People, we have very good news to report. Important new research reveals there are residual health benefits to having your mind blown, which, for live music junkies like us is both unsurprising yet incredibly validating. It's all detailed here in this fascinating Atlantic Monthly piece, which we highly recommend checking out. When you're done convincing yourself being in awe is always a good thing, do your body a favor and take in some awesome this week:
Caldecott, Brick & Mortar Music Hall, Thursday
Local and locally themed rock band Caldecott regularly pay their respect to their East Bay roots, and Bay Area natives will find all sorts of golden tickets scattered in their work. The band has two EPs out and a steadily growing, often rabid fanbase. Live shows double as group sing-alongs and every song is passionate and smart and fun, just like you’d expect anything from the Bay Area.
Paul van Dyk, 1015 Folsom, Friday
Paul van Dyk might need his own wing at the Electronic Dance Music Hall of Fame (yes, there is such a thing as the Electronic Dance Music Hall of Fame). The long-celebrated and much-decorated DJ has been racking up awards and prizes for well over 20 years by now. The list is just astonishing. But van Dyk does not rest on laurels. He tours relentlessly, even during the holidays. Get in the holiday-dance spirit and start working on your New Year’s Eve dance moves a few days early and check out van Dyk at 1015 Folsom.
Great White Buffalo, Bottom of the Hill, Friday
The LA-by-way-of-the-East Bay rock outfit has seen its star rise considerably thanks to a big, confident sound and some key billings this past year, a banner year in the band's young history. Their debut self-titled album, recorded with Grammy award-winning producer Philip Allen (Aerosmith, Adele) is making the rounds and waves, and regularly gets the on-loop treatment on this fan's spotify playlist. Lead singer Graham Bockmiller and lead guitarist Stephen Johnson both hail from the East Bay and the hometown crowd always makes rowdy whenever they gig out in SF. Bring your A-game.
As far as live hip-hop goes, it doesn’t get much more rewarding than experiencing a Blackalicious live show. The Sacramento hip-hop duo approachees a show in a completely novel, idiosyncratic way. Gift of Gab’s delivery borders on lyrical twerking and Chief XCel’s production panache has few parallels. Be in awe and try to look away. It won’t be easy. Evidence:
Follow @ChrisTrenchard for more words like these.
