Lauren Booth

Storytelling 10110001101: Comics and Novels Evolve

David Bowie Continues a Long-Held Obsession With Berlin

Everyone and their mother got a bit excited yesterday when David Bowie released new material for the first time in 10 years, to coincide with his 66th birthday. Not only is "Where Are We Now?" very good indeed, but it's also accompanied by a freaky video, which reassures us that the old Bowie magic ... More >>

Don't Stop Believing: David Chase Achieves His Dreams

Everyone and their mother got a bit excited yesterday when David Bowie released new material for the first time in 10 years, to coincide with his 66th birthday. Not only is "Where Are We Now?" very good indeed, but it's also accompanied by a freaky video, which reassures us that the old Bowie magic ... More >>

S.S. Coachella Cruise, Day One: Father John Misty, Yeasayer, !!!, Pulp

[Editor's note: As you've probably heard, massive So-Cal music festival Coachella is going on its first cruise this winter, featuring Pulp, James Murphy, and Sleigh Bells, among other acts. Liz Tracy, music editor of our sister paper in Broward County, Fl., is aboard the S.S. Coachella , so we'll be ... More >>

"Red Dawn": North Korea (and Audiences) Go Home Unhappy

[Editor's note: As you've probably heard, massive So-Cal music festival Coachella is going on its first cruise this winter, featuring Pulp, James Murphy, and Sleigh Bells, among other acts. Liz Tracy, music editor of our sister paper in Broward County, Fl., is aboard the S.S. Coachella , so we'll be ... More >>

"Wuthering Heights": Brooding in Perspective

[Editor's note: As you've probably heard, massive So-Cal music festival Coachella is going on its first cruise this winter, featuring Pulp, James Murphy, and Sleigh Bells, among other acts. Liz Tracy, music editor of our sister paper in Broward County, Fl., is aboard the S.S. Coachella , so we'll be ... More >>

"Wuthering Heights": Black Like Me

[Editor's note: As you've probably heard, massive So-Cal music festival Coachella is going on its first cruise this winter, featuring Pulp, James Murphy, and Sleigh Bells, among other acts. Liz Tracy, music editor of our sister paper in Broward County, Fl., is aboard the S.S. Coachella , so we'll be ... More >>

11 Artists to See at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

There are lots of great things about Hardly Strictly Bluegrass -- but one of them isn't having to make the difficult choices that the massive, free roots music festival presents. To help you sort through this year's massive lineup, we've gathered 11 artists especially worth catching at the three-day ... More >>

America's Cup: "Team USA" Devoid of Americans

Glancing out the window here at SF Weekly, a graceful AC45 catamaran featuring a large tricolor on its sail was just towed toward today's race. Apparently, we are supposed to root against this French interloper into San Francisco's waters, and put our efforts into cheering for the "hometown" squad, ... More >>

Summer Guide: Choosing the Season's Best Music Festivals

Glancing out the window here at SF Weekly, a graceful AC45 catamaran featuring a large tricolor on its sail was just towed toward today's race. Apparently, we are supposed to root against this French interloper into San Francisco's waters, and put our efforts into cheering for the "hometown" squad, ... More >>

Andrew James Dudley, U.S. Open Drunken Bird Man, Is Actually Well-Liked

After criticizing Andrew James Dudley's weird avian antics at Sunday's U.S. Open Championship golf tournament, we realized via reader comments that:1. People don't give a shit about golf compared to football;2. People like the drunken Brit more than we thought.In that case, Dudley's supporters will ... More >>

Man Demonstrates New Way to Make Ass of Self in San Francisco

A local tourist found a new way to be a loud, annoying, disruptive Brit -- other than the usual  manner demonstrated by British tourists every day in San Francisco. As reported in the press today, police detained Andrew James Dudley, 40, of Wallasey, United Kingdom, after the drunken Brit darte ... More >>

Against Me!'s Tom Gabel Comes Out as Transgender; Internet Explodes with Support and Shock

