Noise Pop Phase II: The Joy Formidable, Hazel English, and lots more
We've got more Noise Pop news for you this morning: Get ready for the 2nd phase lineup drop. Last month we announced the first wave of names: Now, they've released another batch: The Joy Formidable, Hazel English, The Mother Hips, Grandaddy, Hanni El Khatib, and DJ stylings from Innovative Leisure, plus Rogue Wave doing '80s covers, because who doesn't love '80s covers? Noise Pop will also be hosting local legends Creeper Lagoon's first show since 2001. The full lineup, as it stands, is below. General and Super Fan badges are available right now. Get 'em while they're hot. Noise Pop [...]
Noise Pop: American Football revive the emo spirit
American Football (photo: Mike Rosati) This emo kid used to always get told by an old coworker, "If you don't listen to American Football, then you do not understand the true beginnings of emo." So, I got into American Football to ensure that this conversation would never happen again. I right away delved into the band and became very confused because I could only find one of their albums online. Turns out, there was nothing else to find other than that sole album released in 1999. I was and am still amazed how this band that only released one album over [...]
Noise Pop: Cave Singers at the Chapel
Cave Singers (photo: Ian Young) Dead car. Forced converse regarding new lazy foodie apps. Ambulance called for a biker's wheel caught in the trolley tracks. Lyft driver proclaiming Ed Lee's money-sucking toad-nature and disdain for Valencia Street. Ah yes, you know it's going to be a good show when all these things happen on the way — spawning a hungry soul with an appetite for rock. And beer. Noise Pop accrued an awesome and eclectic lineup for last Friday's show at the Chapel. Reviews from opener to headliner: Jacob Golden: The indie singer/songwriter left his folk-filled heart on the stage one '60s-style croon at [...]
Noise Pop: Mitski made us all cry like tall children
Mitski (photo: Jon Bauer) There was nothing about tonight I wasn't excited about. I had been emotionally preparing for it since the day it was announced that Mitski would be playing Noise Pop Festival. Mitski happens to be one of the most talented musicians who has happily been getting the attention she deserves. Her lyrics are perfectly crafted, and her vocals successfully portray the emotional toll that existing can bring. When it was announced who would be performing on her side at Swedish American Hall on February 24, 2016, the excitement only became more impatient. I was happily surprised to find [...]
Noise Pop: Diane Coffee commands the crowd
Diane Coffee (photo: Jon Bauer) There was nothing un-charismatic about the lineup for this Noise Pop show on Febuary 23, 2016 at Brick & Mortar. Every single band had a different type of charisma that engaged the crowd. Dick Stusso had the charisma of a suave and slightly intoxicated cowboy. Be Calm Honcho had the charisma of a young Dolly Parton who knew how to successfully use Twitter. Hazel English had the charisma of your grade-school crush and best friend who never seemed to give up on you. Diane Coffee had the charisma of a cult leader and motivational speaker who [...]
Playlist: Twenty Excellent Local Bands Playing at Noise Pop 2016
Noise Pop 2016 is just around the corner, and, true to form, this year's festival features a ton of local bands playing alongside some of independent music's most buzzed-about acts. In this Spotify playlist, we've rounded up twenty amazing San Francisco Bay Area bands playing during the fest. We've also thrown in links to articles we've written about most of these bands so you can learn more about each great act. For the full list of Noise Pop 2016 bands, featuring many local bands not included here (and a ton out-of-towners too), check out the calendar of Noise Pop shows [...]
The Bay Bridged Presents: a Noise Pop Happy Hour with Baus, The Classical, and Motor Inn
Are you ready for Noise Pop? Well, we are, too. One of our favorite Noise Pop traditions is our annual Happy Hour show at Bender's February 26, and we're excited to bring it back this year with a trio of great local bands: Baus, The Classical, and Motor Inn. The show will start at 5pm and it's completely FREE. Baus is a trio formed by Thomas Jackson, Mike Morales, and Sierra Wendt who know how to play LOUD and without defined boundaries. Their 2014 LP Idol Minds draws from their wide array of influences to produce an entirely unique, high [...]
One Man’s Noise Pop Conflict Guide
I can’t blame the organizers of Noise Pop if they thought no one would be too torn up about having to choose between American Football or Carly Rae Jepsen — I mean, who would reasonably suspect there exists an overlap in their respective fanbases? Well chances are if you’ve gotten yourself a badge to one of the Bay Area’s all-around best festivals, back for its 24th year on February 18, that you might be one of those listeners who has such impeccable taste that you are equally big on both 90’s emo-rock and 80’s-inspired dance-pop. The good news for you [...]
Noise Pop 2016 adds more acts: American Football, Carly Rae Jepsen, Drive Like Jehu, and more
The venerable San Francisco late February institution known as Noise Pop returns next year to bring a host of great acts to the Bay Area. Today, organizers announced a second wave of acts confirmed for the festival including headliners American Football, Drive like Jehu, and Carly Rae Jepsen. Carly Rae could be the most "pop" act ever booked for the festival, known worldwide for her indecisive 2011 hit "Call Me Maybe" which became the best-selling digital single of all time. Her 2015 LP E-Mo-Tion was popular among critics, scoring a 77/100 on Metacritic and praised by various outlets despite not [...]