Dawes @ The Fonda Theatre 11/26/2021

 Last month I was invited to cover Dawes at The Fillmore in San Francisco on November 28th but I was going to be in LA that day. I thought it would be a long shot telling my contact that and asking if Dawes had any upcoming shows in LA I could cover but I did and they did! 

Dawes @ The Fonda Theater 11/26/2021
photo by Nikki DeMartini

It was the day after Thanksgiving and Dawes was headlining their first of two shows at The Fonda Theatre on Hollywood Blvd and I was approved to cover them. My excitement was two fold: it was my first time at The Fonda and my second time being approved to cover a show in LA. 

 The Fonda was smaller than I imagined. With it's dimly lit interior, art deco and balcony it struck me as a combination of two venues in SF: The Fillmore, the same venue they'd play in a few days and The Warfield. The show that night was not sold-out by any means but it was filled with fans that looked to be my age and up. An older demographic if you will. 

Dawes @ The Fonda Theater 11/26/2021 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

There was plenty of space to mingle though most people stayed within their social circle, masks were kept on for the most part and light hearted conversations were had before the band started.  It was a nice change of pace after working overcrowded music festivals where the attendee demographics are usually  a lot younger and where no one seems to care about the transmission of COVID anymore. 

The place lit up at the sight and sound of Dawes. Being able to tour in support of their seventh album Good Luck With Whatever which they released October 2020 was a shared celebration between them an their fans. At one point front man, Taylor Goldsmith, talked about how before the pandemic he thought that he could take or leave live music and touring because they were a band and that's what bands do.  

When it was all taken away during lockdown and he couldn't tour or  play live music to a live audience is when it really hit him. He needs live music, live shows, a live audience. Like me, live streams just didn't do it for Dawes, they just aren't the same. His spiel is probably the most honest COVID spiel I've seen someone make on-stage and I appreciated that.

They opened with "None of My Business" a new one from the new album and then proceeded with older songs from their older albums: Nothing Is Wrong, We're All Gonna Die, Passwords, Stories Don't End and North Hills. It wasn't until a little more than half way through the set they played another new one, Someone Else's Cafe or Doomscroller Tries to Relax. Somewhere in there Goldsmith mentioned how he usually doesn't get nervous before playing shows but there was something about these hometown shows and playing to folks from or at least in his hometown that made him a bit nervous.

Dawes @ The Fonda Theatre 11/26/2021 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

As I made my way around the venue trying to get good photos while being respectful of other concert goers, I noticed 8x11 signs on the stage asking people to keep masks on if they were that close. That was a first for me and again, something from Dawes that I appreciated. 

Dawes land somewhere between indie and folk though I wouldn't say their sound is indie-folk. Some songs have a distinct indie sound while other have a strong folk flare. They throw in an instrumental version of one of their songs, House Parties and to really mix things up they did a Black Sabbath cover.  

With 15 songs on their set list and a two song encore, Dawes played for nearly two hours. They were happy to do so and of course their friends were happy about it, too. I'm sure the next two nights of shows at The Fonda Theatre in LA and The Fillmore in San Francisco were just as laid back and whole hearted as their first show at The Fonda.

Dawes @ The Fonda Theatre  11/26/2021
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Dawes @ The Fonda Theatre11/26/2021 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

set-list 11/26/2021 
1. None of My Business 
2. If I Wanted Someone 
3. Don't Send Me Away
4. We're All Gonna Die 
5. Feed the Fire 
6. Someone Will 
7. The Western Skyline 
8. Time Spent in Los Angeles 
9. Someone Else's Cafe or Doomscroller Tries to Relax 
10. House Parties (acoustic) 
11. Somewhere Along the Way 
12. From a Window Seat 
13. Still Feel Like a Kid 
14. Roll with the Punches 
15. All Your Favorite Bands 

en-core 
16. Who Do You Think You're Talking To?
17. Rat Salad (Black Sabbath cover)

MisterWives @ The Regency Ballroom 11/23/2021

 As the end of 2019 neared MisterWives set out on tour and I set out to cover them. I had only seen them once back in 2016 at BottleRock Napa so the idea of seeing them at a one off show excited me. When the year ended I hadn't been able to cover them and then it was 2020. And then COVID happened. And then in the Summer of  2020, MisterWives released their third album SUPERBLOOM. I hadn't realized in 2019 that they were gearing up to release a new album but looking back it makes sense as that's what one does in this biz. 

