It's A Good Weekend For Festivals

It's the end of the summer, and we know you've already been to a lot of shows, but don't give up! There's still so many great bands to see, and this weekend marks notable options on both sides of the continent!

Here on the east coast, Wilco will be holding their first ever Solid Sound Festival in North Adams, MA. The fest promises to be a Wilco-centric celebration of music, with sets from the band as well as their numerous side projects. On top of that, they've created interactive elements to allow you to futz with the band members gear to your heart's content. Fun!

Outside Lands 2009, from the HAD Archive. Photo by Rick Audet

Meanwhile, on the west coast Outside Lands gets under way in Golden Gate park. We don't need to tell you that this bad boy is the bay area's biggest music festival. However, we will remind you that it means you get to the The Strokes reunite, and that, dear children, should be more than enough incentive. (Yes, there are a million other amazing bands there as well. Stop being silly).

Regardless, this should be more than enough to keep you entertained, so get your butt out the door!

Sea Of Bees Descend On Brooklyn

It's a rarity that an up and coming band like Sea of Bees will make such a strong showing so far from home. Given that, consider yourself lucky: the San Francisco natives will be making not one, but five stops in our fair city this weekend (dates below). All the stops are in Brooklyn, which, while maybe slightly inconvenient for some, fits well with the band's place in the current music scene.

Their debut record, Songs For The Ravens, is an eclectic mix of dreamy vocals, well composed electronics, lumbering folky guitars, and classic rock and roll. The end result is a sound that is utterly unique, and well worth more than a few minutes of your attention. While we've never seen them live, the sounds on disc are more than enough to convince us to get out there before we're stuck behind 500 hipsters who have just discovered the "next big thing".

Our advice? Hit up one of the shows early in the weekend, and if you love it as much as we think you will, you have a chance for another taste.

mp3: Sea Of Bees - Skinnybone

Sea Of Bees Summer 2010 New York Dates

July 9 - Spike Hill
July 10 - Rockwood Music Hall
July 11 - Union Hall w/David Dondero
July 12 - Pete's Candy Store
July 13 - The Rock Shop w/Matt Bauer and Feather and Folly

It's A Good Weekend For Music In The Bay

Photo via flickr and Mike GK

What can we say? This is pretty much shaping up to be the optimal San Francisco weekend. Not only is it beautiful weather, but there are droves of good shows, many of them out of doors. Could you really ask for more? If you were thinking of being a bore and just going to a bar or something, check your plans; there's tons to see and hear!

Friday:

• David Byrne @ The Greek Theater
• Wilco @ The Mountain Winery

Saturday:

• Wilco @ The Greek Theater
• Phoenix @ The Regency Grand
• Cursive @ Great American Music Hall

Sunday:

• Les Nubians (Free, daytime show @ Stern Grove)
  

What's Going On This Weekend

Photo by mikegk on flickr

Well, for one, it's beautiful weather, so if none of this appeals to you, you can always just go chill in the park. That being said, there's some great music on the way. If you have even a modicum of taste, there's enough to keep you on your toes, so check it out:

Friday:

• Conor Oberst And The Mystic Valley Band @ The Warfield
• The Mountain Goats @ The Fillmore
• Laurie Anderson @ Zellerbach Hall In Berkeley (we had no idea!)

Saturday:

• Laurie Anderson @ Zellerbach Hall In Berkeley (!!!)
  
• Bridge School Benefit Day 1 @ Shoreline
• The Kooks @ The Warfield

Sunday:

• Bridge School Benefit Day 2 @ Shoreline
• SF Deli Presents The Toy Soldiers EP Release @ Cafe Du Nord

What's Going On This Weekend

Photo courtesy of Sutanto

Hrm. You're looking for something to do? Well, there's a lot...so, take your pick!

• If you can deal with maybe getting wet, Sigur Ros is at the Greek Theater in Berkeley tonight...rain or shine.
• If you can stand vast amounts of people, lots of families, and picnic blankets, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival is all weekend in Golden Gate park.
• If nighttime bluegrass is more your thing, there's a Hardly Strictly afterparty at The Plough and Stars on Saturday night.
• If you're looking for something a tad more avante garde, Deerhoof is at GAMH on Saturday night.
• If you want something more on the "scene", New Wave City is having a Bowie dance party at DNA Lounge on Saturday night.
• The Dandy Warhols are on their first tour since leaving a major label, and are at The Warfield Saturday night.
• And finally, you can wrap up your weekend on Sunday night by seeing Iron and Wine play a benefit at Bimbo's; San Francisco's Sholi are opening.

With all that, if you can't find something to suit your fancy, well, we pity you! Stay dry kids!