• INTERVIEW: Carter Hardin of Chapel feeling 'Mushy Gushy' with band's pandemic release
    Jul 08 2020
    03:30 AM

    INTERVIEW: Carter Hardin of Chapel feeling ‘Mushy Gushy’ with band’s pandemic release

    Amelia Parreira No Comments 234
    Carter Hardin and Kortney Grinwis of Chapel. Courtesy: Nolan Knight. Even as the COVID-19 pandemic has put a pin in the plans of singer and multi-instrumentalist Carter Hardin and drummer Kortney Grinwis, the duo’s pop band Chapel aren’t stopping from creating something fresh for fans to one day enjoy.…
  • Tuesday Tracks: Your Weekly New Music Discovery – July 7
    Jul 07 2020
    03:30 AM

    Tuesday Tracks: Your Weekly New Music Discovery – July 7

    Aarushi Nanda No Comments 257
    Clockwise from top left: Brakence, Haviah Mighty, Christinna O, G Flip, McClenney and Tokyo’s Revenge. Every week, there’s a plethora of new music at our fingertips. Artists on platforms like Spotify and Bandcamp are plentiful, and the radio offers a steady deluge of new singles, but who has…
  • INTERVIEW: Eurythmics' Dave Stewart finds an unlikely partnership in Stewart Lindsey
    Jul 06 2020
    03:30 AM

    INTERVIEW: Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart finds an unlikely partnership in Stewart Lindsey

    David Gill No Comments 371
    Dave Stewart and Thomas Lindsey (Stewart Lindsey), Courtesy. Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart is a tough man to reach as he waits out the COVID-19 pandemic on a tiny island in the Caribbean, but eventually a thick northern British accent comes onto the staticky link. While he may be enjoying…
  • Insert Foot: More woke up on Fourth of July weekend
    Jul 05 2020
    03:30 AM

    Insert Foot: More woke up on Fourth of July weekend

    Tony Hicks No Comments 356
    Insert Foot is woke on Joey Chestnut, “Luke Cage.” A few independent thoughts on Independence Day. As I brace myself for the annual Joey Chestnut Coney Island puke fest (I can’t even eat one hot dog without feeling like I committed a health crime unless I ate it…
  • REWIND: Top R&B songs through the decades show it's less a genre than a label
    Jul 04 2020
    03:30 AM

    REWIND: Top R&B songs through the decades show it’s less a genre than a label

    Daniel J. Willis No Comments 47,560
    The Weeknd performs at Golden Gate Park during Outside Lands on Aug. 10, 2018. Joaquin Cabello/STAFF. Welcome to the second month of RIFF Rewind’s ongoing Black History Month! As an aside, I found out last week that June was Black Music Month, which is something I legitimately did…
  • SF Symphony trombonist Nick Platoff on finding his voice in a pandemic, the departure of Michael Tilson Thomas
    Jul 03 2020
    03:30 AM

    SF Symphony trombonist Nick Platoff on finding his voice in a pandemic, the departure of Michael Tilson Thomas

    Roman Gokhman No Comments 1,020
    Nick Platoff of the San Francisco Symphony, Courtesy. By March 15, Nick Platoff had concluded the lease on his San Francisco apartment and had completely moved out. That day, he, along with dozens of other members of the San Francisco Symphony were to leave for a European tour.…
  • INTERVIEW: Chelsea Collins turns to '07 Britney' to find her own peace
    Jul 01 2020
    05:30 AM

    INTERVIEW: Chelsea Collins turns to ’07 Britney’ to find her own peace

    Mike DeWald No Comments 402
    Chelsea Collins, Courtesy. When Chelsea Collins hit a stressful patch in her life, the singer-songwriter went to an unorthodox place to vent her feelings in song: the imagined headspace of her musical idol. “I was going through a lot,” Collins said. “I had some really shady friends and some…
  • Q&A: Caroline Jones one of the 'Boys' with Jimmy Buffett, Zac Brown and Kenny Chesney
    Jun 29 2020
    03:30 AM

    Q&A: Caroline Jones one of the ‘Boys’ with Jimmy Buffett, Zac Brown and Kenny Chesney

    Roman Gokhman No Comments 2,430
    Caroline Jones, Courtesy. Country singer-songwriter Caroline Jones has crisscrossed the country on tours with Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown and Jimmy Buffett, seeing bits here and there out of the bus window, yet she’s never been on a true coast-to-coast road trip. So when planning for the fictional car…
  • Q&A: Sinéad Harnett morphs into pandemic 'Quarantine Queen'
    Jun 24 2020
    02:30 AM

    Q&A: Sinéad Harnett morphs into pandemic ‘Quarantine Queen’

    Amelia Parreira No Comments 371
    Sinéad Harnett, Courtesy. After her debut album, Lessons In Love, brought her into the global spotlight in 2019, north London R&B and soul singer Sinéad Harnett looks forward to releasing her latest album later this year. The coronavirus pandemic left her at a bit of a standstill, like most artists…
  • INTERVIEW: Chester Bennington origin story told through Grey Daze's 'Amends'
    Jun 22 2020
    03:30 AM

    INTERVIEW: Chester Bennington origin story told through Grey Daze’s ‘Amends’

    Mike DeWald No Comments 1,296
    Grey Daze. Clockwise from top left: Mace Beyers, Cristin Davis, Sean Dowdell and Chester Bennington. Courtesy. Before Linkin Park’s world tours, diamond-selling albums and legions of adoring fans, there was Grey Daze. The mid-’90s grunge rockers from Phoenix had big dreams, a big sound and a big voice in a…
  • INTERVIEW: Rufus Wainwright ready to open his next chapter
    Jun 17 2020
    03:30 AM

    INTERVIEW: Rufus Wainwright ready to open his next chapter

    Roman Gokhman No Comments 1,023
    Rufus Wainwright. Courtesy. Rufus Wainwright got a dog. He’s not necessarily a dog person, but his 9-year-old daughter, Viva, wanted one, and the shelter-in-place order in Los Angeles was approaching two months, and, well, welcome to the family, Puccini the Australian shepherd. The name was a given, what…
  • INTERVIEW: KT Tunstall on reminding fans to 'Wash Ya Hands,' England's slave trade protest
    Jun 15 2020
    03:30 AM

    INTERVIEW: KT Tunstall on reminding fans to ‘Wash Ya Hands,’ England’s slave trade protest

    Daniel J. Willis No Comments 2,813
    KT Tunstall performs at Great American Music Hall in San Francisco on Oct. 19, 2018. Joaquin Cabello/STAFF. With COVID-19 cases surging across the United States and around the world, it seems people are already forgetting the lessons we learned back in March about how to slow the spread…

