• PREMIERE: Eric Silverman reevaluates the past on "Rookie," misplaces his faith on "Losing Touch"
    Feb 26 2020
    01:30 AM

    PREMIERE: Eric Silverman reevaluates the past on “Rookie,” misplaces his faith on “Losing Touch”

    Roman Gokhman No Comments 172
    Eric Silverman, Courtesy photo. Eric Silverman had his initial brush with success as the guitarist with San Francisco indie pop band Heartwatch, but he’s finally back Friday with the release of his debut solo EP, a guitar-driven journey to his own roots. Quinn DeVeaux and the Blue Beat…
  • REVIEW: Injury Reserve puts the noise in Noise Pop at the New Parish
    Feb 25 2020
    07:15 AM

    REVIEW: Injury Reserve puts the noise in Noise Pop at the New Parish

    Roman Gokhman No Comments 310
    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 name, there was no more appropriate way to kick off than with Injury Reserve, one the noisiest alternative hip-hop groups making waves…
  • Tuesday Tracks: Your Weekly New Music Discovery - Feb. 25
    Feb 25 2020
    05:30 AM

    Tuesday Tracks: Your Weekly New Music Discovery – Feb. 25

    Chloe Catajan No Comments 168
    Clockwise from top left: Gracie Abrams, Charlotte Dos Santos, The Districts, Yael Naim, Yoste and Knuckle Puck. 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…
  • REVIEW: George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic create joyful chaos at Cornerstone
    Feb 19 2020
    08:17 AM

    REVIEW: George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic create joyful chaos at Cornerstone

    Alexander Baechle No Comments 1,089
    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 Cornerstone as his large ensemble, laid down distinguished grooves and tested the party stamina of the sold-out crowd. Chant-along refrains and opportunities to…
  • INTERVIEW: William DuVall of Alice In Chains finds musical rediscovery on 'One Alone'
    Feb 19 2020
    01:30 AM

    INTERVIEW: William DuVall of Alice In Chains finds musical rediscovery on ‘One Alone’

    Mike DeWald No Comments 547
    William DuVall, Courtesy Photo. William DuVall has covered a lot of musical ground over his expansive nearly 30-year career. From the mid-’80s to the present day, DuVall has played in a number of bands rooted in rock, ranging from hardcore punk to ’90s grunge. Since 2006, he’s been…
  • 11 Noise Pop fest acts you shouldn't miss this month
    Feb 17 2020
    10:11 PM

    11 Noise Pop fest acts you shouldn’t miss this month

    Josiah Skallerup No Comments 855
    Washed Out performs at the Fox Theater in Oakland on Aug. 16, 2017. The project of Ernest Greene will perform a DJ set several days before Noise Pop 2020 kicks off next week. RIFF STAFF. San Francisco’s yearly Noise Pop Music Festival always seems to feature a billionty…
  • Interview: How actor-comedian Brian Posehn made an album with Slipknot's Corey Taylor and Weird Al
    Feb 17 2020
    05:30 AM

    Interview: How actor-comedian Brian Posehn made an album with Slipknot’s Corey Taylor and Weird Al

    Daniel J. Willis No Comments 3,527
    Brian Posehn performs at ID10T Festival at Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View on June 25, 2017. Chloe Catajan/Staff. You’ve definitely seen Brian Posehn as an actor. Even if the name doesn’t ring a bell, you’ve seen him in something. He has 119 acting credits on IMDb. In the…
  • REVIEW: Chris Carrabba leads Dashboard Confessional in night of singalongs at The Fillmore
    Feb 16 2020
    09:20 AM

    REVIEW: Chris Carrabba leads Dashboard Confessional in night of singalongs at The Fillmore

    Alexander Baechle No Comments 826
    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 take the stage at the Fillmore on Saturday, performing “Best Deceptions” alone, with his down-tuned acoustic guitar. It could have been an…
  • REVIEW: Tones and I bring 'Dance Monkey' and a whole lot of intimacy to Popscene
    Feb 16 2020
    08:06 AM

    REVIEW: Tones and I bring ‘Dance Monkey’ and a whole lot of intimacy to Popscene

    Rachel Goodman 1 Comment 1,407
    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 “Dance Monkey,” pop singer-songwriter Toni Watson, better known as Tones and I, brought her first major U.S. tour to Popscene at the Rickshaw…
  • INTERVIEW: Lisa Loeb ready to share her life more openly on her first 'adult' album in 7 years
    Feb 13 2020
    05:30 AM

