Music Review

Under the Stars: Welcome to the vibe edition

Buckle up for the je ne sais quoi, with GENA, Cuzco, Mild Universe, Octo Octa, Space Ghost, Outside Lands, more.

Music John-Paul Shiver - March 25, 2026

Under the Stars: We could all use some funky Detroit grooves about now

Plus: New music from Slope114 and The Reds, Pinks, and Purples; classic prog-rock from Brian Auger, Sessa at Rickshaw, more

Music John-Paul Shiver - March 18, 2026

Noise Pop Diary: Wrapping up a stellar fest, with Sun Ra Arkestra magic

By celebrating local talent and venues (with a sprinkling of cosmic legends), Noise Pop grew exponentially this year.

Music Review John-Paul Shiver - March 4, 2026

Noise Pop Diary: Illuminati Hotties caped for BOTH, Orcutt Shelley Miller thrilled the dudes

Free show from tenderpunk faves erased the condos closing in; avant-rock trio took the beards on wild rides at GAMH.

Music Review John-Paul Shiver - March 3, 2026

Music Review

Noise Pop Diary: Sideswiped by TikTok fame, Julie Doiron had many more tales to tell

Daniel Bromfield - March 2, 2026

30-year-old 'August 10' soundtracks today's teen Reels, but the Canadian stalwart transcends viral splash with guitar chops.

Music

Noise Pop Diary: SML cooked at SFJAZZ—all sauce, no Butterss

John-Paul Shiver - March 1, 2026

One key player was missing, but the LA-based future jazz outfit heated up Joe Henderson Lab just fine.

Music Review

Noise Pop Diary: Shannon Shaw came sans Clams; SpongeBob’s Tom Kenny rode Hi-Seas

Daniel Bromfield - March 1, 2026

KQED Live set brought out a local garage rock legend's country side, while a beloved voice actor dove into classic soul.

Music

Under the Stars: Farsight hits and dips into new ‘Situations’

John-Paul Shiver - January 22, 2026

Plus: Rob Reiner Tribute takes over the Parkway, Parameter festival is coming, DJ Delon drops a hot mix, more

Music

Under the Stars: Rickshaw Stop staff takeover, a Mosswood Meltdown surprise…

John-Paul Shiver - January 12, 2026

Plus: Rhymies' tangible pastel emotions, Tony Molina's very brief heartbreakers, more new music news

Under the Stars: Band of the moment chokecherry gets a glow up

John-Paul Shiver - December 9, 2025

Plus: RIP Jimmy Cliff, Momoko Gill's massive debut, K-Lone's radiant house, La Luz gets 'Extra,' Davia Schendel crashes, more

Music

Fred Again surprised SF with ecstatic ‘USB002’ set—yes, in this economy

Andrew Brobst - December 8, 2025

Cameras down, hands up, bangers on deck at the UK favorite's Cow Palace reveal. It may have been worth selling that kidney

Music

Under the Stars: Fresh new music nods to wrap up your year

John-Paul Shiver - December 3, 2025

Bandcamp Friday picks, Tortoise returns, the Beatles' latest, '80s Japanese swagger, SFJAZZ and Castro 2026 lineups.

Music

Under the Stars: An ode to Edinburgh Castle (RIP), and making big noise in little rooms

John-Paul Shiver - November 18, 2025

The spot that launched 1000 bands and parties is gone—but the vibe must live on. Plus: Indigo Elephant sings and Khruangbin jams.

Music

Under the Stars: A sip of Magic Fig’s ‘Valerian Tea’

John-Paul Shiver - November 5, 2025

Plus: A PJ Harvey classic at 25, 37 Houses hit Knockout, Thundercat's Baked Potato, Eris Drew's mighty kicks, more music

Under the Stars: Noise Pop phase one beams in Cali power players

John-Paul Shiver - October 31, 2025

Plus: RIP Ace Frehley, Jay Som swings back strong, Nas knocks with symphonics, Yazmin Lacey's quiet conquest, more music

Music

Panic! at the Autechre disco: Why I couldn’t review popular electronic act

Tamara Palmer - October 17, 2025

Experimental UK duo's show takes place in total darkness, which proved to be a lesson in abject terror.

Music

Under the Stars: Feel the sweet lo-fi buzz of Late Aster

John-Paul Shiver - October 14, 2025

Plus: Stereolab blows into Fog City, Dave Aju's still dancin', Orchestra Gold goes for it, OSEES let it rip, more music

Music

Live Shots: Polo & Pan’s whimsical Frost Amphitheater takeover

Andrew Brobst - October 5, 2025

Tropical-edged French house duo pulled pulled Palo Alto audience into dreamy space trips and unexpected rowdy blasts.

Music

Under the Stars: Mae Powell’s doozy of a contact high

John-Paul Shiver - August 19, 2025

Plus: Cindy Blackman Santana bangs the skins, a free Valkyries watch party with great tunes, new Kaytranada, more music

Music Review

Under the Stars: Welcome to the vibe edition

Under the Stars: We could all use some funky Detroit grooves about now

Noise Pop Diary: Wrapping up a stellar fest, with Sun Ra Arkestra magic

Noise Pop Diary: Illuminati Hotties caped for BOTH, Orcutt Shelley Miller thrilled the dudes

Noise Pop Diary: Sideswiped by TikTok fame, Julie Doiron had many more tales to tell

Noise Pop Diary: SML cooked at SFJAZZ—all sauce, no Butterss

Noise Pop Diary: Shannon Shaw came sans Clams; SpongeBob’s Tom Kenny rode Hi-Seas

Under the Stars: Farsight hits and dips into new ‘Situations’

Under the Stars: Rickshaw Stop staff takeover, a Mosswood Meltdown surprise…

Under the Stars: Band of the moment chokecherry gets a glow up

Fred Again surprised SF with ecstatic ‘USB002’ set—yes, in this economy

Under the Stars: Fresh new music nods to wrap up your year

Under the Stars: An ode to Edinburgh Castle (RIP), and making big noise in little rooms

Under the Stars: A sip of Magic Fig’s ‘Valerian Tea’

Under the Stars: Noise Pop phase one beams in Cali power players

Panic! at the Autechre disco: Why I couldn’t review popular electronic act

Under the Stars: Feel the sweet lo-fi buzz of Late Aster

Live Shots: Polo & Pan’s whimsical Frost Amphitheater takeover

Under the Stars: Mae Powell’s doozy of a contact high

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