Noise Pop

Between February 24th and March 1st, venues all over San Francisco will be literally bursting at the seams with an influx of the best independent music, film, and art around. That’s six days of string-bending, eye-popping, mind-blowing stimulation taking place at some of the city’s hottest spots, including The Roxie, Great American Music Hall, and (most appropriately) The Independent. The occasion is Noise Pop, a colorful and multi-faceted festival in its 17th year that is rapidly gaining a reputation as SF’s ultimate music festival. As such, it’s an event that is not to be missed.

With so many musical acts, it’s hard to know where to begin. Experimental noise rock band Deerhunter will usher in the event at Mezzanine for the Opening Night Party, and math rock group Les Savy Fav will bring it to its close. In between, there’s an abundance of acts to choose from. There’s Goblin Cock, an intriguing troupe of shrouded metal rockers with an inclination toward comic books and fantasy; there’s St. Vincent, a charmingly quirky singer/songwriter with her own unique brand of delicate, playful tunes; and the Mountain Goats, Ra Ra Riot, and Sleepy Sun are just a few of many other acts you can catch that week.

Not to be overshadowed by the musical lineup, Noise Pop’s Film Festival will include Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison, I Need That Record: The Death (Or Possible Survival) of the Independent Record Store, and Largo, a film that puts the spotlight on the magic that is worked on stage at this Hollywood club. In addition, there are gallery art shows, a craft fair, and a music industry conference.

There’s something for everyone…and then some. You can purchase badges that grant access to all Noise Pop shows and events here.

Tuesday, February 24th

Opening Night Party with Deerhunter and Lilofee, Mezzanine, Doors: 8:30, Show: 10:00PM
City Arts and Lectures with John Darnielle, Herbst Theatre, Show: 8:00 PM
Antony and the Johnsons, Nob Hill Masonic Center, Show: 8:00 PM

Wednesday, February 25th

Noise Pop Happy Hour with The Aimless Never Miss, Benders, Doors: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Film: Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison, The Roxie, Show: 7:00 PM
Art: Sights of Sounds, Park Life, Show: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
The Mountain Goats (Solo), Swedish American Music Hall, Doors: 6:30 PM, Show: 7:30 PM
Stephen Malkmus (Solo), Great American Music Hall, Doors: 7:00 PM, Show: 8:00 PM
Sleepy Sun, Bottom of the Hill, Doors: 7:00 PM, Show: 8:00 PM
French Kicks, The Independent, Doors: 7:30 PM, Show: 8:00 PM
Matt Costa, Slim’s, Doors: 7:00 Show: 8:00pm
Film: Ashes of American Flags, The Roxie, Show: 9:15 PM

Thursday, February 26th

Noise Pop Happy Hour with Scissors for Lefty, Benders, Doors: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Film: Of All the Things, Artist’s Television Access, Show: 7:00 PM
Thao Nguyen, Swedish American Music Hall, Doors: 6:30 PM, Show: 7:30 PM
Josh Ritter (Solo with String Quartet), Great American Music Hall, Doors: 7:00 PM, Show: 8:00 PM
Martha Wainwright, Slim’s, Doors: 7:00 PM, Show: 8:00 PM
Goblin Cock, The Rickshaw Stop, Doors: 8:30 PM, Show: 9:00 PM
From Monument to Masses, Bottom of the Hill, Doors: 8:00 PM, Show: 9:00 PM
Thee Oh Sees, Café Du Nord, Doors: 8:00 PM, Show: 9:00 PM
Film: Largo, Artist’s Television Access, Show: 9:00 PM
Kool Keith: Dr. Octagon vs. Dr. Dooom & Mike Relm, Mezzanine, Doors: 8:00PM, Show: 9:00PM

Friday, February 27th

Industry Noise, Swedish American Hall, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Noise Pop Happy Hour with Maus Haus, Benders, Doors: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Art: The Art of Noise Pop, Mini Bar, Show: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Film: Agile Mobile Hostile: A Year with Andre Williams, Artist’s Television Access, Show: 7:00
St. Vincent, Great American Music Hall, Doors: 7:00 PM, Show: 8:00 PM
The Morning Benders & The Submarines, Slim’s, Doors: 7:00 PM, Show: 8:00 PM
Ra Ra Riot, The Independent, Doors: 7:30 PM, Show: 8:00 PM
Dear and the Headlights, Bottom of the Hill, Doors: 7:30 PM, Show: 8:30 PM
Port O’Brien, Café Du Nord, Doors: 8:00 PM, Show: 9:00 PM
Film: Gogol Bordello Non-Stop: A Gypsy-Punk Documentary, Artist’s Television Access, Show: 9:00 PM

Saturday, February 28th

Pop n’ Shop, The Verdi Club, 12:00PM – 4:00PM
Noise Pop Happy Hour with Music for Animals, Doors: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
The Matches, Bottom of the Hill, Doors: 12:00 PM, Show: 1:00 PM
Film: Seven Signs: Music, Myth and the American South, Artist’s Television Access, Show: 2:00 PM
Themselves, Apple Store Downtown, Show: 2:00
Film: I Need That Record: The Death (Or Possible Survival) of the Independent Record Store, Artist’s      Television Access, Show: 4:00 PM
Bob Mould, Swedish American Music Hall, Doors: 6:30 PM, Show: 7:30 PM
AC Newman, The Independent, Doors: 7:30 PM, Show: 8:00 PM
Portugal. The Man, Café Du Nord, Doors: 8:00 PM, Show: 9:00 PM
Clues, The Rickshaw Stop, Doors: 8:30 PM, Show: 9:00 PM
Sholi, Bottom of the Hill, Doors: 8:00 PM, Show: 9:00 PM
Flosstradamus & N.A.S.A., Mezzanine, Doors: 8:00 PM, Show: 9:00 PM

Sunday, March 1st

No Age, Bottom of the Hill, Doors: 12:00 PM, Show: 1:00 PM
Film: Loki, Artist’s Television Access, Show: 2:00 PM
Film: Nightflight: Born Again, Show: 4:15 PM
Les Savy Fav, Mezzanine, Doors: 7:00 PM, Show: 8:00 PM