Sorry for the absence of this here column last week; I got hit with an acute case of tonsillitis which definitely killed my Monday pretty badly. Felt like I was swallowing razorblades….but the good news is that it got me to the doctor to get some killer horse-pills to clear my junk up, so I ended up catching a few good live shows last week when all was said and done. More on that to come, but for now let’s dive into the cool music coming through San Francisco this week that you all should be paying attention to.
LMB SF Recommended Concerts Calendar
MONDAY NOVEMBER 7TH
Tonight, our money is on Toubab Krewe, who will be joined at the Independent by AfroMassive and Markus James & Wassonrai. These guys have been one of my favorite “discoveries” after seeing them open up for STS9 many years ago, and ever since I’ve made every effort to get people out to their shows to see their percussion-heavy afro-surf vibes permeate every member of the crowd. Everyone is smiling at the end of a TK show…
Also: Unknown Mortal Orchestra is over across the Bay in Oakland at the New Parish and Red Hot Brass Band will be holding it down at Yoshi’s SF with Hot 8 Brass Band
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8TH
I would totally want to see The Bangles at the Fillmore on Tuesday night, you know, just to be able to someday say, “I’ve seen ‘Walk Like an Egyptian’ live before…” in some smug rock critic fashion.
Also on Tuesday: Kyle Gass Band is in Oakland. Meh?
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 9TH
Although I’ve yet to really be swayed one way or the other, there’s no denying that Lykke Li has made serious waves in the past few years and she’s hoping to fill up the Fox Theater in Oakland by the time the show rolls around. Tickets are still available if you want to get in on the indie-tastic action that night.
Also on Wednesday: Trevor Hall is at Slim’s.
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 10TH
There are some seriously sick choices on Thursday, but my money would have to go towards M83 at the Mezzanine (even though it already sold out). Tons of friends I trust were pinging me about this show and while I have plans already that will prevent me from seeing this, I’d be there if I could be. Or I’d be at perhaps the Mix Master Mike / Q.Bert show happening at the Indy…SAY WHAT??!
Also on Thursday: Great American Taxi and Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon at Great American Music Hall, Geographer at Rickshaw Stop, and Poi Dog Pondering at Swedish American Music Hall.
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 11TH
Given my propensity for the untz and Kraftwerk style kraut-electronic, I’m all about trying to find a ticket to the Brandt Brauer Frick show happening Friday night at Rickshaw Stop. Should be an interesting set…
The other big show that a lot of people will be out for is the Ra Ra Riot show at Great American Music Hall; they always seem to throw big shows here and get huge crowds out. Plus they’re joined by Yellow Ostrich and Delicate Steve, which I would go see if those were the only two bands on the bill. I’ve never been a huge fan or RRRiot but tons of folks I know swear by them; for fans of the Decemberists and pretty indie rock girls in the audience, this is a safe bet.
Also on Friday: Con Brio is at the Boom Boom Room, Poor Man’s Whiskey is at the Fillmore (with Michael Kangfirmed Kang himself) doing Dark Side of the Moonshine.
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12TH
Most SF weekends bring more good music than us fans know what to do with, and thankfully I’ve got my sights set on Lotus and their return to SF with a two-night run at the Independent. Some friends are in town from LA, some friends are in town from Boulder, and one guy’s even in town from Cleveland, I think — not necessarily for the show itself, but a bit of planning means we’ll be there and I can likely float around between three disparate geographic “scenes” in my life. Plus Lotus is killing it these days and the Saturday night show (first of two with Keys & Krates) will likely run late in the NOPA evening.
Also on Saturday: The California Honeydrops are at Brick & Mortar Music Hall.
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 13TH
Sundays are hard to get out for and after a later night at Lotus, I’m sure I’ll be dragging a little bit. Maybe I walk back “up” the street and hit another show with the same lineup, but if I do venture out it’d probably be up to Great American Music Hall to see Greensky Bluegrass with Hot Buttered Rum. People can’t say enough good things about both of these bands to contain my pessimism so I’d have to give it a shot.
Also on Sunday: They Might Be Giants are at the Fillmore.