    INTERVIEW: Lisa Loeb ready to share her life more openly on her first ‘adult’ album in 7 years

    Roman Gokhman No Comments 796
    Lisa Loeb, Courtesy: Juan Patino. Lisa Loeb was in uncharted waters when, in 1994, “Stay (I Missed You)” rose to the top spot of the Billboard 100 chart. Loeb became the first artist without a record label to accomplish that feat. Looking back, she said she never imagined…
  • REVIEW: Sinéad O'Connor rules as 'Queen' at August Hall
    Feb 08 2020
    12:30 AM

    REVIEW: Sinéad O’Connor rules as ‘Queen’ at August Hall

    Roman Gokhman No Comments 1,408
    Sinead O’Connor performs at August Hall in San Francisco on Feb. 7, 2020. Gary Chancer/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — Taking the stage in a blue hijab and burqa, Irish singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor walked onto the August Hall stage with her band, said a quick hello and while applause was…
  • INTERVIEW: Walk Off the Earth grapple with loss by looking for what's most important
    Feb 06 2020
    05:30 AM

    INTERVIEW: Walk Off the Earth grapple with loss by looking for what’s most important

    Roman Gokhman 3 Comments 2,152
    Walk Off the Earth, Courtesy: Andrea Hunter. It’s a typical day for Walk Off the Earth, so the Ontario, Canada band is working on multiple songs, filming a video and  making another song that will be used during hockey broadcasts—a sort of “Hockey Night in Canada,” vocalist-instrumentalist Sarah…

Features

    • Interview: How actor-comedian Brian Posehn made an album with Slipknot's Corey Taylor and Weird Al
      Interview: How actor-comedian Brian Posehn made an album with Slipknot’s Corey Taylor and Weird Al
      February 17, 2020 at 5:30 am
      Brian Posehn performs at ID10T Festival at Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View on June 25, 2017. Chloe Catajan/Staff. You’ve definitely seen Brian Posehn as an actor.…
    • INTERVIEW: Lisa Loeb ready to share her life more openly on her first 'adult' album in 7 years
      INTERVIEW: Lisa Loeb ready to share her life more openly on her first ‘adult’ album in 7 years
      February 13, 2020 at 5:30 am
      Lisa Loeb, Courtesy: Juan Patino. Lisa Loeb was in uncharted waters when, in 1994, “Stay (I Missed You)” rose to the top spot of the Billboard…
    • INTERVIEW: Walk Off the Earth grapple with loss by looking for what's most important
      INTERVIEW: Walk Off the Earth grapple with loss by looking for what’s most important
      February 6, 2020 at 5:30 am
      Walk Off the Earth, Courtesy: Andrea Hunter. It’s a typical day for Walk Off the Earth, so the Ontario, Canada band is working on multiple songs,…
    • INTERVIEW: Stone Temple Pilots channel loss into expression on acoustic 'Perdida'
      INTERVIEW: Stone Temple Pilots channel loss into expression on acoustic ‘Perdida’
      February 3, 2020 at 5:30 am
      Stone Temple Pilots. Courtesy: PR Brown. The path for ’90s grunge stalwarts Stone Temple Pilots has long been lined with roses and thorns. The band has…
    • Interview: Thievery Corporation's Rob Garza gets optimistic with his new solo project
      Interview: Thievery Corporation’s Rob Garza gets optimistic with his new solo project
      January 31, 2020 at 5:30 am
      Rob Garza of Thievery Corporation. Courtesy: Andrzej Liguz. Rob Garza zigged when the rest of the music industry zagged. In this era of political chaos and…
    • INTERVIEW: Junkyard finds new life three decades after MTV
      INTERVIEW: Junkyard finds new life three decades after MTV
      January 29, 2020 at 5:30 am
      Junkyard in 2017. Courtesy of the band. Junkyard guitarist Tim Mosher says he was washed up at 25. That was 28 years ago. Danko Jones, Junkyard,…
    • INTERVIEW: Theory of a Deadman matures through message on dark 'Say Nothing'
      INTERVIEW: Theory of a Deadman matures through message on dark ‘Say Nothing’
      January 27, 2020 at 5:30 am
      Theory Of A Deadman. Courtesy: Jimmy Fontaine. While Theory of a Deadman made its name on heavy riffs and post-grunge anthems, the Canadian band is singing…
    • INTERVIEW: Israeli duo Lola Marsh definitively back with 'Someday Tomorrow Maybe'
      INTERVIEW: Israeli duo Lola Marsh definitively back with ‘Someday Tomorrow Maybe’
      January 20, 2020 at 5:30 am
      Lola Marsh, Courtesy: Michal Topyol. Listening to folky pop duo Lola Marsh may bring a tinge of Laurel Canyon AM Gold sound to mind; of ocean…

