There are no less than three fantastic music festivals all taking place over the weekend of September 14-16. What gives? And how do we choose? Since we live in the bay area, perhaps our decision has been made for us: we're heading to the inaugural Treasure Island Music Festival presented by the fine folks at Noise Pop and Another Planet. The two day festival features 14 bands each day on two stages with mostly hip hop and electronica on Saturday (Theivery Corporation, DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist, M.I.A.) and a great lineup of indie rock on Sunday (Modest Mouse, Built To Spill, Clap Your Hands). And it all takes place on Treasure Island, that scrap of land you've seen a thousand times but likely have never set foot on. Getting there is sure to be an adventure! Check out the full lineup and get your tickets. We've got a pair of tickets for one lucky winner to go to one day of the Treasure Island Music Festival. (We're not sure which date yet but will update this post as soon as we hear back from our contact! But both days are really good so you can't go wrong. Contest ends 8/22; winner will be notified via email.)
So back to our rant: during that same weekend, the three-day Austin City Limits Music Festival is happening in Austin with a lineup that includes Bob Dylan, Bjork, The White Stripes and Arcade Fire. And just this morning we read about the Monolith Festival at Red Rocks Amphitheatre near Denver, Colorado, that also boasts a great lineup including The Flaming Lips, The Decemberists, and some smaller bands we'd love to see like Forget Cassettes. One of our favorite bands of all time, Spoon, has the right idea: they're somehow managing to play all three festivals. Normally we'd be a little worried about the band being jetlagged by the time they headline for us that Sunday night, but these guys are professionals. They'll deliver.
On to this week's show recommendations. Start tonight early by heading to the Burn My Eyes 2 Rock Poster Show at 12 Galaxies featuring twelve rock poster artists exhibiting and selling their work. Later on Popscene presents Junior Senior and Switches at 330 Ritch. On Friday, KPIG presents the legend himself Alejandro Escovedo at Great American with opener Sonny Smith. The Go, bellavista and White Savage are at Bottom of the Hill and over at Slim's you can see Detroit Cobras with Dan Sartain and The Willowz. On Saturday, Birdmonster pack Cafe Du Nord with Eulogies and DJ Ted from BAGeL Radio.
Click the link below for more show recommendations, videos and rants.