Pop Music

Stern Grove Festival organizers are planning to bring back the popular summer concert series — The Isley Brothers show in 2019 is pictured — with limited audience capacity. (Ming Vong/S.F. Examiner)

Indoor shows won’t be flooding SF stages soon but Stern Grove might be back in June

While San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced that live performances may resume…

 

Blanketman, led by Adam Hopper (forefront), released “National Trust” in March. (Courtesy Through The Eyes of Ruby)

Blanketman finds inspiration in history

Manchester band’s influences go beyond Oasis

 

Posters by Young & Sick are being auctioned off to benefit independent clubs. (Courtesy photo)

Poster art fundraiser benefits indie clubs

San Francisco concert lovers can explore the art world’s non-fungible token phenomenon…

 

Clarinetist John Stafford and guitarist David Sturdevant, aka Medicine Ball Duo, have played music together for more than 40 years. (Courtesy Rory Dean)

Bay Area musicians have found ways to play on

Streaming concerts are ‘like live radio used to be’

  • Apr 5, 2021
Clarinetist John Stafford and guitarist David Sturdevant, aka Medicine Ball Duo, have played music together for more than 40 years. (Courtesy Rory Dean)
Recording artist Genevieve Stokes says much of her songwriting happens subconsciously. (Courtesy Atlantic Records)

Genevieve Stokes debuts with solid ‘Swimming Lessons’

Singer-songwriter, 19, has been performing for more than a decade

Recording artist Genevieve Stokes says much of her songwriting happens subconsciously. (Courtesy Atlantic Records)
Neo-soul singer-songwriter Celeste has been nominated for an Oscar for “Hear My Voice” from “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” <ins>(Courtesy Sophie Jones)</ins>

Celeste’s impressive recording debut earns Oscar nod

Singer’s appealing retro-R&B attracts notice of A-listers and more

Neo-soul singer-songwriter Celeste has been nominated for an Oscar for “Hear My Voice” from “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” <ins>(Courtesy Sophie Jones)</ins>
Outside Lands, pictured in 2019, will be back in Golden Gate Park from Oct. 29-31 this year. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

Outside Lands rescheduled for Halloween weekend

Shows go on Oct. 29-31, 2021 with headliners Lizzo, Tame Impala, The Strokes

Outside Lands, pictured in 2019, will be back in Golden Gate Park from Oct. 29-31 this year. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
Todd Rundgren revisits his album “Nearly Human” on his 2021 virtual tour. (Courtesy Lynn Goldsmith)

Todd Rundgren’s virtual tour comes to The City

Musician, innovator localizes in ‘Clearly Human’ shows

Todd Rundgren revisits his album “Nearly Human” on his 2021 virtual tour. (Courtesy Lynn Goldsmith)
Arab Strap — Aidan Moffat, left, and Malcolm Middleton — returned to making music in 2016 after breaking up about a decade before. <ins>(Courtesy Kat Gollack)</ins>

Arab Strap’s back with ‘As Days Get Dark’

Scottish duo releases first album in 16 years

Arab Strap — Aidan Moffat, left, and Malcolm Middleton — returned to making music in 2016 after breaking up about a decade before. <ins>(Courtesy Kat Gollack)</ins>
Beyonce and Megan These Stallion accepted the award for Best Rap Album at the 63rd Grammy Awards outside in Los Angeles on March 14, 2021. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Beyoncé, Megan Thee Stallion, Taylor Swift share spotlight at a Grammys like no other

LOS ANGELES – Megan Thee Stallion, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish…

Beyonce and Megan These Stallion accepted the award for Best Rap Album at the 63rd Grammy Awards outside in Los Angeles on March 14, 2021. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/TNS)
Dan Horne Band plays The Chapel on March 14. (Courtesy BG)

SF music clubs begin reopening, but still fight to stay in business

Owners continue to rely on fundraising, creative programming as restrictions loosen

  • Mar 10, 2021
Dan Horne Band plays The Chapel on March 14. (Courtesy BG)
Jane Birkin’s new concept album is based on a 1992 movie about a feuding couple. Courtesy Nathaniel Goldberg

Jane Birkin brings her lovers’ quarrel to recording studio

Iconic singer-actress’ ‘Oh! Pardon’ moves from film and stage to album

Jane Birkin’s new concept album is based on a 1992 movie about a feuding couple. Courtesy Nathaniel Goldberg
Cole Odin Berggren, community programs director and drum and DJ instructor at Blue Bear School of Music in The City, holds a JackTrip device, which he says has greatly improved students’ experience of making music online. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

COVID-era musicians beginning to make connections

Software eliminates pesky delay plaguing most systems

Cole Odin Berggren, community programs director and drum and DJ instructor at Blue Bear School of Music in The City, holds a JackTrip device, which he says has greatly improved students’ experience of making music online. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
Bonnie Tyler’s new album is “The Best is Yet to Come.”<ins> (Courtesy Tina Korhonen)</ins>

‘Total Eclipse’ singer Bonnie Tyler survived Eurovision

Good-natured performer had fun at the musical competition in 2013

Bonnie Tyler’s new album is “The Best is Yet to Come.”<ins> (Courtesy Tina Korhonen)</ins>
AC/DC guitarist Angus Young, center, says the band has been “lucky” throughout its long career. <ins>(Courtesy Josh Cheuse)</ins>

AC/DC’s Angus Young: We ‘keep it basic’

Rockers’ 17th album is ‘Power Up’

AC/DC guitarist Angus Young, center, says the band has been “lucky” throughout its long career. <ins>(Courtesy Josh Cheuse)</ins>
Biig Piig, aka Jessica Smyth, is working on her first full-length recording in Los Angeles. (Courtesy Mélanie Lehmann)

Biig Piig spans cultures, song styles

Sultry vocalist Jessica Smyth explores her changing identities via collaborations

Biig Piig, aka Jessica Smyth, is working on her first full-length recording in Los Angeles. (Courtesy Mélanie Lehmann)
From left: Don Edwards, Amanda Scheliga, Jeff Cotton and Ron Graham are keeping Bronstein Music going in South San Francisco as it observes its 75th anniversary. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)</ins>

At 75, Bronstein Music plays on in South S.F.

Store prevails despite silence created by pandemic

From left: Don Edwards, Amanda Scheliga, Jeff Cotton and Ron Graham are keeping Bronstein Music going in South San Francisco as it observes its 75th anniversary. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)</ins>
Pale Waves, featuring Heather Baron-Gracie, center, released its follow-up album to “My Mind Makes Noises” in February.<ins></ins>

Pale Waves back with ‘Who Am I?’

Frontwoman Heather Baron-Gracie chills in SoCal

Pale Waves, featuring Heather Baron-Gracie, center, released its follow-up album to “My Mind Makes Noises” in February.<ins></ins>
Stephen Lawrie of The Telescopes says he likes to stay in flux when it comes to songwriting. Courtesy Tapete Records

Telescopes keep defying expectations

‘Songs of Love and Revolution’ new from noise rock band

Stephen Lawrie of The Telescopes says he likes to stay in flux when it comes to songwriting. Courtesy Tapete Records
Martin Gore’s new solo EP is “The Third Chimpanzee.” (Courtesy Travis Shinn)

Martin Gore goes ape on new release

EP cover art created by Pockets Warhol, a capuchin monkey

Martin Gore’s new solo EP is “The Third Chimpanzee.” (Courtesy Travis Shinn)