News

    • Lindsey Stirling opens her Upside Fund fan assistance program to others
      Lindsey Stirling opens her Upside Fund fan assistance program to others
      July 1, 2020 at 10:43 pm
      Lindsey Stirling, Courtesy: Sydney Takeshta. Violinist Lindsey Stirling, who spoke to us last spring about starting the Upside Fund, a program where she could financially support…
      Corey Taylor, Gavin Rossdale, more to headline Feeding America COVID-19 benefit
      Corey Taylor, Gavin Rossdale, more to headline Feeding America COVID-19 benefit
      July 1, 2020 at 9:45 pm
      Corey Taylor of Slipknot, Bush’s Gavin Rossdale and a plethora of modern rock artists will headline a virtual concert Friday evening to benefit Feeding America’s COVID-19…
    • Dixie Chicks the latest band to change their name, now known as The Chicks
      Dixie Chicks the latest band to change their name, now known as The Chicks
      June 25, 2020 at 11:50 am
      The Chicks, formerly known as Dixie Chicks, perform at Oracle Arena in Oakland on Oct. 7, 2016. Roman Gokhman/STAFF. The Dixie Chicks, who’s awaited new album…
      Outside Lands 2020 officially canceled, 2021 festival announced with ticket onsales
      Outside Lands 2020 officially canceled, 2021 festival announced with ticket onsales
      June 24, 2020 at 10:17 am
      The Outside Lands windmill arch on Aug. 10, 2019. Adam Pardee/STAFF. Producers of the Outside Lands Music Festival have officially canceled the 2020 event and instead…
    • Lars Ulrich, Bonnie Raitt among guests to appear in SF Symphony's online tribute to outgoing director
      Lars Ulrich, Bonnie Raitt among guests to appear in SF Symphony’s online tribute to outgoing director
      June 23, 2020 at 3:58 pm
      San Francisco Symphony Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas, Courtesy: SF Symphony. The San Francisco Symphony will conclude its 25-day online tribute to outgoing Music Director Michael…
      Neal Casal Music Foundation launches with tribute to the late guitarist, charity initiatives
      Neal Casal Music Foundation launches with tribute to the late guitarist, charity initiatives
      June 19, 2020 at 10:29 am
      Neal Casal, Courtesy. The former manager and friends of the late guitarist Neal Casal have started a nonprofit foundation to to honor his memory and raise…
    • SF Ballet moves on from 2020, announces 2021 season
      SF Ballet moves on from 2020, announces 2021 season
      June 18, 2020 at 10:38 pm
      Dores André and Joseph Walsh in Peck’s ‘Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming,’ Courtesy: Erik Tomasson. The San Francisco Ballet has announced its programming for its 2021 season,…
      SF Symphony cancels all 2020 performances, enacts pay cuts, furloughs and layoffs
      SF Symphony cancels all 2020 performances, enacts pay cuts, furloughs and layoffs
      June 18, 2020 at 11:54 am
      The San Francisco Symphony with music director Michael Tilson Thomas, during rehearsal at Davies Symphony Hall on Wednesday morning, November 2, 2016. The San Francisco Symphony…
    • Alameda County Fair announces next drive-in concert; on June 26
      Alameda County Fair announces next drive-in concert; on June 26
      June 16, 2020 at 3:15 pm
      Concertgoers gather at the first drive-in concert in the Bay Area at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, Calif., on June 12, 2020. Steve Carlson/STAFF. Following…
      COVID-19 pandemic forces Noise Pop from its Bryant Street home
      COVID-19 pandemic forces Noise Pop from its Bryant Street home
      June 16, 2020 at 12:14 pm
      Noise Pop office at 2180 Bryant St in San Francisco. Courtesy. Updated June 19. Noise Pop is leaving its home at 2180 Bryant St in San Francisco…
    • SF Ballet streaming its 'Björk Ballet' through Friday
      SF Ballet streaming its ‘Björk Ballet’ through Friday
      June 14, 2020 at 12:11 am
      The San Francisco Ballet, which was the first ballet company nationwide to shutter due to the COVID-19 pandemic, continues to share filmed performances online in lieu…
      Tribute bands draw hundreds to the Bay Area's first drive-in concert of the COVID-19 era
      Tribute bands draw hundreds to the Bay Area’s first drive-in concert of the COVID-19 era
      June 13, 2020 at 1:25 am
      Concertgoers gather at the first drive-in concert in the Bay Area at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, Calif., on June 12, 2020. Steve Carlson/STAFF. Several…
    • Bay Area indy music clubs still struggling as national alliance reports many may close without federal help
      Bay Area indy music clubs still struggling as national alliance reports many may close without federal help
      June 12, 2020 at 10:17 am
      Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco. Courtesy: Wikicommons A wave of independent concert venue closures swept through Texas this month, including the well-known Barracuda and…
      First Bay Area drive-in concerts to include three tribute bands in Pleasanton tonight, Saturday
      First Bay Area drive-in concerts to include three tribute bands in Pleasanton tonight, Saturday
      June 12, 2020 at 8:30 am
      German Rapper Sido performs in Dusseldorf, Germany on April 26, 2020. Courtesy: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images. The Alameda County Fair will host the Bay Area’s first drive-in…
    • OFFICIAL: October 2020 Coachella and Stagecoach canceled, Outside Lands producers mum
      OFFICIAL: October 2020 Coachella and Stagecoach canceled, Outside Lands producers mum
      June 9, 2020 at 11:03 pm
      Art installations at Coachella 2014, Courtesy: Sam Howzit/Wikiicommons. The rescheduled Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals, which had been postponed from April to October, have again been…
      Fantastic Negrito on protests, growing up on the street, and the George Floyd video
      Fantastic Negrito on protests, growing up on the street, and the George Floyd video
      June 4, 2020 at 11:58 pm
      Fantastic Negrito photographed in downtown Oakland on June 3, 2020. Jane Hu/STAFF. On Wednesday, June 3, Xavier Dphrepaulezz—Fantastic Negrito—sat down with RIFF editors Daniel J. Willis…
    • Music industry planning 'Black Out Tuesday' shutdown as protest
      Music industry planning ‘Black Out Tuesday’ shutdown as protest
      May 31, 2020 at 10:44 pm
        View this post on Instagram   Say my name. A post shared by Warner Music (@warnermusic) on May 29, 2020 at 9:46am PDT As anger…
      San Francisco lays out reopening timeline, again ruling out Outside Lands in August
      San Francisco lays out reopening timeline, again ruling out Outside Lands in August
      May 28, 2020 at 3:12 pm
      Judah & the Lion perform at Outside Lands, San Francisco on Aug. 11, 2019. Joaquin Cabello/STAFF. San Francisco Mayor London Breed on Thursday laid out the…
    • Stanford Live announces 2020-21 season, hoping for the best
      Stanford Live announces 2020-21 season, hoping for the best
      May 27, 2020 at 11:59 am
      Bing Concert Hall at Stanford University. Courtesy: Jeff Goldberg. Stanford Live today announced its 2020-’21 season schedule, with a plan to kick off in September, acknowledging…
      The Mother Hips' Tim Bluhm to play first Bay Area on-stage performance since March
      The Mother Hips’ Tim Bluhm to play first Bay Area on-stage performance since March
      May 20, 2020 at 7:26 pm
      The Mother Hips perform during Bear Music Fest at the Gold Campfire stage in Pinecrest, Calif. on Sept. 10, 2016. FILE photo. The first Bay Area…
    • BottleRock launches streaming series fundraiser to benefit Napa, music industry workers
      BottleRock launches streaming series fundraiser to benefit Napa, music industry workers
      May 20, 2020 at 9:59 am
      Muse performs at BottleRock Napa Valley in Napa on May 25, 2018. Alessio Neri/STAFF. BottleRock Napa Valley may have gotten postponed to October, but the festival…
      James Taylor reschedules "American Standard' tour, Chase Center date
      James Taylor reschedules “American Standard’ tour, Chase Center date
      May 19, 2020 at 11:39 am
      James Taylor has announced the rescheduled dates supporting his new album, American Standard. The tour had previously been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new…
    • MUTEK goes digital in 2020 as 'NEXUS Experience,' announces initial artists
      MUTEK goes digital in 2020 as ‘NEXUS Experience,’ announces initial artists
      May 15, 2020 at 8:59 am
      MUTEK SF 2019, Courtesy: Bruno Destombes. Electronica, audiovisual and digital art festival MUTEK will present a two-day online event called NEXUS Experience in place of its…
      North America's first "drive-in festival" to take place next month in Orlando
      North America’s first “drive-in festival” to take place next month in Orlando
      May 14, 2020 at 8:23 pm
      The Road Rave Heavy-hitter DJs Carnage, Riot Ten, Blunts & Blondes, Nitti Gritti and Gravedgr​ have joined forces for a concert that’s being called the first-ever drive-in festival…
    • SF Ballet streaming ballet set to M83's 'Hurry Up, We're Dreaming'
