Don’t have any plans yet for New Year’s? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. From small rock clubs to thousand seat theaters, here is a quick guide to the best New Year’s Eve concerts around the Bay Area.
Everyone is Dirty – The Night Light – $10
Oakland’s Everyone is Dirty bring their grunge influenced indie-pop to The Night Light with local bands El Elle, Light Thieves and Electric Magpie. Lead singer Sivan Gur-Arieh’s haunting vocals and violin playing are strangely mesmerizing—imagine Jenny Lewis’s evil twin.
The Melvins and Redd Kross – Great American Music Hall – $40
The seminal Seattle sludge metal band, The Melvins will be performing at the GAMH along with power punkers Redd Kross. King Buzzo and company will definitely be playing the heaviest music going down anywhere this New Year’s
The Devil Makes Three – The Catalyst – $35 in adv / $40 at the door
The stomp-folk string trio will perform their whiskey soaked brand of americana at a New Year’s run at The Catalyst in Santa Cruz. Known for their raucous live shows, The Devil Makes Three are the perfect house band for a night of drunken revelry.
The Fresh & Onlys and Vetiver – The Chapel – $25 in adv / $30 at the door
These two local indie favorites are booked for a double bill along with local opening acts Sun Araw and Pure Bliss. It’s been a while since Vetiver has performed in SF and this New Year’s show will be the perfect homecoming.
Danny Brown – The Mezzanine – $45
If you’re looking to get truly ‘effed up to ring in the New Year, then this is the show for you. The audacious, drugged-out rapper has a reputation for his insane live sets and this New Year’s at The Mezzanine should not disappoint.
The Brothers Comatose – Slim’s – $30
The Brothers Comatose is a local string band who combine their legit bluegrass chops with an infectious folk-rock energy. The band treats each show like a house party and is sure to make the Slim’s dance floor feel as intimate as their living room.
Calexico – The Fillmore – $65
The desert rock troubadours will be performing at the sacred ground of The Fillmore Auditorium with LA’s Las Cateras. Fresh off the release this fall’s Algiers, the band has added to their catalogue of epic ballads of the southwestern borderlands.
Glitter Wizard – Hemlock Tavern – $12 in advance / $15 at the door
The intimate Hemlock Tavern is one of the coolest local music venues in the city. Psychedelic glam warriors Glitter Wizard along with fellow rockers Pins of Light and Ovvl look to melt your face at this tiny rock club.
The Generationals – Bottom of the Hill – $22 in adv / $25 at the door
Hailing from New Orleans, The Generationals combine jangly guitars and synth sounds to craft immediately catchy indie-pop songs. They’ll be performing with local opening acts The Frail and Nova Albion.
Primus – Fox Theater – $65
Primus and the Frog Brigade Ensemble explore the music of Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. Enough said.