AIR celebrate ‘twentyears’ at The Masonic

June 30, 2017 by 1 Comment

AIRPhotos by Steve Carlson // Written by Brett Ruffenach //

AIR with Lo Moon //
The Masonic – San Francisco
June 23rd, 2017 //

What better venue could there be for a band like AIR than The Masonic?

Over the past 20 years, the French downtempo/space-rock project formed by Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel has produced several critically acclaimed albums, including their groundbreaking soundtrack to Sofia Coppola’s “The Virgin Suicides”.

Recently, they released a compilation of their best work, simply titled twentyears, to celebrate the project entering its second decade. For those of us lucky to catch their transcendent set at Outside Lands (read our festival review here) last year, it was a no-brainer to catch the French duo on their last U.S tour before an indefinite hiatus, especially in a space as fitting for AIR as The Masonic.

Opening for AIR were Lo Moon, the Los Angeles trio currently riding a much-deserved wave of hype from its debut track “Loveless” that came out last February.

Combining some soaring, melodic indie rock with subtle ambient elements, Lo Moon set the tone for the evening. As a four-piece, their touring drummer Sterlin Laws certainly packed a punch at the right moments and offered a great opening act. I’ll have to keep an eye out for their debut album later this year.

AIR

After a short intermission, AIR took the stage, opening with their classic track “Venus” off 2004’s Talkie Walkie. The duo tours as a quartet consisting of Godin (guitar, vocoder, bass, banjo), Duncke (keyboards, including six different synthesizers I believe), a drummer and pianist (who also manned at least half a dozen synthesizers).

AIR’s live performances focus on capturing the crisp, detailed production style that the duo has honed over two decades. It’s a vibrant, textured sound. Centered around acoustic guitar, synthesizers and the breathy timbre of the duo’s immaculate harmonized vocals, the use of live drums helped round out the contrast between both the artificial and acoustic sounds in songs like “Cherry Blossom Girl”.

With the release of twentyears, AIR’s headlining set gave them the time and space to play more spacious, ambient productions. The ethereal rhythm of songs such as “Playground Love” and “Alone in Kyoto” showed their true mastery as a group: delicate, balanced and controlled.

But that doesn’t mean they can’t rock out when they want to. Early in the set (perhaps too early), they put on a heart-racing rendition of “Don’t Be Light”. Later the banjo was finally brought out, leading into a soaring version of “Alpha Beta Gaga”.

Closing with their classic “La Femme d’argent” that was led by a razor-sharp baseline guiding them into a massive, cacophonous finale, the members of AIR gathered together at the center of the stage and took a bow. In all white, with their charming French smiles spread ear to ear, they blew the crowd kisses and left the stage for what may be the last time in the Bay Area.

Setlist:
Venus
Don’t Be Light
Cherry Blossom Girl
J’ai dormi sous l’eau
Remember
Playground Love
People in the City
Radian
Alpha Beta Gaga
Run
Talisman
How Does It Make You Feel?
Kelly Watch the Stars

Encore:
Alone in Kyoto
Sexy Boy
La Femme d’Argent

Filed Under: Featured, Live Music Reviews Tagged With: , ,

ID10T Fest takes over the Silicon Valley tech bubble

June 30, 2017 by Leave a Comment

ID10T Music Festival + Comic Conival 2017 - Girl Talk


Girl Talk

By Gina Lopez //

ID10T Music Festival + Comic Conival //
Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA
June 24th-25th, 2017 //

The tech bubble of Silicon Valley just got popped with the inaugural ID10T Music Festival and Comic Conival at Shoreline Amphitheatre last weekend. Because between music, comics and comedy, cosplay and clubbing, ID10T had it all.

So, who were the brains behind this festival phenomenon?

Actor, stand-up comedian, former KROQ DJ, musician, podcaster, television host, writer and Nerdist founder Chris Hardwick.

The comic conival element of ID10T included art/collectibles vendors, artist demonstrations and comic book creator panel discussions. During the panel on breaking into comics, comic artist and writer Phil Hester encouraged aspiring comic artists to “just get out there and get to work — don’t wait for anyone’s permission.” It was good advice for anyone who was hoping to make their dreams a reality. Other insight came from comic book artist and illustrator Morgan Beem, who explained to us that “it’s about telling good stories.”

Good stories were shared by the stars of “Stan Against Evil”, “Portlandia”, “Animaniacs” and more. Creator of “Stan Against Evil” and “The Simpsons” writer Dana Gould revealed that his favorite episode to write was “Goo Goo Gai Pan” from Season 16, in which the Simpson family travels to China to adopt a child because it is based on his experience adopting his own child.

