St. Lucia The Fox, Oakland October 7, 2016 All photos by Cedric Letsch. St. Lucia brought their 80s-influenced pop, led by South Africa born Jean-Philip Groble, to The Fox. Based out of Brooklyn, the band is currently touring in support of their sophomore LP Matter, released in January. If eccentric moves, flashing lights, tropical patterns, neon colors, and fake cacti combined with upbeat synth-pop sounds like a good mix to you, this dance party is worth checking out! Setlist: Paper Heart | Cold Case | Closer Than This | Dancing On Glass | The Winds of Change | Home |…
Author: Cedric Letsch
The Temper Trap Regency Ballroom October 19, 2016 All photos by Cedric Letsch. After a sold-out Thick As Thieves album preview show at the Mezzanine in June (one of only three in the US), The Temper Trap came back to San Francisco to close an extensive tour of North America in support of their third LP. The indie-alternative pop-rock band formed in Melbourne but relocated to London to capitalize on their overseas popularity after the release of their debut album Conditions, which included their global hit “Sweet Disposition.” The crowd was smaller than expected, maybe because it took the band…
Fitz and the Tantrums Fox Theater, Oakland October 12, 2016 All photos by Cedric Letsch. Indie pop group Fitz and the Tantrums did what they do best at The Fox – show off their soul-influenced off with terrific vocals from Michael Fitzpatrick and (birthday girl) Noelle Scaggs (it was her birthday that night). The strong backing from the band, including James King, front row on the sax, played up the terrific meld of the two vocalists. Fitzpatrick showed his usual charisma but seemed a bit tired at the show. Noelle Scaggs of Fitz and the Tantrums Of course the music…
We Are Scientists The Chapel July 13, 2016 All photos by Cedric Letsch. It only took a couple songs for We Are Scientists to turn the Chapel into a hot mess. The fog was dense and the lighting hectic. The band formed around the year 2000 in nearby Berkeley, and frontmen Chris Cain and Keith Murray still bring a ton of fresh energy and improvised comedy to the stage. Murray joined the audience twice, making his way on top of the bar at the back of the venue while Cain – claiming to be a licensed officiant – “married” a…
Steven Tyler The Masonic Auditorium July 14, 2016 All photos by Cedric Letsch. Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler started with a bang, playing hits ‘Sweet Emotion’ and ‘Cryin’’ back to back at San Francisco’s Masonic Auditorium. It was the night before the release of country song “We’re All Somebody From Somewhere”, Tyler’s solo debut. His “Out On a Limb” tour mixes Aerosmith tunes with new material, resulting in a classic rock show with country-gypsy vibes, courtesy of Nasville’s Loving Mary band. Between numbers, Tyler shared stories and anecdotes behind the songs. Tyler is rocking strong at 68. His charisma immediately gets…
Rudimental and Gorgon City The Fox Theater, Oakland May 26, 2016 All photos by Cedric Letsch. Oakland’s historic Fox Theater offered a unique opportunity to see UK dance music stars Gorgon City and Rudimental perform in one night. It was the last stop of four co-headlining live performances (and one DJ set) that the duo put on for their US spring tour. Though they made their die-hard fans wait for over an hour so that everyone else could finish watching the Golden State Warriors win Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, the house was soon ready to party all…