It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon to be outside for live music and all the oysters your heart desired at the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest in Golden Gate Park on the first of July.
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| The Soft White Sixties @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest 7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini |
The music started with local band, Panic is Perfect around noon, followed by SF native, LA transplants The Soft White Sixties. Chill vibes could be felt through out Sharon Meadow and they extended on to the stage as Octavio Genera, lead singer of the moody rock band, slinked front and center.
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| The Soft White Sixties @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest 7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini |
With one band mate in a tropical suit, another wearing a Tommy Bahama style shirt, one in rockabilly fit and another sporting casual jeans and a tee, collectively they were the epitope of cool looking dudes. That same coolness exudes from their from their music.
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| The Soft White Sixties @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest 7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini |
Their sizzling energy was a lot more laid back for the Oysterfest crowd than I've seen in from them in the past. Octavio's minimal antics engaged fans just enough though. He kept things lively with the swinging and whipping of his long mic cord and walking across amps.
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| The Soft White Sixties @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest 7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini |
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| The Soft White Sixties @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest 7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini |
After an instrumental opening, sultry rock songs from their catalogue like "Sorry to Say" and "Up To The Light" filled their set along with a mention or two of Oysters.
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| SIR SLY @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest 7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini |
The chill vibe continued with Landon, Jason and Hyaden of SIR SLY up next. The LA based band delivered a heartfelt indie set stitched with hearty synths, including their Oakland visit inspired single "High".
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| SIR SLY @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest 7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini |
South African ensamble of brothers, KONGOS flipped the switch back to rock n roll in a classic rock sense. Heavy drums and heavier guitar are the driving forces of their arena aspiring songs, giving their over all sound that rooted rock aesthetic. The drum kit was up front alongside the typical position of a lead singer, making it easy to see Jesse on drums and Daniel on guitar sharing the role of lead vocals. Because they played before the headliner of the day, Passion Pit, KONGOS' set was longer than the bands before them and an abundence fans sang along to all of the songs espeically "Come With Me Now" which they played mid-set.
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| KONGOS @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest 7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini |
The sun was still shining come time for Passion Pit to close the show as the festivies wound down that warm Summer evening in Golden Gate Park.
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| Passion Pit @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest 7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini |
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| Passion Pit @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest 7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini |
It's been a couple of years since the last time I saw the classic indie-pop act and it was nice to see frontman Michael Angelako still wears his signaure look: a button up dress shirt with a tie and a light jacket. It was a pleasant surprise that they opened with one of their most popular songs, "Little Secrets" after which we learned that Oysters are the lead singer's favorite food.  |
| Passion Pit @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest 7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini |
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| Passion Pit @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest 7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini |
I appreciate his awkwardness on stage that he's come to embrace more and more over the years. He's tantrum like contortions and silly facical expressions can be uncomfortable to watch if you don't know better but if you're a Passion Pit fan, you know how Angelakos rolls. His energy seemed to snowball with each song and as the set went on we heard more from Gossamer than any other of their albums.
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| Passion Pit @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest 7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini |
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| Passion Pit @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest 7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini |
The line-up had a nice ratio of rock to indie-pop with a good mix of up and coming bands, local acts and an old(er) favorite. The schedule is planned so that attendess can enjoy as much of everything that the San Francisco Oysterfest has to offer: with about half an hour between each of the five sets there was time to get your eat and drink on without missing much of the music. If you timed it right, lines weren't long and there was a variety of oysters and the like to choose from. From fresh oysters, BBQ oysters, fried oysters, to lobster rolls and crab fries there was even a handfull of food trucks with non Seafood options. Guiness kept people cool with their original stout and the new Guiness Blonde which is a refeshing golden ale option.
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| 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest 7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini |
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| 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest 7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini |
A day filled with good food, cold beverages, good music and great company, this family and dog friendly event has been entertaining for 18 years and counting!
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