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 singer-songwriter Mikaela Mullaney Straus lapped up the adoration at her show at the Fox Theater on Tuesday. It was a packed house of doting…

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 at his band’s show at the Fox Theater on Monday. “I’m really enjoying this,” the chatty Garvey said halfway through. “Full disclosure: I’ve…

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 group f(x), was all smiles at The Warfield on Saturday, the second night of her second tour as a solo artist. Liu, who…

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 available, and often quite convincing, a pop star’s optimism invokes a healthy skepticism. On record, Rex Orange County wavers at times from tween-pop…

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 away imperfections in a performance, hiding mistakes and in some cases lack of ability. Ty Segall, known for his extensive use of guitar…

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 a rare opportunity Sunday to witness one of the early progenitors of the style. Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, a contemporary of Woody Guthrie and…

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 returned to Oakland. Performing a career-spanning set in just over an hour, the energetic team thrived in the friendly atmosphere of the 310-seat…

Willie Nelson performs at the Fillmore on Jan. 8, 2020. Photo: Nick Buckmaster. SAN FRANCISCO — An eclectic audience turned up at the Fillmore Wednesday to witness country superstar Willie Nelson perform the second of three sold-out nights in the City. Willie Nelson and Family Tennessee Jet 8 p.m.,…

SAN FRANCISCO — “You must have really good taste in music,” said Preservation Hall Jazz Band bassist and tuba player Ben Jaffe shortly before midnight as the group and the remaining members of a second line parade that had just marched through the Fillmore to the stage synched up…

Dead & Company perform at Chase Center in San Francisco on Dec. 30, 2019. Photos: Gary Chancer. SAN FRANCISCO — Dead & Company’s Dec. 30 show at Chase Center was both a Grateful Dead concert and, at the same time, not a Grateful Dead concert. Dead & Company 8…