Similarly, Portlandia star and producer Carrie Brownstein expressed her desire that through her work she is “connecting with people and doing something meaningful.” Brownstein and Portlandia co-star Fred Armisen announced that this upcoming season will wrap up the eight-year series. That’s right — you heard it first here on Showbams (or maybe somewhere else). A little fun fact from ID10T: Armisen’s favorite character to portray is the goth.

ID10T Music Festival + Comic Conival 2017 - Weezer


Weezer

Speaking of which, do you remember when goth was a trend back in the 90’s? Then perhaps you remember watching the cartoon “Animaniacs” on weekdays after school. “Animaniacs” voice actors Rob Paulsen and Maurice LaMarche, accompanied by “Anamaniacs” composer Randy Rogel, wowed festival guests at the panel stage tent as they performed the cartoon’s memorable songs, injecting a sense of youth into many ID10T guests.

As for the music, the dance stage featured Madeon, Zeds Dead and Jai Wolf as festivalgoers danced like they were at a dance club. The festival’s main stage boasted an eclectic mix of sounds from experimental pop and punk to funk and soul. Opening acts included Crystal Castles, Ron Gallo, Tank and the Bangas and others, and The Mowgli’s set was colorful … much like lead vocalist Katie Jayne Earl’s outfit.

During Car Seat Headrest’s set, there was no resting thanks to their headbanging tunes. Lord Huron, on the other hand, captivated fans with a hypnotizing set. Then OK GO led the crowd in a therapeutic sing-along during their performance of “This Too Shall Pass”. Experimental-pop band Animal Collective channeled a primal vibe throughout their show, performing with Dada and surrealist-inspired stage props, while TV on the Radio reminded their fans who put the “unk” in punk and funk.

Weezer headlined the festival on Saturday night, performing songs from their large catalog to a packed amphitheater of dancing fans who pledged their allegiance to the great “Flying W” as it was raised on Day 1.

Meanwhile, the second and final night of ID10T featured headliner Girl Talk. With a balloon drop and dance party featuring a group of fans onstage, it was a fitting conclusion to the two-day event.

For one weekend, ID10T turned Silicon Valley into Music and Comic Conival Valley. And with the festival’s success, this will surely be an annual event.

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SF Show of the Week // GO4FREE to Passion Pit, KONGOS & Sir Sly at Oysterfest 7/1 (SAT)

June 29, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Oysterfest 2017 lineupWritten by Jacqueline Moore //

San Francisco Oysterfest //
Golden Gate Park – San Francisco
July 1st, 2017 //

It’s Oysterfest once again in Golden Gate Park this weekend, and the 18th annual edition features electronic indie-pop at its finest with Passion Pit, KONGOS and Sir Sly on the bill. Enjoy the 50th anniversary of the “Summer of Love” with oysters, Guinness live music and other tasty food options. It looks like it might be a little breezy at the park on Saturday, so bring a sweater and a positive attitude!

Passion Pit will induce a dance party with their hit songs “Sleepyhead” and “Take a Walk”, two singles that have shaped the indie-pop scene since their release. And between KONGOS’ classic alternative sound and Sir Sly’s low-fi tone, this year’s Oysterfest offers an eclectic mix for everyone to enjoy.

Offering more than just live music, the one-day festival will also include a silent disco, oyster pairings, a “Shuck and Suck” contest and a presentation by The Wild Oyster Project as a way to educate attendees about the conservation of oysters throughout the Bay Area. Showbams will be there to gobble up some barbecued oysters, so hopefully we’ll see you there!

GA tickets are almost gone but are still available to purchase here, while a limited number of tickets remain for the private tables backstage, which can seat up to eight and include a full bar, table service, table-side seafood platters, a buffet, expedited Will Call, a meet-and-greet opportunity, and an event T-shirt and tote bag. Children who are under the age of 12 and are accompanied by a parent will receive free admission. For more information, visit Oysterfest’s Twitter and Facebook pages.

Want to go for free this Saturday? Showbams has a pair of tickets with your name on it! Register below for your chance to win passes to SF Oysterfest.

Contest ends this Friday at Noon.

Follow Showbams on Twitter for more contest giveaways throughout the week. Be the first to respond to our contest tweets to GO4FREE to these shows:

• Ducktails: June 29th (THUR) @ The Independent
• Meatbodies: June 30th (FRI) @ Cafe Du Nord

Win-2-Tickets

Enter your name (First and Last) along with your email below. If you win a contest, you’ll be notified on the day the contest ends (details above).

