Arts and Entertainment

BY DANIEL GLUSKOTER Fresh off the release of his sixth studio album, Michael Franti and Spearhead delivered a joyous hometown performance Friday evening during the first night of back to back shows at The Fillmore. ©DANIEL GLUSKOTER Michael Franti performs during the first of two sold out shows Friday night …

For two nights only, friends, former bandmates of David Bowie and other world-class players will perform career spanning concerts of nothing but David Bowie’s music in Bowie’s imitable style. Performing February 12th in Livermore and the following night at The Warfield in San Francisco, “A Bowie Celebration” features a set …

BY DANIEL GLUSKOTER As difficult as it seems to comprehend that Prince has been dead for nearly three years, that reality is quickly approaching. Just months after the unexpected death of David Bowie in January 2016, the shocking passing of the Purple One on April 21st at the age of …

Prince played with many talented musicians over the course of his 40-year career, but his most celebrated and iconic allies will always be Bobby Z, Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, Matt Fink & Brownmark. The Revolution. After performing scores of shows and major music festivals, including this year’s ACL Festival, over …

BY CATHERINE STITES Releasing their first album in a decade, Facing New York took the stage to reunite with old fans and new at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco Friday night. The show was part release party for their new album “Dogtown,” and part reunion tour. The bands …

BY DANIEL GLUSKOTER For fans of a band that usually sells out arenas and stadiums, the chance to see one of your favorites playing an all acoustic set in a small theater setting can be a rare treat. On Saturday evening, Metallica gave some of them a post-Halloween gift to …

BY DANIEL GLUSKOTER Thirty-Three years after earning the right to perform in front of a global audience of close to two billion people at Live Aid, Simple Minds found their way back to the Bay Area for a rare San Francisco performance Thursday night at the Masonic. While the height …

BY DANIEL GLUSKOTER Edie Brickell & New Bohemians first burst onto the music scene with their breakthrough hit “What I Am” 30 years ago, but had only released three studio albums prior to last week. Their latest, the lively and infectious “Rocket,” their first since 2006, dropped last Friday just …

BY HELEN LAME’ Confined to the role of being an opening act for fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s Cheap Trick on this evening, Ann Wilson still managed to rock the house Saturday night at the Saratoga Mountain Winery with an epic setlist of Classic Rock covers inspired by …

BY DANIEL GLUSKOTER Indie-Rock heroine Liz Phair’s sold out show at The Fillmore in San Francisco Thursday night was a homecoming of sorts. The 51 year old singer-songwriter and guitarist is touring in support of the recently released “Girly-Sound to Guyville,” a retrospective 25th Anniversary three disc set of her …