The lazy days of summer have come, and a road trip is an excellent antidote to August’s doldrums. Two major concerts are taking place in Northern and Southern California, providing the perfect excuse to escape for the weekend. Visit home or stay with a friend and see what else is out there in the Golden State.
SAN FRANCISCO
Rasputin Music
69 Powell St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Braving the hordes of tourists and aggressive shoppers at any given moment in Union Square is worth the wear if you take a step inside Rasputin Music. Cluttered it may be, but this is a great spot for buying, selling or just listening to music. Show up the night before Outside Lands and catch RX Bandits in store, then head next door for a slice at Blondie’s Pizza.
The Fillmore
1805 Geary Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94115
It didn’t take long for this venue to become historically cool. With musical majesty like Led Zeppelin and The Who ““ just to name a few ““ taking the stage, The Fillmore continues to be a place that musicians are honored to play. As soon as you step foot here, located in San Francisco’s yummy Japantown, you’ll immediately feel just a little bit cooler.
Great American Music Hall
859 O’Farrell St.
San Francisco, CA 94109
San Francisco’s oldest nightclub is also arguably its fanciest. With its decorative balconies and chandeliers, you’ll feel like you’re in a scene from “Pride and Prejudice,” but that won’t stop you from busting some moves to performers like Deerhoof and Brendan Benson.
Candlestick Park
602 Jamestown Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94124
Originally built for the San Francisco Giants and currently dominated by the San Francisco 49ers, this stadium will always be known as the site of the Beatles’ final concert in 1966.
EDITOR’S PICKS
Outdoor music festivals are a veritable smorgasbord of live performances. While on opposite sides of the state, two massive annual concerts are taking place this weekend: Outside Lands Arts and Music Festival and Street Scene. Both offer the same artists, such as Black Eyed Peas, M.I.A., Silversun Pickups and Modest Mouse. With massive lineups, deciding which performers to see can be quite the dilemma. Here are our suggestions for the concerts:
Street Scene – San Diego
East Village
street-scene.com
Friday, Aug. 28
wwaves: Casbah Stage, 6:10 p.m.
Mastodon: Zarabanda Stage, 7 p.m.
Deerhunter: Casbah Stage, 8:15 p.m.
Modest Mouse: Fulana Stage, 9:35 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 29
Los Campesinos: Casbah Stage, 5:30 p.m.
Of Montreal: Fulano Stage, 6:40 p.m.
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists: Green Stage, 8 p.m.
M.I.A.: Fulano Stage, 10:45 p.m.
Outside Lands – San Francisco
Golden Gate Park
sfoutsidelands.com
Friday, Aug. 28
SambaDá: Panhandle Solar – Speedway Meadow,
1:45 p.m.
The Dodos: Sutro – Lindley Meadow, 3:20 p.m.
Incubus: Lands End – Polo Field, 6 p.m.
Pearl Jam: Lands End – Polo Field, 7:50 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 29
Jason Mraz: Lands End – Polo Field, 3:50 p.m.
Black Eyed Peas: Lands End – Polo Field, 5:40 p.m.
Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band: Sutro – Lindley Meadow 6:40 p.m.
Dave Matthews Band: Lands End – Polo Field, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 30
Lenka: Sutro – Lindley Meadow, 1:25 p.m.
Atmosphere: Twin Peaks – Speedway Meadow, 2:15 p.m.
Modest Mouse: Lands End – Polo Field, 4:20 p.m.
Tenacious D: Lands End – Polo Field, 7:50 p.m.
SAN DIEGO
Lou’s Records and Tapes
434 North Coast Highway 101
Encinitas, CA 92024
Though not as legendary as Amoeba Records, this local music store is well-known among locals for its selection of independent music. Its used music collection is perfect for any budget-minded listener. Drop by to lose yourself in the wide array of CDs, cassettes and vinyl albums, and top your day off with some tanning on the beach and lunch down the road at Juanita’s Taco Shop.
Che Cafe Collective
UCSD Campus
With no actual street address, Che Cafe is one of the most unique parts of our sister school. Advertised as an all-ages venue with a community garden, activist resource center and a vegan cafe, it is the training ground for thousands of aspiring hipsters. Check out Billy Corgan with guests Spirits in the Sky performing on Sunday, Aug. 30.
World Beat Center
2100 Park Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92101
One of the more eclectic parts of Balboa Park ““ a beautiful collection of museums and home to the World Famous San Diego Zoo ““ the World Beat Center is a must for any ethnomusicology student. The center, located in a former water tower, focuses on African culture through a variety of programs, concerts and classes.
Belly Up Tavern
143 S. Cedros Ave.
Solana Beach, CA 92075
This 21 and up venue has been recognized by local media as one of the best places to hear live music in San Diego. The Wild Note Cafe next door serves food and drink. Upcoming concerts feature artists such as Built to Spill, Danger Kitty and the B-52s.
Compiled by Maryia Krivoruchko, Edward Truong and Saba Mohtasham, Bruin senior staff.