Like Showbams on Facebook, follow Showbams on Twitter and follow Showbams on Instagram. Subscribe to our social channels for a better chance to win!

CONTEST CLOSED.

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Chris Robinson delivers chills at The Chapel

June 28, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Chris RobinsonBy Benjamin Wallen //

Chris Robinson with Mapache //
The Chapel – San Francisco
June 21st, 2017 //

It was about eight years ago when a girl messaged me on an online dating website.

“Hey, I don’t think we’d be a good match, but I got an extra ticket to the Chris Robinson Brotherhood show in Oakland,” she wrote. “I see you like the same kind of music. Do you want to go with me?”

“Why not?” I thought. I had no idea who Chris Robinson was, and I said so.

“Never heard of him, but why not?” I replied. She informed me that he was a member of The Black Crowes.

I thought to myself, “Wait, a country band?” So, I did a quick Google search.

I had always thought that Chris Robinson Brotherhood were a country band, but boy, was I wrong. Instead, I came to find that they were an amazing rock band and quickly fell in love with their music. I wrote back to the girl, “Hell yeah! Let’s do this!”

Chris Robinson

That night, I fell in love even more with Chris Robinson as he blazed through a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues”. It was one of the most memorable nights. Not only was it an amazing show, but I also met a new friend and fell in love with a whole new band.

Well, years have past and I was able to see Chris Robinson Brotherhood on a couple of other occasions, including at High Sierra Music Festival and again at The Chapel last Wednesday for a solo acoustic performance — something that I imagined would be incredible and absolutely proved to be.

Robinson’s voice gives me chills and seeing him at a venue as intimate as The Chapel was truly amazing. You always worry about solo acoustic shows being hard for the audience to keep its attention at or that it doesn’t feel quite as powerful as when a band performs live.

Well, I can say that Robinson is even better as a solo acoustic act. The sound at the first of his two SF shows was impeccable, and the vibe was all smiles. Even in a near-silent room, you could feel it.

From start to finish, it was an amazing night. Mapache, an acoustic duo from Los Angeles, kicked things off with great songs that were led by wonderful harmonies. I’ve since added them to my “must-see again” list, but in the end, the wonder that is Chris Robinson stole the show. While the crowd politely kept it down, the music took to the air and enchanted us all. The highlight for me was when he played “Sunday Sound”, a song by Chris Robinson & The New Earth Mud, midway through the set.

If you get a chance to catch Robinson perform solo, do it. You will not be disappointed. Just keep it down and get as close as you can. You won’t regret riding the rail for this one.

Setlist:
Hotel Illness (The Black Crowes song)
Bad Luck Blue Eyes Goodbye (The Black Crowes song)
Someday Past the Sunset (Chris Robinson Brotherhood song)
Fables (Chris Robinson & The New Earth Mud song)
Silver Car (Chris Robinson & The New Earth Mud song)
Shadow Cosmos (Chris Robinson Brotherhood song)
Blonde Light of Morning (Chris Robinson Brotherhood song)
Hark, The Herald Hermit Speaks (Chris Robinson Brotherhood song)
Glow (Chris Robinson Brotherhood song)
Train Robbers (Chris Robinson & The New Earth Mud song)
Sunday Sound (Chris Robinson & The New Earth Mud song)
Good Friday (The Black Crowes song)
Blue Star Woman (Chris Robinson Brotherhood song)
If You Had a Heart to Break (Chris Robinson Brotherhood song)
Beware, Oh Take Care (Chris Robinson Brotherhood song)
California Hymn (Chris Robinson Brotherhood song)
Jealous Again (The Black Crowes song)
Appaloosa (The Black Crowes song)

Encore:
High Head Blues (The Black Crowes song)
Oh, The Rain (Blind Willie Johnson cover)

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Tool continue to melt minds on their latest tour

June 28, 2017 by Leave a Comment

ToolBy Mike Rosati //

Tool with The Crystal Method //
SAP Center – San Jose
June 21st, 2017 //

With prog-metal giants Tool back on the road for a month-long trek across North America, my first experience at “The Shark Tank” (aka the SAP Center) in San Jose last Wednesday proved to be a memorable one.

