Best of 2017: Shows

It's tough enough to reflect back and (try to) remember every show you went to the previous year but  to pick the best shows and then rank them?! It is never easy, and 2017 was no exception. 

I went to a lot of shows last year and I also worked more music fests than I ever have and just because they're not on my list doesn't mean they weren't great because  every single show is always a treat.

Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers @ Stern Grove Festival 7/2/2017
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Here are some shows that just barely missed my Best of 2017 list: Nikki Lane at Social Hall SF is the best show I've seen there yet. Magic Giant was truly magicial at Popscene and was the best Popscene show I saw last year. Crystal Fighters at Mezzanine were so vibrate and fun and I am so happy I caught that one. All the acts at the 18th Annual SF Oyster Fest (The Soft Whites Sixties,  SIR SLY, KONGOS, Passion Pit).  Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers celebrating the Summer of Love at the 80th Annual Stern Grove Festival. Being in the thick of the crowd at KABOO while Tom Petty played "Free Falling".The first show I was approved to cover last year, Mac Sabbath at Slim's.
I have to stop myself there otherwise I'll list every show that I saw last year. 

Mac Sabbath @ Slim's 1/28/2017
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Nikki Lane @ SF Social Hall 3/23/2017
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Crystal Fighters @ Mezzanine 3/27/2017
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Here are my top shows of 2017: 

10: Milky Chance at The Independent March 10th, 2017

Milky Chance @ The Independent 3/10/ 2017
photo by Nikki DeMartini

It is always an honor when I am approved to cover shows and Milky Chance was the first "big" band that approved me last year. I covered their sold-out show at The Independent last March, one week before their sophomore album dropped. 

The lighting was great, their folky, indie-reggae vibes sounded great throughout the intimate venue, they played hits from Sadnecessary and the then up-coming Blossom and (almost) everything in between. Sensing that they were genuinely happy to be there performing was easy because they were so gracious and polite. Milky Chance delivered a very welcoming dance party at one of SF's most intimate concert venues in 2017.  

9: Phantogram at The Greek Theater in Berkeley July 1st, 2017

I was busy on July 1st, 2017. I was approved to cover the 18th Annual SF Oyster Fest, which was a first for me. After eating all the oysters and enjoying all the music in the San Francisco sunshine I headed to the Greek Theater in Berkeley. I was there to cover the opening act, Klangstof and had photo pit access for the rest of the show. Out of the three acts at The Greek that night, Klangstof, Phantogram and Miike Snow, the supporting act from Phantogram was by far my favorite.
Sara's energy is more kinetic than Josh's but the chemistry between the duo brings a forceful prescene to the stage. The front woman was so engaging with fans (commenting on people's clothes and antics in the crowd) and personable and genuine (talking about how excited they were to be there and opening for Miike Snow) and her style rocks as much as Phantogram does.
It was still light out during their set, so it took away from their light display which looked like it would have been rad but they sounded great at the outdoor arena.

Phantogram @ The Greek Theater in Berkeley 7/1/2017
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Phantogram set-list 7/1/2017 
1. You're Mine 
2. Same Old Blues 
3. Black Out Days 
4. Run Run Blood 
5. Turning Into Stone
6. Don't Move 
7. Mouth Full Of Diamonds 
8. Answer 
9. Destroyer 
10. Calling All 
11. Howling At The Moon 
12. Fall In Love 
13. When I'm Small 
14. Cruel World 
15. You Don't Get Me High Anymore 







8: Willie Nelson at The Greek Theater in Berkeley August 19th, 2017

Whenever I get to experience Willie Nelson live, his show will, with out a doubt, always make my best of list. I've lost count how many times I've been lucky enough to see him live over the years but I still get goosebumps every time I see him play. He did all the classics, including a different take on the hit he wrote for Patsy Cline (one of my all time faves) "Crazy".  His voice may not be as strong as it use to be but it's still powerful and smooth. And his guitar playing? Forget about it. Willie is the best.