      SF Ballet streaming ballet set to M83’s ‘Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming’
      May 14, 2020 at 6:10 pm
      San Francisco Ballet in Peck’s ‘Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming.’ Courtesy: Erik Tomasson. In 2018 San Francisco Ballet premiered a ballet set to sections of M83’s critically…
      Entertainment safety advocacy issues guidelines for the return of concerts
      Entertainment safety advocacy issues guidelines for the return of concerts
      May 14, 2020 at 12:37 pm
      Kehlani performs at the Greek Amphitheater in Berkeley on June 23, 2017. The biggest question at the top of the minds of music fans, artists, club…
    • 2020 Stern Grove Festival canceled
      2020 Stern Grove Festival canceled
      May 14, 2020 at 9:29 am
      Courtesy: Stern Grove Festival. What would have been the 83rd annual Stern Grove Festival has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, producers announced on Thursday.…
      SWMRS' Max Becker determined to return stronger after brain injury, pandemic
      SWMRS’ Max Becker determined to return stronger after brain injury, pandemic
      May 11, 2020 at 3:30 am
      Max Becker of SWMRS performs at Live 105’s BFD 2017 at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View on June 10, 2017. Alessio Neri/STAFF. SWMRS’ Max Becker doesn’t…
    • Oakland Athletics to host a Fantastic Negrito concert for 510 Day
      Oakland Athletics to host a Fantastic Negrito concert for 510 Day
      May 10, 2020 at 8:25 am
      Celebrating the East Bay the Town way. Tomorrow. A’s x @BukueOne x @MusicNegrito. 5pm PT. https://t.co/sQHZoks8UF #510Day pic.twitter.com/xtp9HIS2VM — Oakland A's (@Athletics) May 10, 2020 In…
      Obituary: Why the sad face for Little Richard, a man who epitomized the joy of rock and roll?
      Obituary: Why the sad face for Little Richard, a man who epitomized the joy of rock and roll?
      May 9, 2020 at 2:41 pm
      Little Richard poses for a portrait in circa 1957. Photo: Michael Ochs. Little Richard will forever be responsible for my daughter’s name. The same could be…
    • SF Sketchfest opens its video vault for COVID-19 fundraiser
      SF Sketchfest opens its video vault for COVID-19 fundraiser
      May 8, 2020 at 8:31 pm
      SF Sketchfest Roast of Peaches Christ on Jan. 13, 2019 at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco. Fans of independent comedy festival SF Sketchfest may now…
      Weezer to release new music on Sunday's episode of 'The Simpsons'
      Weezer to release new music on Sunday’s episode of ‘The Simpsons’
      May 8, 2020 at 6:42 pm
      Weezer many have pushed back the release of its new album, Van Weezer, but the band isn’t shying away from releasing new music. But while many…
    • Michael Bublé reschedules tour, date at SF's Chase Center
      Michael Bublé reschedules tour, date at SF’s Chase Center
      May 8, 2020 at 9:53 am
      Michael Bublé has rescheduled his “An Evening With Michael Bublé” tour to the winter of 2021. The Grammy Award-winning singer will now perform at Chase Center…
      The Wild West of album releases during the COVID-19 pandemic
      The Wild West of album releases during the COVID-19 pandemic
      May 8, 2020 at 2:30 am
      Stacks of compact discs sit on spindles. Courtesy: Joe McNally/Getty Images. Lady Gaga did it. So did Alicia Keys, then Sam Smith, Rufus Wainwright, The Dixie…
    • SF-born rapper Watsky raises more than $145k, sets world record for longest continuous rap
      SF-born rapper Watsky raises more than $145k, sets world record for longest continuous rap
      May 7, 2020 at 6:09 pm
      Rapper Watsky approaches the end of his 33-hour rap-a-thon to fundraise for COVID-19 relief for artists and music industry workers. Updated May 8 at 2 p.m.…
      Obituary: Kraftwerk's Florian Schneider dead of cancer at 73
      Obituary: Kraftwerk’s Florian Schneider dead of cancer at 73
      May 6, 2020 at 3:45 pm
      Florian Schneider with Kraftwerk. Courtesy. Influential band Kraftwerk on Wednesday announced that pioneering electronic musician Florian Schneider died of cancer a few days after his 73rd birthday…
    • RIFF RADIO: Talinda Bennington turns adversity into strength with 320 Changes Direction
      RIFF RADIO: Talinda Bennington turns adversity into strength with 320 Changes Direction
      May 6, 2020 at 12:30 am
      Talinda Bennington, Courtesy: Big Picture Media. The many shelter-in-place orders nationwide have impacted just about every part of society. While the circumstances are difficult for some,…
      Noise Pop rolls out streaming shows to benefit local venues
      Noise Pop rolls out streaming shows to benefit local venues
      May 1, 2020 at 6:02 pm
      K.Flay performs at the Fox Theater in Oakland on Sept. 7 2019. Chloe Catajan/STAFF. Noise Pop, which had recently announced a new online membership program and…
    • Rage Against the Machine reschedules reunion tour, Oakland Arena dates
      Rage Against the Machine reschedules reunion tour, Oakland Arena dates
      May 1, 2020 at 3:29 pm
      Rage Against the Machine performs at the Vegoose Music Festival in Las Vegas on Oct. 28, 2007. Courtesy: Scott Penner. Rage Against the Machine on Friday…
      Phish postpones tour, San Francisco shows to 2021
      Phish postpones tour, San Francisco shows to 2021
      May 1, 2020 at 1:15 pm
      Phish. Courtesy of Chase Center. Prolific jam band Phish has postponed its U.S. tour, which included two shows at Chase Center in late July, by a…
    • Concerts will mark the final step of ending California's shelter-in-place, but what does that mean?
      Concerts will mark the final step of ending California’s shelter-in-place, but what does that mean?
      April 30, 2020 at 2:30 am
      The Chapel. Courtesy photo. It’s still not clear when concerts may return in California, along with sporting events and other large gatherings, but Gov. Gavin Newsom…
      SF Symphony cancels majority of remaining concerts, announces fundraising efforts
      SF Symphony cancels majority of remaining concerts, announces fundraising efforts
      April 29, 2020 at 12:05 pm
      The San Francisco Symphony with music director Michael Tilson Thomas, during rehearsal at Davies Symphony Hall on Nov. 2, 2016. Courtesy of SF Symphony. Following the…
    • Berkeley's Freight & Salvage donates $60,000 to Bay Area artists
      Berkeley’s Freight & Salvage donates $60,000 to Bay Area artists
      April 28, 2020 at 9:47 pm
      San Francisco Giants third base coast Tim Flannery (R) and Jeff Berkley perform at Freight & Salvage in Berkeley on Jan. 23, 2013. Martin Lacey/STAFF. The…
      Independent concert venues centralize as NIVA, lobby for federal COVID-19 support
      Independent concert venues centralize as NIVA, lobby for federal COVID-19 support
      April 23, 2020 at 5:52 pm
      The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. Courtesy. More than 800 concert venues nationwide, including 25 in the Bay Area, have joined forces under the…
    • INTERVIEW: Amoeba Founder Marc Weinstein on the future of the business amid coronavirus crisis
      INTERVIEW: Amoeba Founder Marc Weinstein on the future of the business amid coronavirus crisis
      April 21, 2020 at 6:16 pm
      Amoeba Music Berkeley in October 2008. Courtesy: Andreas Praefcke. In less than 48 hours, Amoeba Music has raised more than one-fourth of its $400,000 fundraising goal.…
      Noise Pop expands COVID-19 fundraising with merch, digital membership, streaming series
      Noise Pop expands COVID-19 fundraising with merch, digital membership, streaming series
      April 21, 2020 at 12:06 am
      Cafe Du Nord on Feb. 20, 2018. Jane Hu/STAFF. Facing an uncertain summer, concert producer Noise Pop has expanded the number of ways in which Bay…
    • Ticketmaster, Live Nation, AEG to offer refunds for postponed shows; StubHub offers credit
      Ticketmaster, Live Nation, AEG to offer refunds for postponed shows; StubHub offers credit
      April 19, 2020 at 3:58 pm
      Ticketmaster and Live Nation tickets. Adam Pardee/STAFF. While much of the world is coming together to share resources in an attempt to mitigate the financial and…
      SFJAZZ announces Fridays at Five streaming performance schedule
      SFJAZZ announces Fridays at Five streaming performance schedule
      April 14, 2020 at 3:17 pm
      The Preservation Hall Jazz Band performs at Miner Auditorium in San Francisco on Aug. 10, 2019. Courtesy: Drew Altizer. SFJAZZ has started a streaming performance schedule…
    • Gov. Gavin Newsom: Gatherings of hundreds or thousands of people unlikely through the end of the summer
      Gov. Gavin Newsom: Gatherings of hundreds or thousands of people unlikely through the end of the summer
      April 14, 2020 at 1:02 pm
      Attendees at Outside Lands at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco photographed on Aug. 12, 2019. In a public address Tuesday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said…
      Michelin-starred chef Mourad Lahlou on helping laid-off workers and the future of food service