After an early and sparsely attended set by big beat pioneers The Crystal Method, Tool hit the stage in standard formation as guitarist Adam Jones stood front left, bassist Justin Chancellor front right, drummer Danny Carey back right and vocalist Maynard James Keenan back left in the dark, sporting tactical assault gear that was replete with Puscifer rainbow logo stickers on his chest and knee pads.

The three-time Grammy winners haven’t released an album since 2006’s 10,000 Days, but they did debut new visuals on this latest tour, which ended with an epic, day-long event at Glen Helen Amphitheater out in San Bernadino, Calif., that also featured performances by Melvins, Fantômas, Clutch and Primus.

Set 1: The Grudge, Parabol, Parabola, Schism, Opiate, Ænema, Descending, Jambi, Third Eye, Forty-Six & 2

Set 2: Drum Solo, The Pot, Sweat, (-) Ions, Stinkfist

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Con Brio close out SF Jazz Festival in style

June 23, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Con BrioBy Norm de Veyra //

Con Brio //
SFJAZZ Center – San Francisco
June 18th, 2017 //

Con Brio’s scorching set offered no relief from the heat wave in SF last Sunday as the Bay Area band headlined two nights at the SFJAZZ Center, giving us a healthy helping of funk and soul to close out this year’s SF Jazz Festival.

Led by singer Ziek McCarter and his charismatic personality, the band effortlessly navigated multiple genres with songs from its latest release, 2016’s Paradise, that delighted the Father’s Day crowd.

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Phono del Sol turns the heat way up in 2017

June 23, 2017 by 1 Comment

2017 Phono del Sol Music FestivalPhotos by Emmeline Munson // Written by Kevin Quandt //

Phono del Sol //
Potrero del Sol Park – San Francisco
June 17th, 2017 //

You want your Saturday to be served up scorching hot? Well, that’s what the masses at the seventh annual Phono del Sol got, and few in attendance had any issue with the literal and figurative heat that hit Potrero del Sol Park.

This little event has blossomed into one the most anticipated festivals in SF and is a true gem for those who live in the Mission, Potrero Hill and surrounding areas. Attendees this year were treated to one of the more diverse lineups Phono del Sol has assembled in its growing history, as both local and national acts of varied styles and genres joined together under an insanely pristine sky to toast the culture that makes this place what it is.

Early-arriving patrons were treated to some of Northern California’s buzziest up-and-coming acts such as Never Young and Rayana Jay, but it was Oakland’s own Bells Atlas that began to kick things up a notch and got some toes tapping with their soulful, pop-tinged flavor.

Next up was Bay-Area-via-South-Central upstart DUCKWRTH who aptly brought his infectious dance-rap stylings and was backed by a live band rather than simply a DJ. Local legend Sean Hayes held court on the smaller Mission Stage but commanded a considerable crowd as the park’s pulse continued to raise with the headliners in sight.

2017 Phono del Sol Music Festival - Jay Som


Jay Som

Melina Duterte’s band goes by the name Jay Som and hails from Oakland. Do yourself a favor and remember this name: Jay Som. The Polyvinyl-signed songstress bathed the crowd at the Potrero Stage in her dreamy vocals and inanely catchy tunes that appeal to a wide-range of music fan; her songs could feel just as viable in the 90’s college rock area as they do today. Highlights from the set included a vibe-soaked rendition of “Baybee” as well as “The Bus Song”, arguably the artist’s first real “hit.”

Atlanta’s own badass punk bitches, The Coathangers, closed the smaller of the festival’s two stages with a generously ruckus helping of garage punk. The group’s three members, who all donned matching outfits, brought some seriously impressive vocal interplay as they all lent a hand in that department, complete with falsetto and the always-awesome singing drummer. The Coathangers have been doing this whole rock ‘n’ roll thing for more than a decade now, and it’s clearly evident when they deliver songs like “Down Down” with surgical precision. “Make it Right” was another set highlight as heads began to bob and nod, with fans starting to loosen up those muscles for the closing onslaught.

I’m sure many folks can recall the days when you could catch Oh Sees frontman John Dwyer playing a show in the City on a near-weekly basis. Those were exciting times, and though SF has lost one of their most prolific artists to the cheap(ish) rent of Southern California, Dwyer is still welcomed with open arms, as well as the crowd-surfing skate punks in attendance.

