(photo: Robert Alleyne) To all the bands and all the fans… Thanks for 15 years full of music, fun, and local love. We’ve had a blast and we’ll see you at a show soon. Listen Local, The Bay Bridged The post Last Call appeared first on The Bay Bridged - San Francisco Bay Area Indie Music ..read more

CCaitlin Cobb-Vialet‘s “Boots and Menthols'”is the latest in a string of serpentine stream-of-consciousness singles from her upcoming EP, out in October on War Chant Records. Like her previous singles, the excellent “Not A Child” and “I Confuse Us,” this one is loaded with ennui and self-aware musings and features subtle yet complimentary production by Jim Greer. Though these songs all incorporate different sonic palates, the through-line is Cobb-Vialet’s electric piano playing and matter-of-fact vocal delivery. The singles also share a rhapsodic quality; throwing a traditional verse/chorus ..read more

(photo: Patric Carver) The first time I saw Hudson Bell was years ago at the Starry Plough. I remember being captivated by the hooky charm of his songs — particularly “In a Ball.” I was humming it to myself for days afterward. If the fecund ground of pop music is fertilized by earworms, Bell is a masterful composter. However, the ease by which the listener can be comfortable with Bell’s songs should not be mistaken for a lack of complexity. His compositions bridge this great divide between being completely familiar without having the slightest hint of predictability. That night, even though I ..read more

Sound Summit (photo: William Wayland) We showed our double vaccination cards and climbed aboard the shuttles that would wind their way from Mill Valley above the morning fog to the amphitheater overlooking the bay. The Cushing Memorial Amphitheater was built using rough-hewn boulders by the Civilian Conservation Corp in 1933. It doesn’t have the polish of a venue like the Shoreline Amphitheater, but that’s the beauty of it.  Steps are uneven and trees can block your view. It’s rustic. Here, the backdrop is Tiburon, Angel Island, Alcatraz, and San Francisco. I don’t know if ..read more

Sylvan Esso (photo: Jon Bauer) Last Thursday saw a sold-out show at Berkley’s historic Greek Theatre with a stacked lineup. The headliners were duo Sylvan Esso performing in support of last year’s album Free Love, and they were joined by Local Natives and Samia, whose debut album The Baby also came out last year. Our photographer Jon Bauer was at this special night and captured all performers from this eclectic evening of beautiful live music. Check out the photos below ..read more

It’s Tuesday morning, what’re you doing? Probably curating some pictures of Labor Day brunch or a scenic beach sunset for your IG feed? Knock it off right now, that shit ain’t punk. Do yourself a favor: take a break from your work emails, your late-morning doomscrolling, or whatever awful true-crime podcast you’re binging — and check out Spiritual Cramp‘s new single “Earth to Mike.” Directed by Timmy Lodhi, the video is a bump of high-energy Bay Area punk rock that will make you want to punch air and two-step straight down to the nearest moped dealership. If you need something to shake off th ..read more

Small Black (photo: Vanessa Solis) Brooklyn electronica and chillwave band Small Black brought their sound to the Independent last week in support of their latest album, Cheap Dreams. They were also joined by Philadelphia electronic band Korine. Our photographer Vanessa Solis was there to capture both bands from the night as shows make their return to the Bay Area. Check them out below. The post Photos: Small Black at the Independent appeared first on The Bay Bridged - San Francisco Bay Area Indie Music ..read more

To our readers, After an incredible 15 years, The Bay Bridged will be ceasing operations on October 1, 2021. The Bay Bridged began in San Francisco in 2006 with a small podcast premised on a big idea: that even in an age of increasing access to digital music from around the globe, local music scenes mattered. We eventually blossomed into a multifaceted local music nonprofit, creating a blog that reached 60,000 readers every month and producing festivals and concerts like The Bay Brewed, Rock Make Street Festival, and, of course, Phono Del Sol — all of which championed discovery and ..read more

After a year’s delay, beloved San Francisco street festival 20th Street Block Party is making its return to the Mission District. And we don’t think it would be a stretch to say they’re back and better than ever — check out this killer lineup. Y La Bamba Con Brio L.A. Witch French Cassettes Same Girls King Isis LOUDA Y Los Bad Hombres Strange Cities The only major change is that, like Outside Lands and other events, it’s shifting to October. Other than that, some typical pandemic precautions are in place: Guests will need to reserve a spot to prevent overcrowding, and whatever mask mandates a ..read more

Gregory Porter (photo: Jon Bauer) Last week saw Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Gregory Porter perform at the Frost Amphitheater in support of his 2020 album All Rise. He was joined in support by San Francisco’s Marcus Shelby Quartet with Tiffany Austin and our photographer Jon Bauer captured the photo gallery below from the event ..read more