Willie Nelson @ The Greek Theater in Berkeley 8/19/2017
photo by Nikki DeMartini

7: Bonnaroo 2017 

stand-out performances: U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Deap Vally

Bonnaroo is one of the first, multi-day music festivals of our time and last  Summer, the 16th annual Bonnaroo was my first time experiencing it. I've been looking forward to going back to the farm ever since. Not only was it my first time getting to see U2  but I got to watch their headlining set on from the sound board.  I never even imaged that'd I'd ever see Bono that close! I also got to watch Red Hot Chilie Peppers when they played the final set on the main stage on Saturday night from the sound board. They opened with some Californication hits, they mixed in some oldies like "Suck My Kiss" and I discovered that Flea has some of the best banter ever. While those were great in all their glory for obvious reasons, my favorite was being able to catch some of Deap Vally's set.

Deap Vally @ Bonnaroo 2017
photo by Nikki DeMartini

I've been a fan of theirs since 2014 when they were on tour in support of Sistrionix, their debut album. I've seen them a handful of times in San Francisco and even caught them at Bottle Rock in 2016 but it was really cool to see them out side of my element. They played THAT tent mid-afternoon on Saturday, June 10th and the crowd wasn't crazy big so I was able to get right up front! Lindsey and Julie where wearing matching, hundred dollar bill body suits and totally rocked like they always do. Their set consisted mostly of songs off of Femejism except for one song from their first album,  "Walk of Shame". These two rock N roll ladies and the fierce energy they bring to the stage are so money, I'm so happy I got to see them at Bonnaroo!

6: Sleigh Bells at Outside Lands 2017 

When the line-up for Outside Lands was announced last year, Sleigh Bells was one of the only bands I really cared about hopefully getting to see. Don't get me wrong, I love Outside Lands, no matter
who's playing. I look forward to working in Golden Gate Park for the better part of a week with the concessions team whom I adore. I don't pay attention to the music line-up as much as I do the food vendor line-up because there's no way of knowing what set my on-site schedule will allow me to see. But I love Sleigh Bells and Alexis Krauss. Then they announced that there would be an  OSL night
show with Sleigh Bells at The Independent. I was equally excited as I was bummed because I knew for sure I couldn't make the intimate night show because I'd still be working on-site at the festival.

Sleigh Bells @ Outside Lands 8/11/2017
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Late Friday afternoon, even though I was somewhere across the park with only a few minutes to spare before a mandatory team meeting I bolted to the Twin Peaks stage to catch a little Sleigh Bells. I literally ran, full speed ahead and I made it just in time to see Alexis slay, "Riot Rhythm", one of my favorite Sleigh Bells songs. In a black slip, sheer to black thigh-high tights, huge hoop earrings and a burgundy bomber jacket, Alexis rocked a chic goth-punk while her bubbly disposition made her badassery a little less intimidating. I had to bolt back across the park shortly after "Riot Rhythm" but seeing them perform that one song in it's entirety was enough for me. And I made it to my meeting on time! Even though I wasn't able to make it to the Sleigh Bells OSL night show that night, I was able to get a photo pass for my friend who went and got some awesome shots which is pretty cool
.

Sleigh Bells @ The Independent 8/11/2017
photo by Marc Fong 

5: M.I.A at The Fox Theater in Oakland November 2nd, 2017 

When M.I.A released her fifth studio album A.I.M in 2016 I thought it would be a while before she toured the states in support of it due to the (on going) political climate in this country. A lass my heart nearly exploded when she announced a show at The Fox Theater in Oakland on November 2nd, 2017.

M.I.A @ The Fox Theater in Oakland 11/2/2017
photo by Nikki DeMartini

M.I.A set-list 11/2/2017 
1. Borders 
2. Go Off 
3. Pull Up The People 
4. Visa 
5. Bamboo Banga
6. P.O.W.A 
7. Sunshowers 
8. Story To Be Told 
9. Bucky Done Gone 
10. Bring The Noise 
11. XR2
12. The World 
13. Born Free 

en-core 
14. Galang 
15. Finally 
16. Ali Are You Ok?
17. Bad Girls 
18. Fly Pirate 
19. Paper Planes




Apparently, having forgot that M.I.A is a brat, fans grumbled because she was nearly an hour late before she finally hit the stage.  From opening with "Borders" and "Go Off" from her newest album to classics like "Bucky Done Gone" and "Sunshowers" her set was chalk full of songs from across her catalog including classics like "Galang" "Bucky Done Gone" and "Paper Planes". She even had a couple of costume changes. Her wild, lightening quick back up dancers didn't share the stage with her, her backup singer was different than the one I remember and it seemed that sometimes M.I.A herself was out of breathe while she rapped. As the show went on M.I.A warmed up to the crowd more and more and as her energy increased so did her fans'.M.I.A's music has always been raw and outspoken and she has never been afraid or ashamed to say what she believes. For that, and because I love her music, her style and her sass, I love seeing her live even if her show falls a little short.

