There’s a ridiculous flood of musical talent arriving in the Bay in the coming weeks, which can only mean one thing: Fauxchella is here y’all!. No, that’s not a typo, but rather an apt descriptor for the two-week stretch in the Bay Area wheren Coachella acts come through the Bay head north. And no, don’t confuse Fauxchella with “Couchella” (that’s when you invite your friends over on Saturday and Sunday to get drunk and watch the Coachella live stream on your TV.) In short, there’s a ridiculous flood of musical talent arriving in the Bay this week.
Sprinkle in some worthy local artists' shows and other touring bands who were coming through the Bay — regardless of Coachella — and you can essentially create your own personalized festival lineup out of it. And while Radiohead’s two shows and New Order’s stop at the Greek Theater are sold out, we’ve gathered a list of shows with tickets still available (see ya, scalpers), to help you build your schedule. What’s best? No long haul into the SoCal desert needed, and you don’t even have to worry about accommodations or sunscreen. Check out the “Stages” below.
The Main Stage
The XX w/ Sampha at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium — Monday, April 17
The XX have a three-night stint at Bill Graham in support of their new record, I See You. Whereas the band’s sophomore record couldn’t hold a candle to the debut, there’s a brightness to their third release in the form of delightfully heavy-handed production from Jamie XX. While Saturday and Sunday shows are sold out, tickets are still available for Monday. And what’s best? Sampha is slated to open all three nights. Dude might as well be worth the price of admission alone.
Gucci Mane at The Warfield — Friday, April 21
The self-proclaimed “Trap God” had a show announced on Monday the 17th that promptly sold out. But Gucci is benevolent (and loves money too, obvs) so now you can get tickets for a Friday show on 4/21. Also, a belated engagement congrats to “Mr. & Mrs. Mane.”
Bastille and Mondo Cozmo at The Greek Theater — Sunday, April 23rd
Look, Bastille isn’t necessarily my cup of tea, but I realize there are a lot of you out there who’ve helped fill the massive venues they’ve been selling out on the strength of that one song (400 million+ youtube spins?! Gtfoh.) Opener Mondo Cozmo is on the come up and I love his emotional video for “Hold On To Me” with Anna Faris.
Indie Stage
Mitski w/ Kadhja Bonet & Steady Holiday at The Fillmore — Thursday, April 13
Go ahead and file this as Fauxchella’s best all-around bill. Headliner Mitski is an impassioned performer and an important voice in indie, Kadhja Bonet put out one of the most elegant albums of 2016 in The Visitor and Steady Holiday’s nods to French psychedelia have been on repeat for me lately. Don’t miss this one.
Hinds and Twin Peaks at The Chapel — Thursday, April 13th
This is such a cool tour. Twin Peaks might’ve been my favorite live act of 2016 and they’re teaming up with Spanish rockers Hinds for an indie super-tour of sorts. Friday’s show is sold out, but Thursday tickets await you. A lot of fun guaranteed here.
The Avalanches at The Mezzanine — Tuesday, April 18
This isn’t sold out?! You people are insane. The Avalanches are back together for the first time in over fifteen years and will be bringing the sounds of their latest sophomore release Wildflower along with the downright iconic music from their 2000 debut, Since I Left You. Bold prediction: Toro y Moi’s Chaz Bundick (who has recently re-re-located to the Bay) will join the production duo on stage for “If I Was A Folkstar.”
San Fermin at The Independent — Tuesday, April 25
The Brooklyn eight-piece baroque pop band always tears it up when they come to SF. San Fermin’s Monday show sold out, but Tuesday just got added a week ago and they’ll be armed with their recently released third album, Belong. They’re one of the most unique touring acts in the business.
Julie Byrne at Swedish — Sunday April 16th
Byrne is opening a sold out three night set for Whitney at the Independent, but she and her guitar will be gracing the Swedish American Hall stage on Sunday night for her own headlining show. Not Even Happiness is one of this year’s best early releases and this is yet another perfect pairing for the vaulted ceilings and lovely acoustics of Swedish Hall.
4/20 Stage
Besides the actual Hippie Hill itself, this is likely the best place on 4/20 to get totally fucking stoned. You can pretty much expect weed-themed everything at this show with a balance of big name hip-hop and local giants like Lil B and Kool John. The “special guests” part of the bill is intriguing to say the least. Expect some crazy-ass shit and a helluvalotta weed.
This one’s a long-time coming. All of Skepta’s previous attempts to play in the US have been thwarted by visa issues, but now, the UK’s foremost Grime superstar is finally here and this will be only his 4th performance stateside. Skepta’s impeccable debut LP Konnichiwa won 2016’s prestigious Mercury Music Prize (top UK album) and his performance of “Shutdown” at the BRIT Awards gala (below) leaves a lasting impression of an artist at the top of his game.
Prince Paul & The Dip with DJ Platurn, Fritz Montana and White Knuckles at The Chapel
Prince Paul, as the name might suggest, is hop hop royalty, straight up. Dude is responsible for producing some of the most classic classics (De La Soul, Gravediggaz, Handsome Boy Modelling School) and his DJ sets are engaging AF. DJ Platurn brings his famed ‘45 Sessions’ across the Bay for the night and there’s a full slate of diverse music on this bill.
The Relationship w/ Cotillon (Record Release), Never Young and Babewatch at Rickshaw Stop
Weezer’s Brian Bell fronts The Relationship, but it’s former SFers Cotillon that have us most stoked here. They’ll be celebrating the release of their latest album, The Afternoons, produced by Girls’ JR White and out on Burger Records. Never Young is another solid local upstart, with a recent EP out on the splendid Father/Daughter Records.
The Sultry Stage
Denitia & Sene at The New Parish — Friday, April 21
This sexy electro R&B duo from New York definitely produce quality bedroom jams. 2013’s his and hers is essential listening and they’ve added to their arsenal with last year’s equally velvety love and noir.
NAO at The Regency — Thursday, April 20
Ok, I know this show technically belongs on the 4/20 “Stage”, but NAO is way sexier than she is stoner-y. The East London future soul singer has seen her star rising and I can assure you that this will be an . intimate show.
Cash Campain at Brick and Mortar Music Hall — Tuesday April 25
I gotta hand it to Cash Campain. Dude’s been a champion of the local R&B movement in the Bay for years and I’m stoked to see he’s headlining a show in the city. He comes from a talented family (rapper Caleborate is his little brother) and his latest single, “Daydream,” is hot business. (Almost as hot as the cover of his aptly-titled latest album, Michael in ‘79.)
The Dance "Tent"
Roisin Murphy at The Warfield — Wednesday April 19
The Queen of Irish dance pop comes to the Bay on the heels of back-to-back albums in the last two years.
Royksopp at Fox Theater - Tuesday April 18
The Swedish Norwegian electro legends are descending upon the Fox and they haven’t dropped an album since 2014. You know what that means, right? Classics all night long.
Big Freedia at Mezzanine — Thursday, April 27
The Queen of bounce! Ending the list with this gem, cause here’s hoping you still have some energy by the end of Fauxchella to grind with Big Freedia. She always kills it in the Bay, including multiple Outside Lands highlight performances, and the LGBT icon is a beloved figure here. Welcome back!