      Michelin-starred chef Mourad Lahlou on helping laid-off workers and the future of food service
      April 13, 2020 at 12:15 am
      Chefs Mourad Lahlou and Frank Hanes prepare meals at Aziza in San Francisco on April 11, 2020. Onome Uyovbievbo/STAFF. Alongside arts and entertainment, perhaps no other…
    • SF Ballet turns to crowdfunding to keep employees paid, looks to the future
      SF Ballet turns to crowdfunding to keep employees paid, looks to the future
      April 10, 2020 at 4:30 am
      Gabriela Gonzalez (center) performs in ‘Sandpaper Ballet,’ during the SF Ballet 2020 season. Courtesy: Erik Tomasson/SF Ballet. The nonprofit SF Ballet, facing the loss of $9.5…
      Side Door allows artists to monetize online performances with ticketed concerts
      Side Door allows artists to monetize online performances with ticketed concerts
      April 10, 2020 at 12:29 am
      Side Door livestream, Courtesy photo. For the past few Saturdays, award-winning musician Dan Mangan has played a show for hundreds of fans online. That in itself…
    • INTERVIEW: Chuck Billy of Testament on promoting a new album while recovering from COVID-19
      INTERVIEW: Chuck Billy of Testament on promoting a new album while recovering from COVID-19
      April 8, 2020 at 5:30 am
      Chuck Billy (center) and the rest of Testament. Courtesy photo. If these were typical times, East Bay thrash metal rockers Testament would have been in the…
      Obituary: John Prine, American songwriting icon, dead at 73 of COVID-19
      Obituary: John Prine, American songwriting icon, dead at 73 of COVID-19
      April 7, 2020 at 10:43 pm
      John Prine performs at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on Dec. 31, 2016. Photo: Amiee Stubbs. John Prine, one of America’s greatest homespun songwriters,…
    • Obituary: Bill Withers had rare gifts for a regular guy
      Obituary: Bill Withers had rare gifts for a regular guy
      April 3, 2020 at 1:53 pm
      I didn’t know Bill Withers was black until I’d already come to know his music. As a kid, I constantly confused him with Van Morrison all…
      BREAKING: ALT 105.3 lays off music director Aaron Axelsen
      BREAKING: ALT 105.3 lays off music director Aaron Axelsen
      April 2, 2020 at 7:42 pm
      Aaron Axelsen performs at Live 105’s BFD 2017 at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View on June 10, 2017. Alessio Neri/STAFF Entercom Radio on Thursday announced companywide…
    • Burger Boogaloo moves to Halloween weekend
      Burger Boogaloo moves to Halloween weekend
      April 2, 2020 at 11:06 am
      Dead Boys perform at Burger Boogaloo at Mosswood Park in Oakland on July 6, 2019. Oakland’s two-day music festival Burger Boogaloo has moved to Halloween Weekend.…
      Metallica to donate $350,000 to various COVID-19 relief efforts
      Metallica to donate $350,000 to various COVID-19 relief efforts
      April 2, 2020 at 9:44 am
      Metallica performs at the All Within My Hands concert and auction at the Masonic in San Francisco on Nov. 11, 2018. Courtesy. Metallica on Thursday announced…
    • INTERVIEW: Fantastic Negrito on finding peace with fan-sourced COVID-19 video for "Chocolate Samurai"
      INTERVIEW: Fantastic Negrito on finding peace with fan-sourced COVID-19 video for “Chocolate Samurai”
      March 30, 2020 at 8:42 pm
      Fantastic Negrito performs at the UC Theatre in Berkeley on Oct. 14, 2017. Karen Goldman/STAFF. Two-time Grammy winner Fantastic Negrito is spending the quarantine with his…
      Tame Impala reschedules tours, including SF stop
      Tame Impala reschedules tours, including SF stop
      March 30, 2020 at 10:52 am
      Tame Impala performs at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Sept. 2, 2016. Photos: Diana Cordero Tame Impala has rescheduled several tours and will now perform…
    • BREAKING: John Prine hospitalized in critical condition with COVID-19
      BREAKING: John Prine hospitalized in critical condition with COVID-19
      March 29, 2020 at 6:45 pm
      John Prine, Courtesy: Eric Frommer Americana and country singer-songwriter great John Prine has been hospitalized since Thursday with COVID-19 and is now in critical condition and…
      Roger Waters postpones 2020 tour, including September Chase Center dates
      Roger Waters postpones 2020 tour, including September Chase Center dates
      March 27, 2020 at 10:57 am
      Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters on Friday postponed his entire 2020 ‘This Is Not A Drill’ tour, which was set to begin July 8 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and included…
    • G-Eazy and Larkin Street Youth Services to feed San Francisco at-risk youth for a month
      G-Eazy and Larkin Street Youth Services to feed San Francisco at-risk youth for a month
      March 26, 2020 at 1:29 pm
      G-Eazy performs at The New Parish in Oakland on Jan. 26, 2019. Joaquin Cabello/STAFF. Bay Area native G-Eazy and his Endless Summer Fund are partnering with…
      San Francisco to offer financial aid to local artists and arts organizations
      San Francisco to offer financial aid to local artists and arts organizations
      March 25, 2020 at 2:35 pm
      San Francisco band Terry Gross performs at The Ivy Room in Albany, Calf. on Feb. 7, 2020. San Francisco will offer financial assistance to local artists…
    • Sofi Tukker, Taking Back Sunday, Amanda Palmer and Tank and the Bangas to perform at Bandsintown fundraiser for artists
      Sofi Tukker, Taking Back Sunday, Amanda Palmer and Tank and the Bangas to perform at Bandsintown fundraiser for artists
      March 25, 2020 at 12:43 pm
      Concert discovery platform Bandsintown will host a two-day live music marathon Thursday and Friday to benefit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund. The marathon will be broadcast on the…
      Goldenvoice extends concert postponements through May
      Goldenvoice extends concert postponements through May
      March 23, 2020 at 12:47 pm
      The Warfield photographed on Nov. 26, 2016. STAFF FILE PHOTO. Goldenvoice, which books shows at the Warfield, the Regency Ballroom, as well as other halls and…
    • Bill Graham Civic Auditorium was considered to house homeless as COVID-19 prevention
      Bill Graham Civic Auditorium was considered to house homeless as COVID-19 prevention
      March 21, 2020 at 8:38 pm
      Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. The San Francisco Human Services Agency had considered using the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium to house people dealing…
      SF CHRONICLE: Slim's, venerable San Francisco night club, closes its doors
      SF CHRONICLE: Slim’s, venerable San Francisco night club, closes its doors
      March 21, 2020 at 8:20 pm
      Slim’s nightclub. Courtesy: Ted-Maider. After more than 30 years Slim’s has hosted its last concert. The nightclub will not be reopening when the regional shelter-in-place order…
    • How to Help: Donate to help keep Bay Area music alive during the shelter-in-place
      How to Help: Donate to help keep Bay Area music alive during the shelter-in-place
      March 21, 2020 at 11:09 am
      Healing Potpourri performs at Rickshaw Stop in San Francisco on April 11, 2017. STAFF PHOTO. With the entire state of California shut down for the foreseeable…
      Bandcamp donating 100 percent of all purchases directly to artists on March 20
      Bandcamp donating 100 percent of all purchases directly to artists on March 20
      March 20, 2020 at 12:12 pm
      Bandcamp is donating 100 percent of all purchases through 11:59 p.m. today directly to artists. The streaming and music download service, which works with many independent…
    • Bay Area artists to perform 17-hour streaming event this weekend
      Bay Area artists to perform 17-hour streaming event this weekend
      March 19, 2020 at 1:15 pm
      More than two dozen Bay Area artists have quickly organized a two-day streaming event called “Pandemica Online.” Led by Avi Vincour of Goodnight, Texas, the the…
      Run For Cover Records to donate all Bandcamp purchases directly to its artists
      Run For Cover Records to donate all Bandcamp purchases directly to its artists
      March 18, 2020 at 11:47 pm
      Wicca Phase Springs Eternal performs at Slim’s in San Francisco on Dec. 9, 2018. Joaquin Cabello/STAFF. Looking for a way to help independent artists? Then you…
    • BREAKING: BottleRock Napa Valley postponed to October
      BREAKING: BottleRock Napa Valley postponed to October
      March 18, 2020 at 12:29 pm
      Khalid performs on the Free Spirit World Tour at Oracle Arena in Oakland on June 28, 2019. The producers of BottleRock Napa announced that the festival…
      From Madonna to construction cranes: 3 stories of coronavirus' impact on the music industry
      From Madonna to construction cranes: 3 stories of coronavirus’ impact on the music industry
      March 18, 2020 at 1:27 am
      The Independent in San Francisco, closed, on March 16, 2020. Ohio singer-songwriter Angela Perley began March by canceling her band’s important first showcase appearance at South…

