Bloc Party performs at The Masonic in San Francisco on Nov. 20, 2019. Alessio Neri/Staff. SAN FRANCISCO — It’s been a while since Bloc Party has performed in the Bay Area. Wednesday, the British band, one of the last acts from the mid-aughts post-punk revival still active, finally returned, playing…

Tash Sultana performs at The Fox Theater in Oakland on Nov. 29, 2018. Alessio Neri/STAFF. OAKLAND — In less than two years, Australian multi-instrumentalist looping artist Tash Sultana has risen from performing at the Swedish American Music Hall to headlining consecutive nights at the Fox Theater. Over that time, the artist…

The Joy Formidable performs at The Independent in San Francisco on Oct. 18. 2018. SAN FRANCISCO — The Joy Formidable returned to the Bay Area following the release of its new album, Aaarth. The Welsh trio played at The Independent to an energetic, joyful and formidable crowd. The band’s heavy…

Korn performs at The Masonic in San Francisco on Sept. 12, 2018. Photos: Alessio Neri SAN FRANCISCO — Korn, one of the leading bands of the late ’90s nu-metal movement, brought its Follow The Leader 20th anniversary tour to the Masonic Wednesday night. The show was separated into three acts,…

Photos: Alessio Neri OAKLAND — Nineties alt-rock superstars Smashing Pumpkins brought their Shiny Oh So Bright quasi-reunion tour to the Oracle Arena on Monday, with a marathon three-hour setlist that mined the band’s hits, deeps cuts and frontman Billy Corgan’s often idiosyncratic cover song selections. The Pumpkins’ set began with…

Gang of Youths perform at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco on May 22, 2018. Alessio Neri/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — The Bottom of the Hill stage was too small for Australian rockers Gang of Youths Tuesday. The quintet, led by enigmatic Dave Leaupepe, blasted off from the very first…

Photos: Alessio Neri SAN JOSE — A Perfect Circle performed Wednesday at San Jose State University, promoting the band’s forthcoming album, Eat the Elephant. It may be no coincidence that the band’s long-overdue fourth album (it has been 14 years since A Prefect Circle last release a long-player)will be released on…

Photos: Alessio Neri SAN FRANCISCO — During a firework of a headlining set that lasted just 39 minutes, Manchester’s Pale Waves ignited a nostalgic reverie at The Chapel. Singer-guitarist Heather Baron-Gracie, drummer Ciara Doran, bassist Charlie Wood and guitarist Hugo Silvani burned brightly for about 10 songs, most of which would…

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds perform at The Fox Theater in Oakland on March 10, 2018. Alessio Neri/STAFF. OAKLAND — Noel Gallagher brought his band, the High Flying Birds, the the Fox Theater Saturday. The former Oasis lead guitarist recently released  his latest album, Who Built The Moon. Kicking things off with the…

Photos: Alessio Neri BERKELEY — Ty Dolla $ign brought his “Don’t Judge Me” tour at The UC Theatre on the penultimate night of the 2018 Noise Pop Music and Arts Festival. The Angeleno rapper (real name Tyrone William Griffin Jr.) kicked off his sold-out show with “Wavvy,” “Saved” and “Blasé.” He also performed his…