MisterWivces @ The Regency Ballroom 11/23/2021
photo by Marc Fong 

MisterWives @ The Regency Ballroom 11/23/2021
photo by Marc Fong 

"Superbloom" the title track off the new album was released in May 2020 a few weeks ahead of the album which dropped in July. A good friend told me about the song and suggested that I check it out because according to him it was me since I myself have been growing, blooming into who I am meant to be. It was love at first listen and it continues to inspire, encourage and comfort every time I listen to it not to mention start a dance party of one in my apartment. 

MisterWives @ The Regency Ballroom 11/23/2021
photo by Marc Fong 

 
Turns out a lot of songs by MisterWives follow the same theme: recognition that personal growth and change are hard, scary, lonely and that you are not alone through what can be a painful process. Most probably wouldn't know that's what the Indie-Pop band based out of NYC are all about from looking at their bight and cheery exterior but they are and it's refreshing. 

MisterWives @ The Regency Ballroom 11/23/2021
photo by Marc Fong 

I went out on a limb and sent another request to cover them this time around.
 Needless to say I was thrilled when I got an email back telling me I was approved to cover MisterWives' Really Really Ridiculously Resilient Little tour.  
The show was on the eve of Thanksgiving eve, November 23rd: it was my first time being back at The Regency Ballroom since February 29th, 2020 to see Best Coast. Not much has changed other than needing to have proof of full COVID vaccination or a negative COVID test result. Masks are encouraged inside the venue but very few concert goers had masks on at this show which is unfortunately the case at most shows I've been to since shows have come back. 

MisterWives @ The Regency Ballroom 11/23/2021
photo by Marc Fong 

The stage was set in SUPERBLOOM fashion with an array of eye catching colorful fake flowers everywhere. It's the same stage design they had when I saw them at BottleRock Napa 5 years ago, only there were a lot more fake flowers this time. "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers trickled out of the house PA system and as it grew louder than previous songs that played during the change over I was led to believe that MisterWives would take the stage once the millennial era anthem was over. The entire crowd sang along, myself included, after all we were breaking out of our (COVID) cage and (at the moment) we were feeling just fine. 

MisterWives @ The Regency Ballroom 11/23/2021
photo by Marc Fong 

Sure enough MisterWives emerged after "Mr.Brightside" and the room bloomed with cheering happiness at the site of the headliners. The miss of MisterWives, Mandy Lee, was a sparkly seafoam green vision in a loose fitting cargo pant suit, energizing smile and beaming stage presence. They opened with "The End" which is the first song on SUPERBLOOM. Coincidentally, I had listened to the album while getting ready that night and thought it be clever if MisterWives started the show with "The End"  in the air of every ending is a new beginning type of thing and they did! If people in the crowd weren't whole heartedly singing along they were joyously dancing to this one. It was one of if not the best received openings to a show I'd seen this year. That's a pretty big feat being that everyone is ecstatic for the main act at every show I've been to since the triumphant return of live music 4 months ago but MisterWives took the cake in my book.  As far as I could see everyone had a smile painted across their face to match the leading lady's. 

As the show went on the smiles stayed and MisterWives seemed to pick up steam: taking full advantage of the stage, commanding attention with their kinetic energy and color changing back drop. They were visibly  having fun with each other while doing it, too which fans fed off of. It was an osmosis of good times. 

Every song they played was well received no matter where in their three album catalog it came from and they played at least one song from each of their albums.  Lee delivered a sweet message of dreaming about this tour for last two years and about everyone there being there, alive and well.
She also mentioned how the backbends she did with her band mates hurt when she does them now as opposed to two years so she might have to stop doing them. 

MisterWives @ The Regency Ballroom 11/23/2021
photo by Marc Fong 

Surprisingly  "Superbloom" did not close the show but was the second to last song ahead of "Our Own House" the title track off of their 2015 debut album. 

