2017 September – Showbams

Jay 305 backs up his ‘more LA than the Rams’ claim in front of a hometown crowd at The Roxy

September 29, 2017 by Joseph Gray Leave a Comment

Jay 305 //
The Roxy Theatre – West Hollywood, CA
September 25th, 2017 //

South Central rapper Jay 305, as confident and animated as ever, proclaims that he is “more LA than the Rams,” and you’d be hard-pressed to find many fans of West Coast hip-hop who disagree with him right now.

Unlike LA’s two new NFL teams that continue to fight –- in half-filled stadiums — to find their footing, Jay 305 (born Jay Cummins) is a regional staple. That was pretty apparent during his headlining show at The Roxy Theatre on Monday, as fans shouted the aforementioned claim heard on his authoritative and fun Taking All Bets debut via Interscope Records.

Running through everything from standout tracks like “All Around the World” and “99” to his “Youzza Flip” hit, which ignited his buzz five years prior, Jay 305 has seemingly pushed legal troubles and album delays aside to focus on his craft — and it showed in his hometown.

Filed Under: Featured, Photos Tagged With: Interscope Records, Jay 305, The Roxy Theatre

Dirtybird Campout 2017: Here’s why you don’t want to miss this year’s festival

September 29, 2017 by Lindsay Alamillo Leave a Comment

Photo courtesy of Daniel Zetterstrom // Written by Lindsay Alamillo //

Dirtybird Campout //
San Antonio Recreation Area – Bradley, CA
October 6th-8th, 2017 //

Festival season is coming to an end, but we can’t think of a better way to close out 2017 on a high note than with a trip to Dirtybird Campout. If you need a heavy dose of house, techno or bass, look no further — this camping party is getting a whole lot bigger and better.

One of the best things about Dirtybird events is the San Francisco record label’s loyalty to their fans. The artists always take time to hang out with fans and connect with those who bring the heat to the dance floor.

This year, don’t miss Brooklyn house duo Walker & Royce as they do their best to provide all the answers to life’s questions. You can also visit the Dough Lab to catch the pizza godfather himself, Justin Martin, and take a chance spinning the Wheel of Pizza (no dough needed).

There have been several special performances over the last couple of years, including an annual late late night/early morning drum ‘n’ bass set by the Martin brothers (Justin and Christian), and 2017’s lineup is bigger and better than ever before with some great b2bs.

For instance, don’t miss Dirtybird favorites Kill Frenzy and Will Clarke b2b or Ardalan and Worthy b2b on Friday night. On Saturday, there will be a special Soulection showcase at the Bass Lodge where the Los Angeles-based collective is sure to play its silky-smooth and sexy house sounds. And then on Sunday night, don’t miss the festival’s final performance as the entire Dirtybird family takes the stage.

But don’t worry — when you need a break from the action and want to entertain yourself with something different, there are a number of alternatives to choose from. The campout crew has amped up the activities this year just in case they hadn’t done enough already. Yoga, lectures and open archery will all be offered, and there will be a special science lab from BrainScratch where festivalgoers can dive into discussions about inter-connectivity and the complexities of nature. Pretty heady, right?

Also, when you need a break from the dance floor at night, head over to the great late-night Bingo Revival. It’s a 70’s-themed game show, so come dressed to impress or ready to win (or just come hang out). None of these tickle your fancy? There’s more, including timeless camp activities like tie dyeing, potato sack racing, water balloon tossing, volleyball, kickball and Simon Says.

If you need a little more convincing or another reason to sway your decision on a last-minute ticket purchase, listen up. On Saturday, different teams of our favorite artists will compete in Giant Jenga games to raise money for a cause. Proceeds from the games will go to Give a Beat in hopes of building a bigger bridge between the dance community and those who have been impacted by incarceration. The non-profit organization is aiming to provide education to the community, DJ workshops for youth and mentor programs. Be sure to stop by and check out the games, which will take place on Saturday between 2-6 p.m.

Let’s also not forget to mention that Claude VonStroke was crowned “America’s Best DJ” last year, and this year, Dirtybird was named the decade’s No. 1 label by Mixmag. So, to state the obvious, it has been a great few years for the Dirtybird crew and we honestly can’t wait to see what they have in store for us this October. Passes to Dirtybird Campout are still available to purchase here, but don’t wait because this is one party you don’t want to miss.

