Noise Pop 2015 Feb. 27-March 2

Cathedrals with The Tropics, Crashing Hotels and DJ Turf-Yard
The Independent, 8 p.m. $13-$15 (sold out)
The meeting of soulful vocalist Brodie Jenkins and talented keyboardist/producer Johnny Hwin (who at one point was in electro-pop band Nightbird Nightbird) at the Mission District artists collective where Hwin lived in 2012 resulted in the pair teaming up to form Cathedrals. Exploring an evocative mix of dream pop and '90s style downtempo, the group has just issued it's Blush Remix EP for free download. For this first of two sold-out shows, the duo is joined by a full bill of SF acts with indie quintet The Tropics and dark dance-rock group Crashing Hotels.

Cosmonauts with Mondo Drag, El Terrible and Al Lover
Brick And Mortar Music Hall, 8 p.m. $12-$15 
Fullerton-based band Cosmonauts delve into the droning, dreamier side of psychedelia on their Burger Records release Persona Non Grata. Recorded locally in Morgan Hill, the album often drifts into the kind of chugging, propulsive groove favored by the Velvet Underground as guitarists Derek Cowart and Alexander Ahmadi trade fuzzed-out solos. The band is joined by Oakland stoner/psych maestros Mondo Drag (whose latest Hammond organ-driven effort hearkens back to the sounds Hawkwind and Pentagram), SF songwriter El Terrible and local psych-meets-hip-hop beatsmith and remix specialist Al Lover.

Saturday, February 28

The New Pornographers with How to Dress Well and Nick Diamonds of Islands
Fox Theater, 7:30 p.m. $35  
A collection of Canadian indie rockers who have had varying degrees of success in other bands (Thee Evaporators, Zumpano, and Destroyer), the New Pornographers made a big splash in underground circles with their power-pop debut, Mass Romantic in 2000. The powerful vocals of popular alt-country singer Neko Case entwined with the sweet harmonies of guitarist Dan Bejar and keyboardist/principle songwriter Carl Newman as the band drew on influences like the Beatles, Todd Rundgren and T-Rex. To the delight of their fans, the New Pornographers have continued to record and tour together despite the rising profile of Bejar's and Case's respective solo careers. Last year the band recently released its eclectic sixth album Brill Bruisers to wide acclaim and the highest Billboard chart position.


Cathedrals with Silver Swans, Waterstrider, DJ Aaron Axelsen
The Independent, 8 p.m. $13-$15 (sold out)
The meeting of soulful vocalist Brodie Jenkins and talented keyboardist/producer Johnny Hwin (who at one point was in electro-pop band Nightbird Nightbird) at the Mission District artists collective where Hwin lived in 2012 resulted in the pair teaming up to form Cathedrals. Exploring an evocative mix of dream pop and '90s style downtempo, the group has just issued it's Blush Remix EP for free download. For this second of two sold-out shows, the duo is joined by electro-pop duo Silver Swans, Oakland band Waterstrider and Live 105 mainstay and local institution DJ Aaron Axelsen.

Dan Deacon with Dutty Wilderness, Running in the Fog and Blackout Make Out
The Chapel, 7 p.m. $18 (sold out) 
The music of the Baltimore-based electronic musician Dan Deacon sounds somewhat academic in its precise experimental, yet melodic construction. When it comes to his live shows, they're pure playground. Audience participation is high and his concerts often erupt into sing-a-longs or impromptu games of London Bridge. Deacon plays tunes from his brand-new album Glass Riffer, a collection that returns to the simpler, more stripped down sounds of his earlier solo recordings. Seattle's beat-driven Dutty Wilderness, SF songwriter Amanda Harper's project Running in the Fog and Blackout Make Out also perform.

Wild Eyes SF with Warcloud and the Travelling Ill's
Benders, 5 p.m. free with RSVP 
Local heavy rockers Wild Eyes SF channel the fuzzed-out proto-metal sounds of Blue Cheer and Grand Funk Railroad if those bands were fronted by a soul siren like Tina Turner or Merry Clayton thanks to the fiery howl of lead singer Janiece Gonzales. Filled by bass player Carson Binks (who also plays in Oakland metal juggernaut Saviours), guitarist Chris Corona (Floating Goat, Hazzard's Cure) and drummer Ben Richardson, the band has released a pair of blazing albums since first coming together a few years ago. 

Sunday, March 1

Caribou with Koreless
The Fillmore, 8 p.m. $25 (sold out)
The brainchild of Canadian musician and songwriter Dan Snaith, Caribou has been delivering a hypnotic combination of driving, house-influenced bass lines, hip-hop production and soulful pop melodies since the early 2000s when he began releasing songs under the moniker Manitoba. Snaith truly hit his stride with the transcendent sounds Andorra, which earned him Canada's Polaris Music Prize in 2008. Comfortable both delivering marathon DJ sets or performing onstage with a live band, Caribou comes to San Francisco to play songs from it's latest effort, last year's acclaimed Our Love. Scottish producer Lewis Roberts offers up songs as Koreless in the opening slot.

James Vincent McMorrow with Kevin Garrett and Avid Dancer

Bosse de Nage, Mortal Bodies, Cloak

Caribou with Koreless
The Fillmore, 8 p.m. $25 (sold out)
The brainchild of Canadian musician and songwriter Dan Snaith, Caribou has been delivering a hypnotic combination of driving, house-influenced bass lines, hip-hop production and soulful pop melodies since the early 2000s when he began releasing songs under the moniker Manitoba. Snaith truly hit his stride with the transcendent sounds Andorra, which earned him Canada's Polaris Music Prize in 2008. Comfortable both delivering marathon DJ sets or performing onstage with a live band, Caribou comes to San Francisco to play songs from it's latest effort, last year's acclaimed Our Love. Scottish producer Lewis Roberts offers up songs as Koreless in the opening slot.