MisterWives @ The Regency Ballroom 11/23/2021
photo by Marc Fong 

My goal was to get this review posted a lot sooner than I did but maybe the universe had other plans.
As I typed up the review of their show, yesterday afternoon MisterWives announced that due to some of them testing positive for COVID they have to reschedule their upcoming shows in Washington DC, Boston and New York until January.
Live music is back but COVID is still out there, we are still in a pandemic. Even if you're fully vaccinated, wearing a mask indoors and getting tested regularly is not only important for your own health but the health and safety of everyone. You can still get COVID if you're vaccinated and you can spread it.
Well wishes to MisterWives for a speedy recovery, I feel your pain.
Thank you for risking your health to bring a night of uplifting vibes to San Francisco. 

MisterWives set-list 11/23/2021

1. The End
2. Ghost 
3. Box Around the Sun
4. whywhywhy
5. Rock Bottom
6. Coming Up For Air
7. Alone 
8. Valentine's Day 
9. Rainbow
10. It's My Turn 
11. Find My Way Home 
12. Running In Place 
13. Decide To Be Happy
14. Love Me True 
15. Coloring Outside The Lines 
16. 3 Small Words
17. Muse 
18. Reflections
19. Superbloom 
20. Our Own House 

Phoebe Bridgers @ The Greek Theater 10/16/2021

It had been a while since I had been invited to cover a show or to have one of my requests for coverage be approved, so, subsequently my blog posts had significantly slowed down. As more and more shows and festivals got announced, work in my industry came back in a big way, all at once. While work poured in show coverage still remained slow. And then one day I got a bite and it was kind of a big bite.
 Burnout from the influx of work in the last few months, an out of practice writing schedule and being out of practice about live shows in general really stalled me. I wanted to get this posted weeks ago and thought I could bust it out between working three different festivals...
Well, here we are more than four weeks later and here it is. My first approved show coverage since before the pandemic. 

 

When I was asked if I wanted to cover Phoebe Bridgers at The Greek Theater in Berkeley I couldn't believe it. Do I want to cover Phoebe Bridgers?! The Grammy award nominated Phoebe Bridgers? The Phoebe Bridgers who infamously smashed/didn't smash her guitar at the end of her premier SNL performance? The Phoebe Bridgers who said "Fuck ACL" after the festival cut the sound as she played the last song of her set because she went over her allotted time only to go into an hour long change over for Doja Cat? The Phoebe Bridgers who dated Conor Oburst? The Phoebe Bridgers who had one of the best albums of 2020? Indie's hottest IT girl of the moment, Phoebe Bridgers? 

My answer was yes. Yes I do want to cover Phoebe Bridgers. 

 I couldn't for the life of me find anywhere on line that listed an opening act so I got to The Greek in Berkeley around 7:30, which was an hour after doors opened and half an hour before the show started. By the time I got my ticket from will-call, had my covid vaccination verified and waited in line to get into the venue, opening act Julien Baker was getting ready to play the last song of the set. Naturally, the beautiful coliseum of a venue was filled to the gill since it was a sold-out show and they roared when Baker announced she be playing a cover of the Rufus Wainwright with a special guest and Phoebe Bridgers herself walked out for the surprise duet. Needless to say, I was elated with my timing getting to the show that night. I'm not familiar with Julien Baker or the Rufus Wainwright song "One Man Guy" but the crowd's reaction to Phoebe joining Julien on stage to perform it sent waves of goose bumps through me. Seeing two ladies, each with a guitar, hold down the whole stage at a venue like that in front of a crowd itching for more was serenely empowering. I knew that my friend who had been waiting in line for hours before doors opened so he could get a good spot in the bowl had to be elated, too.

Phoebe Bridgers @ The Greek Theater in Berkeley 10/16/2021
photo by Nikki DeMartini

And it only got better from there. 

Maybe it was just me but the sold-out show at The Greek that night felt more so than the previous sold out show I had been to there which was Sylvan Esso just a few weeks before. Was there more of a jubilance in the air? Were more people on their feet? Was it a younger crowd? Was it the change of the seasons lingering all about us? I don't know what it was but it did feel more sold-out. 