Filed Under: Featured, Festivals Tagged With: Amtrac, Ardalan, Barclay Crenshaw, Christian Martin, Claude VonStroke, Dirtybird, Dirtybird Campout, Dirtybird Campout 2017, Dirtybird Records, Justin Martin, Kill Frenzy, Soulection, Walker & Royce, WILL CLARKE, Worthy

The eclectic sounds of Bonobo sweep through the Bay Area at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

September 29, 2017 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

Photos by Dace Hines // Written by Julie Mullen //

Bonobo (Live) with Bob Moses //
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium – San Francisco
September 23rd, 2017 //

British electronic musician Simon Green, aka Bonobo, stopped by the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium for his “Migration Live Tour” last Saturday. With Bob Moses warming up the crowd, I found myself doubting how a solo artist like Bonobo could fill the immense and cavernous venue all by himself.

But shortly after Bob Moses’ opening set, he took the stage with the support of an impressive backing band. British singer Szjerdene then commanded the stage, adding calming vocals on tracks like “Breaking Apart” that soared over the crowd as five large video screens displayed stunning aerial footage of vast landscapes.

The show began to take flight across fields of flowers and crashing waves on coast lines — and then the drums kicked in. Booties quickly started shakin’, and vertical chasing lights accented the audience’s feet contacting the floor. Eventually the lights dimmed, the string musicians left the stage and the many sounds of Bonobo stepped forward and proved me wrong once again. Despite what I thought at the onset, Green’s downtempo jams and his undeniably mesmerizing visual effects were able to fill the venue with warmth and light.

Bonobo broke it down and then put it all back together again for “No Reason”, closing the night with the full band and his awe-inspiring light show that sliced through the room and created a false sky with fluffy, floating clouds. At that point, it was clear the magic behind Bonobo’s live performances is a combination of unique sounds, soaring vocals, uplifting drum beats and string musicians, producing something that feels whole and cohesive.

Setlist:
Migration
7th Sevens
Break Apart
Towers
Kiara
Kong
Surface
First Fires
Bambro Koyo Ganda
Cirrus
Outlier
We Could Forever
No Reason
Sapphire
Ontario
Figures
Samurai
Kerala

READ OUR REPORT FROM THE LOS ANGELES SHOW.

Filed Under: Featured, Photos Tagged With: Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, Bob Moses, Bonobo

Lil Yachty continues to carve out his own path in SF

September 28, 2017 by Brett Ruffenach Leave a Comment

Photos by Lisette Worster // Written by Brett Ruffenach //

Lil Yachty //
The Warfield – San Francisco
September 21st, 2017 //

We’ve certainly arrived at a unique point in hip-hop. As the internet continually levels the playing field for how artists release music, we’re seeing styles of a once easily identifiable genre become increasingly fragmented.

Case in point: Lil Yachty.

The Atlanta native turned heads in 2015 with his viral hit “1 Night” and has since carved out a unique following by turning his self-described “bubblegum trap” into, arguably, a completely new genre. Riding a wave of success built on Instagram and Soundcloud while hitting nearly every major festival around the world, Lil’ Yachty brought his crew to The Warfield for a night of bubblegum trap last Thursday.

With no official support listed on the bill, the venue slowly filled in after opening its doors. After the DJ warmed up the crowd by switching roughly every two minutes between today’s biggest hip-hop bangers — Travis Scott’s “Antidote”, Kendrick Lamar’s “HUMBLE.” and of course, Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow” — Lil Yachty’s entourage, The Boat Crew, took the stage. First up was TheGoodPerry (born Perry Paris Moise), who was celebrating his 21st birthday, and at one point, Lil Yachty even came out to contribute vocals on a song and afterward led the crowd in a singing of “Happy Birthday” for Moise. It was an endearing, if not awkward, gesture from the evening’s headliner.

With a new emcee coming out every two or three songs, The Boat Crew’s remaining cast of JBANS$, EarlThePearll and BigBruthaChubba continued to make their way to the stage. Yet, each of them displayed a stunning disinterest in, well, actually rapping. As the DJ changed the song every 90 seconds, music came blaring out of the PA system with a backing track to cover for the many moments in which a performer either forgot the words, ran out of breath between rhymes or was busy grabbing a fan’s phone to take a selfie. Furthermore, The Boat Crew repeatedly counted down to the next beat drop in what felt like some sort of half-assed attempt to keep the crowd hyped.

Kodie Shane wrapped up The Boat Crew’s time onstage. With a bit more variation in sound than your standard auto-tune and trap, the female emcee brought a new energy to the stage, running from one side to another and ending things on a high note.

