Matt Montgomery & Van Dyke Parks with Bay Area non-profit Awesome Orchestra @ The Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts in Oakland 1/26/2014

 

 Bay Area non-profit group, Awesome Orchestra teamed up with  music legends Matt Montgomery and Van Dyke Parks and  for a very special show this past Sunday at The Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts in Oakland.

 

Photo by: Marc Fong

The Sunday funday show, celebrating Montgomery's collaborative efforts off of his latest album Petty Troubles  featured members of the Awesome Orchestra along side the famous artist/composer/producer. The mix of musicians was quite an inspiring sight, but the real treat was the sweet music they created on stage which started just past 4:00. 

 

 

 

 

Starting the afternoon off on a positive note,  Matt Montgomery and an "awesome" string quartette  effortlessly delivered a beautiful rendition of "On It's Way". 

  Melodic, symphonic, orchestral pop songs  seemed to place everyone in attendance under a peaceful spell.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

While the set-list evenly split up leading vocals, Parks' awed on the piano on the tracks that didn't have him behind the microphone. Likewise, Montgomery's guitar talent shined bright on the songs that didn't find him in the singing spotlight. As evening made way to night, the highlight for most had to be when Van Dyke Parks made his way back to the stage and performed The Simpsons theme song with a full Orchestra!

 

 

 

Photo by: Marc Fong

Photo by: Marc Fong

 

It's not everyday two legendary, muti-talented musicians share a stage together let alone with up and comers.
Matt Montgomery, Van Dyke Parks and the Awesome Orchestra completely captivated the Oakland audience.

A show like the one on Sunday was truly humbling and special for everyone involved.

 

 



Photo by: Marc Fong









 

SET LIST:

 

Matt Montgomery with the String Quartette  

 1) "On It's Way"

 

 

Van Dyke Parks (Vocals & Piano) with Awesome Orchestra

&

Founding Conductor David Moschler

 

2) "Jump"

3) "Opportunity for Two"

4) "Come Along"

5) "Cowboy Parks"

6) "Night In The Tropics"

7) "Orange Crate Art"

8) "Sail Away"

 

Matt Montgomery (Vocals & Guitar) with Awesome Orchestra

&

Guest Conductor Brian Adam McCune

 

9) "Top of the World"

10) "Petty Troubles"

11) "Though I Try"

12) "A Thousand Years"

13) Wishing on a Falling Star"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Newman @ Popscene 1/16/2014

Photo by: Marc Fong

A mature crowd got to the 18 and up club, Popscene early to secure their spot to see  23 year old, multi-talented singer/songwriter/producer, John Newman.  

 And with good reason.

Every stop of the US tour in support of his debut album Tribute sold-out, including San Francisco. So, needless to say, after waiting over an hour SF fans were ready for the show to begin last Thursday night.

Photo by: Marc Fong

Focus swiftly shifted to John Newman as soon as he appeared on stage moments after the band and two back up singers preluded the gracious title track, "Tribute".
A powerful, gospel like essence  swelled prominently as respectful cheers from the crowd gave way to an admirable vibe throughout the venue.

Photo by: Marc Fong

 




Belting out each soulful ballad track with an effervescent angelic swagger, John Newman undeniably dominated the performance while simultaneously letting the orchestrated band shine alongside him.

Photo by: Marc Fong

While the set did include the smash single, "Love Me Again" which was introduced on an earlier EP the night,  as noted by Newman himself, was all about the debut album Tribute.
The young, talented artist thanked fans for making the success of the album and the subsequent the Tribute tour, happen.







As this leg of the Tribute tour continues on with sold-out shows across the States, John Newman's popularity rightfully, continuously grows.
Another 13 shows were announced last week: starting March 27th at the 9:30 Club in DC all the way to The Doug Fur Lounge in Portland Oregon on April 18th!
You should get your tickets to see John Newman this Spring, today!

Photo by: Marc Fong

 

The Skins Opening for Jake Bugg @ The Fox Theater 1/26/2014

Brooklyn-based bluesy rock band The Skins will be performing on next week  at The Fox Theater in Oakland!

 

After releasing the three song EP, Summertime on their own back in 2012, The Skins are currently working on new material with renowned producer Rick Rubin.

 

Following the success of two sold out tours supporting UK band The Heavy, siblings Bayli, Reef, Kaya McKeithan and a their pair of dueling guitarists are on tour throughout North America with Jake Bugg now!

Their Summertime EP and their latest single, Dead Hands are streaming and both are also available on Spotify. 

If you like bands like The Dead Weather, Black Bananas and Deap Valley you'll dig this band.

 

Don't miss your chance to catch this gritty act before they blow up! Get tickets to see The Skins open for Jake Bugg January 23rd! 

 


  

Play-off Party Cupcakes

Are you ready for some cupcakes Football fans?!?!  Let your Niner pride shine one bite at a time with these team cupcakes on January 19th when the 49ers take on the Seahawks!

49er Cupcake: Golden Vanilla cake with Vanilla frosting.

Show your team spirit with two different 49er inspired cupcakes from Mazzetti's Bakery in Pacifica : the 49er cupcake and the Niner Helmet cupcake!
 

Niner Helmet Cupcake: Chocolate cake with Vanilla frosting.

 
 



 



 

The Go Niners! cupcake from Cako in SF looks like a winner, too! 

Moist red velvet cake, classic vanilla buttercream frosting, festive red and gold sprinkles and a commemorative 49er's ring captures the spirit of your favorite team.



Place your order for playoff party cupcakes today!