Phoebe Bridgers @ The Greek Theater in Berkeley 10/16/2021
photo by Nikki DeMartini

The change over seemed to have come and gone and before you knew it Phoebe was on stage opening with one of her first singles form 2017, "Motion Sickness". The first few songs were just her, on stage, singing and playing. She wore what looked to be a velvet blazer, forgoing what's become her signature look of a skeleton onesie, or something of the sort. 

Transfixed by her as she made her way around the stage, the crowd seemed to move with Phoebe, squealing when she strummed her guitar, when she smiled, when she gazed out into the faces who of course were gazing right back at her. They simply couldn't get enough of her and she knew it, it was painted all over her face with that effortless smile, smirk. For as sullen as her sound and vibe are, or can be, she sure does smile a lot more than one may think she would. 

Phoebe Bridgers @ The Greek Theater in Berkeley 10/16/2021
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Just like at the Sylvan Esso show I found myself able to go right down to the front of the bowl, where the photo pit is and stand along side the barricade there with out so much as a second glance from security.  Even with it's tough angles and blind corners, it's a prime location to get a good pic for someone without a photo pass or a decent camera. Looking back it's as if I was riding the tide of good times: nearly teetering on tiptoes to stay a float in the shreiking seas of sirens that came in all shapes and sizes behaving like excited adolescence at the mere sight of her, forget about recognition from her. One moment I was doing my best to get good profile photo of Phoebe putting on a fuzzy cowboy hat she plucked from a fan across the stage and the next moment I was trying to focus on her right in front of me, signing something that was from the screaming crowd around me before handing it back so she could return to the other corner of the stage, lickity split. 

After that close encounter the security guards at that post more readily kept people moving. I had already gotten pics I couldn't have dreamed of getting and she played "Kyoto" early on in her set so I didn't mind moving one bit by that point. 

As I moved around the outskirts of the bowl, absorbing the energy of the night the graphics behind Phoebe moved, too. The intricate graphics and stunning lights changed with every song. At some point I realized that she was accompanied by her whole band on stage and they were all wearing skeleton attire of some sort. She spoke of being back in the Bay Area and that she had family from Ukiah which caused a little stir in one area for a fleeting moment. Phoebe is personable in a way much like her smile, one might not expect it. 
For as anti everything that she stands for as she is, Phoebe Bridgers actually comes off as quite personable. Maybe that's part of her allure.  Indie's antisocial butterfly is magically personable. A seriously good musician who allows herself not to take it too seriously because she knows she can because her craft is that good. 

Phoebe Bridgers @ The Greek Theater in Berkeley 10/16/2021
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Has someone's live performance ever won you over? Like you weren't a fan but then you saw them live and then you were a fan? I was a fan of Phoebe Bridgers before I was asked if I wanted to review her show but  I have a new found appreciation for her, now. I went back and listened to her 2020 album Punisher after seeing her live and that's when it struck me that I like Phoebe Bridgers more after seeing her live. Phoebe Bridgers and her music are that un-cool, cool girl at school who no-one sits with but who everyone talks about.
At least, she was. 

Phoebe Bridgers @ The Greek Theater in Berkeley 10/16/2021
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Sleigh Bells playing shows in Oakland & SF soon

 It's been 12 years since Sleigh Bells exploded on to the music scene with their highly likeable, brash single "Kids" off of their archetypal noise pop album, Treats. 

Since then the duo who's origins lay in Brooklyn New York continue to break the mold of pop music.  Steered by heavy metal inspired hooks and shrieking synths backing lovely vocals, sometimes harder, sometimes softer but always clearly Sleigh Bells, 2021's Texis brings them closer to their roots. 

On May 11th, front-man Derek and front-woman Alexis announced the rescheduled anniversary celebration show for Treats on September 9th, 2021 at  New York's Webster Hall. A few weeks later on June 21st, before starting to tease the release of their 5th album, Texis, they announced their unannounced album tour with shows throughout October 2021 and February 2022. 