As the 25-minute intermission passed, fans eagerly waited for the headliner to take the stage. Pulling the tablecloths from the objects they had been covering onstage, it became clear that Lil Yachty’s stage design was a late-night talk show set.

“The Lil Boat Show” opened with a recorded message from Lil Yachty thanking the crowd for coming and supporting him. Subsequently, Lil Yachty himself jumped onstage and kicked off a 75-minute set with hits like “Harley”, “Minnesota” and “Fresh of The Boat”. With each track, Yachty demonstrated a sense of focus and vocal power completely set apart from the previous performance by The Boat Crew. Not relying solely on drop after drop, he mixed up the energy with more brooding tracks like “Lady in the Yellow” and “Peek a Boo”.

Lil Yachty has certainly carved out his own path in the world of hip-hop and with it, has captured the attention of an increasingly distracted generation. Watching him jump from track to track, the sense of excitement I witnessed in the audience was perhaps the most memorable part of the entire experience. Dressed in a variety of styles that triangulated between androgynous, hip-hop and hipster, it makes sense that his debut LP was titled Teenage Emotions.

Like many musical styles, Lil Yachty’s felt like one for the kids who want to demonstrate their weirdness and individuality. And for one night in SF, they got to express that weirdness. Even though Lil Yachty’s music might not be for me, it means a lot to many — and that’s something worth recognizing.

Filed Under: Featured, Live Music Reviews Tagged With: BigBruthaChubba, EarlThePearll, JBANS$, Kodie Shane, Lil Yachty, The Warfield, TheGoodPerry

SF Show of the Week // GO4FREE to Andrew W.K. at The Independent 9/28 (THUR)

September 27, 2017 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

Written by Chandler Kirkman //

Andrew W.K. with SHAME WAVES //
The Independent – San Francisco
September 28th, 2017 //

Creating feelings of pure joy, total love, endless freedom and infinite possibility are just brief glimpses into the musical stylings of multi-faceted singer-songwriter and performer Andrew W.K. (born Andrew Fetterly Wilkes-Krier). After starting his musical career when he was four years old, it didn’t take long for the Michigan native to explore some experimental interests that ultimately led to creating his own high-energy brand of rock music.

Skipping out on college at the age of 18 and moving to New York City to pursue music on his own, W.K. developed his sound through various solo projects and eventually moved to Florida to start a band with drummer Donald “D.T.” Tardy, leading to the release his first EP Girls Own Juice (abbreviated as AWKGOJ) on Bulb Records. Fast forward to 2017, and the self-proclaimed party animal has been rockin’ hard for over a decade with nine studio albums, including his infamous debut I Get Wet that features smash hit “Party Hard”.

Over the past few years, Andrew W.K. has been steadily expanding his creative endeavors to the worlds of motivational speaking, production, TV and broadcast media, and music venue ownership. Starting in 2008 with the opening of his co-owned music venue and nightclub in New York City called Santos Party House, Andrew W.K.’s hunger for more has earned him a number of appearances on MTV and VH1 along with a Grammy nomination while working as a record producer. He’s also releasing a new album next year on Sony Music Worldwide, but until then, fans will just have to keep partying because well, the party never dies.

This Thursday, Andrew W.K. will be back in SF by popular demand to play a second night at The Independent with Oakland quartet SHAME WAVES opening. Tickets are available for $25, or you could win a pair of tickets by submitting your full name and email below.

Contest ends this Thursday at 3 p.m.

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:

• Sonny and the Sunsets: September 28th (THUR) @ The Chapel
• Vagabon: September 28th (THUR) @ Swedish American Music Hall
• Rayana Jay: September 28th (THUR) @ The New Parish
• Rakim: September 29th (FRI) @ The New Parish
• Flosstradamus: September 29th (FRI) @ 1015 Folsom
• Middle Kids: September 29th (FRI) @ The Independent
• Wax Idols: September 29th (FRI) @ Brick & Mortar Music Hall
• White Panda: September 30th (SAT) @ Mezzanine

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).

CONTEST CLOSED.

