When The Lights Go Down In The City
Last week we got to see one of our favorite new bands Scanners twice, in two different cities. At Cafe Du Nord there were maybe 50 people in the house, but in New York we were sardined amongst a few hundred sweaty, sweater-clad CMJers. No matter the size of the audience, frontwoman Sarah Daly pouts, glowers, stares and gives it her all. This band is talented, comely, exciting, dynamic both live and on record, and they're part of tastemaker label Dim Mak's hipper-than-thou roster. So why are we so worried that we're never going to hear from Scanners again? San Francisco music lovers, we know you will get this. Listen to their music and buy their record before they go back to the UK forever.
We know we're supposed to run around and see three shows every night, but let's face it; we've got a day job and these days we're just plain picky. So if you only want to see one or two shows this week, here are our suggestions:
If you want to do right by the locals:
Tonight SFist's favorite DJ Ted of BAGeL Radio presents the first in a series of November shows at Club Six with The Heavenly States, Ex-Boyfriends and Icarus Falls. Cover is only $7!
If you want one-stop shopping and more band for your buck:
On Saturday there's a stellar lineup at perhaps our least favorite venue, Bill Graham Auditorium. We're going to the Be The Riottt Festival anyway because there are more than 25 artists playing across three stages. We've been trying to figure out what The Riottt is exactly, and how we can Be it, but their manifesto just leaves us mildly inspired about a vague goal. At any rate, we'll still get to see The Wrens, Metric and Saul Williams, among others.
If you want to take a chance on something new:
Check out some new music at The Hemlock when Beach House and Over the Atlantic play atmospheric indie rock. We're a little obsessed with Beach House's MySpace page, because their photos make them look like a modernday Buckingham Nicks, and they sound a little like Cat Power in love with Devendra Banhart. Hopefully their music will live up to our now extreme expectations.
The rest of the week's show picks, after the jump.
Tonight the Guardian celebrates the winners of their Goldie Awards at 111 Minna with sets by Hey Willpower, Honeycut and more. At Cafe Du Nord, one of our favorite giddy pop bands Tahiti 80 is playing with Brookville. If you love Prince, ukelele music, or better yet both, then head to Rickshaw Stop for Purple Rain: When Ukes Cry featuring the Uke Apocalypse and Kitten on the Keys.
On Friday bring your heartbreak and eyeliner to Bimbo's for Minus The Bear, The Velvet Teen and Russian Circles. Exene Cervenka And The Original Sinners are at Bottom of the Hill, 12 Galaxies has Gris Gris, OCS and Spiritual Heaven, and KUSF presents Xiu Xiu at Great American. You can party with the folks at Mesh Magazine as they present Gucci Time with Lemonade, Trackademicks, and DJs at Rickshaw Stop.
If you don't want to be the riottt on Saturday, the Hemlock has Black Fiction, The Lovely Public, Macromantics and a much more exciting environment than the Bill Graham. Monday brings the sunny, Panic At The Disco-esque melodies of The Hush Sound and the darkabilly of Murder by Death to Slim's. On Tuesday, Vetiver, Kelley Stoltz and Women and Children are at 12 Galaxies. On Wednesday, Rightround.com throws a party at Cafe Du Nord with Scissors For Lefty and The Evening Episode.