4: The Kills at The Fox Theater March 22, 2017 

Less than a year after their headlining show at The Fox Theater in Oakland, The Kills were back on the same stage for their 15th Anniversary show last spring. A platinum blonde Alison rocked a leopard print blouse and thigh high leather boots over skinny jeans like the rock goddess that she is while Jamie rocked jeans and a button up long sleeve shirt. Their chemistry on stage never ceases to be amazing: you can see and feel the love they share for each other and the music they make as they play. His harmonizing complements her howling beautifully. Naturally, they played songs from all of their albums for a great 15 year Anniversary celebration show of one of the best rock duos of our time.

3: Glass Animals at The Greek Theater September 22nd, 2017 

Glass Animals @ The Greek Theater in Berkeley 9/22/2017
photo by Marc Fong

The indie-electro band from Oxford England, Glass Animals released their second album since they played in the East Bay in 2015. When they retuned last September, they returned with gusto: playing at The Greek Theater in Berkeley which has a bigger capacity than The Fox Theater in Oakland (which was were they'd played two years ago), I'm pretty sure the show was sold-out, they had more material to play thanks to that afore mentioned second album and their stage design was a lot more elaborate than the last time I saw them. Their set blew me away. I was there by myself and had a full on dance party all night and so did everyone around me. Glass Animals have really come into
their own: they've found a comfort level on stage and with each other that leaves them having a blast and their fans have a blast in return. Their show was a bunch of fun: from the colorful lights, their high energy, killer sound, all of the pineapples and all of their hits. If you want to get your dance on, smile and feel good, go see Glass Animals.




2: Yeah Yeah Yeahs at The Fox Theater in Oakland
 October 30th, 2017


In 2014 Yeah Yeah Yeahs' fans were left heartbroken when the New York art-punk rockers announced they were going on hiatus, myself included.  Three years later, to celebrate the re-issue of their 2003 debut album, Fever To Tell, they announced they'd be playing three shows. And one of those shows was in Oakland the night before Halloween.
 BEST TREAT EVER.
The show was super sold-out, there was an additional merch booth upstairs and there weren't as many people dressed in costume as I thought there would be. Karen O was in full, rockstar fashionista form and my heart was so full seeing her on-stage with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs again that I could not take my eyes off of her.



Her soft spoken banter and otherwise awkward crowd interaction hasn't changed: she smiled and laughed and even mentioned her baby when she dedicated a song to all the Moms out there. Her fierce passion when she sings is still there. They didn't only play Fever To Tell songs which was awesome. Karen O's vocals still pack punch, Brain is a powerhouse on drums and Nick slays those wicked guitar licks. There was confetti and giant blow-up eyeballs and the signature Karen O "deep throating" her mic move and it was all so so good. Yeah. 

1: Sylvan Esso at Lagunitas Brewery August 21st , 2017 
& The Fox Theater in OaklandAugust 23rd, 2017

Sylvan Esso were big winners in my book last year. Their sophomore album, What Now was my #1 album and their show is my #1 show of 2017.
I was lucky enough to see Sylvan Esso twice last year with one day in between seeing them at The Lagunita's Brewery and The Fox Theater in Oakland. Each show was their own special experience and there's no way to choose which one was "better". So, my #1 show of 2017 is a double whammy.
On August 21st, 2017 Sylvan Esso played a benefit show at The Lagunitas Brewery. As if Sylvan Esso couldn't get any cooler, all proceeds from the show went to to Planned Parenthood. The outdoor music venue where my favorite beer is brewed is super small that I was literally just a few feet from Amelia and Nick as they commenced a dance party.