The newly minted Oh Sees (the band just changed its name earlier this month) took the fest’s main stage in their usual whirlwind fashion and then proceeded to tell everyone to jump the barriers and join them onstage before they desecrated the generally sleepy park. While fans saw the two-drummer format in action once again, we also saw some fresh faces onstage — and more importantly, we got some new music later in their set that bordered on something akin to amped-up Fugazi. “Contraption / Soul Desert” closed out the nine-song set, and just like that, it was done. Those in attendance took a minute to catch their breath, and we were heaved into the Mission to complete one of those perfect summer days in SF.

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Monterey Pop 50 pays tribute to the Summer of Love & the festival that started it all

June 22, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Monterey Pop International Festival 50By Steph Port //

Monterey International Pop Festival 50 //
Monterey County Fairgrounds – Monterey, CA
June 16th-18th, 2017 //

Last weekend marked the 50th anniversary of the Monterey International Pop Music Festival, the iconic three-day music fest held at the Monterey County Fairgrounds in 1967 that featured such artists as Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Grateful Dead, Ravi Shankar, Simon & Garfunkel, the first large-scale performance by Janis Joplin and the introduction of Otis Redding.

To celebrate the occasion, Monterey International Pop Festival’s 50th anniversary featured a lineup of original performers and newer artists alike who all paid tribute to the original event in some way.

Many of this year’s artists covered songs by 1967 performers, such as Norah Jones (Grateful Dead’s “Ripple”), Jack Johnson (Steve Miller Band’s “Joker”; Jimi Hendrix’s “Foxy Lady”), Nicki Bluhm & Dirty Dozen Brass Band (Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit”), Hiss Golden Messenger (Grateful Dead’s “Brown Eyed Women”) and Booker T. Jones’ Stax Revue (Otis Redding’s “Respect”).

Monterey Pop International Festival 50 - Jim James


Jim James

The three-day stretch featured plenty of sit-ins and collaborations as well, including Father John Misty, Nathaniel Rateliff and Danny Clinch joining Leon Bridges for his encore, Jones dueting with Johnson on a beautiful cover of “I Shall Be Released” and Duane Betts joining North Mississippi Allstars for “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed”, to name a few.

An on-site art exhibit featured original documents and photographs and showed parts of D.A. Pennebaker’s famed documentary “Monterey Pop”. The Morrison Hotel Gallery also hosted a pop-up gallery, which showcased 50 photographic prints of the artists that performed at the original festival, with several of the photographers in attendance.

The spirit of the Summer of Love could be felt throughout the weekend. Artists were honored as an important part of Monterey Pop’s legacy, and we all left with a sense of gratitude for its impact on contemporary culture and how we see music today.

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B and The Hive bring the honey to The Mint

June 21, 2017 by Leave a Comment

B and The HiveBy Gina Lopez //

B and The Hive //
The Mint – Los Angeles
June 14th, 2017 //

Dreamy. Steamy. Sultry.

B and The Hive brought the honey to The Mint last Wednesday during the third stop of their Visions album release tour. The San Luis Obispo-based band delivered its fresh sound at the historic LA venue, drawing fans into visions of something real, something fierce.

I had a chance to hang with the band before the show. Frontwoman Brianna Lee, bassist Josh Barrett and drummer Hayden Gardener are the kind people who form a band that’s as real as the stories they tell in their lyrics. After soundcheck, I joined them at the vegan café that was a few doors down from The Mint. Sipping on locally-brewed kombucha outside as the sun set overhead, Lee consulted with Barrett and Gardener as they assembled the setlist, taking into consideration the vibe of the crowd. (They must have some good intuition because everyone at The Mint was captivated during their entire set.)

Just like The Mint and the Green Table Cafe blended together along Pico Blvd. to create some eclectic and inviting environs, B and The Hive have shown an appreciation for America’s rich musical past as they develop their style for a new flavor that’s simultaneously sweet and raw, unfiltered and organic. The band, which began its musical odyssey in the Bay Area as Girls + Boys in 2011, has a natural chemistry that’s electric — much like Lee’s Jimi Hendrix-inspired guitar riffs — allowing fans to jump right in whether they’re familiar or not.

B and The Hive

This was the third time B and The Hive were performing at The Mint, which has been a local fixture since 1937 and has seen performances by everyone from Nat King Cole to Macy Gray, from Stevie Wonder to The Wallflowers. A rhythmical mural of Beat Generation poet Charles Bukowski and a startling quote of his that provokes passersbys to contemplation decks the otherwise unassuming, black façade of the venerable club.

