In true form, March is blasting in like a lion, at least in the Bay Area music scene. If you have been reading your weekly BISS Lists lately, you know that I have been giving you all my personal picks each week. When I went through my own personal calendar for this week I realized that I have or want tickets for at least one if not three shows for every night until next Sunday, March 18th.
Here's my own personal agenda for the next week and a half. Then read on through the Best of the BISS to make your own agenda (& WIN some tickets)...
Tonight, Thursday March 8, I might hit up The Nth Power plus The Crooked Stuff at Sweetwater Music Hall (WIN) because even though they are playing BBR on Friday, there are soooo many options on Friday and I want to catch both bands on this bill! one of the nights! But then again, we could just stay right here in the city for Afrofunk Experience plus Smoked Out Soul plus DJ Vinnie Esparza at The Chapel (WIN). For our Santa Cruz BISS Listers, longtime friend of BISS, Nick Gower, is presenting Achilles Wheel + China Cats at Moe's Alley in Santa Cruz.
Then we get to Friday night and like I said, the decisions get tough. I have been hearing great things about guitarist and singer-songwriter from Austin, Texas, Ian Moore. And he's playing in the city at one of my favorite venues, Brick and Mortar (WIN). However, longtime friend of BISS, Paige Clem is having her Firefly Album Release feat. James Nash, Joe Craven, Jordan Feinstein, Robin Sylvester, Ben Lauffer + Friends with special guest sets from Nat Keefe and Jeff Berkley at Terrapin Crossroads (WIN). While over in the East Bay, long long LONG time favorite of BISS, Pimps Of Joytime is playing with Lyrics Born at The UC Theatre Taube Family Music Hall (WIN). At least we know we can always make it for the late night with THE NTH POWER at Boom Boom Room (WIN).
Saturday continues the great show run with singer/trombonist Natalie Cressman (Trey Anastasio Band) playing two sets (7 & 8:30pm) at SF Jazz. Since this is an early show, we have plenty of time for that and still make it to the Boom Boom Room for Element Brass Band plus Kevvy Kev before another BISS fave, Victor Little's Big Hit, wrapping up Saturday night (WIN).
As they say, the hits keep coming with a not-to-be missed Sunday performance of Houston-based Soul band The Suffers plus Teddy Presberg's pigWar from Portland at Great American Music Hall. Self described as Gulf Coast Soul, The Suffers released their first album in 2016. pigWar released their first full length album which was cut in two days at the Monophonics studio in the Bay Area before being mixed in Presberg's Portland studio.
#nevermissasundayshow. (WIN).
Don't stop there! On Monday, The Chapel should be on your radar for (((folkYEAH!))) Presents: Antibalas who will be playing the first of two nights at this Valencia Street venue in the Mission. (WIN).
Of course, if I were lucky enough to get a ticket, I would also love to make it to the Fillmore to check out Stone Temple Pilots' new singer, Jeff Gutt, who joins the venerable band for their first tour in two years. They will be supporting their new self-titled album, which will be released on March 16th. Opening the show will be The Dirty Hooks, a rocking trio from Las Vegas.
Tuesday keeps the music rolling with Antibalas finishing their two-night stand at the Chapel. If you made it to Stone Temple Pilots the night before, this is your chance to see this amazing Brooklyn-based Afrobeat band based largely on Fela Kuti's Afrika 70 unit and has had guest visits from many of their original players as well as touring through 35 countries. (WIN)
Still hungry for a good midweek jam? I am sure I will be and hope to check out BISS friend Stu Allen & Mars Hotel @ Ashkenaz. Continuing his weekly residency since 2011, Allen draws from the rich music scene of the Bay Area assembling a broad and ever-rotating group of musicians that makes each concert a once-only experience. (WIN)
Next Thursday, 3/15, won't disappoint! Approaching their 25th anniversary, The Greyboy Allstars kick off the first of two nights at Great American Music Hall. Expect a sea of thrilled dancing fans in this romantic old dance hall from 1907. Mike Dillon Band will be opening both nights and his current lineup helps him explore the connection between New Orleans street beats, ska, funk, hardcore and jazz. Dillon will be touring in support of his latest release, Functioning Broke. (WIN).
Across the bay in Oakland, Roger Daltrey will be playing with members of The Who's touring band at the fabulous Fox Theater. The setlist promises to include The Who hits, rarities and solo hits. Show opener Leslie Mendelson was unwittingly adopted into the West Coast jam scene after Bob Weir heard her and recruited her to perform with her. This resulted in the two recording a duet of Roy Orbison's "Blue Bayou".
Another great option next Thursday, is David Lindley at Yoshi's. This "maxi-instumentalist" has played many of the planet's string instruments and this seventy-four-year old powerhouse has collaborated with a list too long to cite without turning blue in the face! (WIN) Another personal long time favorite!
Why stop here? Next Friday, in case you missed it, night two of The Greyboy Allstars plus Mike Dillon Band will hit the stage at Great American Music Hall. This is a special tour and expect it to be packed! Happy Birthday Lisa C!
Then, follow us over to the Boom Boom Room for DJ WILLIAMS' SHOTS FIRED (ft. mbrs of Greyboy Allstars//Karl Denson's Tiny Universe) plus BEN MISTERKA + COLLECTIVITY, DJ Kevvy Kev). What a lineup of the best of the best! (WIN)
Also on Friday, ALO begins a two-day, three show stint at the Fillmore. This quartet of nearly two decades is on the heels of their new "Tangle of Time" album. Friday's show opens with "Modern day troubadour" John Craigie (WIN)
Another show not to be missed on Friday is DJ DIALS & 1015 FOLSOM PRESENT GEORGE CLINTON plus ODDISEE (LIVE) - THE SUPERPARTY AT 1015 FOLSOM WITH SPECIAL GUESTS!
Next Saturday continues the Fillmore stint for ALO. The 3pm matinee singalong for kids should be a blast for fans of all ages while their 9pm evening show will open with New York rock-fusion Tauk, another favorite of BISS! Happy Birthday Jules!
With Sunday, comes perhaps the greatest live guitarist, Buddy Guy, who will be headlining at Luther Burbank Center For the Arts.
#nevermissasundayshow.
How's that for a short list? Ha!
Did you notice that many of the shows I just mentioned say "WIN"? There are even more opportunities in "The BEST OF THE BISS" (below) and on the full BISS Google calendar. Wondering HOW TO WIN? Find an eligible show with the words **WIN TICKETS** next to the show. Then, spread the word about the show by sharing the show info with your friends. That means, post the show FB event, ticket link, or poster image online thru Facebook or Twitter or other Social Media platform. Not on Social Media? Text, email & word of mouth counts too. Submit your to biss@bisslist.com letting us know where you shared. If we select you as the winner, we will email you back to congratulate you!
Now, on with...
