Act: Hot Panda

Location: Milk Bar

Start Time: 10pm

Price: FREE

Starting this week off with free music is never a bad thing, especially when a group like Hot Panda is involved. These Canadians have gone through quite a few lineups, and don’t seem to be particularly attached to one style of music. Hot Panda’s sound is nearly unquantifiable, as their influences are all across the board. While that bit of information might scare a few, the band's energy comes from a definite “punk rock” spirit, but it oftentimes shows sparks of progressive rock sound a la Rush (another Canadian project, go figure). Hot Panda is definitely worth your time, especially since this is one of the rare instances where it can be scoped for the low low price of free.

Act: The Crow Eaters

Location: Madrone Art Bar  

Start Time: 7pm

Price: FREE

The Crow Eaters continue their weekly residency at Madrone Art Bar this week. This collective of blues rockers have definitely perfected the “bar rock” gig, and are known to have a multitude of special guests jump on stage and surprise their audience, making each show a great stop for curious parties as well as the regular bar crowd. After years of only playing shows, the group has recently been recording an EP at Okey Doke Studios. This is the quintessential house band, having also held down a Saturday night residency at Rickhouse. 

Act: The Dread Crew of Oddwood

Location: Hemlock Tavern

Start Time: 8:30pm

Price: $10

Do you like heavy influenced musical arrangements? Acoustic instruments? How about pirates? If you answered yes to any of those questions, you’re in luck. The Dread Crew of Oddwood, a San Diego based pirate-themed horde, is bringing its show back to San Francisco once again. The group formed in 2008 and has three full-length albums under its belt, including its most recent genre-defying/creating Heavy Mahogany. You’d be hard pressed to find a group that is this committed to providing a quality pirate music experience.

Act: Brian McKnight Trio

Location: The Addition

Start Time: 10pm

Price: $45

Brian McKnight has long been one of the R&B world's most seasoned singers. Since his eponymous debut record was released in 1992, McKnight has had a successful career that spans 12 studio albums. His peak was probably in 1999 with “Back At One”, but the multi-instrumentalist and producer has had his hands in the industry and continued to create and sell records steadily. His stint with the Brian McKnight Trio at The Addition will last four nights, and he will perform twice each night. Fun fact: Brian McKnight is tied with Snoop Dogg for the most Grammy Nominations (16) without a win. 

Act: Hibbity Dibbity

Location: The Independent

Start Time: 8:30pm

Price: $12

Hibbity Dibbity has made one of the fastest rises in local scene history. Forming in 2012, the group has blazed through the San Francisco club scene, and with the help of crowdfunding got the chance to embark on a cross country tour for two months to support its self titled debut record. It was on that tour that Hibbity Dibbity recorded a follow-up album that's currently scheduled to be released in spring 2015. Hibbity Dibbity is a young band influenced by the sounds of California classic rock groups such as Creedence Clearwater Revival, and it definitely does the genre justice.

Act: Moonalice

Location: Slim's

Start Time: 7pm

Price: $15

Looking for a 420-friendly Christmas celebration? Moonalice has you covered. This touring group of musicians has been holding down the psychedelic rock scene since 2007, and since its inception has been bringing artists and enthusiasts together to create a family feel within its fanbase. Each time the band has a show, they commission a different artist to create a poster that every attendee can take home as a souvenir, further cementing the Moonalice fan appeal. If the song “It’s 4:20 Somewhere” (which to date has over 5 million downloads worldwide) is any indication, this will definitely be the Christmas celebration for the San Francisco hippie crowd.