The Bay Abridged: Sept 13 – Sept 21
In this recurring feature known as The Bay Abridged, our staff writers will provide short, witty recaps on shows they attended around the Bay Area. A scene check, a heat check, and sometimes more — stop by every Wednesday for the most comprehensive and concise recap of last week's Bay Area concert scene. Zedd at The Bill Graham Civic AuditoriumThe Gathering of the Tribes with The Gentle Cycle, Buzzmutt, The Spiral Electric and more at Public Works (SF) Sept. 13. More than anything, I think it’s embarrassing to say that I had yet to venture out to Public Works - [...]
Noise Pop 2012: Mac McCaughan, Sun Foot, Rachel Haden, Sasha Bell @ Swedish American Hall, 2/23/12
I probably don't even need to say how cool it was to see Mac McCaughan — leader of indie rock legends Superchunk and Portastatic, co-founder of Merge Records — in the intimate setting of the Swedish American Hall. McCaughan definitely played to the audience and the setting. He told us he was going to "try not to fuck it all up" before he got started, and was warm and friendly between songs, even taking some requests (though he did reply "Not gonna happen" when someone shouted out a tune that, well, wasn't going to happen, apparently). It was just Mac [...]
Noise Pop 2012: Thursday Preview
Date: Thursday, February 22nd Number of Noise Pop Shows: 10 shows, 32 bands Already Sold-Out: Oh boy, several shows on Thursday have already reached their maximum. And frankly, we're not surprised. Here's the full list of sold out shows, in case you plan to try and beg, borrow, or steal your way in: The Bottom of the Hill local showcase featuring Thao and John Vanderslice as co-headliners, with Garrett Pierce and Bird By Snow opening, presented by SF Sketchfest. Budos Band with Allah-Las, Pickwick, and Big Tree at the Independent. Built to Spill with Sister Crayon at the Fillmore. Sleigh [...]
Videos: Six acoustic Mac McCaughan performances (including Spoon, Jay Reatard, and Springsteen covers)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxJ_c6SphgE Over the past two decades, Superchunk has crafted some classic fuzz pop gems, but Mac McCaughan can also be a compelling acoustic performer. We're proud to present a rare solo show for McCaughan at the Swedish American Hall on Thursday, February 23rd (7pm, $15-17, 21+, Buy Tickets) as part of Noise Pop 20. In addition to Superchunk and Portastatic classics, I suspect Mac will also break out some covers next Thursday, as the clips collected here show him equally adept at songs from a range of artists. In addition, the videos here show that Superchunk songs reveal new details [...]
The Bay Bridged Presents: Three Days at the Swedish American Hall!
We're excited to partner with the 2012 Noise Pop Music Festival to present three great days of shows at the Swedish American Hall, with a variety of terrific performers in a wonderful historic space. Get your tickets now! Mac McCaughan of Superchunk, Portastatic, and Merge Records comes to the Swedish for a rare solo performance on Thursday, February 23rd (7pm, $15-17, 21+, Buy Tickets). He'll be joined by Portland's Sun Foot, as well as That Dog/The Rentals' Rachel Haden and The Essex Green's Sasha Bell. Superchunk - "Rope Light (acoustic live on WXDU)" Soggy Moggy by Sun Foot Former San [...]