Happy New Year! To help you ring in 2016, we’ve got some Bay Area rap, experimental techno, throwback ska, and more. If none of this appeals to you, we also have many more shows on our complete music calendar.
THURSDAY
G-Eazy, A$AP Ferg
“Inexplicably, Bay Area bro G-Eazy continues to book openers far more talented than he. Last time he was in town, it was E-40; this time, it’s A$AP Squad standout A$AP Ferg, whose work, while uneven, is consistently more interesting than that of label mate Rocky. “Shabba” and “Hood Pope” alone proved that Ferg’s got the pop sensibilities to match his trap mentality, to thrilling results.” -Kyle Fleck
Dead Tosa
“New Hampshire’s Dead Tosa creates chilly, desolate ambient music and Labradford-esque post rock that could soundtrack lonely walks on winter nights in the extreme Northeastern US. We’ve no shortage of drone-esseurs in this country, but Dead Tosa is a new name (to me, at least) who deserves serious headphone time.” -Dave Segal
Archivist
Minimal, eerie, and propulsive techno via Archivist and crew.
The Beatles Cover Night
“Now that the Beatles’ catalog’s on Spotify, why do you need to see this show? Well, for one, listening to music on your mobile device or computer is an awfully diminished experience. For two, it’s always interesting to hear some of the best rock songs ever written interpreted by other artists.” -Dave Segal
FRIDAY
Le Shat Noir
“If you prefer your bands to hold nothing sacred, you’re going to love Le Shat Noir. Like ’80s-era Butthole Surfers and Big Black, these Seattle goons run roughshod over musical decorum with caustic, crunchy synth surges and reckless, ram-rodding rhythms.” -Dave Segal
Natalie Wouldn’t
“Ska’s not dead; it’s just a lot easier to ignore than it was in its ’90s heyday of bands like Reel Big Fish and Less Than Jake. There are a handful of bands in the Northwest scene courageous enough to carry on with the horns amid a landscape of people likely to consider their ska fandom just a deep dark secret—one of which is Natalie Wouldn’t.” -Todd Hamm
Karl Blau Benefit Show
A benefit for Karl Blau, Anacortes’ musical hub, following the shitty and tragic burning down of his studio and subsequent loss of equipment and instruments.
SATURDAY
Pony Time
“Because I’ve never been in a band, nor do I know how to play a musical instrument, I’m always super impressed at the music and sheer noise just two people can make. One of Seattle’s most beloved two-pieces, garage punks Pony Time, make an excellent racket with Luke Beetham on bass, guitar, and vocals, and Stacy Peck smashing the drums.” -Kelly O
Car Seat Headrest
“Five years and 11 albums ago, Bandcamp superstar Will Toledo brought Car Seat Headrest to life in the family car, his makeshift version of a home studio. In 2014, he relocated from Virginia to Seattle in time to form a band, sign to Matador (the label behind 2015’s Teens of Style), and appear on an impressive number of top 10 lists.” -Kathy Fennessy
Ephrata
“Ephrata’s sound is wavy shoegaze with everyone contributing to vocals for extra dreaminess.” -Emily Nokes
Bottom Forty XVIII Record Release Party
Bottom Forty rolls on with DJ sets by N.D.S.F., Residents, and Kremwerk co-owner Austin Stone.
SUNDAY
WEEED, MTNS, X Suns
Meditative and bone-crushing stoner metal heroes WEEED headline.
Tribute to Siouxsie and the Banshees & the Cure
School of Rock presents their tribute to ’80s icons Siouxsie and the Banshees and the Cure.