Not too long after that they unveiled the first single off the new album "Locust Laced" and it's music video in July and on September 10th Sleigh Bells dropped their new album. 

These two have been busy in the dawn of the new normal. In the midst of all of these Sleigh Bells happenings, Alexis went and got hitched like the rock N roll goddess that she is.

Ahead kicking off the tour in New York on October 5th Sleigh Bells not only updated their COVID-19 policies for their shows, they also precautiously postponed some shows until next February while at the same time adding a show in San Francisco. 

Maybe the show in the city by the bay was added because of high vaccination rates and proof of vaccination policies?  It's hard to say but on October 23rd Bay Area fans can catch them at The New Parish in Oakland and the very next night they play The Rickshaw Stop in SF. 

Sleigh Bells at Mezzanine 11/6/2016 
photo by Evan Andrews  

Take it from someone who's seen them play at  music festivals, an outdoor arena and smaller venues, the best place to see a band with as big of a sound that Sleigh Bells has is those smaller, more intimate venues. They put on a  great show where ever they play but smaller venues is how Sleigh Bells are meant to be seen. With The New Parish's max capacity's of 250 and 400 at The Rickshaw Stop, their back to back upcoming shows in The Bay should not disappoint. 

Sleigh Bells OSL night show at The Independent 8/15/2017 
photo by Marc Fong 

Get tickets to either or both shows while you can and don't forget earplugs, your proof of vaccination, or your mask. 

Sylvan Esso @ The Greek Theater in Berkeley 9/9/2021

When 2021 tours started being announced a few months ago, electro-folk, synthpop act Sylvan Esso announced their Shaking Out the Numb tour. They had released their third album, Free Love in the middle of the COVID quarantine featuring the single "Numb" which is an appropriate name for a  North American tour rolling through the country as it comes out of quarantine. It's also a clever homage to their 2020 single "Numb" in which the chorus features the lyrics "shaking out the numb".

Sylvan Esso at The Greek Theater in Berkeley 9/9/2021 
photo by Nikki  DeMartini

 

I couldn't wait to see them play their new music so of course I was so excited to see that they were scheduled to play at one of, of not my favorite out door venues in the Bay Area, The  Greek Theater in Berkeley on September 9th with supporting act Local Natives. I can't even remember when the last time I saw a show there but the last time I saw Sylvan Esso live was there.  

 

Currently, proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test are required in order to attend Sylvan Esso shows as well as all Another Planet Entertainment shows but that didn't stop fans from buying tickets.  Their show in Berkeley that night was sold-out as are a lot of shows on the "Shaking Out The Numb" tour. 

 I was just one out of the 8,500 people at The Greek that night and I was as happy to be there as everyone else was. People are always happy to be at a concert but there is a noticeable difference at post lock-down shows. The air almost seems lighter with an indescribable magnetic euphoria of deja vu. 

Sylvan Esso at The Greek Theater in Berkeley 9/9/2021 
photo by Nikki  DeMartini

Sylvan Esso at The Greek Theater in Berkeley 9/9/2021 
photo by Nikki  DeMartini

In a day glow green two piece under a baggy two piece blue cage style jumpsuit and fishnet stockings that matched her skin tone, Amelia's look was very different from Nick's. With his long wavy locks blowing in the breeze his look was very modern day hippy, wook if you will: flowy black and white checkered pair of skirt looking shorts and an oversized pink tye dyed shirt. Their on-stage look that night in Berkeley matched their sound: psychedelic electronic dance.   

After opening gently with the serenely poignant "What If" from 2020's Free Love, they went on to play something from every album including classic fan favorites "Hey Mami" and "Coffee" from their self titled debut. About four songs in they took a moment to express gratitude for being able to tour and play live music for fans again in this on going pandemic. I imagine that sentiments similar to these will be shared from stages at concerts for some time. 

Sylvan Esso at The Greek Theater in Berkeley 9/9/2021 
photo by Nikki  DeMartini

Sylvan Esso at The Greek Theater in Berkeley 9/9/2021 
photo by Nikki  DeMartini

Sylvan Esso have a charismatic energy that they exude on stage every time I have seen them no matter the setting.  Whether it be at an outdoor arena, an indoor venue, a festival set or a smaller intimate show their all inclusive, chill, dance party vibes magically transcend across them all rather effortlessly. 

