Need a cure for your Bay 2 Breakers hangover? How about five? Let the good times roll and mobilize to one, three or all of the following shows, depending on the depths of your post-B2B darkness.
Tyler, the Creator, Regency Ballroom, Monday
Rap’s edgiest instigator has a way of attracting controversy, the way some of the genre’s finest seem to do (coincidence? No.). His latest battle is with Instagram, which allegedly took down his account recently. Who knows what to believe, but that’s kind of the point here. As long as folks are buzzing about the sideshow circus, Tyler’s stock grows. Well played.
Ariel Pink, the Chapel, Tuesday
Ariel Pink has a way of transporting listeners 30-40 years into the past. And as soon as you’re comfortable in his timeless pop clichés, he’ll deploy the acoustics of a toy laser gun just to shake up the time-space musical continuum. Because why not? But there’s more than meets the eye and ear with this Kurt Cobain look-alike with a diva's spirit. Dude’s a genius, and pretty much anyone who’s paid attention to his 13+ year career can’t deny his drive and inspired catalogue.
Matthew Dear, Mezzanine, Wednesday
It can take a few rounds of listens to fully understand the complexities of Matthew Dear’s electronica. But once it makes sense, it really makes sense. Some songs, like “Temptation” and “Ahead of Myself,” come equipped with gargantuan hooks. But most songs require some work, some minor-key dissonance, before the payoff and liftoff. And yes, there’s always a payoff, and it’s always sublime. Kiiiind of the way LCD Soundsystem gets you off. Exhibit A:
Bjork, Craneway Pavillion, Wednesday, Saturday and May 28
Last week we mentioned the Bay Area’s newest under-the-radar music venue, Craneway Pavillion. This week, we present the evidence that this place already has serious booking power. Doesn’t get much bigger than Bjork, queen of all things twee, weird and Scandinavian. She’ll perform a live performance art version of her 2011 album Biophilia, which just about everyone on the planet adores. Here’s a taste:
Presidents of the United States of America, Independent, Friday-Saturday
You read that correctly. Deep breaths. And holy balls, they’ll be performing everyone’s favorite Presidents of the United States album, Presidents of the United States of America! Who could have guessed how ahead of the time these alt-rocking weirdos were some 15 years ago when their star first shot up and peach sales spiked (probably). Listen to Presidents, then listen to Modest Mouse, and tell me the similarities aren’t jarring.
