Congratulations! You got your amazing internship up in San Francisco/secured your research position on campus. You’re in for three months of the gorgeous California summer we all know and love, and the target of jealousy among your acquaintances. So why not give them good reason to be jealous: bust out the nine-to-five and then take advantage of the unrivaled opportunities to catch some great music in the City.
The Bay Area is a must-stop for all major artists on tour over the summer, regardless of the genre they’re playing. It also boasts a wide variety of venues, from stadiums suited for arena-oriented rock (AOR) to alternative underground clubs suited for the carefully cultivated nonchalance of the indie scene. Evidently, the opportunities to catch live music over the summer are interminable. But if you really want to catch the best of the best and not just head over to squeal at Justin Bieber (who, ahem, you can catch at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga on June 11 if you’re willing to shell out a couple grand), read on.
Absolute Must
Florence and The Machine: June 12, Greek Theatre in Berkeley.
Forget Lady Gaga, Florence Welch is the bomb and may well be the David Bowie of our age. Red-haired, six feet tall with an onstage wardrobe self-described as “Lady of Shalott meets Ophelia…mixed with scary gothic bat lady,” Florence’s searing onstage persona is lauded by the world as the most spectacularly captivating one-woman show. Did we mention she can sing? So head on over to Cal to catch her effervescent mix of soul and pop off of her debut record “Lungs.”
African Influences
Youssou N’Dour and Angelique Kidjo: June 17, Paramount Theatre in San Francisco
Possibly the two greatest, and hands-down the most famous, singers in recent African history come together for the San Francisco Jazz Spring Season. Both are amazing vocalists, and the emotional quality of their music is breathtaking. If you’re down for something mellower than indie rock, check out this dynamic duo.
Because She Just Won’t Go Away
Britney Spears and Nicki Minaj: June 18, HP Pavillion in San Jose
Admit it. You’re curious. Promoting her “comeback” (is it the third now?) album, “Femme Fatale”, Miss Spears will be appearing down in San Jose with Nicki Minaj as her opening act. Crass female rapper crossed with raunchy pop star? If you don’t mind not hearing live music at a concert, by all means.
Three In One
Okkervil River, Titus Andronicus and Julianna Barwick: June 22, Fox Theater in Oakland
It’s a great chance to experience three great indie bands that are making waves. While Okkervil River, the more established band and therefore the headliner, barely dropped its latest release “I Am Very Far”, on May 10, Titus Andronicus released “The Monitor” last year, while Miss Barwick released “The Magic Place” in March. A solid pick for the indie fan that wants to get the most acts in one night.
The Class-A Summer Festival
Outside Lands: August 12-14, Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.
Featuring the likes of Arcade Fire, The Black Keys, Muse, The Shins, MGMT and plenty of other well-known and lesser-known acts, Outside Lands is San Francisco’s answer to Chicago’s Lollapalooza. A three-day weekend chock-full of great music and a laidback atmosphere in San Francisco’s most scenic park — if there is one event you should not miss over the summer, it’s probably Outside Lands.
The Little Band That Could
Givers: September 7, Rickshaw Stop in San Francisco.
Five friends from Lafayette, Louisiana met in high school and college and came up with one of the sunniest tracks of 2010. “Up, Up, Up” landed the band the coveted title of “Band to Watch” by the indie institution that is Stereogum, and now brings the band to San Francisco. Check them out for psychedelic feel-good pop before the start of autumn.