Features

    • INTERVIEW: Eurythmics' Dave Stewart finds an unlikely partnership in Stewart Lindsey
      INTERVIEW: Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart finds an unlikely partnership in Stewart Lindsey
      July 6, 2020 at 3:30 am
      Dave Stewart and Thomas Lindsey (Stewart Lindsey), Courtesy. Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart is a tough man to reach as he waits out the COVID-19 pandemic on a…
    • SF Symphony trombonist Nick Platoff on finding his voice in a pandemic, the departure of Michael Tilson Thomas
      SF Symphony trombonist Nick Platoff on finding his voice in a pandemic, the departure of Michael Tilson Thomas
      July 3, 2020 at 3:30 am
      Nick Platoff of the San Francisco Symphony, Courtesy. By March 15, Nick Platoff had concluded the lease on his San Francisco apartment and had completely moved…
    • INTERVIEW: Chelsea Collins turns to '07 Britney' to find her own peace
      INTERVIEW: Chelsea Collins turns to ’07 Britney’ to find her own peace
      July 1, 2020 at 5:30 am
      Chelsea Collins, Courtesy. When Chelsea Collins hit a stressful patch in her life, the singer-songwriter went to an unorthodox place to vent her feelings in song: the…
    • INTERVIEW: Chester Bennington origin story told through Grey Daze's 'Amends'
      INTERVIEW: Chester Bennington origin story told through Grey Daze’s ‘Amends’
      June 22, 2020 at 3:30 am
      Grey Daze. Clockwise from top left: Mace Beyers, Cristin Davis, Sean Dowdell and Chester Bennington. Courtesy. Before Linkin Park’s world tours, diamond-selling albums and legions of adoring fans,…
    • INTERVIEW: Rufus Wainwright ready to open his next chapter
      INTERVIEW: Rufus Wainwright ready to open his next chapter
      June 17, 2020 at 3:30 am
      Rufus Wainwright. Courtesy. Rufus Wainwright got a dog. He’s not necessarily a dog person, but his 9-year-old daughter, Viva, wanted one, and the shelter-in-place order in…
    • INTERVIEW: KT Tunstall on reminding fans to 'Wash Ya Hands,' England's slave trade protest
      INTERVIEW: KT Tunstall on reminding fans to ‘Wash Ya Hands,’ England’s slave trade protest
      June 15, 2020 at 3:30 am
      KT Tunstall performs at Great American Music Hall in San Francisco on Oct. 19, 2018. Joaquin Cabello/STAFF. With COVID-19 cases surging across the United States and…
    • INTERVIEW: The Sounds’ Maja Ivarsson looks forward to post-pandemic life with a new album
      INTERVIEW: The Sounds’ Maja Ivarsson looks forward to post-pandemic life with a new album
      June 12, 2020 at 1:30 am
      Maja Ivarsson (center) and The Sounds release their seventh album, “Things We Do For Love,” on June 12. Courtesy. As the world continues to grapple with…
    • INTERVIEW: Evie Irie up to the challenge, raises the stakes for her second EP
      INTERVIEW: Evie Irie up to the challenge, raises the stakes for her second EP
      June 10, 2020 at 2:30 am
      Evie Irie, Courtesy. Just a few years ago, when Australian soul-pop singer-songwriter Evie Irie was still in high school, it wasn’t music but sports on her…

