Tag Archives: Noise Pop

[Show Review] The Belle Game @ Cafe du Nord, San Francisco 2/6

Posted by Geoff Hong - February 8, 2018

Belle Game @ Cafe Du Nord. San Francisco, 2/6/18

Vancouver-based indie pop band Belle Game made an appearance at the cozy Cafe du Nord here in San Francisco this week. Playing in the basement of the Swedish American Music Hall to a small yet eager crowd, Belle Game put on quite the show of passion and skill. Lead singer Andrea Lo absolutely brought the energy on a Tuesday night, holding nothing back. By the end of the show, her infectious spirit was reciprocated by the small gathering of music fans in attendance.

Guitarist Adam Nanji

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Treasure Island 2016: 12 Must See Acts — SF 10/15-16 [Festival Preview]

Posted by Ash El Gamal - October 12, 2016

If you’ve been following The Music Ninja over the last few years, you already know that Treasure Island Music Festival reigns atop our list of best music events in the Bay Area. Rounding out peak festival season, TIMF consistently avoids the repetitive lineups that plague competitors while offering an ideal environment for attendees worn out from over-crowded events. 2016 is an important year for the festival marking both its 10th anniversary and final year taking place on Treasure Island itself as a result of upcoming real estate development. Thankfully it will not be the end altogether for the SF staple, which will be relocating to a TBD destination come 2017 (the SF Chronicle even has a poll where you can vote on where it should be).

With those milestones in mind, Noise Pop have stepped up their already fantastic curation bringing what may be our favorite lineup to date. Our best advice would be to catch as many artists as the schedule permits, be prepared for the rain and stop by the Silent Disco. Although we know and love pretty much every artist on this weekend’s bill, we’ve curated our top picks for each day below. Hope to see some of you Ninjas on the island! Continue reading →

Event Preview

[Festival Preview] Noise Pop Anniversary “25 To 25” Event Series

Posted by Dominic Powell - July 14, 2016

The 2017 Noise Pop Festival – a personal favorite of TMN – will return with ten consecutive days of music, film, and art in San Francisco for their 25th anniversary: February 17-26, 2017. Leading up to this quarter-century milestone, Noise Pop is proud to present the 25 To 25 series. Featuring 25 curated music, film, and art events ending with a blowout Noise Pop Festival lineup announcement party in November 2016.

The entire 25 To 25 series will be selectively announced over the next couple of months, with the first batch of music artists arriving today. Series performers include Canadian punk four-piece TOPS; Owen, the solo project of Mike Kinsella of American Football; Philadelphia rock group Sheer Mag; electronic musician Juan MacLean (DJ Set); Norwegian indie electronic duo Lemaitre, and more to come!

Local Bay Area talent will also have the chance to join many of the upcoming music performances, and they are encouraged to apply via Sonicbids.

Filmmakers who wish to feature one of their productions in one of the film events, can visit Film Freeway to submit.

Music lovers can enjoy the 25 To 25 series and Noise Pop Festival 2017 by purchasing single tickets to each of the events or a Super Fan Badge, which go on sale noon (PDT) Friday, July 15 and can be purchased through the website. Super Fan Badges will not only grant access to all of the events in the 25 To 25 series, but all of the shows, events, and pass perks during the Noise Pop Festival February 17-26 as well, clocking in at more than 60 events.

In honor of 25 years of Noise Pop, the producers will be making the 2017 festival a particularly spectacular and memorable year. Crowds can expect a genre-blurring mix of indie, hip hop, electronic, pop and beyond, plus intimate performances set at the Festival HQ, Swedish American Hall. The 2016 Festival, which saw some of the highest attendance numbers for the Festival to date, included amazing sets by Kamasi Washington, Bill Callahan, The Mountain Goats, American Football, Vince Stables, DIIV, Metric, Neon Indian, and many more. Since the Noise Pop debut in 1993, the Festival has featured many emerging performers who have gone on to wide acclaim, including The White Stripes, Modest Mouse, Death Cab for Cutie, The Flaming Lips, The Shins, Fleet Foxes, and Bright Eyes.

