Baltimore electronic wizard Dan Deacon transforms concerts into sweaty, joyous dance parties with his maximalist synth explosions and legendary audience participation games. His live shows are organized chaos—expect floor circles, Simon Says, and euphoric crowds moving as one to his kaleidoscopic electronic compositions that blur the line between rave and performance art.
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THIS WEEK
Picks for Jan 19–Jan 26
Ty Segall's power trio Fuzz delivers face-melting garage rock with thunderous riffs and blown-out fuzz pedals cranked to 11. With Charles Moothart and Chad Ubovich rounding out the lineup, this San Francisco psych-rock supergroup creates primal, speaker-shredding heaviness that channels Black Sabbath through a lens of California garage punk energy.
Canadian synth-pop visionary Katie Stelmanis returns with Austra's latest album 'Chin Up Buttercup,' blending operatic vocals with darkwave electronics. Her theatrical, deeply human performances evoke a new-wave Kate Bush on the verge of transcendence, with shimmering synths building to emotional crescendos.
Electro-pop collective Monday Night Hubba crafts immersive soundscapes that blend vibrant beats with introspective lyrics, showcasing their innovative approach to dance music at DNA Lounge.
A.C.E leader Park Junhee embarks on his first solo tour following his 2025 debut mini album Supernova. As leader of the five-member group since 2017, JUNHEE showcases his evolved artistry and vocal prowess in intimate settings, offering fans a deeper look at his musicality beyond group performances.
Hard-hitting hardcore collective Magnitude headlines a night of relentless energy at Neck of the Woods, featuring rising acts Envision and Firestarter.
Goth-industrial veterans Death Guild deliver a haunting blend of dark beats and immersive soundscapes at DNA Lounge, perfect for fans of underground club culture.
Southern-infused rock duo Rattlesnake Milk delivers a gritty blend of Americana and blues, showcasing their distinctive sound at Bottom of the Hill.
Bay Area's Middle Aged Dad Jam Band blends funk grooves with clever lyricism, showcasing their unique sound and fresh material at Great American Music Hall.
Four-act showcase featuring Portyl, Jonah Sky, Ubo, and kin+me spanning electronic, bedroom pop, and experimental sounds. This local lineup represents the depth of SF DIY scene where bedroom producers and indie pop artists share stages, creating community through diverse but complementary musical visions.
British soul singer with a massive voice and sparse, moody production. Fillmore gives it the big-room treatment it deserves. Good midweek pick if you want something polished and emotional.
Roots-infused Americana artist William Elliott Whitmore delivers his gritty storytelling and soulful vocals at Bottom of the Hill, celebrating his latest work and deepening his connection with fans.
Live art and improvisation collide at Art Battle San Francisco, where local artists create on the spot, transforming Public Works into a vibrant canvas of creativity.
Genre-bending rock outfit Middle Aged Dad Joel Band blends humor and introspection in their live shows, showcasing tracks from their latest album at the historic Great American Music Hall.
Bay Area slop rock outfit Buzzed Lightbeer delivers their self-described SF SLOP ROCK with unapologetic messiness and energy. Their motto 2 BUZZED 2 CARE perfectly captures their live shows - chaotic, fun, and refreshingly unpretentious garage punk that embraces imperfection as an art form.
Psychedelic rock outfit WAND delivers their boundary-pushing sound at The Chapel, showcasing tracks from their latest album, which explores new sonic territories.
Bay Area hip-hop innovator A-1 blends sharp lyricism with eclectic beats, showcasing his latest work in an intimate setting at Bottom of the Hill.
Deep house meets mindful movement at this immersive yoga experience, blending rhythm and relaxation under the vibrant lights of Public Works.
Triple bill featuring Total Dysfunction, Strawberry Farm, and Inside Voices showcases SF punk and indie rock underground. This local lineup delivers raw energy and DIY authenticity across three bands committed to keeping independent rock alive in the Bay Area. Essential for fans supporting the local scene.
Oakland art rock outfit Gumby's Junk creates nightmare cartoon music that started as a complete mishap in 2018. Assembling classical-inspired circus riffs with rhythmic jokes and lilting bass lines, their outlandish performances push musical surrealism to absurdist extremes for audiences seeking something truly weird.
Punk stalwarts Black Flag bring their raw, unfiltered energy to DNA Lounge, delivering a fierce set that channels their influential legacy while igniting the spirit of the underground.