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

Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: 1015 Folsom, Andrew W.K, Brick & Mortar Music Hall, Donald "DT" Tardy, Donald Tardy, Flosstradamus, Girls Own Juice, lee scratch perry, Mezzanine, Middle Kids, Rakim, Rayana Jay, Santos Party House, Shame Waves, Sonny and the Sunsets, Swedish American Hall, The Chapel, The Indepedent, The Independent, The New Parish, Vagabon, VH1, Wax Idols, White Panda

SF Show of the Week // GO4FREE to Sango at 1015 Folsom 9/22 (FRI)

September 20, 2017 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

Written by Chandler Kirkman //

Sango with MIKOS DA GAWD, Antonio Guedes, Matt Haze, Kush Arora, DOUBLE B, Danado, Izzy Wise //
1015 Folsom – San Francisco
September 22nd, 2017 //

It’s time to keep a close eye on Seattle-based beatsmith and producer Sango. His quickly growing fan base and worldwide critically acclaimed music are rapidly expanding as he prepares to release his first major commercial record via Wright Music Group.

Infusing Afro-punk, Brazilian baile funk and hip-hop with soulful R&B, Sango produces tracks that combine various elements into his own distinctive sound, as evidenced by his popular remixes of Aaliyah, Drake, Little Dragon, Nas and The Weeknd in addition to his debut album North, and his Baile Funk EP series Da Rocinha. Plus, not only has he been producing his own music since the age of 12, Sango is a talented graphic designer who impressively has designed all of his releases up to date.

In the past four years, Sango has taken his production skills from his college dorm to cities worldwide and now consistently collaborates with some of the best in the business. Along with touring his Da Rocinha projects in more than 50 cities worldwide, he has produced for some of the industry’s hottest acts, such as Tinashe, Bryson Tiller and Mick Jenkins. It’s clear that he is more than just a producer, but an artist in his own right — and his music is just one component of the growing statement he wishes to make.

This Friday, Sango will perform at 1015 Folsom with a slew of support from MIKOS DA GAWD, Antonio Guedes, Matt Haze, Kush Arora, DOUBLE B, Danado, Izzy Wise and more as part of SF’s Brazilian Party put on by Braza! Tickets are available for $25, or you could win a pair of tickets by submitting your full name and email below.

Contest ends this Friday at 3 p.m.

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:

• Fruit Bats: September 20th (WED) @ The Chapel
• Paul Kalkbrenner: September 21st (THURS) @ 1015 Folsom
• Psychic TV: September 21st (THURS) @ The Independent
• Japanese Breakfast: September 21st (THURS) @ Swedish American Music Hall
• Valley Queen: September 21st (THURS) @ Brick & Mortar Music Hall
• Deerhoof: September 21st (THURS) @ Great American Music Hall
• Martha Wainwright: September 22nd (FRI) @ Cafe Du Nord
• Savoy: September 23rd (SAT) @ Mezzanine
• Public Service Broadcasting: September 24th (SUN) @ Swedish American Music Hall
• Downtown Boys: September 24th (SUN) @ Starline Social Club

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).

CONTEST CLOSED.

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

Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: 1015 Folsom, Antonio Guedes, Brick & Mortar Music Hall, Cafe du Nord, Danado, Deerhoof, Double B, Downtown Boys, Fruit Bats, Great American Music Hall, Izzy Wise, Japanese Breakfast, Kush Arora, Marth Wainwright, Matt Haze, Mezzanine, Mikos Da Gawd, Paul Kalkbrenner, Psychic TV, Public Service Broadcasting, Sango, Savoy, Starline Social Club, Swedish American Music Hall, The Chapel, The Independent, Valley Queen

Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas dial it in at Rickshaw Stop on their ‘Telephone’ tour

September 19, 2017 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

By Gina Lopez //

Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas with The Tambo Rays //
Rickshaw Stop – San Francisco
September 12th, 2017 //

Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas performed at Rickshaw Shop last Tuesday as part of their North American tour to promote their bilingual double LP Telephone/Teléfono, which was released in June. For Telephone/Teléfono, Hernandez did more than just translate the words; she translated her emotive poetry, ensuring that both albums enlivened the meaning behind the lyrics.

Also promoting new music were The Tambo Rays, who served as the show’s opener on this night. Performing songs from their latest album Recharge, they kicked things off with a high-energy set featuring lead singer Sara DaMert on the mic and brother Brian DaMert on guitar. Hailing from Oakland, these lofi indie rockers perfectly complemented Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas’ Detroit gothic pop-punk style with their alternative chill-pop sound.

The sound of Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas is certainly a “one-of-a-kind soundclash.” But on a personal note, what makes the band more unique is the fact that Hernandez is the only Latina-fronted indie-rock band that I have had the pleasure of seeing. As a Latina myself, I consider their new album a milestone in indie rock.

