, so I was super excited that they were coming back to town.  I love getting the chance to see a band at that moment in time where they are number one in your mind and the potential for a great evening is endless.  Add on top of that a good venue and great opener in Geographer and I was confident I would not be disappointed. Continue reading “Show Review: Young the Giant with Geographer at Rickshaw Stop, 11/5/10”

Show Review: UNKLE with Sleepy Sun at The Regency Ballroom, 10/28/10

cmj_unkle_5_adp

Fresh off the release of their newest album, Where Did The Night Fall, trip rock pioneers UNKLE return to San Francisco almost three years to the date of their last SF performance.  Competing with Game 2 of the World Series, James Lavelle’s live band would have to pitch a strong game in order to please the divided, yet loyal audience.  Would they deliver?

Continue reading “Show Review: UNKLE with Sleepy Sun at The Regency Ballroom, 10/28/10”

Show Review: Free Energy with Foxy Shazam and Hollerado at Slim’s, 10/29/10

Foxy Shazam shows everyone how it's done

Spinning Platters has seen all of these bands before, more than once in fact, yet about half of the staff was at this show.  Why?  It is impossible to resist the chance to see three such high energy fun acts all in one night, and it was Managing Editor Dakin Hardwick’s birthday party!  For both these reasons it was a very fun night full of joy and dancing.  Continue reading “Show Review: Free Energy with Foxy Shazam and Hollerado at Slim’s, 10/29/10”

Show Review: Azure Ray with Tim Fite and Whispertown (solo) at The Independent, 10/24/10

Maria Taylor and Orinda Fink shine in darkness

When we arrived at The Independent I was surprised by the lack of people.  Maybe I live in a bizarre universe in which Saddle Creek in the early 2000’s was the epitome of music, but I thought Azure Ray coming back would be big.  Apparently I was wrong.  It could have been the rainy Sunday night, or maybe it’s that slow, haunting pop songs are out of style.  Nevertheless, it turned out to be a lovely, and surprisingly varied, evening of music. Continue reading “Show Review: Azure Ray with Tim Fite and Whispertown (solo) at The Independent, 10/24/10”

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

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

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.

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

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”