San Francisco — Page 2

Garbage at The Masonic | San Francisco, California | 9/24/2016 (Concert Review + Photos)

September 28, 2016 by Jason DeBord Leave a Comment

“It’s a very special evening for us, because this is the culmination of a lot of hard work… we’re about to take a month’s vacation, so tonight’s party night!” Shirley Manson of Garbage, playing before thousands at The Masonic in San Francisco, the band’s last U.S. show on their current tour (sort of, with a special one off show in Los Angeles next month). With this tour, they are supporting 2016’s new studio album, Strange Little Birds. As a follow-up tour to last year’s “20 Years Queer Tour”, we now see the band looking to the future more than reflecting on the past, though there is still some of that too, with stories about the birth of their music in the 90s and of course they are still playing those fan favorite songs and hits.

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Jane’s Addiction Celebrates the 25th anniversary of Ritual de lo Habitual; Coming to The Masonic in San Francisco on Sept 21

September 15, 2016 by Jason DeBord Leave a Comment

Alternative rock pioneers Jane’s Addiction are celebrating the 25th anniversary of Ritual de lo Habitual this year in a variety of ways, including a live set at The Masonic in San Francisco next week. Also in store for fans is their upcoming Sterling Spoon Vinyl Box Set due in October, which is up for pre-order now. The six LP set includes rarities, demos, and live tracks and is limited to 5,000 copies. [Read more…]

Belly at Great American Music Hall | San Francisco, California | 8/26/2016 (Concert Review + Photos)

August 28, 2016 by Jason DeBord Leave a Comment

“Do I have my readers on my head? How long has that been the case? Is that from the first set? [shouts from crowd: “just the second!”] That just leveled me, a little bit, to be honest…” Tanya Donelly on stage with the recently reformed Belly, pulling her reading glasses off of the top of her head during their blazing show at Great American Music Hall in San Francisco on Friday night, which prompted bass player Gail Greenwood to playfully interject, “this is the only person I know who actually applied for an AARP card… meanwhile the rest of us will cut that motherfucker up!” Tanya, acknowledging her father up front and center in the crowd quipped in reply, “I’m an Irish girl… I like my discounts!” A reflection of the funny and fun-loving vibe between the band (and family) on this quite special tour, with the “dream pop” alternative band back together some 20 years after their break up in the mid-90s. Not only did they seem to be having more fun than anyone at the sold out show (which is saying a lot), but their performance was truly impeccable, bringing back so many of their great songs and playing them in a way that made them sound better than ever. With Thomas and Chris Gorman also on stage on guitar and drums, the reunited band also played two new work-in-progress songs, which is a reflection of the status and future of the band, moving forward with new love for one another and what they created together, as well as building on what once was with what might be. The future is bright for the quartet and their fans.

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Live 105’s BFD 2016 at Shoreline Amphitheatre – PART TWO (MAIN STAGE) | Mountainview, California | 6/4/2016 (Concert Review + Photos)

June 12, 2016 by Jason DeBord Leave a Comment

As per tradition, Live 105 held their BFD 2016 festival at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountainview, California on Saturday, June 4th. This year saw 30 artists perform throughout a very long day that began early in the morning and ran for over 12 hours. The main stage focused on the artists with the top billing this time around, and was an eclectic mix of styles and genres and eras that represents “The Bay Area’s Alternative” radio station’s wide ranging tastes in music. This article features my PART TWO coverage, which focuses on the daytime “Main Stage” artists and performances from The Offspring, Fitz And The Tantrums, Silversun Pickups, The Naked And Famous, and BØRNS.

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Live 105’s BFD 2016 at Shoreline Amphitheatre – PART ONE (FESTIVAL STAGE) | Mountainview, California | 6/4/2016 (Concert Review + Photos)

June 12, 2016 by Jason DeBord Leave a Comment

Live 105’s BFD 2016 festival was held at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountainview, California on Saturday, June 4th – marking the 22nd time that the event has been held. Live 105, “The Bay Area’s Alternative”, had again put together a custom curated line-up of both well known and emerging acts, covering a wide range of musical genres that all fall under the “alternative” banner, boasting 30 artists across four stages. This article features my PART ONE coverage, which focuses on the daytime “Festival Stage” artists and performances from Bad Religion, Wolfmother, The Wombats, Jake Bugg, Broods, The Story So Far, Lucius, Finish Ticket, Never Shout Never, The Strumbellas, Reuben And The Dark, and JR JR.

