When The Lights Go Down In The City

We're giving thanks today for all the great venues in San Francisco, which attract bands of all shapes, sizes and levels of fame to our fair city.

Our show pick of the week is tomorrow night in Hotel Utah's tiny two-floor room with Phosphorescent and Castanets. Phosphorescent's Aw Come Aw Wry is a strong contender for our year end Top 10, and fans of Okkervil River and Neutral Milk Hotel should listen up. Sufjan Stevens' labelmate Castanets serve up dark country psychedelia with some Grandaddy-esque symphonic sensitivity. Listen to "All That I Know To Have Changed In You" and enter for a chance to win Castanets' latest album First Light's Freeze. (Contest ends 11/30).

Thursday 11/24
POPSCENE'S Annual Meat Is Murder: A loving tribute to The Smiths and Morrissey @ Popscene

Friday 11/25
Phosphorescent, Castanets @ Hotel Utah
Michael Franti & Spearhead with Goddess of Funk @ The Fillmore
Fiona Apple @ The Warfield
John Cale @ Cafe Du Nord
Milemarker @ Hemlock
Zion I, Crown City Rockers @ Independent