Good riddance 2009! New decade, same amount of ridiculously awesome live music. Break in the New Year by popping some of these highly-anticipated shows into your calendar.
Ty Segall, Mayyors, Thee Oh Sees, Ganglians, SF Eagle, 1/14: Yikes, we do love the ridiculousness of Thee Oh Sees. Adding Ty Segall's psych folk, and Ganglians' wild lo-fi take makes this one big NorCal dance party for the PBR-toting types, of course. You know who you are.
The Phenomenal Handclap Band, Popscene at 330 Ritch, 1/14: We're not sure if there's a genre box to pop this collective of (originally) NY underground DJs into. Since their humble beginnings, they've grown in size, and maybe ego, but don't worry that's a good thing. Their charm and charisma will have you shaking it for hours.
Final Fantasy, Avi Buffalo, Bottom of the Hill, 1/14: This one-man string phenomenon also known as Owen Pallett (Final Fantasy) will blow you away. Think one flamboyant man with a violin can't entertain you for hours? Think again.
Asobi Seksu, Swedish American Hall, 1/17: Hot off the plane from their UK tour with White Lies, this bourgeoning whimsical indie-pop duo is stripping down...for what one hopes to be an inspirational acoustic set. Get your mind out of the gutter.
West Indian Girl, Bottom of the Hill, 1/22: Although never quite as strong as the five years that Trent Reznor's beloved Mariqueen Maandig was the front woman, West Indian Girl has emerged into the new decade with a brand new female vocalist to show off on tour. Should be interesting.
The Devil Makes Three, The Independent, 1/22-1/23: Who can resist this rustic Americana sound? Sprinkled with elements of country, folk, rockabilly and ragtime, they should really consider this show a mandatory American history lesson.
Cold War Kids, The Fillmore, 1/23: This is just some straight-up classic indie, one of our faves, and we wouldn't miss it for the world.
Birds & Batteries and Oona, Bottom of the Hill, 1/23:Birds and Batteries are up to no good, again. Billed with Oona, locals who surged in popularity after being featured on So You Think You Can Dance, this promises to be a highly mischievous evening indeed.
Yo-Yo Ma with SF Symphony Musicians, Davies Symphony Hall, 1/24: Somehow the SF Symphony lucked into reeling the legendary Yo-Yo Ma as an artist-in-residence. He's playing several shows alongside many talented musicians, but this one in particular shows off SF's finest, and we love to support our local heroes.
Phoenix, The Fillmore, 1/26: Possibly one of the biggest blow-up bands of 2009, featured in a million commercials, but can they produce their energetic sound live? You betcha. The springy floor at The Fillmore will be a-bouncin' when these French indie-pop sweethearts take the stage.
Fruit Bats, Slim's, 1/29: One of Sub Pop's pride and joys, these fellas bring that feel-good sound, the kind when you're barbecuing steaks in the back yard on a hot sunny summer afternoon, beer in hand. Yeah, it's kinda like that.
Designer Drugs, Mezzanine, 1/29: These busy boys have made so many dang records, it's hard to keep track of them. They've remixed everything in the book, and they let you download their newest tracks free on their Myspace. Designer Drugs = the definition of club music.
Battlehooch, Judgement Day, Hot Moon, Bottom of the Hill, 1/30: Spandex-loving wild men in Battlehooch always bring the full on party, and believe it or not, the mostly stringed metal trio of Judgement Day bring it just as hard. Kind of an amazing combo.
