This Week’s Music Picks: FREE and Affordable!
"Christina Agoraphobia"
I was standing in line today behind two old ladies. I mean, really old ladies. I mean, so many wrinkles you can barely see their eyes old. And one of them said in her thick New York accent: 'œI went to see Burlesque and that Christina Agoraphobia is such a great singer.' RAD.
That got me thinking that it’s time for some more affordable music show suggestions. Here’s a ton of chances not to be agoraphobic. These shows are ALL worth leaving the house for, they’re ALL under $10, and some are even FREE, so no excuses! Alright, in chronological order, here we go!
Let’s start with a FREE show happening tonight at Amnesia. Show is at 9, but there’s an open mic beforehand at 7. I know that open mics have the potential to be the worst thing ever, but I went to a show after open mic at Amnesia last week and someone told me I missed one of the bartenders doing a trick. He said his penis could drink water so he took it out and put it in a glass of water. Apparently it wasn’t thirsty. So, you know, get there early so you don’t miss out on the possibility of a repeat performance. And if it’s traumatizing, I assure you that Ash Reiter‘s voice is so sweet it will lull the nightmares right out of your pretty little heads.
AMNESIA TUESDAY NIGHT
Tuesday, December 14, 9pm
Ash Reiter, Dominique Leone, Poor Sweet Creatures
Amnesia
853 Valencia St. Between 19th & 20th [Mission]
FREE
This house in Oakland has started having shows. I hear they’re great so far. This month’s show at Ivy Hill features Aslan Rife’s Honey.Moon.Tree, Mark Matos, Steve Taylor of Rogue Wave, recent Flagstaff, AZ import Amy Bathen, along with other friends from the Ivy Hill House. The spiel: 'œThe doors will open at 7, the show will start at 8. There is a suggested donation of $5 and you should BYOB.' I’ll admit that the Facebook invite‘s slogan, 'œOakland can be a lovely place to spend an evening,' isn’t super encouraging, but I know those first three bands and they’re all worth the trek.
Thursday, December 16, 8pm
Show @ the Ivy Hill House
718 East 22nd St. [Oakland]
$5
Two chances to see the wonderful Agent Ribbons for FREE: on Friday in Oakland, with the Bitter Honeys and on Saturday in San Francisco with Social Studies.
Thursday, December 16, 9pm
The Bitter Honeys and Agent Ribbons
Bar Three Fifty Five
355 19th St. btwn. Webster & Franklin [Oakland, 2 blocks east of 19th street BART]
FREE
Friday, December 17, 8pm
SMiLE! Presents: Social Studies, Agent Ribbons & Amores Vigilantes
The Crescent Hotel, Burritt Room
417 Stockton St.
FREE
HEMLOCK TAVERN FRIDAY NIGHT
Honeycomb is by far one of my favorite San Francisco bands right now. You know how most bands all sound the same? Not this one. Honeycomb is super fresh, super haunting, and these folks are super good-looking too, so there’s that. Plus Silian Rail is going to be giving away FREE download cards with four unreleased songs.
Friday, December 17, 9pm
Silian Rail, Honeycomb, & Summer Darling
Hemlock Tavern
1131 Polk St.
$7
MAKEOUT ROOM SUNDAY NIGHT
Another full moon is upon us this Sunday. That means it’s time to braid your hair, put on some patchouli oil, and head over to the Make-Out Room for a Seaweed Sway Showcase. I kid, I kid. You don’t really have to braid your hair. In all seriousness, you get a lot of bang for your buck at these shows. Featuring live performances by the Beehavers, the Sour Mash Hug Band, and New Cadence, plus the video podcast premier of Chasing the Moon‘s newest episode featuring the fantastic Magic Leaves, you can’t go wrong. Do you know about Chasing the Moon? Well you should, and now you do.
Sunday, December 19, 7:30pm
Seaweed Sway Showcase
Make-Out Room
3225 22nd St. [Mission]
$7