It should have been obvious to us all for years. In 2007's "The Ocean", Against Me! vocalist, Tom Gabel sang "If I could've chosen, I would've been born a woman..." Most listeners at that time took it as a statement of solidarity with women from a vocalist who made a career out of being vocally poli ... More >>

Coldplay Is Here in S.F.: Shots From the Band's Tour Around the City

The members of Coldplay have been Twit Pic-ing their way around San Francisco since last Sunday, according to the band's Twitter. They're playing at the HP Pavilion tonight and tomorrow night, and last we checked on Ticketmaster, tickets aren't sold out yet. But if you really want to have an encou ... More >>

SF Weekly Letters

The members of Coldplay have been Twit Pic-ing their way around San Francisco since last Sunday, according to the band's Twitter. They're playing at the HP Pavilion tonight and tomorrow night, and last we checked on Ticketmaster, tickets aren't sold out yet. But if you really want to have an encou ... More >>

One Direction: After Ignoring so Many Brit Boy Bands, Why Does America Like These Twerps?

If you're a regular viewer of Saturday Night Live, chances are high that you found yourself confused and aghast last weekend, when the show's musical guest turned out to be British boy-band sensation One Direction. The band members grinned their way through two songs -- one of which, incidentally, d ... More >>

Modeselektor: Show Preview

If you're a regular viewer of Saturday Night Live, chances are high that you found yourself confused and aghast last weekend, when the show's musical guest turned out to be British boy-band sensation One Direction. The band members grinned their way through two songs -- one of which, incidentally, d ... More >>

The Best of SXSW Music: Friday 3/16/2012

If you're familiar with chaos theory, which in its basic form is the attempt to find patterns in the random acts of shit on Earth, then you may understand the difficulty that comes with describing a full day at SXSW. To break down the chaos, Village Voice Media's roving music editors have selected t ... More >>

SF Weekly Letters

If you're familiar with chaos theory, which in its basic form is the attempt to find patterns in the random acts of shit on Earth, then you may understand the difficulty that comes with describing a full day at SXSW. To break down the chaos, Village Voice Media's roving music editors have selected t ... More >>

The Top 10 Worst Film Performances By Musicians

By DAVE GIL DE RUBIO Rock star, singer-songwriter, producer, interior designer -- now we should add thespian to the many creative hats sported by Lenny Kravitz, who performs tonight (Feb. 14) at the Fox Theater in Oakland. In keeping with the family business -- his mom was the late Roxie Roker, a.k ... More >>

Live Review: Noel Gallagher Soars at the Orpheum Theatre

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds The Hours Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 The Orpheum Theatre Better than: Standing among shouty drunks at a European soccer match. Since Oasis' Gallagher brothers are apparently determined to not get along -- the famously disagreeable Mancs scuttled their titanic Britpo ... More >>

Forget Pedigree: Wild Flag Is a Great New Rock Band

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds The Hours Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 The Orpheum Theatre Better than: Standing among shouty drunks at a European soccer match. Since Oasis' Gallagher brothers are apparently determined to not get along -- the famously disagreeable Mancs scuttled their titanic Britpo ... More >>

Treasure Island Day Two: St. Vincent, Beach House, and Explosions in the Sky Successfully Suspend Reality

Christopher VictorioSt. Vincent​ Death Cab for Cutie, Explosions in the Sky, the Hold Steady, St. Vincent, Beach House, Friendly Fires, Wild Beasts, Warpaint, the Antlers, Weekend, Thee Oh Sees October 16, 2011 Treasure Island Music Festival Better than: The other typical yuppie Sunday activi ... More >>

The Top 50 Songs To Get High To

As you might imagine, combing back numbers of my Listen to This While High column and my own vast library for a reasonable stab at the Fifty Stoniest Songs Ever is a labor and hashish intensive experience. Preliminary fossickings unearthed these half-hundred favorites, many of which may seem unfamil ... More >>

