Turn up? Turn up.
Wednesday: Tears For Fears at Fox Theater
This is nuts. Synth pop legends Tears for Fears have a new album coming out, and we cannot overemphasize how big this is. The album is their first since 2004’s Everybody Loves a Happy Ending for Tears for Fears, who originally took over the world with the still-celebrated single "Everybody Wants to Rule the World." The band rarely tours, FWIW, and this may serve as an opportunity to be one of the first to hear material from their new album.
Thursday: Zac Brown Band at Concord Pavilion
The Zac Brown Band is about as big as it gets in the country world today. It's easy to see why as the Atlanta-based group likes to flaunt its dexterity at live shows, covering everything from Stevie Wonder to Van Morrison, Guns N’ Roses, Led Zeppelin, and Metallica.
Thursday: Die Antwoord at Fox Theater
Frontman Ninja explained the South African rap group working philosophy to Spin magazine in 2012, saying: “Die Antwoord makes hyperreality. We create exaggerated experience. This American reporter was telling us that reality TV makes Americans care about if things are real or not. But you watch reality TV and you get a dull feeling in your balls. You watch us and it's thrilling.” In other words, it’s unabashed shock value meant for people to confront and consider their senses and sensibilities. Proceed without caution.
Friday: Bob Mould at The Fillmore
First, a public service announcement: If you’re going to this show, please arrive early for opener Cymbals Eat Guitars. The Brooklyn-based band just released one the year’s most thrilling indie rock records (“Laramie” has my vote for song of the year), and the band’s live shows are frenetic. Ok, back to Bob. Not much more can be said about the San Francisco alt-rock-turned-elelectronica-engineer-turned-DJ. The former Husker Du frontman has a new album out, Beauty and Ruin, which marks one of the greatest works Mould has stamped his name on amidst a still-rising career. Here’s what Rolling Stone had to say: “Mould rips through 12 bristling guitar-pop tracks that, at their propulsive and tuneful best (the Sugar-y "I Don't Know You Anymore," the Hüskers-worthy "Kid With Crooked Face"), recall the classic eras of his much-loved former bands.” Mould’s current tour features songs from the Husker Du, Sugar, and solo Bob catalogues, if you prefer one incarnation over another. But back to Cymbals Eat Guitars:
Friday: Modest Mouse at The Masonic
Need a really, really good excuse to check out the newly refurbished Masonic on Nob Hill? How’s about an evening with indie rock gods Modest Mouse? Lead singer Isaac Brock has made a career of considering the cosmos and his place within it. Even back when Modest Mouse was in its infancy as teenagers from the Northwest, Brock had a way of pinpointing and illustrating the most profound existential crises. That can be heard on the band’s debut Sad Sappy Sucker. Hardcore fans would be advised to go back and rediscover that gem, and novice fans should plunge right into The Moon and Antarctica, one of the most wondrous albums these ears have ever heard.
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