It was great to be back at The Greek, it was great to see Sylvan Esso play their new stuff live and it was great to see them at The Greek again. 

Tune-Yards @ Bimbo's 365 Club 8/20/2021

 It had been years since the last time I saw Tune-Yards live. Seven years to be exact when they headlined at The Fillmore in San Francisco. That was the first time I had seen them live. It was also the first time I saw or even heard of the openers,  Sylvan Esso and it was that show that made a Sylvan Esso fan out of me ever since. 

Bimbo's 365 Club 8/20/2021
photo by Nikki DeMartini

I can't remember the last time I saw a show at Bimbo's but it was definitely pre-pandemic. I'm also not sure if Friday night's show was the first show at Bimbo's since the pandemic but it sure was good to be back.  I love Bimbo's for it's retro style: the deep burgundys and gold accents, the bar staff in white waiter jackets, the bathroom attendants, the tables a glow with flickering candles for the dinner ticket holders. Seeing a show at there is like taking a step back in time. It is quite a unique show seeing experience no matter who's playing. Now, there are a couple of updates because of COVID which should give show goers some peace of mind: proof of vaccination is required and once inside a mask must be worn, by everyone, at all times. 

ticket for Tune-Yards at Bimbo's 365 Club 8/20/2021 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

With a sound  similar to the headliners, indie's underground sensation Salami Rose Joe Louis was a fitting opener.  People were arriving and getting situated as she welcomed them with her eclectic, one women show. 

The bars flooded with people ordering refreshments between sets and everyone was dressed to the nines as far as I could see. It was the beginning of the weekend and people were excited to be out, socializing and finally seeing live music. The small dance floor in front of the intimate stage filled in quick as a buzzing anticipation for the headlining act grew.  

Tune-Yards at Bimbo's 365 Club 8/20/2021
photo by Nikki DeMartini

It was close to 10:00 when the Oakland based Tune-Yards emerged. Between two male counter pieces, one of whom assumedly Nate Brenner, a very pregnant Merrill Garbus addressed the crowd. She popped in bright hues of orangey-pink coral and fuzzy socks she expressed a shared gratitude for being able to be there to play music for us during an ongoing pandemic and for us to be able to be there to share the experience. 

Rubbing her belly she also addressed the pregnancy elephant in the room and had the room laughing along with her when she mentioned something about it probably not being a good idea to  write a song about not wanting to have kids. Then the stage lights dropped to dim blues and pinks as fog spilled on to stage and Tune-Yards eccentricity descended on the room. 

Tune-Yards at Bimbo's 365 Club 8/20/2021
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Tune-Yards at Bimbo's 365 Club 8/20/2021
photo by Nikki DeMartini

I couldn't tell ya what songs were played because I allowed myself to get lost in them. Closing my eyes and swaying to the instrumental beats, synthesized melodies and the harmonic lull of Merrill's  vocals,
I fully enjoyed the moment in the moment. It was a perfect soundtrack, in a picturesque setting which made for a great Friday night out on the town. 

Peach Cobbler cupcake from Molly's Cupcakes, Chicago

I love food, I love to eat and I love traveling.  

 I do my best to find and try the best fare in town when I am there, wherever that may be. I'm also very fortunate to have friends from all over, who've been all over and who can point me in the right direction. This can get hard to do when traveling for work, when you work music festivals: days and nights are usually spent on-site either setting up for a show, working on show days or striking a show plus you don't have a personal car to roam freely even if you wanted to or had the time to. 

Peach Cobbler cupcakes at Molly's Cupcakes South Loop location
photo by Nikki DeMartini

My second music festival of this super whacky, "lets stack all the festivals that would happen through out the year on top of each other at the same time in the middle of an on going pandemic 2021 festival season" landed me in downtown Chicago for Lollapoolza. It was a far, and much welcomed cry from Rolling Loud Miami just a week before.