Sunday at Hardly Strictly: Gomez, Justin Townes Earle, and Bela Fleck Help Fuel the Good Vibes

Gomez Justin Townes Earle Zakir Hussein, Bela Fleck, and Edgar Meyer Devil Makes Three The Swanson Family Band October 2, 2010 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Better than: Smuggling vodka into Outside Lands. "This is so much better than Outside Lands!" a girl squealed Sunday after exiting a line of por ... More >>

Toddla T: Show Preview

Gomez Justin Townes Earle Zakir Hussein, Bela Fleck, and Edgar Meyer Devil Makes Three The Swanson Family Band October 2, 2010 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Better than: Smuggling vodka into Outside Lands. "This is so much better than Outside Lands!" a girl squealed Sunday after exiting a line of por ... More >>

Robyn Hitchcock Looks Back on Looking Back on San Francisco

Nathan Gallagher​ This Saturday, Robyn Hitchcock plays a solo acoustic set at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. (Look for him at 12:25 p.m. on the Rooster Stage.) Since 1976, Hitchcock has been writing and performing top-flight psychedelic pop, first with the Soft Boys and then as a solo artist of ... More >>

"Heart of a Soldier": Opera Set on 9/11 Inert, Cluttered, and Inane

Nathan Gallagher​ This Saturday, Robyn Hitchcock plays a solo acoustic set at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. (Look for him at 12:25 p.m. on the Rooster Stage.) Since 1976, Hitchcock has been writing and performing top-flight psychedelic pop, first with the Soft Boys and then as a solo artist of ... More >>

Adele, Future Queen of Divas

Nathan Gallagher​ This Saturday, Robyn Hitchcock plays a solo acoustic set at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. (Look for him at 12:25 p.m. on the Rooster Stage.) Since 1976, Hitchcock has been writing and performing top-flight psychedelic pop, first with the Soft Boys and then as a solo artist of ... More >>

"Thor": Dull Comic Book Adaptation Has No Thunder, No Lightning

Nathan Gallagher​ This Saturday, Robyn Hitchcock plays a solo acoustic set at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. (Look for him at 12:25 p.m. on the Rooster Stage.) Since 1976, Hitchcock has been writing and performing top-flight psychedelic pop, first with the Soft Boys and then as a solo artist of ... More >>

Waste Not, Want Not: Three Roadkill Cooking Videos

​We've eaten some strange things before -- see: Rocky Mountain Oysters -- but it takes a certain type of gustatory gusto to chomp down on something you've found lying by the side of the road. Witness: three videos of those who really, really believe the maxim of "waste not, want not."

Local Brit Tosses Cigarette at 'Prissy' Woman

We have a long history with the Brits​Never let that refined British accent fool you. A well-dressed Brit strolling through Golden Gate Park on Tuesday verbally abused a woman -- and then assaulted her -- as she was pushing her baby along in a stroller.Police said the chap was walking near Sixth A ... More >>

Pics from Friday Night: Simian Mobile Disco Shakes up the Fox Theater for Hard Fest

Richard HaickSimian Mobile Disco at the Fox Theater Friday night.​Richard HaickThe crowd​Simian Mobile Disco, Fake Blood, Destructo, Mumbai Science, EgyptrixxHard Fest 2011March 11, 2011@ Fox Theater, OaklandSimian Mobile Disco -- the Brit dance duo with a curious fondness for the names of absol ... More >>

Bouncer: Reaffirming the Social Contract at Cotter's Corner

Richard HaickSimian Mobile Disco at the Fox Theater Friday night.​Richard HaickThe crowd​Simian Mobile Disco, Fake Blood, Destructo, Mumbai Science, EgyptrixxHard Fest 2011March 11, 2011@ Fox Theater, OaklandSimian Mobile Disco -- the Brit dance duo with a curious fondness for the names of absol ... More >>