We continued to walk down Pico with its vibrantly colored storefronts as the band shared stories of life on the road — about relying on the generosity of others and the relationships they’ve fostered with other independent artists over the years. B and The Hive are all about supporting and collaborating with these folks, particularly at smaller venues like The Mint that value and support the local music scene, so they were sure to reach out to their fellow musicians who were also performing at The Mint on this night to exchange business cards.

Black leather booths and crystal chandeliers with flickering flame bulbs created an intimate atmosphere for B and The Hive’s performance, which featured songs from Visions and their upcoming covers EP. Visions is an invigorating album, with evocative vocals and guitar from Lee. The LP’s relatable lyrics and musical depth draws from the nectar of a rich musical past to create a new and timeless vision, and you can hear more from B and The Hive with shows booked across the greater LA area for the rest of the month in support of Visions.

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Dirtybird BBQ celebrates summer in its return to SF

June 19, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Dirtybird BBQ 2017Photos by Lisette Worster // Written by EJ Bernardo //

Dirtybird BBQ //
Treasure Island – San Francisco
June 4th, 2017 //

After what seemed to be a long winter filled with a mixture of rain from El Niño and the nearly endless rolling fog that blankets SF, a strong taste of summer finally hit the Bay Area just days after Memorial Day weekend.

On this early June afternoon, the sun was shining, the sky was blue and a certain dirty flock of birds landed on Treasure Island with a purpose. Upon landing, these birds brought with them their speakers, headphones, massive amounts of BBQ fare and hundreds of people who were ready to get down and dirty.

Dirtybird BBQ 2017 - Claude VonStroke


Claude VonStroke

The annual Dirtybird BBQ, a new SF tradition for the city’s EDM community, was back in the Bay where it all started. Much like last year’s event (read our review here), the BBQ was held on the island’s more spacious east side and featured specialty cocktail vendors, a variety of food trucks, contests/games and of course, BBQ.

And although the venue provided a large number of locations to sit and eat a plate of food on a bail of hay, the best place to be on the island was definitely on the dance floor with a lineup that included Justin Martin, Worthy, Christian Martin, J.Phlip, Ardalan and Claude VonStroke.

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Phono del Sol 2017: Our list of do’s & don’ts

June 16, 2017 by 1 Comment

Phono del SolWritten by Molly Kish //

Phono del Sol //
Potrero del Sol Park – San Francisco
June 17th, 2017 //

SF’s premiere community-centered, non-profit music and food festival returns to Potrero del Sol Park this weekend for its seventh year.

Organized by Bay Area online music publication The Bay Bridged along with local legend John Vanderslice’s Tiny Telephone recording studio, Phono del Sol has held its own as a haven for independent and DIY culture that’s been otherwise lost amid the mainstream.

Dishing up an eclectic sample of Bay Area entertainment and culinary flavor, this year’s lineup features 10 burgeoning indie, punk and hip-hop acts as well as some of the city’s premiere food trucks and restaurants, lots of craft beer and cocktails, a playground and skatepark, and even a flamingo fountain.

In order to make sure you bring your best self at this year’s Phono del Sol, Showbams has concocted a list of do’s and don’ts curated our own playlist below so that you can have the best time.

BUY TICKETS HERE!

Do: Grab your ticket while they’re still available to purchase! You’ve got a variety of admission options to choose from and all for less than what you’d typically spend on a round of avocado toast and mimosas at the terribly basic, competing brunch plans you’ll be avoiding.

Don’t: Be that person holding up the entry line because you forgot to print out your ticket or download the Ticketfly mobile app before you get to the festival’s entrance.

Do: Arrive early for “Happy Hour” specials from Noon to 2 p.m. in the beer/cocktail gardens, catch early performances and stake you claim on prime real estate for viewing the remainder of the festival.

Don’t: Forget to grab cash before you enter! Avoid the long lines and surcharge fees at the limited amount of ATMs on site and make a pit stop before you head over to the fest. Phono del Sol is a cash-only event, and there are no in’s and out’s or refunds, so be prepared.

Do: With limited shade available, make sure to wear sunscreen. Shade is limited and the rays will be coming in strong this Saturday. Avoid being as pink as the flamingos at Phono del Sol and actively hydrate at the water refill stations throughout the park.

Don’t: Bring weapons, fireworks, explosives, chains, lasers, illegal substances, alcohol, large containers, coolers, picnic baskets, instruments, professional cameras, records or a stank-ass attitude. No one has time for amateur-hour smuggling efforts — leave the obvious contraband at home.

Do: Take advantage of the first come/first serve bike parking and copious amount of public transportation options to and from the festival grounds. BART riders can walk to Potrero del Sol from the 24th St. and Mission St. station, and Muni riders can use the 9, 10, 19, 27, 33 and 48 lines.