Orange County singer-producer Chri$tian Gate$ (now also known as One Hope) brings his alluring blend of emo rap, pop-punk, and gothic pop. His husky voice and dark production transcend platforms, creating a testament to music transformative power for the resilient. Essential for fans seeking music that embraces darkness as path to light.
Post-punk outfit Dutch Interior delivers taut, angular rhythms and new wave urgency with supporting acts Trinity Ace, Double Helix Peace Treaty, and Poor Image. Expect jagged guitar lines, propulsive bass, and the kind of danceable tension that defined early 80s underground clubs.
Indie rock homage led by Thomas Lennon, reinterpreting The Smiths' melancholic anthems with a fresh twist. A rare chance to experience beloved classics in an intimate setting.
Synth-driven alt-pop outfit Neon Ships blends infectious hooks with introspective lyrics, showcasing their evolving sound at Bottom of the Hill on this tour.
Detroit Love showcases techno pioneers Carl Craig and Mike Banks alongside Father Dukes, delivering a masterclass in rhythmic innovation and deep grooves.
High-octane metalcore collective Road To Northern Invasion storms the DNA Lounge, showcasing their relentless sound and powerful stage presence as they gear up for their upcoming tour.
Earlybirds Club
SOLD OUTEarly-evening dance party Earlybirds Club brings the club experience to a more civilized hour (6-10pm) with DJs spinning everything from 80s new wave to 90s hip-hop and early 2000s pop. Perfect for those with responsibilities the next morning who still want to dance like they don't, this is guilt-free nostalgia for adults with shit to do.
Brass-driven funk ensemble Soul Brass Band infuses classic New Orleans rhythms with modern flair, delivering a vibrant live experience at the intimate Chapel.
Portland's indie-pop trio Weakened Friends delivers punchy hooks and candid lyrics, showcasing their latest album that captures the essence of youthful disillusionment.
Bay Area indie rockers SMALL CRUSH headline Rickshaw Stop with support from Badvril, Lucky, and The Online Company. Throwin Bos presents this all-ages Saturday night showcase of local talent representing SF's thriving DIY scene with energetic indie rock that prizes authenticity over polish.
Deep house innovators Deep Dish team up with melodic maestro Armen Miran for a night of immersive grooves at Public Works, showcasing their distinct soundscapes and dynamic DJ skills.
Washington punk stalwarts MxPx have been delivering melodic hardcore anthems since 1992, and their live shows remain relentlessly energetic celebrations of skate punk's golden era. Expect sing-alongs to classics like 'Chick Magnet' and 'Heard That Sound' from a band that helped define Christian punk and 90s Warped Tour culture.
Fleetwood Mask delivers an authentic tribute to classic rock’s finest, capturing the essence of Fleetwood Mac's sound in a cozy setting.
Elevation Rhythm
SOLD OUTElevation Worship's youth-focused collective Elevation Rhythm brings their 'Goodbye Yesterday Tour' celebrating their Victory Lap album. With support from Strings & Heart, expect a high-energy night of modern worship anthems that have made them a breakout force in contemporary Christian music.
Electro-pop powerhouse The Afters joins forces with dubstep innovator Virtual Riot at DNA Lounge, delivering a night of genre-bending soundscapes and pulsating rhythms that reflect their dynamic artistry.
Neo-soul innovator JMSN blends silky vocals with atmospheric production at August Hall, showcasing his latest explorations in modern R&B.
Singer-songwriters Travis Atreo and Jolene Lozano join forces for Somewhere We Dream, a collaborative evening of intimate indie folk. This special pairing brings together two distinct voices in contemporary songwriting for a night of stripped-down performances that highlight the beauty of acoustic storytelling and vocal harmony.
TikTok poetry sensation Whitney Hanson brings her viral spoken word to life in an intimate live poetry and music tour. Known for her deeply felt explorations of heartbreak and healing, Hanson combines confessional verse with stripped-down musical accompaniment for a vulnerable, cathartic experience.
Melodic post-rock band Seahaven blends introspective lyrics with expansive soundscapes, showcasing their emotional depth in the intimate setting of The Chapel.
Electro-pop innovators set to transform Great American Music Hall with their immersive soundscapes, showcasing tracks from their latest release.
Heavy-psych explorers Mammatus deliver sprawling, cosmic soundscapes, showcasing their latest material in the intimate setting of Bottom of the Hill.
Dark electronic pioneers Dawn of Ashes blend industrial and metal influences, bringing their provocative soundscapes to DNA Lounge in support of their latest release.