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The Heavy at The Independent | San Francisco, California | 4/26/2016 (Concert Review + Photos)

April 29, 2016 by Jason DeBord Leave a Comment

“Seriously. Seriously? Seriously? Shiiiiit… You guys are sounding so good tonight. Everything that you joined in with tonight was fucking insane. We wish that we could take you everywhere we went!” Kelvin Swaby of The Heavy, bringing the sold out crowd at The Independent in San Francisco into a frenzy, leading them into a sing along of “What Makes a Good Man?” – the first of their two punch encore close out, which ended with “How You Like Me Now?”. I started the show up front and center, with Kelvin just inches away most of the show as he strutted back and forth along the edge of the stage, feeding off of the fans. It felt more like what you might expect at a Rolling Stones or Aerosmith sports arena show, going by the jumping energy throughout their hour and a half set. Part retro blues/funk, infused with a garage band sound, the band is led by their crazy charismatic front man and vocalist… they are like a band born to play live to give fans an unforgettable experience. Fueled by four albums, including Hurt & the Merciless released this month, it was like a concentrated rock and roll vortex was set loose in the venue and none of us quite understood what hit us until it was all over and the house lights came up. Really one of the best live bands touring today. A must see. No, a must experience. [Read more…]

Lush at The Warfield | San Francisco, California | 4/24/2016 (Concert Review + Photos)

April 25, 2016 by Jason DeBord Leave a Comment

“I hope it wasn’t a massive hassle for you to come a week later… I’m sorry if it was… it fucking was for us!” Miki from shoegaze pioneers Lush at The Warfield in San Francisco on Sunday night, for their show that was rescheduled from the week before due to visa issues coming to the U.S. for Coachella and a handful of headlining shows California, the Pacific Northwest and Vancouver. The band just released their first new music in 20 years, EP Blind Spot, this month, and their sprawling set list of music new and old kept the packed crown transfixed on the stage for the duration of the show. Best known as “a 90s band”, music of that era is being rediscovered of late and it was awesome to see the band come back to the music scene to begin again in a different era. Prior to recent months (including an appearance at Coachella), the band last performed way back in 1996. You wouldn’t know it from their show, as they appeared relaxed, comfortable, and happy to play in front of their fans.

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CHVRCHES with Wolf Alice at Fox Theater | Oakland, California | 4/18/2016 (Concert Review + Photos)

April 21, 2016 by Jason DeBord Leave a Comment

“It’s been quite a while since we’ve played here…” Lauren Mayberry of CHVRCHES at the first of two back-to-back sold out shows at the Fox Theater in Oakland on Monday night. With the incredible Wolf Alice supporting, it was a stellar evening of music from two bands in the midst of a huge upswing in both talent and popularity. Late last year, both bands put out new albums, CHVRCHES with their Every Open Eye (their second) and Wolf Alice bowed their debut LP, My Love Is Cool. I had opportunity to see Wolf Alice at all three of their Bay Area shows last year and CHVRCHES with their “Not So Silent Night” appearance in December, so it has been fascinating to see them evolve and grow with both their studio recordings and their live shows. All in all, an evening that offered a look at the future of music… Wolf Alice with their alternative rock and roll and CHVRCHES with their synth pop. [Read more…]

22nd Annual Live 105 BFD 2016 Line-Up, Tickets, and Details Announced for Music Concert Festival at Shoreline Amphitheatre on June 4th

March 7, 2016 by Jason DeBord Leave a Comment

Live 105 is holding BFD 2016 on Saturday, June 4th this year at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View. This will be the 22nd annual event, and the day long festival event is expected to run from 11am to 11pm. Artists on the bill include The Offspring, Fitz and the Tantrums, Silversun Pickups, The Naked and Famous, BØRNS, Bad Religion, Wolfmother, The Wombats, Jake Bugg, Broods and more! [Read more…]

“Prince: Piano and a Microphone” at Paramount Theatre | Oakland, California | 2/28/2016 (Concert Review + Photos)

March 1, 2016 by Jason DeBord 1 Comment

“We need a new story, Oakland. Sometimes, you just gotta make it up. It’s called self-preservation.” It was a show that ran a full gamut of emotions, as the ever reclusive Prince opened up to a crowd of what felt like dedicated fans of the iconic artist. The show at Paramount Theatre in Oakland was put up for sale just a few days prior and sold out instantly, so it was likely that those sorts of fans with their ear to the ground were the only ones who had a shot at getting them. Though pricey, it was well worth the price of admission as Prince put up a “fan service” setlist that included many hits as well as favorites that you might not expect from The Purple One. Bathed in a digital kaleidoscope of light throughout the show, Prince (with ginormous afro and shoes with flashing red lights) sat, stood at, danced around, and at one point even lay on top of a grand piano painted an appropriate shade of his signature color. Billed as “Prince: Piano and a Microphone”, he started this concept at his own Paisley Park in Minnesota last month. But it was so much more than that… I think Prince stripped down inspires him to open up so much more, both with his emotions and his music. Truly an unforgettable experience. [Read more…]