Photos: Jay Demetillo   OAKLAND — Backed with dream-like visuals and synth-heavy beats, Washed Out enamored the Fox Theater crowd one song after another on Wednesday night. Playing most of his songs off his new album, Mister Mellow, Ernest Greene has come a long way as a musician. From creating beats in…

Photos: Jay Demetillo BERKELEY — Decked out in black jackets with the words “The Lords of Portland” written on them, Portugal. The Man took the stage and enthralled a packed Greek Theatre Friday night during a co-headlining track with Local Natives. Although the band is better known for its earlier psychedelic rock, Portugal. The Man’s set showed…

Photos: Jay Demetillo OAKLAND — As soon as J. Cole reached the stage, made up like a prison break, the orange jumpsuit-clad rapper unleashed his lyrical prowess upon the sold-out crowd. Known for his storytelling and audience engagement, J. Cole didn’t disappoint on the first night of a two-night stand at Oracle Arena.…

Photos: Jay Demetillo BERKELEY — Kehlani grew up in Oakland and attended Berkeley High School, not too far from the Greek Theatre. At her sold-out show Friday, the second of two East Bay gigs this week, the R&B singer-songwriter drew massive cheers when she proclaimed, “I walked down this stage when I…

Photos: Jason Demetillo OAKLAND — With a colorful collage of ambient video backdrops and instrumentation, NorCal visual artist and ambient electronic music composer Scott Hansen kicked off the world tour supporting Grammy-nominated album Epoch at the Fox Theater. The album is the fifth for Hansen, who goes by Tycho. He set the sold…

Photos: Jay Demetillo SAN FRANCISCO — Traditionally, at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, people embrace the mantra “New Year, New Me.” That may very well have been the case with the official grand opening of the San Francisco Armory as an event venue, as well as…