Podcasts

    • Rock'N Vino: Jackson Family Wines pivot to preserve jobs, deliver wine
      Rock’N Vino: Jackson Family Wines pivot to preserve jobs, deliver wine
      May 10, 2020 at 12:30 am
      Courtesy: Jackson Family Wines. As unemployment caused by the coronavirus pandemic continues to rise, some are taking steps to adapt to keep their employees working. Much…
    • RIFF RADIO: Talinda Bennington turns adversity into strength with 320 Changes Direction
      RIFF RADIO: Talinda Bennington turns adversity into strength with 320 Changes Direction
      May 6, 2020 at 12:30 am
      Talinda Bennington, Courtesy: Big Picture Media. The many shelter-in-place orders nationwide have impacted just about every part of society. While the circumstances are difficult for some,…
    • Rock'N Vino: Wine Country adapts to coronavirus shelter-in-place order
      Rock’N Vino: Wine Country adapts to coronavirus shelter-in-place order
      April 11, 2020 at 5:30 am
      No industry has been left untouched by the impact of the coronavirus and the subsequent stay-at-home orders issued around the country. While we’ve documented the impacts…
    • RIFF RADIO: Jen Ledger's hard rock ride that almost never was
      RIFF RADIO: Jen Ledger’s hard rock ride that almost never was
      March 9, 2020 at 3:30 am
      SACRAMENTO — Jen Ledger is in an upbeat mood hours before her evening playing double duty: drumming for Skillet and fronting her own band, which will…

Album Reviews

    • ALBUM REVIEW: Margo Price recaptures country essence on 'That's How Rumors Get Started'
      ALBUM REVIEW: Margo Price recaptures country essence on ‘That’s How Rumors Get Started’
      July 9, 2020 at 12:01 am
      Margo Price has become the roots foil for the likes of Kane Brown with her commitment to thoughtful storytelling and wholesome musicality. Pop country’s current affinity for…
      ALBUM REVIEW: The Jayhawks let themselves be guided by other voices on 'XOXO'
      ALBUM REVIEW: The Jayhawks let themselves be guided by other voices on ‘XOXO’
      July 8, 2020 at 3:30 am
      Longtime Jayhawks leader Gary Louris has been saying he wanted to get his bandmates more involved in songwriting and singing lead than they have been on…
    • ALBUM REVIEW: The Streets' latest ensures that "None Of Us Are Getting Out Of This Life Alive"
      ALBUM REVIEW: The Streets’ latest ensures that “None Of Us Are Getting Out Of This Life Alive”
      July 7, 2020 at 2:30 am
      London has cultivated a popular and distinct hip-hop scene. Its eventual merge with the city’s underground electronic music scene in the 2000s led to grime, with…
      ALBUM REVIEW: Rufus Wainwright explores contentment on 'Unfollow The Rules'
      ALBUM REVIEW: Rufus Wainwright explores contentment on ‘Unfollow The Rules’
      July 6, 2020 at 3:30 am
      Rules are meant to be broken, or so the saying goes. Rufus Wainwright has spent the better part of 20 years ignoring the rulebook and forging…
    • ALBUM REVIEW: Dream Wife explores its more intimate side on 'So When You Gonna...'
      ALBUM REVIEW: Dream Wife explores its more intimate side on ‘So When You Gonna…’
      July 2, 2020 at 2:30 am
      Icelandic-U.K. trio Dream Wife is back following its 2018 self-titled debut. Sophomore album So When You Gonna… finds the band on both ends of the pop-punk spectrum. From…
      ALBUM REVIEW: Paul Weller does it all 'On Sunset,' latest solo album
      ALBUM REVIEW: Paul Weller does it all ‘On Sunset,’ latest solo album
      June 30, 2020 at 3:30 am
      Paul Weller is practically royalty in his native Britain. The former frontman for the punk band The Jam, and the more musically sophisticated The Style Council,…
    • ALBUM REVIEW: Willie Nelson shines his guiding light on 'First Rose of Spring'
      ALBUM REVIEW: Willie Nelson shines his guiding light on ‘First Rose of Spring’
      June 29, 2020 at 3:30 am
      For millennia, humans set their course by the stars. These fiery celestial lighthouses that burned with such eternal constancy served as a compass point for our…
      ALBUM REVIEW: Jessie Ware time travels on 'What's Your Pleasure?'
      ALBUM REVIEW: Jessie Ware time travels on ‘What’s Your Pleasure?’
      June 25, 2020 at 9:00 pm
      On her fourth studio album, Jessie Ware looked to tap into the club sounds that inspired her. The result is What’s Your Pleasure?, a musical time…
    • REVIEW: Bell Witch and Aerial Ruin form a folk-doom power trio on 'Stygian Bough Volume 1'
      REVIEW: Bell Witch and Aerial Ruin form a folk-doom power trio on ‘Stygian Bough Volume 1’
      June 25, 2020 at 3:30 am
      Those who appreciate the clean singing on Bell Witch‘s past few albums have Erik Moggridge of Aerial Ruin to thank. The neo-folk artist’s contributions to the Seattle funeral…

Listen Now

    • REWIND: Top R&B songs through the decades show it's less a genre than a label
      REWIND: Top R&B songs through the decades show it’s less a genre than a label
      July 4, 2020 at 3:30 am
      The Weeknd performs at Golden Gate Park during Outside Lands on Aug. 10, 2018. Joaquin Cabello/STAFF. Welcome to the second month of RIFF Rewind’s ongoing Black…
      Six albums you should pick up on Bandcamp Friday
      Six albums you should pick up on Bandcamp Friday
      July 2, 2020 at 6:41 pm
      Bandcamp Friday July 3, 2020. Clockwise from left: clipping., Hum, Vile Creature, Moses Sumney, SAULT and Braids. If anyone has a unique opportunity to support independent…