Podcasts

    • Rock'N Vino: Joy Sterling prepares for her third act with Iron Horse Vineyards
      Rock’N Vino: Joy Sterling prepares for her third act with Iron Horse Vineyards
      December 18, 2019 at 10:18 pm
      Joy Sterling of Iron Horse Vineyards. Courtesy. Iron Horse Vineyards CEO Joy Sterling sees her life as a series of acts. Her first was rooted in journalism.…
    • Rock'N Vino: Distiller Rob Dietrich plays metal for Metallica's Blackened Whiskey barrels
      Rock’N Vino: Distiller Rob Dietrich plays metal for Metallica’s Blackened Whiskey barrels
      November 16, 2019 at 9:22 am
      Rob Dietrich of Blackened American Whiskey. The fusion of music and the development of craft beverage is not a foreign concept at its core. Vintners have…
    • Rock'N Vino: Live from Aftershock with Motionless In White, Sick Puppies and Evan Konrad
      Rock’N Vino: Live from Aftershock with Motionless In White, Sick Puppies and Evan Konrad
      October 16, 2019 at 11:51 pm
      Chris Cerulli of Motionless in White photographed backstage at Aftershock in Sacramento, California on Oct. 11, 2019. Last weekend’s Aftershock Festival had not only great hard…
    • RIFF RADIO: SF Symphony's Edwin Outwater reflects on Metallica S&M2 concerts
      RIFF RADIO: SF Symphony’s Edwin Outwater reflects on Metallica S&M2 concerts
      October 8, 2019 at 5:30 am
      San Francisco Symphony performs with Metallica in S&M2, the 20th anniversary of the original S&M performance, and the inaugural concert at Chase Center in San Francisco.…

News

    • K-pop group NCT 127 returns with second album on March 6
      K-pop group NCT 127 returns with second album on March 6
      February 13, 2020 at 11:44 pm
      K-pop superstars NCT 127 on Thursday night announced their forthcoming sophomore album, NCT #127 Neo Zone. The album will be released on March 6 and come in…
      Rage Against the Machine expands reunion to full tour, to play Oakland Arena
      Rage Against the Machine expands reunion to full tour, to play Oakland Arena
      February 10, 2020 at 2:23 pm
      Rage Against the Machine Public Service Announcement Tour. UPDATE 2/13/2020: Ticketmaster announced a second show on April 23 due to high demand. Tickets are now on…
    • Janet Jackson announces new album, tour, San Jose and Sacramento shows
      Janet Jackson announces new album, tour, San Jose and Sacramento shows
      February 10, 2020 at 1:34 pm
        View this post on Instagram   Hey U Guys! I’ve heard all your wishes and now from my lips to your ears. I’m working on…
      Gang of Four's Andy Gill dead at 64 of pneumonia
      Gang of Four’s Andy Gill dead at 64 of pneumonia
      February 2, 2020 at 9:46 am
      Andy Gill of Gang of Four performs at The Chapel in San Francisco on Feb. 9, 2019. Gary Chancer/Staff. Influential punk band Gang of Four announced the death…

