Minna Choi (left) and Magik*Magik Orchestra, Courtesy: 7X7. For five years, Magik*Magik Orchestra has played the role of sidekick to artists from San Francisco’s The Dodos to singer-songwriter John Vanderslice to Sting. When We Were Young: Magik*Magik Orchestra with The Dodos, Geographer, Rogue Wave and more 8 p.m., Tuesday,…

Marina and the Diamonds perform on April 17, 2015 at the Warfield in San Francisco. Roman Gokhman/STAFF. This is the final part in a five-part series. Read how I’m scoring my list and find out about my “special consideration” acts in PART 1, the runners-up in PART 2, 15 through 11…

Franz Ferdinand performs at the Fox Theater in Oakland on April 28, 2014. Roman Gokhman/STAFF. This is the fourth in a five-part series. Read how I’m scoring my list and find out about my “special consideration” acts in PART 1, the runners-up in PART 2, and 15 through 11 in PART…

Bastille performs at then Warfield in San Francisco on April 10, 2014. Photos courtesy: Jon Ching. This is the third in a five-part series. Read how I’m scoring my list and find out about my “special consideration” acts in Part 1, HERE, and the runners-up in Part 2, HERE. 15. Bastille at…

Jessie Ware performs at The Chapel in San Francisco on Oct. 21, 2014. This is the second in a five-part series. Read how I’m scoring my list and find out about my “special consideration” acts HERE. I call these next three shows the runners-up because I didn’t want to have…

Muse performs at Oracle Arena in Oakland on Dec. 15, 2015. I doubt I’ll ever get to go to as many concerts as I did in 2013. My goal was see 50, and I saw 64. In judging what I enjoyed most, I decided to grade based on my…

Arcade Fire performs during Live 105 Not So Silent Night at Oracle Arena in Oakland on Dec. 7, 2013. Roman Gokhman/STAFF. Photos and videos of Arcade Fire, Phoenix, Alt-J, Lorde, Bastille, NONONO, The Neighbourhood and The Colourist. Arcade Fire performs during Live 105 Not So Silent Night at Oracle…

Pearl Jam perform at Oracle Arena in Oakland on Nov. 26, 2013. Roman Gokhman/STAFF. Pearl Jam played for nearly three and a half hours. One more song and people would have started to miss their trains. Happy Thanksgiving! Pearl Jam perform at Oracle Arena in Oakland on Nov. 26, 2013. Pearl…

Anna Calvi performs at the Independent in San Francisco on Nov. 17, 2013. Roman Gokhman/STAFF. Anna Calvi performs at the Independent in San Francisco on Nov. 17, 2013. Check out a video of “Suddenly” here.  You can also find out how Calvi got to work with Noah and the Whale.…

Jessie Ware performs at the Fillmore in San Francisco on Nov. 18, 2013. Roman Gokhman/STAFF. English songstress Jessie Ware may be the Teddy Roosevelt of divas – she sings softly but carries a big voice – but some would some be surprised to learn why she chooses to restrain…