With a new semester comes a new season of musicians headed to the Bay. Wondering which acts should be your top priority to see next month? The Daily Clog has got you covered.
Feb. 8: Skrillex at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
We are lucky in so many ways to live in the Bay Area. Sonny Moore — better known as EDM titan Skrillex — will perform at a variety of venues in San Francisco in a series of “Takeover” shows from Feb. 3 to Feb. 8 — including Oakland’s Fox Theater and San Francisco’s Warfield. If you’re debating which day to go, we recommend the last day of the series. Skrillex will be joined not only by his legendary 3-D light show and pyrotechnics but also by impressive openers such as A$AP Rocky and Alvin Risk. To start off the semester with an unforgettable night, Skrillex is the obvious choice. Just make sure to brace yourself for the bass.
Feb. 10: AUGUSTINES at the Independent
The artists formerly known as We Are Augustines are now back on tour to promote their eponymous new album, which is coming out Feb. 4. Since its last record, 2011’s Rise Ye Sunken Ships, which heralded much acclaim from critics, the band has forgone a third of its name and learned the wonders of caps lock. If strong new singles such as “Cruel City” are any indication, the band is looking to keep up the praise. The downside of AUGUSTINES’ visit to the Bay is it happens to take place on a Monday night, which is not the best day for college students to have a night in San Francisco. Still, the band is sure to put on an incredible performance, and for less than $20 (including the price of a BART ticket), it is hard to even consider saying no.
Feb 14: Band of Horses at Palace of Fine Arts
Wait, you were going to buy your girlfriend a box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day when you could have taken her to see an intimate acoustic show by Band of Horses in SF? Tell us how that works out later — right now, we have to go score our tickets.
Feb. 20: Phantogram at the Fox Theater
Appearing at the Fox a mere two days after its new record, Voices, drops worldwide, Phantogram will make you rethink your opinion of electronic indie pop. If you were not already a fan, tunes as infectious yet delicate as “Don’t Move” and “As Far As I Can See” will no doubt have you swaying your body along for the ride. And if you are a fan, Phantogram will put the rest of your favorite bands to shame. Made up of Josh Carter and Sarah Barthel, the duo has been receiving consistent praise for its series of EPs. They have also provided hooks for acts as notable as rapper Big Boi in recent years. With Phantogram’s second studio album about to hit shelves, now is the time to see the two at an intimate venue before they start playing stadiums.
Feb. 21: Pixies at the Fox Theater
Touring in support of their first new batch of songs in 20 years, the Pixies have graciously included Oakland on their list of concert stops. The group’s set is sure to impress with a mix of older hits and recent releases for fans of any of its albums. To sweeten the deal, indie darling Best Coast is opening. This show represents the best of vintage and modern music together for one night. These two powerhouse acts are not to be missed, especially because they are only a 30-minute bus ride away.
Feb. 22: We Were Promised Jetpacks at Bimbo’s 365 Club
Awesome band name aside, Scottish rock band We Were Promised Jetpacks is easily one of the coolest bands to come about in the past decade. With soaring guitars, explosive vocals and an energy that bursts through their recordings, these school-friends-turned-bandmates write songs that are the definition of epic. While the venue does not happen to share the same exciting vibe as the band it is hosting, We Were Promised Jetpacks will no doubt make the small club feel like a stadium.
Feb. 26: Kodaline at the Great American Music Hall
Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, Kodaline is the reincarnation of the band 21 Demands with a new name and bassist. You may recognize the single “All I Want” from television shows “Catfish” or “The Vampire Diaries” or from being stuck in your head since the first time you heard them. Fans of the band will not want to miss out on a rare chance to see it in nearby San Francisco, as they may not get another chance for a while.
Feb. 27: Childish Gambino at the Fox Theater
Whether or not you are a fan of Childish Gambino — as in comedian and actor Donald Glover — it is impossible to walk out of one of his live shows not thoroughly impressed. While his newest album, Because the Internet, had some cold reception from critics and fans alike, the songs are undeniably and just plain awesome in concert. Seeing him at the Fox is definitely an opportunity not to miss. Not only will you get to see him blaze through fan favorites such as “Freaks and Geeks” and “3005,” but you will also be able to chant the word “Oakland” back at him as he croons about the city on album highlight “Telegraph Ave.” Just another reminder of how lucky we are to live in the Bay.
Image sources: Incase., bob_sanderson, i_miss_my_sky, chuckstahuh, freschwill, kaddyyy, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
