Sometimes it's exhausting just looking at the San Francisco music calendar. This is one of those weeks. This week's buffet is long — so ours is too.
Here's the one video that sums up each act coming through town, with one special treat hiding in the mix:
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Fillmore, Monday
http://youtu.be/abKjC7EX2Zs
These are the guys who would have led your post-party singalong back in the day and made a career of it. It's actually quite possible these SF natives actually were at your post-party back in the day.
The Men, Rickshaw Stop, Monday
http://youtu.be/KpATFtGfYR8
Punk rockers took a rockabilly turn on their most recent album, New Moon. But they're live shows remain righteous religious experiences.
Palma Violets, The Independent, Tuesday
http://youtu.be/poFXWUTEs1k
British buzz band has earned favorable reviews from NME and the BBC. Catch 'em while they're still under America's radar.
http://youtu.be/PaKHR6oe52Q
Tickets are going for $500 on Craigslist. This was a bad idea.
Telekinesis, Bottom of the Hill, Wednesday
http://youtu.be/6tsynxtBPDM
Seattle indie rockers are signed to Merge Records, one of the finest seals of approvals in the biz. They're labelmates with the likes of Arcade Fire, Neutral Milk Hotel and Conor Oberst. 'Nuff said.
Ghost, The Regency Ballroom, Thursday
http://youtu.be/ja0CIxSmNEQ
Whoa.
The Killers, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, Saturday + Sunday
http://youtu.be/gGdGFtwCNBE
Few bands get as big as this. They may be on the descent from the height of their popularity, but they're still important enough to headline Bill Graham. Credit given.
Built to Spill, Slim's, Saturday + Sunday
http://youtu.be/UPBbywqtxBU
Doug Martsch insists his band is a "nostalgia act," but he remains one of the best guitar soloists in indie rock.
Brad Mehldau, SFJAZZ Center, Friday + Saturday + Sunday
http://youtu.be/qWkOxYKNZOs
Mehldau has wisely figured the best way to lure fans into his jazz piano virtuosity is to cover universally known bands like Radiohead.
Marnie Stern, Rickshaw Stop, Sunday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3oxU9-zeiA
Stern's finger-tapping method is just mesmerizing.