Emilie's Must-See's: March

Emilie's Must-Sees: March, Marin Magazine

Forget about basketball March seems to be about music madness!

 

3.1 David RawlingsThe Fillmore www.thefillmore.com – Doors 7:00 / Show 8:00 – $35

You know him as the harmony singer/ one half of a duo with Gillian Welch. He’s touring in preparation for his upcoming album, “Poor David’s Almanack.” Featured with him at The Fillmore on March 1st will be Gillian Welch, Paul Kowert (of The Punch Brothers), Willie Watson, and Brittany Haas. A must-see for fans of bluegrass, folk, and Americana.

 

3.1 Greg Brown Freight and Salvage – www.thefreight.orgDoors 7:00 / Show 8:00 – $40–$44

The gruffest singer-songwriter to ever be nominated for multiple Grammys, this man’s work has been covered by artists as diverse as Willie Nelson and Ani DiFranco. He has over 30 albums and his shows at the Freight almost always sell out. 

 

3.3-3.4 They Might Be GiantsThe Fillmore www.thefillmore.com – Doors 8:00 / Show 9:00 Ages 14+ – $35

“Istanbul was Constantinople, now it’s Istanbul…” Everyone sing with me! I’m going for a night of nostalgia. They call themselves “Brooklyn’s original alternative rockers,” and they’ve been playing their eclectic mix of music for over thirty years.

 

3.4 Herbie HancockFox Theater – www.thefoxoakland.com – Show 7:30 $39.50$95 – SOLD OUT

Herbie Hancock has given us six decades of incredible music. Once part of the Miles Davis Quintet, his work has since “combined electric jazz with funk and rock in an innovative style that continues to influence contemporary music,” (thefoxoakland.com). He was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in February 2016.

 

3.5 Talib Kweli – The Independent – www.theindependentsf.comShow 8:00 – $25 SOLD OUT (Second show added 3.6)

I saw Talib years ago with Mos Def when they were together as Black Star and it was an absolutely phenomenal show. Since leaving that collaboration, he’s worked with producers Kanye West and Pharrell Williams and founded his own record label in 2011. He is the best politically active rap artist around.

 

3.9 Fleetwood Mask   The Sweetwater www.sweetwatermusichall.com – Doors 8:00/ Show 9:00 – $25–$30

The lead singer looks and sounds so much like Stevie, it’s breathtaking. I don’t always love tribute bands – this and Petty Theft are my few exceptions! Each member of Mask has a deep love of Fleetwood Mac and is devoted to embodying an authentic sound. Guaranteed fun for a Friday night!

 

3.9 Megan Slankard and the T Sisters Great American Music Hall – www.slimpresents.com Doors 7:30/ Show 8:00 – $19–$24 ($43.95 includes dinner)

This double bill is going to be a fabulous night of originals and covers by some of the best local female songstresses. I fell in love with Slankard’s haunting voice and mesmerizing presence years ago with her release of “Token of the Wreckage” – she runs a fine, perfect line between rock and folk. Her first album was released when she was only 18, and she (fun fact) appeared on a 2004 TLC episode of What Not to Wear. The T Sisters were featured in the January Must-See’s for their appearance at Terrapin’s Grate Room.

 

3.9 Paige ClemTerrapin Crossroadswww.terrapincrossroads.net Show 8:00 – $15

Stellar guest musicians like James Nash and Jordan Feinstein are supporting Paige Clem at this, her CD release party in the Grate Room, with quality acts Nat Keefe (Hot Buttered Rum) and Jeff Berkley providing opening sets. Clem is a local singer-songwriter and the host of the monthly event, “Songs About Something: Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue Tunes in the Round,” at Albany’s Ivy Room. Fans of Clem’s have been waiting for this debut album, “ Firefly,” for years! My favorites off this album include, “Long Time Coming,” and “Firefly.” You don’t want to miss this party!

 

3.11 Tim Bluhm The Chapel – www.thechapelsf.com – Doors 7:00/ Show 8:00 – $20$22

Tim is one half of the local band The Mother Hips, and it’s great to see him performing again after an injury kept him sidelined for a few months. He is the quintessential California singer-songwriter, having spent over two decades living and playing music here.

 

3.12 Stone Temple PilotsThe Fillmore – www.thefillmore.com Doors 7:00 / Show 8:00 $41

This will be my first time seeing STP with their new frontman, Jeff Gutt, as it’s the Grammy-winning band’s first time back on the road in at least two years. Gutt was discovered after an extensive search to ensure the legacy and sound of STP would only continue to flourish, and we’re all excited about the release of their seventh studio album.

 

3.12 Glen Hansard – Fox Theater – www.thefoxoakland.com Show 8:00 – $29.50–$39.50

Glen Hansard is the lead singer of the Irish band The Flames and one half of the duo The Swell Season. He is perhaps best known for his collaboration with Czech singer Marketa Irglova, which brought us the beloved movie, “Once,” and the haunting single “Falling Slowly,” which won the Academy Award for Best Song in 2007. He is currently touring to promote his second solo album, “Didn’t He Ramble.” 

 

3.15 Roger Daltrey – Fox Theaterwww.thefoxoakland.com Show 8:00$75–$149.50

Roger Daltrey is a British singer and actor best known as the founder and lead singer of The Who. His career has spanned over 50 years, and since 1973 he’s released eight studio albums, five compilation albums, and one live album. He was ranked number 61 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.

 

3.16 Chris SmitherFreight and Salvage – www.thefreight.orgDoors 7:00/ Show 8:00 $30$34

Chris Smither is another singer-songwriter my Mom introduced me to when I was in high school. His engaging lyrics, soulful voice, and Americana sound again confirmed for me the art of this style of music. Wrote Associated Press, “Smither is an American original – a product of the musical melting pot and one of the absolute best singer-songwriters in the world.” 