Concert Reviews

    • 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…
      REVIEW: Big Business corporatizes heavy riffage at The Ivy Room
      REVIEW: Big Business corporatizes heavy riffage at The Ivy Room
      February 8, 2020 at 9:40 am
      Big Business performs at The Ivy Room in Albany, Calf. on Feb. 7, 2020. Photos: Meri Brin. ALBANY, Calif. — Two-thirds of the way through Big Business‘…
    • REVIEW: Sinéad O'Connor rules as 'Queen' at August Hall
      REVIEW: Sinéad O’Connor rules as ‘Queen’ at August Hall
      February 8, 2020 at 12:30 am
      Sinead O’Connor performs at August Hall in San Francisco on Feb. 7, 2020. Gary Chancer/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — Taking the stage in a blue hijab and…
      REVIEW: Avengers SuperM assemble to push K-Pop in smoother direction at SAP Center
      REVIEW: Avengers SuperM assemble to push K-Pop in smoother direction at SAP Center
      February 3, 2020 at 12:55 am
      SuperM performs at at The Forum in Inglewood, California, on Feb. 1, 2020. Courtesy SM Entertainment. SAN JOSE —Composed of members from four groups, SuperM has…
    • REVIEW: Caroline Polachek balances brooding and bounce at The Independent
      REVIEW: Caroline Polachek balances brooding and bounce at The Independent
      February 1, 2020 at 8:53 am
      SAN FRANCISCO — The stage at The Independent was bare save for a small shrine lit by electric candles. Projected onto the back curtain was a…
      REVIEW: Poppy lights up the Great American Music Hall at 'I Disagree' Tour opener
      REVIEW: Poppy lights up the Great American Music Hall at ‘I Disagree’ Tour opener
      January 23, 2020 at 6:21 am
      Poppy performs at Great American Music Hall in San Francisco on Jan. 22, 2020. Photos: Chloe Catajan SAN FRANCISCO — The opening night of any tour…
    • REVIEW: King Princess serenades her subjects at the Fox in Oakland
      REVIEW: King Princess serenades her subjects at the Fox in Oakland
      January 22, 2020 at 1:15 am
      King Princess performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on Jan. 21, 2020. OAKLAND — King Princess has found her audience on the “Cheap Queen Tour.” Brooklyn…
      REVIEW: Elbow presents a night at the 'Oakland Love Spa'
      REVIEW: Elbow presents a night at the ‘Oakland Love Spa’
      January 21, 2020 at 7:42 am
      Elbow performs at the Fox Theater in Oakland on Jan. 20, 2020. Martin Lacey/Staff. OAKLAND — Elbow frontman Guy Garvey was admittedly in a peculiar mood…
    • REVIEW: Amber Liu lets the past go at self-affirming Warfield show
      REVIEW: Amber Liu lets the past go at self-affirming Warfield show
      January 19, 2020 at 2:50 am
      Amber Liu performs at the Warfield in San Francisco on Jan. 18, 2020. Onome Uyovbievbo/Staff. SAN FRANCISCO — Los-Angeles-born singer-songwriter Amber Liu, formerly of successful K-Pop…
      REVIEW: Rex Orange County revels in pop delight at the Masonic
      REVIEW: Rex Orange County revels in pop delight at the Masonic
      January 17, 2020 at 7:41 am
      Rex Orange County performs at The Masonic in San Francisco on Jan. 16, 2020. Onome Uyovbievbo/Staff. SAN FRANCISCO — In a year when cynicism is widely…
    • REVIEW: Ty Segall bares it all in acoustic set at Starline Social Club in Oakland
      REVIEW: Ty Segall bares it all in acoustic set at Starline Social Club in Oakland
      January 15, 2020 at 8:06 am
      Ty Segall performs at Starline Social Club in Oakland on Jan. 14, 2020. Photos: Karen Goldman. OAKLAND — Loud distortion on an electric guitar can blur…
      REVIEW: Ramblin' Jack Elliott entertains with folk standards at The Chapel
      REVIEW: Ramblin’ Jack Elliott entertains with folk standards at The Chapel
      January 13, 2020 at 8:39 am
      Ramblin’ Jack Elliot performs at The Chapel in San Francisco on Jan. 12, 2020. Photos: Onome Uyovbievbo. SAN FRANCISCO — Fans of folk and Americana got…
    • REVIEW: Blackalicious wows with relentless raps at Yoshi's
      REVIEW: Blackalicious wows with relentless raps at Yoshi’s
      January 10, 2020 at 7:52 am
      Blackalicious performs at Yoshi’s in Oakland on Jan. 9, 2020. Photos: Sean Liming. OAKLAND — Yoshi’s hosted the connoisseur’s choice in hip-hop Thursday as celebrated duo Blackalicious…

Photos + Recaps

    • PHOTOS: Luke James shows love, is loved right back at Brick & Mortar
      PHOTOS: Luke James shows love, is loved right back at Brick & Mortar
      February 16, 2020 at 10:10 am
      Luke James performs at Brick & Mortar in San Francisco, Feb. 15, 2020. Onome Uyovbievbo/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — Two-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Luke James made his way to the…
      PHOTOS: Seventeen shows strength in numbers in San Jose
      PHOTOS: Seventeen shows strength in numbers in San Jose
      January 22, 2020 at 1:41 am
      Seventeen (SVT) performs on the Ode to You World Tour at the SAP Center in San Jose on Jan. 21, 2020. Steve Carlson/Staff. SAN JOSE —…