Sizzle & Fizzle: Highs and lows from the last week in S.F. music

Richard HaickSimian Mobile Disco at the Fox Theater Friday night.​Richard HaickThe crowd​Simian Mobile Disco, Fake Blood, Destructo, Mumbai Science, EgyptrixxHard Fest 2011March 11, 2011@ Fox Theater, OaklandSimian Mobile Disco -- the Brit dance duo with a curious fondness for the names of absol ... More >>

Free Energy and the Postelles Give Thursday a Friday-Night Party at the Indy

Free Energy at the Independent last night.​Free EnergyThe PostellesJanuary 27, 2011@ The IndependentBetter than: Rock bands that try to entertain a room by pretending they don't have a room to entertain.The stage lights flashed on at the Postelles' group-slammed chord last night like some lon ... More >>

Night Market, Royal Baths, Morrissey Tribute, Seaweed Sway, Cheese Books, and More

Royal Baths plays Amnesia this Saturday​San Francisco is obsessed with artisan food. Perhaps the SF Appeal said it best earlier this week with its simple statement; "Things San Franciscans Like: Food." Simple as that. This weekend is bloated with food-friendly events along with the expected (and c ... More >>

Tricky Makes Friends with Everyone at the Independent

Tricky and friends at the Independent. Pics by Kirsty.​Tricky Odd Nosdam Jel December 21, 2010 @ The Independent Better than: Sitting around, listening to the albums at home. Despite the crappy weather, the familiar inconvenience of attempting to find parking near The Independent, and the fact t ... More >>

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows": The kids are not all right

Tricky and friends at the Independent. Pics by Kirsty.​Tricky Odd Nosdam Jel December 21, 2010 @ The Independent Better than: Sitting around, listening to the albums at home. Despite the crappy weather, the familiar inconvenience of attempting to find parking near The Independent, and the fact t ... More >>

Stream of Unconscioussness

Tricky and friends at the Independent. Pics by Kirsty.​Tricky Odd Nosdam Jel December 21, 2010 @ The Independent Better than: Sitting around, listening to the albums at home. Despite the crappy weather, the familiar inconvenience of attempting to find parking near The Independent, and the fact t ... More >>

The xx takes a victory-lap tour of the U.S.

Tricky and friends at the Independent. Pics by Kirsty.​Tricky Odd Nosdam Jel December 21, 2010 @ The Independent Better than: Sitting around, listening to the albums at home. Despite the crappy weather, the familiar inconvenience of attempting to find parking near The Independent, and the fact t ... More >>

Show Preview: Christian Fennesz

Tricky and friends at the Independent. Pics by Kirsty.​Tricky Odd Nosdam Jel December 21, 2010 @ The Independent Better than: Sitting around, listening to the albums at home. Despite the crappy weather, the familiar inconvenience of attempting to find parking near The Independent, and the fact t ... More >>

Fresh Eats: SFoodie recommends fried chicken, tortas, and pre-Prohibition beer

Tricky and friends at the Independent. Pics by Kirsty.​Tricky Odd Nosdam Jel December 21, 2010 @ The Independent Better than: Sitting around, listening to the albums at home. Despite the crappy weather, the familiar inconvenience of attempting to find parking near The Independent, and the fact t ... More >>

Club preview: Carte Blanche

Tricky and friends at the Independent. Pics by Kirsty.​Tricky Odd Nosdam Jel December 21, 2010 @ The Independent Better than: Sitting around, listening to the albums at home. Despite the crappy weather, the familiar inconvenience of attempting to find parking near The Independent, and the fact t ... More >>

Odd Bird

Jamie Lidell's genre-wandering wings show no signs of being clipped on his latest album

"Kick-Ass": Superheroes in the YouTube age

Jamie Lidell's genre-wandering wings show no signs of being clipped on his latest album

Slumberland Records Anniversary

Jamie Lidell's genre-wandering wings show no signs of being clipped on his latest album

Edge of Darkness: Mel Gibson gets some kind of revenge

Jamie Lidell's genre-wandering wings show no signs of being clipped on his latest album

The Mix

The hottest and hippest new bars