It's not quite time to hibernate, people. These are still dancin' days.
Tuesday: Peaking Lights at The Chapel
The husband-and-wife duo Aaron Coyes and Indra Dunis operate in some netherworld where you're never quite comfortable or balanced. Their dreamy but bizarro brand of psychedelia has evolved in unexpected ways since 2008, some four albums ago. Their latest album, Cosmic Logic, may be their most accessible entry to date, and it’s still REALLY weird. You'll love them.
Thursday: Museum of Love at Mighty
Really, all I have to type is “this is Pat Mahoney of LCD Soundsystem” and—bam!—you're buying tickets. But the worshipped drummer isn’t resting on any laurels or generational transcendence of his former band; instead, he’s put together one of the this year's great electropop albums. The album is classic DFA—urgent synths and uber-deliberate percussion build to moments of surprising euphoria. Mahoney takes a more subtle, abstract lyrical approach than former collaborator James Murphy, but the production value remains world-class.
Thursday: Smashing Pumpkins at the Warfield
The band’s 10th full-length studio release is earning near-universal plaudits from critics. DIY calls it "a triumph." Alternative Press calls it a "stunning return to form." And Consequence of Sound summed it up best: “At 47 years old, Corgan can still write an excellent song. The fact that we continue listening is a testament to this monumental power." You'd be a fool not to check out one of the seminal bands of the '90s.
Thursday/Friday: American Football at the Fillmore
Late-'90s phenomenon American Football has reunited, thank the rock gods. Their debut and only full-length album was released in 1999 to mass acclaim. The effort was one of the first math rock records to actually strike an emotional chord with listeners. So why—with such a revered album in their satchel—did it take the band 15 years to reunite? "We've been asked for fifteen years and I just kept saying no way," the band told ohfive.com. "And, for whatever reason, this time it sounded more like fun. I sort of forgot why I was saying no and then when I thought about it I realised that yeah, it could be pretty cool."
Friday/Saturday: Not So Silent Night at Oracle Arena
As always, the lineup speaks for itself. Even if you’re not into the likes of Linkin Park or Imagine Dragons, the undercards are too good to ignore. Some of the best rock bands going — Alt-J, Rise Against, Interpol, Future Islands and Spoon — comprise the middle class of the annual two-day festival.
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