BY DANIEL GLUSKOTER Legendary Chicago blues guitarist Buddy Guy, who was raised in the Jim Crow south and rose to influence the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughn to name but a few, delivered a transcendent concert performance Saturday night at the Masonic in San Francisco. …
Read More »Graham Parker keeps squeezing out sparks in Berkeley concert
BY DANIEL GLUSKOTER Returning to the same stage at the Freight & Salvage where he recorded a live album in 2011, Graham Parker dazzled an intimate crowd of 500 people at the small Berkeley club Saturday night with a engaging 90 minute set. The 68 year old British singer-songwriter is touring …
Read More »London artist Khushi Re-Emerges at The Fox in Oakland
BY CATHERINE STITES Re-Emerging London artist Khushi opened for James Blake Tuesday night at a sold out show at the Fox Theater in Oakland. It gave him the opportunity to play for potential new fans as his music is similar in style to Blake’s R&B soul wrenching melodies without the …
Read More »Martin Barre lives in the past & looks forward at The Sweetwater
BY DANIEL GLUSKOTER Long-Time Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre, fresh off the release of a new solo album, kicked off of a brief two night stint in Marin with the first of a pair of shows at The Sweetwater in Mill Valley Wednesday night. ©DANIEL GLUSKOTER Martin Barre gestures to …
Read More »Michael Franti and Spearhead lively up The Fillmore
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 …
Read More »Wendy & Lisa help carry on Prince’s Revolution at The Fillmore
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 …
Read More »Facing New York reunites at hometown show at Bottom of the Hill
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 …
Read More »Metallica performs at Masonic for All Within My Hands Benefit
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 …
Read More »Simple Minds return to San Francisco a rousing success
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 …
Read More »Edie Brickell bringing her New Bohemian streak to The Fillmore
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 …
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