If you think the most exciting live music event of January was the Coachella lineup announcement — which, to be fair, is thrilling — you’d be wrong! The fun doesn’t stop anymore, people. Fun is a 24/7/365 concern in 2015. Get with the program. Here are five options more thrilling than a SoCal festival lineup tweet:
Friday: The Wood Brothers at The Fillmore
Technically, there’s more to their onstage recipe than a couple of brothers with the last name Wood, but that’s pretty much it. Brothers Oliver and Chris Wood are joined by noted multi-instrumentalist, Jano Rix, to create roots, blues, folk, gospel, and jazz. The band has a new video out. You should go see them. Simple. As. That.
Friday-Saturday: TheNEWDEAL at The Independent
Seminal electronica band theNEWDEAL returns to the live circuit for the first time in two years. And when we say “live circuit,” that’s essentially what’s happening with this Canadian outfit. While most electronic bands lean on pre-programmed synths and beats, theNEWDEAL takes on new life in each show. In fact, many of their albums are live recordings, not much different than how your favorite jam band might operate, minus the crunchiness. (Can we say crunchiness? Crunchiness!)
Friday: Cold War Kids at Mezzanine
If you missed Cold War Kids’ November performance at Fox Theater, this is your chance for salvation. The four-piece LA band is touring relentlessly after the release of a fifth full-length studio effort, Hold My Home.Paste Magazine calls the album “arguably the strongest record—with the most consistent highlights—that the band has yet to deliver, and it bodes well for their future,” building on an already-robust, consistently impressive discography.
Friday and Saturday: Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds at Paramount Theatre (Oakland)
Dear girls I went to high school with,
Are you still in love with Dave Matthews? I swear I'm still not jealous or baffled by this. Just curious.
—asking for a friend.
Sunday: Itzhak Perlman at Davies Symphony Hall
A virtuoso in every sense, revered violinist Itzhak Perlman returns to Davies Symphony Hall on Sunday. Adorning the program are timeless behemoths such as Beethoven, Grieg, and Ravel, just to name a few. And now, let us rejoice in the finest of musical genres:
Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 8 in G major
Grieg: Violin Sonata No. 3 in C minor
Ravel: Violin Sonata in G major
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