Don’t: Forget portable chargers and power chords in case you need to Venmo, PayPal or want to jump on a ride-share after the fest.

Do: Get acquainted with the lineup through our curated Phono del Sol playlist and check out the festival’s list of food trucks here to plan your munchies for the day!

Don’t: Forget to print out the day’s schedule for those important set times! There will be two stages timed out to prevent performances from overlapping, but we know that you don’t want to run the risk of missing your new favorite band, getting lost in a sea of vendors and traffic.

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Ryan Adams & The Unknown Band remind us at LA’s Greek Theatre why we keep coming back for more

June 5, 2017 by 1 Comment

Ryan AdamsBy Steph Port //

Ryan Adams & The Unknown Band with Karen Elson //
Greek Theatre – Los Angeles
June 3rd, 2017 //

“It’s good to be home,” touted singer and guitarist Ryan Adams, who performed at LA’s Greek Theatre with his Unknown Band last Saturday.

Fresh off a stop at Berkeley’s Hearst Greek Theatre the night before, Adams showcased some older favorites and a slew of new tunes from his 16th and latest studio album Prisoner, which came out in February. SoCal fans were treated to some extended full-band jamming, a couple of solo acoustic performances and Adams’ usual witty banter over the course of the evening.

English singer-songwriter Karen Elson got things started with a set of songs from her new LP Double Roses, as Jack White’s former wife and her bandmates exhibited airy vocals, ethereal melodies and haunting guitar licks.

Setlist:
Let It Ride (Ryan Adams & The Cardinals cover)
To Be Young (Is to Be Sad, Is to Be High)
Magnolia Mountain (Ryan Adams & The Cardinals cover)
Two
Gimme Something Good
Dirty Rain
Fix It (Ryan Adams & The Cardinals cover)
Prisoner
Outbound Train
Shakedown on 9th Street
Do You Still Love Me?
Stay With Me
When the Stars Go Blue
Ashes & Fire
Peaceful Valley (Ryan Adams & The Cardinals cover)
Dear John (Ryan Adams & The Cardinals cover)
Doomsday
Wonderwall (Oasis cover)
improv > “What the Fuck Is That Shirt”
Everybody Knows
Invisible Riverside
New York, New York
Come Pick Me Up

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Five female emerging artists you need to hear

June 2, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Billie Eilish, Sigird, Sampa the Great, Mabel & Jessie ReyezWritten by Krystal Beez //

Get ready to discover your new favorite artist.

1. BILLIE EILISH

Billie Eilish

Who: Billie O’Connell

Origin: Los Angeles, California

What she’s about: Better known by her stage name Billie Eilish, LA’s Billie O’Connell is our youngest emerging artist this month. At only the age of 15, she’s releasing the kind of music that ethereal, dark pop dreams are made of. Her debut single “Ocean Eyes” was released in 2015. Eilish collaborated with her brother on the track, and it’s a beautifully arranged and highly impressive debut. Her voice just seems to float in the air as the chorus comes in: “No fair / You really know how to make me cry when you give me those ocean eyes / I’m scared / I’ve never fallen from quite this high falling into your ocean eyes”. Though Eilish had been a part of the LA Children’s Choir, her initial focus was dance. We’re so glad that this rising star decided to explore recording. Her latest song “Bored ” comes from the Netflix original series “13 Reasons Why” soundtrack. And don’t forget to check out Marian Hill’s sultry “Bellyache” remix, too.

File next to: Lorde. Lapsley. AURORA.

Follow: Facebook. Soundcloud. Twitter. Spotify.

2. SIGRID

Sigrid

Who: Sigird Solbaak Raabe

Origin: Alesund, Norway

What she’s about: Our next emerging artist young’n is Sigrid, a 20-year-old from a small town in Norway. Her debut single “Don’t Kill My Vibe ” is about the time she was put in a writing session with middle-aged men. Spoiler alert: they killed her vibe. The single was released in February and was immediately named “Hottest Record in the World” on BBC Radio 1. In the few short months since then, Sigrid has released her debut EP, and Gryffin remixed “Don’t Kill My Vibe“. One thing that I love about Sigrid, and what I think sets her apart from others is the fact that even with big production, each song is piano-based and focused on the songwriting. This aspect might be due to being influenced by Joni Mitchell along with Chet Baker when she was young. Make sure to pop on Sigrid’s live and acoustic versions to really hear those lyrics and that big voice. You’ll want to keep an eye on this one.