Molly's Cupcakes South Loop location
photo by Nikki DeMartini

This was my third visit to the windy city and yet I haven't explored it too much for reasons listed above (more or less) but what I have seen of Chicago, I love and the food I've had there ain't bad either. 

 Molly's Cupcakes South Loop location
photo by Nikki DeMartini

I haven't been going out of my way lately to find cupcakes because I didn't want my blog to become solely a cupcake review blog once COVID hit and my writings about music slowly started to tapper off when COVID fatigue really settled in. As fate would have it, on my travel day home after working my first two music festivals since the COVID pandemic started, I passed a cupcake shop en route to catch the red and blue lines to O'Hare airport. My original plan was to stop at Stan's Donuts for a blueberry fritter and iced coffee which happened to be just a few doors down. "I can't get a donut and a cupcake" I thought to myself as I walked by Molly's Cupcakes. Then I changed my mind, telling myself as I turned around and walked into the cupcakery "I can get a donut and a cupcake". 

The Molly's Cupcakes South Loop location on Washab is a wide-open space with lots of seating and behind the register you can see where the magic is baked. Mainly filled with cupcakes, the bright display case which looks small in comparison to the rest of the place, was fully stocked with lots of colorful stuff. The handwritten description cards with little doodles are a cute, personalized touch.

 Molly's Cupcakes South Loop location
photo by Nikki DeMartini

There were a few people in front of me which is usually always a good sign at an eatery and it also gave me time decide what I was going to get. My eyes were automatically drawn to the pink and seafoam frosted cupcakes, then the flourless chocolate one caught my eye and was very tempting but I didn't go with any of those. As I approached the register my mind was made up and I got one Peach Cobbler cupcake to go. 

Peach Cobbler cupcakes at Molly's Cupcakes South Loop location  
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Stone fruits are my favorite fruits and peak peach picking season is roughly May through September. Being that it was August 3rd it was prime time for this flavor. Also, when would I come across another Peach Cobbler cupcake? At the standard single cupcake price of $4.19, the lady behind the POS rang me up, boxed the Peach Cobbler cupcake in a clear plastic clam shell adorned with a Molly's Cupcake sticker and I was on my way. Next stop, Stan's Donuts followed by the O'Hare National Airport then home to San Francisco. 

After practically inhaling the blueberry fritter and iced coffee I got from Stan's I decided to wait to eat the cupcake. I was nervous that it would get smooshed on my way home or that the whipped cream frosting would melt but it was still picture perfect by the time I got home. Pooped from working and traveling and craving nutrients, I made a decision I usually don't make with cupcakes, I put it in the refrigerator and saved it for later. 

Peach Cobbler cupcake from Molly's Cupcakes  
photo by Nikki DeMartini

The next night was the night for Molly's Peach Cobbler cupcake but as it turns out, by that point it seemed I had waited too long. Don't get me wrong, it tasted good but the texture was off. The vanilla cake had become soggy and to my surprise the whipped cream on top seemed to have hardened to a consistency of, well, frosting. It could be that it was indeed whipped cream flavored frosting all along, it's hard to tell. 
 I wish there was more of the smooth peach puree in the middle and that it was a bit thicker and chunky, never the less it was tasty and peachy enough. The slice of golden canned peach on top of the scoop of whipped cream "frosting" was appealing  however it left my appetite for peach cobbler wanting more from this cupcake flavor. That said though, being that it was my first taste of a peach cobbler cupcake and only having peach cobbler  to compare it to, I enjoy the creative novelty of this cupcake. It is definitely a sweet one with a mildly peachy flavor. 

I'm happy that I was able to get a cupcake from Chicago and confirmed that boutique cupcakes are best fresh. The Molly's cupcakes location I went to is in close proximity to Lollapalooza which made me wonder why they don't have a booth at the music festival, that is, until I remembered a festival food operations professional once told me that cupcakes aren't music festival friendly. You'd think that they are right? A hand held, single serving treat but apparently they do not sell well at music festivals. 

Summer isn't technically over yet and neither is stone fruit season so enjoy the tastes of the season while you can!

Peach Cobbler cupcakes at Molly's Cupcakes South Loop location
photo by Nikki DeMartini

The Independent SF grand re-opening with Con Brio 7/9/2021

Nearly a year and a half after shutting it's doors The Independent in SF is re-opened! 

