When The Lights Go Down In The City
There are a couple of unusual spikes on this week's live concerts chart, with Sunday and Tuesday giving the weekend nights a run for their money. Tuesday can't come soon enough because we've got tickets to Eisley on the release date of their debut record Room Noises! See what the buzz is about after the jump.
Tonight marks the kickoff of the 6th Annual San Francisco Bluegrass and Old-Time Festival, which runs through February 13th. We'd tell you about the highlights, but we're not up on who the bluegrass superstars are these days. Anyone who can fingerpick on a banjo is alright by us. Click here for a full schedule of concerts, workshops, kids shows, jams and more. Turns out Gene (still) Loves Jezebel down at the Red Devil Lounge tonight, and Bottom of the Hill heaps on the hip-hop with The Perceptionists featuring Mr. Lif, Akrobatick and DJ Fakts.
Friday, what gives? We didn't see much in the way of compelling musical offerings. You might want to sit this one out. Saturday comes correct with AC/DShe at the Red Devil. It's exactly what it sounds like, an all-female AC/DC tribute band doing Bon-era songs. Enough said. Catch the laid-back acoustic funk of Citizen Cope at Slim's when he opens for Marc Broussard. With no less than three major label deals under his belt, we're not sure why you haven't heard of Cope before, but we can attest that he's sure worth the listen. Luna sings their swan song at the Fillmore with Midnight Movies opening, and The Numbers work out their nervous tics at Bottom of the Hill.
Something big is happening on Sunday, ah yes, some sort of game. Superbowl, is what it's called? If you're lacking a big enough television, potato chip serving bowl, and circle of shouting friends to host your own party, then rush down to a party at a music venue near you. Bottom of the Hill's party is free and features cheesesteaks and clam chowder! 12 Galaxies has a nine foot screen and halftime entertainment by Bohemian Knuckleboogie.
A big event that we're slightly more excited about is the advent of Cinema Drafthouse at the Independent. Running every Monday through the end of February, and hopefully through the end of time, the Independent will be showing a free flick with a two drink minimum. This Monday's feature is Widespread Panic - Live at Oak Mountain, with more exciting titles to follow in coming weeks, including Garden State, The White Stripes' Under Blackpool Lights and Napoleon Dynamite.
Fat Tuesday has an indulgent array of entertainment options. Sunset Promotions presents their 8th Annual San Francisco Mardi Gras Ball at Great American with Zigaboo Modeliste & the New Aakestra and very special guest Ivan Neville. Elbo Room celebrates with Bat Makumba and LA's Los Pinguos. An unrelated celebration happens at Element Lounge, when Jeff Chang has a Hometown Kickoff Release Party for his new book Can't Stop Won't Stop. Admission is $7 since it's a benefit for Media Alliance, and get there early to grab a mixtape and bag o' swag. You can party at Madrone Lounge's Save The Harding Theater Fundraiser for a mere $5. Groove to music by DJ Seven, Romanowski & DJ Rueben and email your support. SFist Matt recommends catching Kitten on the Keys at Odeon Bar, opening for six-piece "electro-acoustic chamber pop" freakout Full.
As we mentioned, this SFist will be at Slim's to catch the preternaturally talented teens in Eisley. We first heard them a few months ago when we saw their video for "Marvelous Things" on MTV2. These four-siblings-plus-a-best-friend enthralled us with their dewy-skinned purity and harmonic gorgeousness. Ah, the Eisley gene pool, where the hair grows shiny, the limbs long, the vocal chords strong. It's like Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman fronting Sixpence None The Richer. Not convinced? They're also playing this year's Coachella. Trust us, they're the real miracle because they're from Tyler, Texas, and Tyler knows no irony.
AC/DShe image from Swan Entertainment's website. Eisley image used with permission from Reprise Records.