Follow along with the Noise Pop Festival news, including the upcoming lineup this fall, at www.noisepop.com/2017, as well as on Facebook and on Twitter.

Noise Pop 2016: 7 Acts We Loved–SF, 2/19-2/28 [Festival Review + Playlist]

Posted by Ash El Gamal - March 4, 2016

All photos by Dom Powell except for photos of DIIV, which are by Ash.

Over the last few years, San Francisco’s Noise Pop Festival has grown into our favorite week for music in the Bay Area. Taking place at venues across the city, the logistics can get tricky, but the venue hopping and set-time speculation is completely worth the broad variety of music the lineup offers. As is true for any festival. there’s no way to catch everything and there was plenty of FOMO to go around between the surprise guest filled late night Cafe Du Nord shows to the various events at Noise Pop’s home base, Swedish American Music Hall. With a couple years of experience under our belt, we definitely feel like this was both our best go-around thus far as well as the festival’s. The one great thing about the staggering number of events is that every publications experience is slightly different, each choosing different favorite takeaways based on their schedule. Take a trip back with some of our favorite sets, songs and moments from the week below. Continue reading →

[Festival Preview] Noise Pop Festival 2016–SF, 2/19-2/28

Posted by Dominic Powell - February 18, 2016

Noise Pop 2016 is quickly approaching, beginning this week, February 19^th, and ending nine days later on February 28^th. Following San Francisco’s anointment as Super Bowl City on January 30^th, the city was the center of the American sports world for nearly 2 weeks. Now, as those ceremonies are winding down, excitement regarding a more local-grown type of entertainment will be ratcheting up. Noise Pop has outdone itself in 2016, bringing one of the boldest and most impressive lineups in its prestigious history.

We were lucky enough to chat with Chad Heimann, the sole talent buyer for Noise Pop, so you’ll find some of what he had to say sprinkled through out this preview. Badges are still available for purchase here.

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[Festival Review] Moments & Songs from Treasure Island 2015–SF, 10/17-18

Posted by Ash El Gamal - October 27, 2015

It’s particularly sad to say goodbye to Treasure Island Music Festival. Not only does TI mark the end of the summer festival season, but it’s also a true breathe of fresh air from the oft-overwhelming mega events that have come to dominate the space. With relief from the typical pains of festivals –trouble meeting friends, overcrowded stages, set conflicts and the list goes on–we always walk out of TI refreshed and this year was no exception. Overlooking the San Francisco skyline, Treasure Island’s serenity never fails to amaze us and it didn’t hurt that the weather was pretty much perfect all weekend.

The clear-split lineup that highlighted electronic/hip-hop on Saturday and alternative rock/pop on Sunday gave each day a vibe all its own. Take a trip back with photos and songs from the two different, but equally enjoyable, days.

All photos by Dominic Powell unless otherwise stated.

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Event

7 Acts We Loved At Noise Pop Festival 2015–SF, 2/20-3/1 [Festival Review + Playlist]

Posted by Ash El Gamal - March 6, 2015

Now in its 23rd year, Noise Pop Festival has become an absolute staple of the Bay Area for fans of independent music, film and art. With multiple shows every night at some of the best venues SF and Oakland have to offer, Noise Pop presented the best kind of difficult decisions on a daily basis. The Noise Pop HQ, at the newly renovated Swedish American Hall, was a fantastic destination as well hosting intimate shows, happy hours and even a live podcast recording with Toro y Moi where he premiered “Half Dome,” the eighth track from his upcoming album. Although there were plenty of activities outside of the concerts, being the ninjas we are, we’re going to focus on our favorite performances from the week. Browse through some pictures and songs in our chronologically ordered list below.

1. Flight Facilities, 2.24 @ The Regency Ballroom

Why we loved it: Australian DJ duo Flight Facilities, of the esteemed Future Classic, took stage at The Regency in full aviation gear for an energetic set. What really took their performance to the next level was live vocal assistance from talented Owl Eyes and Surahn Sidhu, member of Empire of the Sun, who covered female and male parts of Flight Facilities’ countless hits. [Photos by: Justin Yee]

’Flight Facilities – Two Bodies feat. Emma Louise (Extended Version)’

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