Q&A Interviews

    • Q&A: Sinéad Harnett morphs into pandemic 'Quarantine Queen'
      Q&A: Sinéad Harnett morphs into pandemic ‘Quarantine Queen’
      June 24, 2020 at 2:30 am
      Sinéad Harnett, Courtesy. After her debut album, Lessons In Love, brought her into the global spotlight in 2019, north London R&B and soul singer Sinéad Harnett looks forward…
    • Q&A: Dedric Clark of Social Animals on losing his 'Best Years' and finding new ones
      Q&A: Dedric Clark of Social Animals on losing his ‘Best Years’ and finding new ones
      June 8, 2020 at 7:57 am
      Social Animals. Courtesy of Rise Records. When you’re desperate for paying work, you take anything available to you. That was the case for Duluth, Minnesota’s Social…
    • Fantastic Negrito on protests, growing up on the street, and the George Floyd video
      Fantastic Negrito on protests, growing up on the street, and the George Floyd video
      June 4, 2020 at 11:58 pm
      Fantastic Negrito photographed in downtown Oakland on June 3, 2020. Jane Hu/STAFF. On Wednesday, June 3, Xavier Dphrepaulezz—Fantastic Negrito—sat down with RIFF editors Daniel J. Willis…
    • Q&A: Oakland's Ultra Q drops quarantine EP, ponders future after shelter-in-place
      Q&A: Oakland’s Ultra Q drops quarantine EP, ponders future after shelter-in-place
      May 27, 2020 at 3:30 am
      Ultra Q, Courtesy: Andrew Diaz. Some bands can get by on streaming royalties for a while in the event of a catastrophic pandemic, but Oakland’s Ultra…
    • INTRODUCING K.O.: DJ and visual artist Ko Lee steps into a new realm with "Sadderday"
      INTRODUCING K.O.: DJ and visual artist Ko Lee steps into a new realm with “Sadderday”
      May 25, 2020 at 5:30 am
      K.O. (Ko Lee). Ko Lee is still new to writing and recording her original songs as K.O., but the Angeleno has been making art of the…
    • Q&A: Katelyn Tarver on her mental health, trying new recipes during quarantine
      Q&A: Katelyn Tarver on her mental health, trying new recipes during quarantine
      April 27, 2020 at 5:30 am
      Katelyn Tarver. Courtesy of Girlie Action. By the time Katelyn Tarver won on episode of NBC’s “Songland” in 2019, she was already an accomplished artist. Hot…
    • Q&A: André Allen Anjos on his new RAC album and earning a paycheck during the concert blackout
      Q&A: André Allen Anjos on his new RAC album and earning a paycheck during the concert blackout
      April 20, 2020 at 5:30 am
      André Allen Anjos (RAC), Courtesy: Jules Davies. It’s March 48 (who’s keeping track, though?) and musician-producer André Allen Anjos, better known as RAC, seems happy to…
    • Q&A: Colin Dieden of the Mowgli's sets out on his own as Little Hurt
      Q&A: Colin Dieden of the Mowgli’s sets out on his own as Little Hurt
      March 25, 2020 at 2:30 am
      Little Hurt, Courtesy: KayKay Blaisdell. Colin Dieden became friends with Cameron Walker-Wright and brothers John and Stephen Gomez (pop trio TWIN XL), when he was still the lead vocalist…
    • Introducing Ayane Yamazaki: Japanese artist finds release in layers of pop
      Introducing Ayane Yamazaki: Japanese artist finds release in layers of pop
      December 19, 2019 at 5:30 am
      Ayane Yamazaki, Courtesy. Ayane Yamazaki was 11 when she discovered Haruki Murakami’s novel Kafka on the Shore. The themes within Murakami’s story, especially concerning the power of…

Opinion

    • Insert Foot: Live Nation fooling itself into believing it's an essential business
      Insert Foot: Live Nation fooling itself into believing it’s an essential business
      June 28, 2020 at 3:30 am
      Insert Foot vs. Live Nation. A Live Nation memo leaked earlier this month indicating that North America’s largest promoter of live events will shake down performers…
    • Insert Foot: Face to face with Neil Sedaka without any pants
      Insert Foot: Face to face with Neil Sedaka without any pants
      June 21, 2020 at 3:30 am
      Insert Foot Vs. partially naked Neil Sedaka and holy shoes. I took my mom somewhere today because I inadvertently made the mistake of telling her I…
    • Guest column: Finnegan Bell of Love Ghost on the journey to being 'Fine'
      Guest column: Finnegan Bell of Love Ghost on the journey to being ‘Fine’
      June 19, 2020 at 3:30 am
      Love Ghost, Courtesy: Jess Reynolds. Editor’s note: Finnegan Bell of L.A. band Love Ghost wrote the band’s new song, “I’ll be ‘Fine,'” a year ago, but…
    • Insert Foot: Lady Antebellum or Lady A: what exactly is in a name?
      Insert Foot: Lady Antebellum or Lady A: what exactly is in a name?
      June 14, 2020 at 12:43 am
      Rendering: Adam Pardee/STAFF. Lady A, also known as the artists formerly known as Lady Antebellum, isn’t having a good week. Neither is Lady A. One moment…
    • Insert Foot: When social unrest comes to the suburbs, does anything really change?
      Insert Foot: When social unrest comes to the suburbs, does anything really change?
      June 7, 2020 at 3:30 am
      Black Lives Matter protestors begin their march from Civic Park in Walnut Creek on June 5, 2020. Roman Gokhman/STAFF. If you want to understand the relationship…

Festival News

    • BottleRock launches streaming series fundraiser to benefit Napa, music industry workers
      BottleRock launches streaming series fundraiser to benefit Napa, music industry workers
      May 20, 2020 at 9:59 am
      Muse performs at BottleRock Napa Valley in Napa on May 25, 2018. Alessio Neri/STAFF. BottleRock Napa Valley may have gotten postponed to October, but the festival…
      MUTEK goes digital in 2020 as 'NEXUS Experience,' announces initial artists
      MUTEK goes digital in 2020 as ‘NEXUS Experience,’ announces initial artists
      May 15, 2020 at 8:59 am
      MUTEK SF 2019, Courtesy: Bruno Destombes. Electronica, audiovisual and digital art festival MUTEK will present a two-day online event called NEXUS Experience in place of its…
    • BREAKING: BottleRock Napa Valley postponed to October
      BREAKING: BottleRock Napa Valley postponed to October
      March 18, 2020 at 12:29 pm
      Khalid performs on the Free Spirit World Tour at Oracle Arena in Oakland on June 28, 2019. The producers of BottleRock Napa announced that the festival…
      Outside Lands Eager Beaver tickets go on sale Thursday
      Outside Lands Eager Beaver tickets go on sale Thursday
      March 10, 2020 at 10:00 am
      Twenty One Pilots perform at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco during the Outside Lands Music Festival on Aug. 11, 2019. Joaquin Cabello/STAFF. The producers of…
    • Empire of the Sun, Modest Mouse headline annual Sonoma Harvest Music Festival
      Empire of the Sun, Modest Mouse headline annual Sonoma Harvest Music Festival
      March 9, 2020 at 7:59 am
      Empire of the Sun performs at Golden Gate Park at Outside Lands on Aug, 12, 2017. Alessio Neri/STAFF. Sonoma Harvest Music Festival producers Monday announced the…
      Noise Pop Review: Slow Hollows plays their last SF show at Cafe Du Nord
      Noise Pop Review: Slow Hollows plays their last SF show at Cafe Du Nord
      March 1, 2020 at 5:54 am
      Slow Hollows perform at Cafe Du Nord in San Francisco on Feb. 29, 2020. Gary Chancer/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — San Fernando Valley’s Slow Hollows had been…
    • Noise Pop Review: Best Coast celebrates all things California at the Regency Ballroom
      Noise Pop Review: Best Coast celebrates all things California at the Regency Ballroom
      March 1, 2020 at 4:33 am
      Best Coast performs at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco on Feb. 29, 2020. Onome Uyovbievbo/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — Best Coast, fresh off releasing its fourth…
      Noise Pop Review: Jacques Greene, NAVVI look like the past's future at Starline Social Club
      Noise Pop Review: Jacques Greene, NAVVI look like the past’s future at Starline Social Club
      March 1, 2020 at 3:31 am
      Jacques Greene performs at Starline Social Club in Oakland on February 29, 2020. Kate Vides/STAFF. OAKLAND — Saturday night’s show at the Starline Social Club was…
    • Noise Pop Review: Bag Raiders unleash signature synth-and bass-combo at the Independent
      Noise Pop Review: Bag Raiders unleash signature synth-and bass-combo at the Independent
      February 29, 2020 at 9:29 am
      Bag Raiders perform at The Independent in San Francisco on Feb. 28, 2020. Gary Chancer/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — Australian turned L.A. electro-disco duo Bag Raiders came out…