Album Reviews

    • ALBUM REVIEW: Caribou explores musical immediacy on 'Suddenly'
      ALBUM REVIEW: Caribou explores musical immediacy on ‘Suddenly’
      February 25, 2020 at 5:30 am
      Dan Snaith, better known as Caribou, looked to distill his musical message following 2014’s critically acclaimed Our Love. That album looked at the concept of love at its…
      ALBUM REVIEW: James Taylor meets the ‘American Standard’ on his 20th LP
      ALBUM REVIEW: James Taylor meets the ‘American Standard’ on his 20th LP
      February 24, 2020 at 5:30 am
      A title like American Standard doesn’t hide what James Taylor has in mind this time around. Twenty albums into a storied career, it’s hard to think of a way…
    • QUICK TAKE: BTS expands on its past with 'Map of the Soul: 7'
      QUICK TAKE: BTS expands on its past with ‘Map of the Soul: 7’
      February 21, 2020 at 8:05 am
      Korean superstars BTS released their hotly anticipated seventh studio album, Map of the Soul: 7, and the record number of fans who preordered it won’t be…
      ALBUM REVIEW: Ozzy Osbourne makes a human statement with 'Ordinary Man'
      ALBUM REVIEW: Ozzy Osbourne makes a human statement with ‘Ordinary Man’
      February 20, 2020 at 9:10 pm
      Cultural phenomenon Ozzy Osbourne is a hard man to pin down. Is he the originator of the look and feel of heavy metal? A guy who…
    • REVIEW: Grimes delivers a dire warning call as Earth's underworld angel on 'Miss Anthropocene'
      REVIEW: Grimes delivers a dire warning call as Earth’s underworld angel on ‘Miss Anthropocene’
      February 20, 2020 at 6:00 am
      The effects of climate change are overtaking the Earth, and people seem essentially powerless to stop it. What is a humble synth-pop producer from Canada to…
      ALBUM REVIEW: Sightless Pit's debut sets the bar for extreme music crossovers
      ALBUM REVIEW: Sightless Pit’s debut sets the bar for extreme music crossovers
      February 20, 2020 at 12:30 am
      Lingua Ignota, The Body and Full of Hell—three of extreme music’s most exciting projects, are joined at the hip. Over the past decade, The Body has…
    • ALBUM REVIEW: COIN tries something new but doesn't ignore its roots on 'Dreamland'
      ALBUM REVIEW: COIN tries something new but doesn’t ignore its roots on ‘Dreamland’
      February 19, 2020 at 5:30 am
      Just when you thought ’80s-inspired, feel-good, pop music had been played out, Nashville’s COIN has come to correct you. On third offering Dreamland, the band’s first since 2017’s…
      ALBUM REVIEW: Best Coast's Bethany Cosentino is reborn anew on 'Always Tomorrow'
      ALBUM REVIEW: Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino is reborn anew on ‘Always Tomorrow’
      February 18, 2020 at 5:30 am
      “This album is the story of a second chance,” Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast said about the duo’s new LP, Always Tomorrow. The definition of a second chance, loosely…
    • REVIEW: Great American Ghost supercharges Boston hardcore on ‘Power Through Terror’
      REVIEW: Great American Ghost supercharges Boston hardcore on ‘Power Through Terror’
      February 14, 2020 at 12:01 am
      Whether it’s Randy Blythe in Lamb of God or Jesse Leach in Killswitch Engage, a lot of metalcore bands boil down to a metal act fronted…

Listen Now

    • Tuesday Tracks: Your Weekly New Music Discovery - Feb. 25
      Tuesday Tracks: Your Weekly New Music Discovery – Feb. 25
      February 25, 2020 at 5:30 am
      Clockwise from top left: Gracie Abrams, Charlotte Dos Santos, The Districts, Yael Naim, Yoste and Knuckle Puck. Every week, there’s a plethora of new music at…
      REWIND: Now playing over the writer's headphones: DEVO and Yoko Ono
      REWIND: Now playing over the writer’s headphones: DEVO and Yoko Ono
      February 22, 2020 at 9:21 am
      I joke about running out of column ideas a lot in the intros to these things. And in the tagline to every column for over a…

Videos

    • REVIEW: King Princess serenades her subjects at the Fox in Oakland
      REVIEW: King Princess serenades her subjects at the Fox in Oakland
      January 22, 2020 at 1:15 am
      King Princess performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on Jan. 21, 2020. OAKLAND — King Princess has found her audience on the “Cheap Queen Tour.” Brooklyn…
      REVIEW: Amber Liu lets the past go at self-affirming Warfield show
      REVIEW: Amber Liu lets the past go at self-affirming Warfield show
      January 19, 2020 at 2:50 am
      Amber Liu performs at the Warfield in San Francisco on Jan. 18, 2020. Onome Uyovbievbo/Staff. SAN FRANCISCO — Los-Angeles-born singer-songwriter Amber Liu, formerly of successful K-Pop…