 

3.16 Robbie Fulks HopMonk Novato – www.hopmonk.com Doors 7:00/ Show 8:00 $25$35

From Fulks’ website: Robbie Fulks is a singer, recording artist, instrumentalist, composer, and songwriter. His most recent release, 2017’s Upland Stories, earned years-best recognition from NPR and Rolling Stone among others, as well as two Grammy nominations for folk album and American roots song.” Not only do I love his music, having KC Turner presenting a show means it’s a guaranteed quality night of music. Check out “Katy Kay (Live at WAMU’s Bluegrass Country)” on youtube.com.

 

3.16 Diego’s Umbrella19 Broadwaywww.19broadway.com Show 9:00 $15$18

So happy these guys are back in town! Originally from San Francisco, this is another band who blew me away at BottleRock a few years ago. They have the most unique gypsy-punk-rock sound. Their violin player is one of my favorite musicians to watch on stage, and we will have an interview with bassist Johaan Hill in the upcoming March blog. Check out “You’ll Never Take Us Down,” and follow it with, “Thrash Mexican Budapest,” on youtube.com for an introduction if you don’t already know and love them.

 

3.16-3.17 ALOThe Fillmore – www.thefillmore.com Doors 8:00/ Show 9:00 – $25

ALO are our local heroes. Dan Lebowitz, Zach Gill, Steve Adams, and Dave Brogan have been entertaining us with an incredibly unique blend of jam music for two decades, and their latest release, “Tangle of Time,” promises inspiring lyrics and diverse sound. Each one of these musicians have established solo careers of their own, playing with renowned acts such as Nicki Bluhm, Phil Lesh, and Jack Johnson.

John Craigie, a favorite singer-songwriter of mine, opens Friday night.  They also have an annual Sing-Along for Kids at 2:30 Saturday. Tickets are $13.50.

 

3.20 Bonnie Raitt Fox Theater – www.thefoxoakland.com  Show 8:00 $55$500 SOLD OUT

Bonnie Raitt is a ten-time Grammy award-winning singer. She has been named in Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Singers of All Time,” and “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.” Hits include “Something to Talk About,” and “I Can’t Make You Love Me.”

 

3.23 Brett Dennen The Fillmore – www.thefillmore.com Doors 8:00/ Show 9:00 $25

The first time I saw Brett Dennen, years ago at a concert in the Golden Gate Park, I was immediately taken aback, both by his shocking red hair and his shocking stellar melodic voice. I’ve seen him open for such beloved acts as the John Butler Trio. Check out “Ain’t No Reason,” “ “The One Who Loves You the Most,” and his latest, “Already Gone.”

 

3.23 Umphrey’s McGee Fox Theater – www.thefoxoakland.com   Show 7:30 $32.50

YES! Haven’t seen them in years. For over 18 years they’ve played 100 shows a year, proving we don’t ever tire of them. They say they’ve been influenced by everyone from the Grateful Dead to Frank Zappa to The Police, and you hear it in their unique, hard-to-be-defined sound.

 

3.23 Chris Trapper/ Martin Sexton Mystic Theatre – www.mystictheatre.com – Door 7:30 $28

Of all the shows this month, this is the ultimate in the world of multi-talented singer-songwriters. Martin Sexton has been my favorite singer-songwriter since I was 18 and saw him busking on the Boston streets. “Glory Bound” is my favorite song of all time. No one has more range in vocal technique, songwriting, and using his guitar as a percussion instrument.

And it doesn’t get any better than Chris Trapper as his opener. Once the lead singer of the The Push Stars, Chris is another Boston local legend and has had quite a few hits on movie and TV soundtracks, as well as my favorites,  “Keg on My Coffin,” “The Accident,” “Skin,” and “Til the Last Leaf Falls.” Go, go, go to this show.

 

3.25 Yonder Mountain String Band   Terrapin Crossroads – www.terrapincrossroads.net Doors 6:00 / Show 7:00 $30$35

Heads up: This Colorado bluegrass band is also playing The Independent both nights prior to their stint at Terrapin, but I thought it might be fun to feature them when they’re playing in our own backyard. They’re out promoting their first album in two years, “Love. Ain’t Love.”  Check out “Chasing My Tail,” and “Alison,” on YouTube to get a sense of their sound. Then buy a ticket!

 

3.29 The Oh Hello’s The Fillmore – www.thefillmore.com Doors 7:00 / Show 8:00 $22.50

Best Pandora discovery ever…I was also blessed on a road trip a few years ago to catch them live in an outdoor venue in the Grand Tetons. We get beautiful harmonies from this brother and sister team, and the full band is so much fun to watch. Check out their NPR Tiny Desk concert.

 

3.30-3.31 Petty Theft The Sweetwater – www.sweetwatermusichall.com Doors 8:00 / Show 9:00 $27$32

Again, one of the few cover bands I endorse, these guys will be sure to make you dance with their flawless Petty covers…and probably tear up a few times as well.

 

3.31 Galactic The Warfield – thewarfieldtheatre.com – Doors 7:00 / Show 7:45 $39.50$55

This New Orleans funky jam band has been entertaining us with their sound for more than 20 years. Favorites include, “Baker’s Dozen,” and “Hit the Wall.”


Emilie Rohrbach

Emilie Rohrbach has taught music and theater to grades pre-school through 8th in San Francisco and Marin counties for the last 20 years. She has been a freelance writer for Divine Caroline for five years, and her writing has appeared in Narratively, Hippocampus, Common Ground, Travelers’ Tales, and Marin Magazine, among others. She is passionate about Room to Read, Shanti Bhavan, and Destiny Arts and serves on the board of Knighthorse Theatre Company.