Sylvan Esso @ The Lagunitas Brewery in Petaluma 8/21/2017
photo by Marc Fong 

August 23rd, 2017 was their second sold-out show at The Fox Theater in Oakland. I got to see their show the way it was meant to be seen, lighting and stage design wise. It was really neat to see them play in two different capacities and they're energy was great at both.
I love that Nick gets off his synths and dances now while Amelia dominates the stage.
Get all the deets on my #1 show experience from last year here. 

Sylvan Esso @ The Fox Theater in Oakland 8/23/2017
photo by Nikki DeMartini

From MSMR to LPX, Bolt In The Blue out today!

MSMR frontwoman/Neon Gold Records co-founder, Lizzy Plapinger released  her first solo EP. 

LPX is the name of her new solo project and Bolt In The Blue is the name of her first solo album which is out today. 

The 6 song EP features teased singles, "Tremble", "Tight Rope" and the already popular "Slide" and the EP itself is already getting praise from the likes of Billboard, Nylon Magazine, Interview Magazine and Vogue Magazine. 

"Plapinger's vivid style is just the visual manifestation of her role in indie music right now, and it proves she's a force to be reckoned with." - Vogue 

LPX Bolt In The Blue album cover 

Track listing: 

1. Tight Rope 

2. Tremble 

3. Slide 

4. Bolt In The Blue 

5. Fog and the Fear 

6. Red Queen 

There's a fuzzy industrial quality across the otherwise electro indie EP and there's definitely traces of MSMR lurking in the lyrics. It's simultaneously a thinker and a mover and it's meant to be played loud. 

Lizzy herself has said, "I want to create music that RIPS through your speakers and shakes you to your core, the kind of music that fuels you from your stillness. Like sonic cocaine for the soul, I hope this EP slaps you in the face, punches you in the gut and squeezes your heart." 

After touring non-stop for six years with the electro-indie sensation MSMR, Miss Lizzy has already hit the road with LPX touring with HAIM and RAC last year. 

Mixed by a couple heavy hitters, Rich Costey (Muse, Interpol, Artic Monkeys) and John O'Mahony (LCD Soundsystem, Metric, The Kills) there’s no doubt that Bolt In The Blue will have Lizzy on the road again soon, the question now is, when?

Best of 2017: Albums

My Best Albums of the year are based on how many times I listened to a given album the year it was released. Apparently, in Spring of 2017 I found what I liked and listened to it on repeat all year long. This is not a top 10 list, it's not even a top 5 list. 

Here are my top 4 albums from 2017. 

4. Every Where Is Some Where

       K. Flay

"Blood In The Cut", proceeded K. Flay's  second album by a few months, quickly becoming a smash hit single. It dominated air-waves, catapulting the lyric spitting Standford grad into recognition. K. Flay has been on fire ever since Every Where Is Some Where dropped on April 4th, 2017. The album serves as a self exploration of pain, hurt, vices and healing. Her unique vocals carry each songs' story which are driven by layers of whirling synths thumping against sharp hooks and edgy riffs.  The instrumentation on the album nudged her into the wide world of indie music but the flow of her delivery taps into her rap roots. Her rapping capabilities are heard best on "Champagne"  but even on the slowest tempo track, "Hollywood Forever" she still spits.  

There are lots of great lyrics throughout the entire album 

 but I really relate to the rhythmic "Giver" making it my favorite track of the album.  After years of having K.Flay on my personal radar it is so awesome to see her explode with success! She's been nominated for two Grammy awards: Best Engineered Album, non classical for Every Where is Some Where and Best Rock Song for Blood In The Cut and you can catch her on tour with Sir Sly soon! 

3. DAMN.
   Kendrick Lamar

On April 14th, 2017 Kendrick Lamar released his 4th studio album, DAMN. On the heels of inaugurating Donald Trump into office as POTUS. I don't doubt that a lot of people across this divided country thought and felt the same thing, DAMN. And almost every news story since: tweets, tax plan, medi-care, immigration, North Korea, Russia, TIME magazine, White Nationalists, National Parks, Women's Rights, Global Warming, fake news, Net Neutrality, etc. continue to make us think, DAMN.

