We've got two contests this week, one to celebrate over a decade of experimentation and the other to to support some stalwart locals. Giveaway #1! On Monday and Tuesday, Blonde Redhead make their gorgeous art rock at Bimbo's with openers Annuals. Annuals weave intricate melodies with ambitious sounds while still giving you hooks to hold onto (and remind us a little of the wonderful Aloha in the meantime.) One winner will get a pair of......

We missed SXSW last week, but some of our friends were down there covering the mayhem and brought back some great photos. You can see local photographer and friend of SFist Julie Schuchard get up close and personal with Iggy Pop and The Stooges in this slideshow and see tons of SXSW photos taken by DJ Ted of BAGeL Radio. Also check out a bunch of coverage from our friends at Austinist. Since all......

Did you get your tickets to see Menomena on Friday night at Cafe Du Nord? Hopefully you did, because the show is sold out. As we've said before, this record is already on our top 10 of '07, so if you haven't checked the band out yet - what are you waiting for? OK maybe you're broke or you've fallen and you can't get to Amoeba, so we're going to hook one of you......

Tonight we're wishing a great big Happy 4th Birthday to DJ Ted and his baby BAGeL Radio. The party is at Bottom of the Hill with performances by Birdmonster, Division Day and Two Seconds, and yes there will be cupcakes! The show is 18+ and only $10, but for those of you who aren't in the city tonight you can still listen in to the party performances thanks to the fine folks at Lala.com.......

Now that Noise Pop is over, things are settling down at live music venues across the city, and we miss it a little. Our highlights from the festival included Feist at Bimbo's, Britt Daniel at Swedish American, Two Gallants at Bimbo's, the David Dondero and Craig Wedren show at The Knockout, and seeing old friends and making new ones. Feist's performance at Bimbo's, which SFist Emily posted a vibrant review of last week, was one......

Special Noise Pop 2006 edition Noise Pop '06 is already proving to be memorable. Tuesday night's Feist show was among the best shows we've ever seen, despite the relentless sound problems at Bimbo's, and last night we went backstage to witness a saucy embrace by Britt Daniel and John Vanderslice. Luckily our new favorite photographer Julie Schuchard was there to document the love; look for her photos in our show reviews! See another hot indie......

SFist reviews Feist, John Vanderslice, Youth Group, and The Boticelli's at Bimbo's as part of the Noise Pop festival...

We're wishing Noise Pop a happy birthday today, as San Francisco's indie-est music festival kicks off its 14th year. The all-festival badges are sold out, as are tickets to some of the biggest shows, but SFist will bring you our coverage so you can live vicariously. Check the festival schedule for all the shows, and stay tuned for SFist's show reviews and what we're hoping is going to turn out to one Noise Pop giveaway......