If your New Year's resolution was to catch more live music around town, you're in luck: we've got picks for some of the live music acts worth your attention in the week ahead. (Stay tuned for weekly installments to make 2015 your best year to catch live music in a neighborhood near you.)
Act: Aesop Rock
Location: The Fillmore
Start Time: 7pm
Price: $22.50
Aesop Rock has been one of the biggest names in hip hop for over 15 years. Originally from New York, Aesop has been based out of San Francisco for the better part of his career, making him a bonafide Bay Area artist at heart. Between 1997 and 2007, Aesop has created a lengthy body of work including a 45-minute piece commissioned by Nike that's designed to push runners to their limits. His newest record, “Bestiary” features Rob Sonic, his partner in crime for this performance at the Fillmore.
Wednesday, January 7th
Location: Brick & Mortar
Start Time: 9pm
Price: $10
The Soft White Sixties kick off their January residency as Brick & Mortar this Wednesday. Conceived right here in San Francisco, the band has been steadily developing and performing since 2010 and its sound, known as “Working Class Soul”, takes everything we love about modern pop-rock and infuses it with deep, groovy rhythms that satisfy our inner R&B junkie. Each weekly show will feature support from similar artists, so this residency is definitely something to have on the radar.
Thursday, January 8th
Act: Friends W/O Benefits
Location: Hemlock Tavern
Start Time: 8:30pm
Price: $7
Not to be confused with the Pennsylvania-based project (this band uses an abbreviation), Friends W/O Benefits consists of Cadet Edac and White Trash Ninja, two high-energy punk rockers who have created personas for themselves by donning masks reminiscent of comic book superheroes. This dynamic duo of rock has played all over San Francisco, including at high profile events such as Balanced Breakfast. While Friends W/O Benefits doesn't push new boundaries musically, their larger-than-life presence is enough to warrant a trip to their show this week.
Friday, January 9th
Location: Slim’s
Start Time: 8pm
Price: $16
The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit's aesthetic is closer to what some would expect from a southern rock band a la Lynard Skynard, but its sound is a soothing mix of blues, bluegrass and soulful vocals. The band's album “Old Excuses” is filled with songs telling beautiful tales of the complexities of life and love.
Saturday, January 10th
Act: Chrisette Michelle
Location: The Addition
Start Time: 8pm
Price: $40
The Addition knows how to bring in the heavy hitters. R&B songstress Chrisette Michele brings her voice to San Francisco at this location for three nights (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). After taking a brief hiatus from music to focus on healing herself, she released 2013’s “Better”, an apt title for a record that breaks away from the dark themes which loomed in her previous work. Michele attributes her hiatus to her current contentment with her life, and her new material evokes a sense of newfound confidence that make her a must-see while she’s in town.
What shows are on your radar for this week? Let us know what other acts to look out for in the week ahead, and what must-see shows are on your calendar in the near future.
