Tell your friends and family you love them. Give the dog to the neighbors. Tell your boss something's come up.
It’s Noise Pop week, and there’s no going back.
We’d be remiss to limit our Must-See Shows column to just five on this holiest of holy weeks. Instead, we present our double-gimmick, 140-character-or-less Noise Pop Power Rankings.
15. Family of the Year, Bottom of the Hill, Thursday
L.A. indie rock quartet has been described as “The Mamas and the Papas on acid.” What else do you need?
14. !!! (Chk Chk Chk), Great American Music Hall, Thursday
Dance, dance, dance. And dance. Don’t be surprised if lead singer Nic Offer joins your dance party in the crowd either. Just go with it.
13. Surfer Blood, Brick & Mortar Music Hall, Monday
Florida non-surfers bring the edge back to indie rock. High expectations for forthcoming second album, which is earning Pixies comparisons.
12. The Thermals, Rickshaw Stop, Friday
The Body, The Blood, The Machine remains one of the finest punk albums of the aughts. Bring a notepad, these guys educate the attentive.
11. Starfucker, The Regency Ballroom, Friday
Northwestern electropop extraordinaires bringing the disco back, one tripped-out dance-anthem at a time. Face paint optional.
10. Califone, Café du Nord, Swedish-American Hall, Friday
Experimental folk rock at its airiest. They’ll take you to the desert and back. Their discography is deep — start with Roomsound.
9. Damien Jurado, The Chapel, Friday
Journeyman singer-songwriter turns phrases until they soak the soul. His latest, Maraqopa, is his best entry yet.
8. Sonny & The Sunsets, Bottom of the Hill, Saturday
Local folk weirdos (and proud of it) have become synonymous with SF underground music. “Too Young to Burn” should be on your summertime playlist.
7. DIIV, Brick & Mortar Music Hall, Friday and Saturday
Reminds of the best dream pop rock of the ‘80s. “(Drunn)” is your point of entry, addiction will follow shortly thereafter. See also: Beach Fossils.
Welcome to the circle of trust. Or Triangle of Trust, as they call it. YACHT’s incredibly catchy electro pop is only part of the multi-discipline act’s show.
5. Method Man, 1015 Folsom, Thursday
Legendary rapper is prepping for a superbusy spring and summer. Wu-Tang is reuniting for a Coachella appearance amidst a 20th anniversary “Enter the Wu-Tang” tour.
4. Washed Out, 1015 Folsom, Friday
Free show! Which means get there early and prepare to stay late. Washed Out is worth the wait though. Chillwave with added rewards.
3. Toro Y Moi, The Independent, Friday + Saturday
Our adopted chillwave champion son headlines (and sells out) the Indy twice in a row. Of course, he could sell out that venue for 30 days straight.
2. Wolfgang Gartner, Ruby Skye, Saturday
Joey Youngman is under the radar no more. The DJ/Producer has earned critical kudos from the house world’s most respected voices, and 2013 may be his tipping point.
1. Leonard Cohen, Paramount Theatre, Saturday
Legendary poet is still making beautiful, inspired music. His 2012 album Old Ideas graced plentiful Year-End Best-Of lists. #stillgotit
For more words like these, follow @ChrisTrenchard. To see the seven Noise Pop shows we're most excited to see, click here. And for a full list of Noise Pop events, click here.