File next to: MO. Lorde. Jessie Reyez.

Follow: Facebook. Soundcloud. Twitter. Spotify.

3. SAMPA THE GREAT

Sampa the Great

Who: Sampa Tembo

Origin: Zambia, South Africa

What she’s about: Born in Zambia, raised in Botswana and currently residing in Australia, Sampa the Great is a modern poet. Her lyrics contain political and societal themes, while her debut release The Great Mixtape is an inspiring and accomplished piece of work. With tracks like “Female” and “Blue Boss ” and a tour in support of Kendrick Lamar, it’s easy to see why Sampa is about to the next big thing. Last month, the urban poet unleashsed HERoes Act 2, a three-track EP for Red Bull Sound Select featuring British songstress Estelle. So, if you need a new hip-hop artist in your life, go listen to Sampa’s EP. It’s beautifully produced and uplifting with poetic lyrics. Plus, Estelle is on each track so what’s not to love? Furthermore, check out her feel-good collaboration “For Good” with Remi. You won’t be disappointed.

File next to: Lauryn Hill. Ray BLK. Remi.

Follow: Facebook. Soundcloud. Twitter. Spotify.

4. MABEL

Mabel

Who: Mabel McVey

Origin: London, United Kingdom

What she’s about: Despite having quite famous parents (Neneh Cherry and Massive Attack producer Cameron McVey), Mabel is beginning to make a name for herself. She spent a large portion of her childhood in London before moving to Stockholm at the age of 15. It was there that she undertook a three-year course at Rytmus (where Robyn and Tove Lo also attended). But it wasn’t until she came back to London that she felt free to create her specialized R&B sound that’s 90’s-influenced with London beats. Mabel first stepped onto the scene in 2015 with “Know Me Better” before her second single “My Boy My Town” caught the attention of Annie Mac and was remixed by Shura. The following year, she was nominated for the BBC Music Sound of 2016 poll. Get familiar with the name and check out the latest track from her Bedroom EP below because we expect Mabel’s debut album to be the stuff 90’s R&B dreams are made of.

File next to: RAY BLK. Bibi Bourelly. NAO.

Follow: Facebook. Soundcloud. Twitter. Spotify.

5. JESSIE REYEZ

Jessie Reyez

Who: Jessica Reyez

Origin: Toronto, Canada

What she’s about: Reyez first garnered attention in 2014 for her collaborative track with King Louie entitled “Living in the Sky”. From there, Reyez was approached for her songwriting and vocal talents by the likes of Diplo, Chance the Rapper and Babyface. Last month, she released her debut EP Kiddo. The great thing about Reyez is not only how she blends pop, hip-hop and R&B influences, but also her honest and at times, intense storytelling ability. Reyez dives deep into the story about her cheating ex like on “Figures” and what it’s like dealing with sexism in the music industry as she explains on her latest single “Gatekeeper”, which even she created a short film for. You definitely don’t want to miss her SF debut at The Rickshaw Stop this June.

File next to: Bibi Bourelly. Sigrid. Melanie Martinez.

Follow: Facebook. Soundcloud. Twitter. Spotify.

Who is your favorite emerging artist? Let us know in the comments section below!

Filed Under: Editor's Picks, Featured, New Music Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Dirtybird BBQ 2017: Get ready for the SF edition with our Spotify playlist

June 1, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Dirtybird BBQ San Francisco 2017Written by Lisette Worster //

Dirtybird BBQ //
Treasure Island – San Francisco
June 4th, 2017 //

The Birds are heading back to their home base where it all started this weekend as Dirtybird’s BBQ series returns to SF on Sunday with performances from Justin Martin, Worthy, Christian Martin, J.Phlip, Ardalan and of course, the godfather of it all, Claude VonStroke.

There’s sure to be plenty of house music mixed with hip-hop, techno and funk being played throughout the day on Treasure Island, and to get you ready for the big party, we’ve curated our own playlist below.

In addition to some saucy sets, Dirtybird will be firing up the grills once again in 2017 and providing another tasty food lineup. The SF record label is also bringing back its “Best In Show” contest, so get those costumes and totems ready and don’t forget to purchase your ticket to the 21-and-over event here before it’s too late.

Getting excited for all the festivities? Make sure to check out our coverage from last year’s Dirtybird BBQ in SF here.

Dirtybird BBQ 2017

Filed Under: Featured, Festivals Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,