The fact that all of the track titles are capitalized with a period at the end really drive the point of awareness home.  I love that the album starts with BLOOD., a metaphorical monologue about a blind woman looking for something that has been lost only to find out it's your life that is lost. You can't tell when BLOOD. ends and the next track, DNA. begins and that in and of itself (the seamless transition and the fluidity of the names of the songs) highlight how smart this album is. That same fluidity comes up again with LUST. followed by LOVE. LUST. is my #1 favorite track off the album with all of the beat drops and changes. LOVE. is my 2nd favorite track and the lyrics "Keep it a hundred, I'd rather you trust me than to (love me)" is my favorite line on the album.


Sure the beats are catchy, HUMBLE. did blow up the charts but it's the important message behind it that should really grab your attention. Social Media and how many likes you get or shares or whatever have diluted our perception of self confidence and self worth so be humble, be real, be you. When I see a festival full of privileged white kids/young adults belting out the lyrics to this song I wonder if they understand what message Lamar is trying to convey and I can't help but to think to myself, DAMN. The 30 year old rapper gave us a smart album at a time we need it most.

2. Harry Styles 
   Harry Styles 

The English-Irish London based pop boy band, One Direction has been on hiatus since 2016.  I wouldn't be able to name you one of their songs or albums and I wouldn't have been able to name any members of the group, that is of course until May 12, 2017.  There was a lot of buzz around Harry Styles' first solo album, I didn't really understand why. I thought it'd be another pop album from a pop kid but I gave it a go on the day it was released. I remember thinking it wasn't bad. It had a very dry rock taste with a touch of the blues and infamous indie. The more I listened to Harry Styles the more I liked it and the more I listened to it, the more I liked Harry Styles. Harry's sense of style (even if it is just publicity sake), is fly but funky, reminiscent of  rock gods of the 60's. The video for "Kiwi" is kids having a big cupcake fight (music and cupcakes you guys). In London last October, he stopped his show to help a fan who was having a panic attack and he's in Dunkirk! I'm not ashamed to admit it, I like Harry Styles, I mean have you seen those eyes?! And it all started with his music.

The simplistic cover says a lot: he's cleansing himself of 1D, he's in his own skin, re-born, a new, he's his own person. Harry Styles is Harry Styles and visa-versa. It's innocently revealing too, much like the songs on the album.
Piano and guitar play a prominent part throughout the album and Harry hits some impressive falsettos. The first time I heard "Two Ghosts" I automatically knew it was my favorite track. It's so pure and mature: his slightly raspy vocals are humbly steady, giving the song of heartbreak a soothing element. It's a lovely song. It's a lovely album. And if you haven't heard Harry's Spotify singles or his cover of Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain", they too are a must listen.

1. What Now 

   Sylvan Esso 

It had been three years since Sylvan Esso's self titled debut album and I know I wasn't the only one who was so excited when What Now was released on April 28th, 2017. 

The name What Now sums up the fact that sophomore albums are tough conquest after a successful debut album but Sylvan Esso came out victorious with this one. It starts with "Sound", a distorted low-fi introduction with Amelia's soft vocals getting closer and closer to the surface with each repeated verse until all that's heard is her. It's a hauntingly poetic foreshadow of the rest of the album. Their sound still swims in the depths of synthesizers but Amelia's vocals aren't swept away or drowned out by them. One of the things I love about their first album is that every track is your favorite track and that's found again on their second album. Some songs are more dancey like "Kick Jump Twist" and "Just Dancing" while others are more mellow and kind of melancholy like "Slack Jaw", "Die Young" and "Rewind".  It's a very introspective album that feels all the feels which in turn makes you feel all of your feels. Sylvan Esso's artistic lyricism is some of my favorite: "sometimes I'm above water but mostly I'm at sea" from "Slack Jaw" for example. The creativeness is simply beautiful. The line "never stop starting" in "Just Dancing" is simply inspiring, worthing of being one of those inspirational quotes painted on a block of rustic wood. The different paths Sylvan Esso go down within their electtro sound on What Now blurs the line between electro-pop and electro-indie and it's great. Sylvan Esso is electro indie-pop's sweetheart.  What Now scored Sylvan Esso their first Grammy Award nom for Best  Dance/Electronic Album! You got our vote Sylvan Esso, best of luck!