Concert Reviews

    • REVIEW: KISS and David Lee Roth say goodbye to Oakland (maybe)
      REVIEW: KISS and David Lee Roth say goodbye to Oakland (maybe)
      March 7, 2020 at 2:12 am
      KISS performs at the Oakland Arena in Oakland on March 6, 2020. Gary Chancer/STAFF. OAKLAND — The Centers for Disease Control was likely not happy with…
      REVIEW: Brothers of a Feather Chris and Rich Robinson take SF to The Chapel
      REVIEW: Brothers of a Feather Chris and Rich Robinson take SF to The Chapel
      March 7, 2020 at 1:33 am
      Chris and Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes perform as Brothers of a Feather at The Chapel in San Francisco on March 6, 2020. Roman Gokhman/STAFF.…
    • REVIEW: I've seen The Struts' act before, but it worked again at the Warfield
      REVIEW: I’ve seen The Struts’ act before, but it worked again at the Warfield
      March 4, 2020 at 7:42 am
      The Struts perform at The Warfield in San Francisco on March 3, 2020. Gary Chancer/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO —  Somewhere near the end of their wild rock…
      Noise Pop Review: Slow Hollows plays their last SF show at Cafe Du Nord
      Noise Pop Review: Slow Hollows plays their last SF show at Cafe Du Nord
      March 1, 2020 at 5:54 am
      Slow Hollows perform at Cafe Du Nord in San Francisco on Feb. 29, 2020. Gary Chancer/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — San Fernando Valley’s Slow Hollows had been…
    • Noise Pop Review: Best Coast celebrates all things California at the Regency Ballroom
      Noise Pop Review: Best Coast celebrates all things California at the Regency Ballroom
      March 1, 2020 at 4:33 am
      Best Coast performs at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco on Feb. 29, 2020. Onome Uyovbievbo/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — Best Coast, fresh off releasing its fourth…
      Noise Pop Review: Jacques Greene, NAVVI look like the past's future at Starline Social Club
      Noise Pop Review: Jacques Greene, NAVVI look like the past’s future at Starline Social Club
      March 1, 2020 at 3:31 am
      Jacques Greene performs at Starline Social Club in Oakland on February 29, 2020. Kate Vides/STAFF. OAKLAND — Saturday night’s show at the Starline Social Club was…
    • Noise Pop Review: Bag Raiders unleash signature synth-and bass-combo at the Independent
      Noise Pop Review: Bag Raiders unleash signature synth-and bass-combo at the Independent
      February 29, 2020 at 9:29 am
      Bag Raiders perform at The Independent in San Francisco on Feb. 28, 2020. Gary Chancer/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — Australian turned L.A. electro-disco duo Bag Raiders came out…
      Noise Pop Review: Raphael Saadiq comes home to Oakland
      Noise Pop Review: Raphael Saadiq comes home to Oakland
      February 29, 2020 at 2:57 am
      Raphael Saadiq. Courtesy of Sony Music. OAKLAND — Raphael Saadiq is from here. East Oakland, specifically. He’s an alum of Castlemont High, his mom worked at…
    • REVIEW: Miranda Lambert in cruise control at SAP Center 'Wildcard' stop
      REVIEW: Miranda Lambert in cruise control at SAP Center ‘Wildcard’ stop
      February 29, 2020 at 1:41 am
      Miranda Lambert performs at SAP Center in San Jose on Feb. 28, 2020. Courtesy: Tyler Conrad. SAN JOSE — Miranda Lambert covered all the bases at…
      Noise Pop Review: Shigeto Live Ensemble blends jazz and electronic loops at the New Parish
      Noise Pop Review: Shigeto Live Ensemble blends jazz and electronic loops at the New Parish
      February 28, 2020 at 8:08 am
      Shigeto Live Ensemble performs at The New Parish in Oakland on Feb. 27, 2020. Sean Liming/STAFF. OAKLAND — Underground electronic musician Zachary Saginaw, better known by…
    • Noise Pop Review: Joan and Ralph hold power pop rendezvous at Swedish American Hall
      Noise Pop Review: Joan and Ralph hold power pop rendezvous at Swedish American Hall
      February 27, 2020 at 6:14 am
      Joan performs at Swedish American Hall in San Francisco on Feb. 26, 2020. Sean Liming/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — One of the most compelling aspects of Noise…
      REVIEW: Warpaint's Jennylee and TT converge solo endeavors at Noise Pop
      REVIEW: Warpaint’s Jennylee and TT converge solo endeavors at Noise Pop
      February 26, 2020 at 8:55 am
      Jennylee & TT perform at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco on Feb. 25, 2020. Joaquin Cabello/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — “We have some special things…
    • Noise Pop: The Jungle Giants mess around and make a new friend at the Independent
      Noise Pop: The Jungle Giants mess around and make a new friend at the Independent
      February 26, 2020 at 7:27 am
      The Jungle Giants perform at The Independent in San Francisco on Feb. 25, 2020. Derek Simmons/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — For those worried that indie rock has…
      REVIEW: Injury Reserve puts the noise in Noise Pop at the New Parish
      REVIEW: Injury Reserve puts the noise in Noise Pop at the New Parish
      February 25, 2020 at 7:15 am
      Injury Reserve performs at the New Parish in Oakland on Feb. 25, 2020. Onome Uyovbievbo/STAFF. OAKLAND — For a festival with “noise” right there in the…
    • REVIEW: Alter Bridge gets down to business at the Regency Ballroom
      REVIEW: Alter Bridge gets down to business at the Regency Ballroom
      February 24, 2020 at 7:20 am
      Alter Bridge performs at The Regency Ballroom in San Francisco on Feb. 23, 2020. Photos: Chloe Catajan. SAN FRANCISCO — The idea that a band mellows…
      REVIEW: Electric Hot Tuna darts between schools of guitar at the Fillmore
      REVIEW: Electric Hot Tuna darts between schools of guitar at the Fillmore
      February 23, 2020 at 7:47 am
      Hot Tuna performs at The Sing out for SEVA benefit concert at The Fillmore in San Francisco, on Nov. 2, 2013. Derek Simmons/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO —…
    • REVIEW: George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic create joyful chaos at Cornerstone
      REVIEW: George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic create joyful chaos at Cornerstone
      February 19, 2020 at 8:17 am
      George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic perform at Cornerstone in Berkeley on Feb. 18, 2020. BERKELEY — “Godfather of Funk” George Clinton performed for two full hours Tuesday at…
      REVIEW: Chris Carrabba leads Dashboard Confessional in night of singalongs at The Fillmore
      REVIEW: Chris Carrabba leads Dashboard Confessional in night of singalongs at The Fillmore
      February 16, 2020 at 9:20 am
      Dashboard Confessional performs at The Fillmore in San Francisco on Feb. 15, 2020. Joaquin Cabello/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — Dashboard Confessional singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba was the first to…
    • REVIEW: Tones and I bring 'Dance Monkey' and a whole lot of intimacy to Popscene
      REVIEW: Tones and I bring ‘Dance Monkey’ and a whole lot of intimacy to Popscene
      February 16, 2020 at 8:06 am
      Tones and I perform at Popscene in San Francisco on Feb. 15, 2020. Alessio Neri/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — Riding a wave of success with smash hit…