Live This Month: February 2013

With the twenty-first annual Noise Pop Festival taking over Bay Area venues during the last week of the month, February is already guaranteed to offer plenty of tempting local concerts. We’ll be previewing Noise Pop extensively on the podcast soon, but this collection of songs shows that there are plenty of good options even before Noise Pop starts.

On the local front, “slop pop” specialists Cocktails are celebrating their debut EP with a strong all-local rock and roll bill, featuring Bay Bridged favorites Warm Soda and DSTVV, while The Stone Foxes are holding free performances on both sides of the Bay to promote Small Fires. We’re also excited to see the return of electronic pop duo Painted Palms, who have a new 7″ coming in March on Polyvinyl, and are performing this month at the Brick and Mortar Music Hall to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the monthly Wood Shoppe series.

Weird-pop titans Unknown Mortal Orchestra return to San Francisco this month, but we’re as intrigued by the bands they’re bringing with them. Especially Foxygen, a psych-pop duo who call to mind UMO with their inventive spirit; the LA band’s new album, We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic, has been getting rave reviews. Also promising is the return of The Ruby Suns, whose globetrotting bandleader Ryan McPhun relocated from New Zealand to Norway to make the rich synth-pop found on Christopher, the Suns’ fourth album.

Enjoy the podcast and then go see some shows!

Cocktails — “Hey Winnie”
Celebrating the release of their self-titled EP at the Hemlock Tavern on February 1 with Warm Soda and DSTVV.

Wild Moth — “Patience”
Playing at The Bay Bridged’s Noise Pop happy hour at Bender’s on March 1 — more details to be announced soon!

The Night Marchers — “All Hits”
The Intelligence and Mrs. Magician round out the bill at Cafe Du Nord on February 21.

Foxygen — “Shuggie”
Joining Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Wampire on February 13 at the Great American Music Hall.

Seapony — “Prove to Me”
Appearing at the Rickshaw Stop on February 6; Rose Melberg and French Cassettes support.

Shugo Tokumaru — “Decorate”
Supporting Kishi Bashi at the Great American Music Hall on February 26.

Blues Control — “Iron Pigs”
Co-headlining with Rangda at The Chapel on February 23.

The Stone Foxes — “Everybody Knows”
Performing free shows at Amoeba SF on February 12 and The New Parish on February 13.

Two Gallants — “Broken Eyes”
Akron/Family support the beloved duo at The Fillmore on February 2.

The Ruby Suns — “Kingfisher Call Me”
Coming to Bottom of the Hill on February 13; Seatraffic opens the show.

Painted Palms — “Falling Asleep”
Headlining the one year anniversary of Wood Shoppe at the Brick and Mortar Music Hall on February 5.

Starred — “No Good”
Playing at the Swedish American Hall with The Sister Ruby Band on February 14.