Slideshows

    • SLIDESHOW: Big Wild at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
      SLIDESHOW: Big Wild at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
      December 1, 2019 at 8:20 am
      Big Wild performs at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco on Nov. 30, 2019. Photos: Joaquin Cabello. SAN FRANCISCO — Having made the jump from producer…
      SLIDESHOW: MIKA and Kiesza play new songs, new arrangements at the Fillmore
      SLIDESHOW: MIKA and Kiesza play new songs, new arrangements at the Fillmore
      September 18, 2019 at 11:53 pm
      MIKA performs at The Fillmore in San Francisco on Sept. 18, 2019. Photos: Joaquin Cabello SAN FRANCISCO — MIKA brought his Tiny Love Tiny Tour to the Fillmore Wednesday,…

FESTIVAL NEWS

    • 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…
    • 11 Noise Pop fest acts you shouldn't miss this month
      11 Noise Pop fest acts you shouldn’t miss this month
      February 17, 2020 at 10:11 pm
      Washed Out performs at the Fox Theater in Oakland on Aug. 16, 2017. The project of Ernest Greene will perform a DJ set several days before…
      SF Sketchfest: Jonathan Coulton, Paul and Storm and friends return to Sketchfest
      SF Sketchfest: Jonathan Coulton, Paul and Storm and friends return to Sketchfest
      January 20, 2020 at 7:28 am
        View this post on Instagram   Sketchfest2020 Jonathan Coulton, Paul & Storm with Molly Lewis, Jean Grae and Rhett Miller @SAH 01-19-20 #sketchfest2020 #jonathancoulton #paulandstorm…
    • SF Sketchfest: MST3K's Jonah Ray makes Weird Al punk with 'You Can't Call Me Al'
      SF Sketchfest: MST3K’s Jonah Ray makes Weird Al punk with ‘You Can’t Call Me Al’
      January 19, 2020 at 9:44 am
      SAN FRANCISCO — Without context, all the evidence pointed to Jonah Ray’s appearance at Cafe du Nord being primarily a comedy show. For one thing, Ray…
      High Sierra Music Festival announces initial lineup and on-sales
      High Sierra Music Festival announces initial lineup and on-sales
      January 13, 2020 at 9:02 pm
      Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Femi Kuti & The Positive Force and Lettuce are among the first wave of acts announced to perform at the 30th annual High…
    • SF Sketchfest: The Monkees' Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz are 'believers' once again
      SF Sketchfest: The Monkees’ Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz are ‘believers’ once again
      January 13, 2020 at 12:05 am
      Moderator Paul Myers (L) with The Monkees’ Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz at Marines’ Memorial Theatre on Jan. 12, 2020. Courtesy: Dan Dion. SAN FRANCISCO —…
      SF Sketchfest: The Rocky Horror Picture Show is still as good as it's been for 45 years
      SF Sketchfest: The Rocky Horror Picture Show is still as good as it’s been for 45 years
      January 12, 2020 at 8:52 am
      Barry Bostwick, Patricia Quinn, and Nell Campbell at Castro Theatre in San Francisco on Jan. 12, 2020. Onome Uyovbievbo/Staff. SAN FRANCISCO — The night began with…
    • BottleRock releases daily lineups, one-day tickets on-sale Thursday
      BottleRock releases daily lineups, one-day tickets on-sale Thursday
      January 8, 2020 at 8:59 am
      Anderson .Paak performs at The Masonic Auditorium in San Francisco on Feb. 11, 2019. Shawn Robbins/Staff. Organizers for BottleRock Napa Valley teased that an an on-sale…

Opinion

    • Professor Music: This column is Devolving
      Professor Music: This column is Devolving
      January 26, 2020 at 5:30 am
      In January of 1977 Devo’s guitarist, Bob Casale, came up with a riff. By the end of the afternoon the band had morphed it into their…
      RIFF's 2019 in Review... in review!
      RIFF’s 2019 in Review… in review!
      January 6, 2020 at 5:30 am
      Are you already nostalgic for 2019? Did holiday events make you miss any of RIFF’s 2019 in Review coverage? Is it your first day back at…