Not only did Hernandez sing songs in both English and Spanish, she performed while being five-and-a-half months pregnant and in a bright, floral maternity muumuu and black high-top Vans, exhibiting just as much expressive energy and stage presence as ever along with a style that was as unique and unapologetic as her music.

Filed Under: Featured, Photos Tagged With: Jessica Hernandez, Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas, Rickshaw Stop, The Tambo Rays

Day N Night Fest 2017: From Chance to Kendrick, hip-hop’s finest shine bright in the OC

September 18, 2017 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

J.I.D

By Joseph Gray & Rochelle Shipman //

Day N Night Fest //
Angel Stadium – Anaheim, CA
September 8th-10th, 2017 //

It’s not too often that you’ll walk past a crazed mosh pit of diverse youngsters on your way to church. Nor are we usually witness to strippers and party-friendly political disruption just a few minutes before a bold declaration of one’s self-reflection. Yet, it was this kind of contrast that led thousands to Orange County as music is the ultimate unifier, with hip-hop currently at its forefront.

Not ignorant to this, Day N Night Fest took its rap-heavy lineup outside Angel Stadium for its second go-round. Celebrating what was once thought to be a fleeting fad, attendees fought through heat, long lines and fatigue to keep the energy flowing consistently over three days.

The main stage served as the hub for the vigor — rising (19-year-old!) star Khalid took early precedence on Friday night, bringing pure joy, cheerleaders and raw emotion to the stage, effortlessly running through the hits on his breakout album American Teen. Closing out the first night was Travis Scott, fresh off his support slot on Kendrick’s “DAMN. Tour”, proving that he is worthy of his own spotlight with a voice that reverberated far past the edge of a crowd and at one point, his now-famous mechanical bird in conjunction with his latest LP Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight.

Saturday, meanwhile, featured the vintage gospel spirit and warm vibes that have elevated Chicago emcee Chance the Rapper to superstardom. Earlier in the day, SZA, this summer’s breakout star, delivered her first festival performance since the release of her well-received debut album Ctrl. Swaying, spinning and singing her raw emotions and shortcomings while coming of age, the Top Dawg Entertainment songstress didn’t disappoint. And even after the old folks were admonished to the delight of the youthful crowd, they still danced to 23-year-old Lil Uzi Vert’s melodic pandemonium that was highlighted by his newest single “XO Tour Llif3” and him running and jumping everywhere imaginable.

As for Sunday’s main-stage performers, we were given the full sphere of Compton. YG drove us through his neighborhood and reminded us that his infamous “FDT” (aka “Fuck Donald Trump”) sentiments he put on display last year at The Wiltern (read our show review here) still remain, but he danced, joked and ushered out exotic dancers with a live band behind him, throwing one hell of a political party that resonated with the diverse crowd.

SZA

Later on, Kendrick Lamar essentially extended “The DAMN. Tour” for one more night on Day 3. Explosive with his confident self-discovery, K-Dot manned the stage by himself and dished out crowd-friendly tracks like “DNA” and “Element” before treating his longtime supporters to “Money Trees” from his Good Kid, M.A.A.D City debut and eventually closing the festival with literal fireworks following the smash “Humble.”

While the headliners thrilled as expected, it was at the side “Day” and “Night” stages where the festival’s biggest highlights were generated. J.I.D, the rising Atlanta rapper who is signed to J. Cole’s Dreamville imprint, absolutely thrilled during his set. Dazzling with his rapid-fire and agile flow, J.I.D showed off his ability to command a crowd with songs such as “General” and “EdEddnEddy” before jumping into the crowd for the tempo-changing hit “Never” that left the crowd chanting for “one more song!”

On the same “Day” stage, Canadian singer-songwriter Daniel Caesar expressed how much he loved being in California and those who flooded the smaller stage to express just how happy they were to hear him say that. Following the release of his well-reviewed Freudian project, the Toronto native was remarkable as he traded frenzied stage dives for some silky-smooth harmonies instead, taking us along his sonically beautiful journey that you will certainly know more about in the coming months.

Vic Mensa, Playboy Carti, Isaiah Rashad and Dom Kennedy were some other notable crowd favorites of the weekend. And though his crowd was far from massive, St. Louis’ Smino had one of the most energetic audiences all weekend, with attendees feverishly singing along to many of the jams off his stellar debut blkswn.

While its organization leaves a little bit to be desired, Day N Night solidified its spot this year as an expansive festival that seems to be growing with the culture. And if the insight of Migos is any indication, we have a bigger, brighter and even more explosive festival to look forward to next year.