 

 

 

 

 

Peppermint Brownie Cake-Pop from Starbucks

Winter time means it's time for Peppermint Bark: peppermint candy pieces, such as candy canes, in white chocolate on top of dark chocolate!
 Starbucks doesn't sell cupcakes and the Peppermint Brownie Cake-Pop is only in stores for a limited time, so I gave it a try.

These seasonal bite sized cakes  made up of peppermint chocolate  buttercream cake are dipped in white chocolate, sprinkled with candy cane bits, and covered chunks of sugar. They come on a festive candy cane striped stick, too!




 

When I took my first bite, I had to catch sugary morsels in my hand as the candy coating crumbled off of the cake as I ate it. Though the crunchy pieces of candy and sugar do mask the of the white chocolate shell well, they don't hide it's waxy consistency completely.

 

 Kind of like a  fudge brownie, this Cake-Pop's "cake" (brownie) is rather doughy... in a yummy way...not an under cooked way.





The Peppermint dominates the chocolatiness of this Peppermint Brownie Cake-Pop, but it works. It's a really sugary, doughy reincarnation of Peppermint Bark.  It's what to be expected of a Starbucks pastry.

For 170 calories and a buck fifty each, Starbucks' Peppermint Brownie Cake-Pop is a sweet, and convenient  little deal!

 

Shows Coming Up Sooner & Later in 2014

As the end of 2013 neared I noticed that a bunch of shows/tours were being announced waaaay in advance.

Did you notice that?  

The standard  onslaught of January and February shows started popping late last year, while tickets for some shows closer to the end of this year are already on sale.  

Here's a look at some shows coming up sooner and later.

Announcing a show a month or two out is in the norm, so to say. For instance on December 3rd Another Planet Entertainment announced four  Skrillex shows at four different venues around the Bay Area.  Here's what A.P.E had to say about this turntable takeover heading our way.

Skrillex IS TAKING OVER THE BAY AREA!

It's happening February 3rd - February 8th. Presale tickets will be available on Thursday, December 5th starting at 10am & running through 11:59pm via www.APEConcerts.com, password = sonny

MON, FEB 3 ...- The Independent with DJ CRAZE & LOUISAHHH!!!
WED, FEB 5 - MEZZANINE with Etnik & Seven Lions
FRI, FEB 7 - Fox Theater - Oakland with Jack Beats & WE ARE GTA
SAT, FEB 8 - Bill Graham Civic Auditorium with ASAP Rocky, Alvin Risk & TOKiMONSTA

This is going to be insane! For more info visit: http://skrillex.com/takeovers & www.APEConcerts.com

A couple weeks after the big Skrillex announcement, on December 17th,  Another Planet and NoisePop announced When We Were Young: Celebrating 5 years of Magik*Magik Orchestra at Fox Theater - Oakland on Fri. Jan 31!

Featuring collaborative performances by Magik*Magik Orchestra and Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers, The Dodos, Rogue Wave, Two Gallants, Geographer, John... Vanderslice and many more!

Lorde @ Not So Silent Night (Night #2) 2013 @ The Oracle Arena
Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

Ok, now get this. On December 16th Another Planet Entertainment announced the March 26th Lorde show at The Fox Theater in Oakland! Three days later a second show on March 27th was added due to popular demand.  LIVE105's Not
So Silent Night (Night #2) may have been  the biggest crowd she'd ever performed in front of, and if she keeps this up Lorde will be playing a lot  more big shows down the road.
Both Lorde shows at The Fox Theater are already sold out.  

Ellie Goulding @ The Fox Theater February 8th, 2013
Photo by: Marc Fong 

See the fabulous Ellie Goulding with Rudimental at San Francisco's historic Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on Sat. April 19! This announcement came from A.P.E back in November (November 21st to be exact).

Following the  Ellie announcement, A.P.E announced Empire of the Sun at The Fox Theater in Oakland on April 17th.

HAIM @ Treasure Island Music Festival October 20th, 2013
Photo by: Marc Fong

The HAIM sisters are heading back to the Bay...in April. They're playing not one but two sold out shows at The Fillmore  April 9th and April 10th.

With Coachella falling on the weekends of April 11th - 13th and April 18th - 20th all I can think is...Coachella by the Bay, baby! Maybe?

Arcade Fire's  highly anticipated fourth album, Reflector was released on October 29th and the official Reflector tour was announced a few weeks later. On November 14th their show at The Shoreline Amphitheater on July 30th got announced and tickets went on-sale a week after that.

Oh yeah. Arcade Fire also announced that they would like their show goers to dress in fancy attire or in costume.  Then the band apologized for upsetting any fans with this request.  

Some time near the end of 2013 Justin Timberlake announced two shows in San Jose at the SAP Center (previously HP Pavilion): one on January  19th and the other on AUGUST 11, 2014!  

 I sure do hope Mr. JT brings some sexy back to make up for teasing fans for so long!

Local bands are jumping on the early announcement bandwagon, too!
 

 

Bonnie and The Bang Bang  have a residency at The MILK Bar in SF every Wednesday night this month!  

 

Though I am not sure what the driving force is behind announcing shows way ahead of time I have a sinking feeling it has to do with money. Are Arcade Fire and  Justin Timberlake really worried that they won't sell tickets? Lorde and HAIM are obviously on a role and they went with it. Well played girls. The Ellie Goulding, Empire of the Sun and HAIM April acts may have spilled a bit of the 2014 Coachella bill but we won't know for sure until the line up is announced.

Of course these are a select few of what's heading our way but the fad of waaaay early announcements may be a lingering trend.  

Whatever the case may be, keep them comin' cause we're ready! Well...now we'll be ready :)