Con Brio @ the grand re-opening of The Independent 7/9/2021
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Just hours before the Glass Animals show on March 12th, 2020 the intimate venue went dark in ordnance with California's shelter in place orders and CDC guidelines. 

Following the CDC's lift on the mask mandate and California opening up 100% on June 15th, the 500 person capacity venue welcomed people to enjoy live music there once again on Friday July 9th with SF's own, Con Brio.

Con Brio @ the grand re-opening of The Independent 7/9/2021
photo by Nikki DeMartini

 

Con Brio @ the grand re-opening of The Independent 7/9/2021
photo by Nikki DeMartini

There is a COVID safety caveat: every attendee must show proof of being fully vaccinated or have a negative COVID test within 72 hours of show time. This new normal factor is disclosed on the ticket purchasing page of the Independent's website and helpful emails with instructions on how to verify vaccination or otherwise using the CLEAR app are also sent out before the show. 

Con Brio @ the grand re-opening of The Independent 7/9/2021
photo by Nikki DeMartini

The friendly Another Planet staff was very helpful, happily getting people in line vaccine verified as they waited to go into the show. Doors opened at 8:30 and the show scheduled to start at 9:00 with openers Secret Sidewalk. I was so excited to be back for a show at one of my favorite music venues in SF that one of the first people inside. 

Con Brio @ the grand re-opening of The Independent 7/9/2021
photo by Nikki DeMartini

The familiarity of the dim, indigo lighting and the stage embellished with idle instruments waiting to be played was comforting as the room slowly filled with people joyously waiting for the bands to play them.  All of the staff at The Independent was familiar, too which was nice to see being that so many businesses are struggling since staff have relocated during quarantine. In addition to the CLEAR app verifications outside, there are a couple changes inside since the last time there were shows here: the bar is cashless and they no longer serve Lagunitas. 

The grand re-opening show was sold-out and as further proof that somethings never change, even in a pandemic, the crowd steadily gathered and the music started about 15 minutes behind schedule. 

Bag Raiders on February 28th, 2020 was the last show I saw (and reviewed) here before the lockdown. Coincidently,  the openers at that show,  Secret Sidewalk, also opened for Con Brio. 

Con Brio @ the grand re-opening of The Independent 7/9/2021
photo by Nikki DeMartini

As their instrumental, modern, experimental, funk filled the room so too did un-masked show goers. By the end of their 45 minute long set, I felt a little awkward being so close to so many people, so many strangers. Even though I knew everyone there was vaccinated or provided a negative COVID test, I chose to mask up while I was in the thick of it and it looked as though I might have been the only person there that night to make that choice. 

Con Brio @ the grand re-opening of The Independent 7/9/2021
photo by Nikki DeMartini

The headliners took the stage around 10:30 and the effervescent crowd continued dancing, smiling and cheering. Singer Ziek McCarter upped the energy ante, exuding positivity as he belted out songs but it was his smooth dance moves that brought the fire. Spinning, kicking and engaging with elated fans elevated the already high vibes in the room and brought everyone closer together, so to say.

Con Brio literally means with a liveliness or spirit and the band is and did exactly that. They did not take the grand re-opening show of the Indy lightly. There's no doubt about the fact that genuine fun was had by everyone from beginning to end. 

Con Brio @ the grand re-opening of The Independent 7/9/2021
photo by Nikki DeMartini

It was their first time playing at The Independent since 2015 and they played old stuff as well as new stuff with a good mix of some party starters and some slow grooves. There was plenty of appreciation for fans being there, for the working staff, for everyone making it through the ups and downs of 2020 and for The Independent for having them.

Con Brio @ the grand re-opening of The Independent 7/9/2021
photo by Nikki DeMartini

 

The show went on past midnight and there couldn't have been a better way to celebrate the return of live music at The Independent than a sold-out show on a Friday night with two local, good vibes only, acts.

Live music is back! 

Con Brio @ the grand re-opening of The Independent 7/9/2021
photo by Nikki DeMartini