What’s in store for concerts in Marin this September? Well, a couple Rock and Roll Hall of Famers are coming to town, and the county’s summer concerts are wrapping up a successful season of shows. Add in some festivals that are oh-so-Marin, and the county is closing out summer in style.
Since this month’s shows at the usual venues are heavy hitters — accompanied by some heavy-hitting ticket prices — the end of this article is dedicated to shows that are completely free.
Sound Summit
Courtney Barnett, Kurt Vile and more
Sept. 7, $138
See the full festival lineup here.
Rock out on the tippy top of Mount Tam at Sound Summit, the highest altitude music festival in Marin. Australian alt-rocker Courtney Barnett headlines alongside Kurt Vile and his band, the Violators, but the lineup is packed up and down with acts that will have you swaying and headbanging at the Mountain Theater. Hike or shuttle in (parking passes are sold out), and enjoy Mount Tam in a totally new way. By attending, you’ll be giving back to the park, as the festival raises funds for trail restoration, fire protection and more.
HopMonk Tavern
Our Pick: Fantastic Negrito
Sept. 7 @ 6 p.m., $50
See HopMonk’s full live music calendar here.
NPR selected Fantastic Negrito as the winner of the very first Tiny Desk Concert Contest in 2015. Since then, he has won three Grammys, created a film for his album White Jesus Black Problems, collaborated with Sting and was included in Mick Jagger’s list of his top 10 favorite blues songs for “I’m So Happy I Cry.” This Oakland-raised songwriter describes his style as “Black roots music for everyone,” and he has won over audiences with cutting lyrics and a band that won’t quit. At his HopMonk concert, you might hear some songs from an upcoming album, which just debuted its lead single, “Undefeated Eyes.”
Rancho Nicasio
Our Pick: Elvin Bishop’s Big Fun Trio
Sept. 15 @ 4 p.m., $45
See Rancho Nicasio’s full live music calendar here.
Gravelly voice, down-home blues and a whole lot of “big fun” — at least, that’s the name of his trio. Elvin Bishop, blues guitarist extraordinaire, has been inducted into both the Rock ‘n Roll and Blues Halls of Fame, the former for his time with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band the latter for his solo career. He brings a half-century of experience to the Rancho, performing with his stripped-down trio of just two guitars and one cajón (a Peruvian drum box), plus a special guest, saxophonist Terry Hanck.
Also look out for a Labor Day performance by Sons of Champlin, a Marin-grown group with a familiar Bay Area rock style. And if you’re feeling like a chill night with some food and music, Jerry Hannan will be playing guitar and singing for the Sunset Series. No cover — just grab a bite and a drink and enjoy.
Smiley’s Saloon
Our Pick: For Your Pleasure
Sept. 7 @ 8:30 p.m., $12.50
See Smiley’s full live music calendar here.
Smiley’s always has a music schedule that will introduce you to a new favorite local band. This month, head west to see the San Francisco lesbian rock band For Your Pleasure. Their debut album I Wanna Call My Mom, released this year, gives indie grunge and usually mellow vibes set to earnest lyrics, and the group has shown up at venues around SF, like the Independent and Kilowatt.
Sweetwater Music Hall
Our Pick: Booker T. Jones
Sept. 23 @ 8 p.m., $71
See Sweetwater’s full live music calendar here.
Personally, I’d need a really good reason to step out of the house on a Monday night. Seeing Booker T. Jones would be one such reason. Jones is no stranger to Sweetwater nor Marin. He’s lived in Tiburon, appeared at Sweetwater and other local venues time after time and even played on the recording of the most famous song written in/about Marin, Otis Redding’s “(Sitting on) The Dock of the Bay.” Jones will play Hammond B3 organ with his quartet — though he’s also known to pull out a guitar sometimes — running through some of his well-known compositions and hits from his days with the MG’s. Yes, that probably includes “Green Onions.”
Also coming to Sweetwater this month are Black Uhuru on Sept. 6. They’re the first-ever group to win a Grammy in the category for “Best Reggae Album” in 1985, and the best-selling reggae group behind Bob Marley.
142 Throckmorton
Our Pick: DjangoFest
Sept. 26–28, $63 single day
See Throckmorton’s full live music calendar here.
For 20 years running, Throckmorton has held its version of DjangoFest, a now three-day festival celebrating the music of Django Reinhardt. The Belgian guitarist was a pioneer in gypsy jazz, also known as manouche jazz or hot club jazz, and his tunes defined the subgenre which has achieved global stature. Three nights of Django “djazz” include workshops, concerts by guitarists like Sam Farthing and John Jorgensen and a final jam session with the festival’s artists.
And a farewell to Marin’s summer concert series…
September marks the end of summer concert season, and our communities gather for a last lap of shows that take advantage of our good weather. Though some summer traditions have already wrapped for the year, we can still enjoy a few before autumn sets in. Look out for ones happening in your neck of the woods. And oh yeah, did I mention that they’re all FREE?
Marina Music, San Rafael
Aug. 31 & Sep. 1 @ 5 p.m.
The final two concerts of this San Rafael concert series feature local bands playing two days in a row. First up is Suzan Z & the Lilith Affair playing ’90s tribute music, and then there’s Revolver taking it back to the ’60s on Labor Day Sunday — all happening at the Andy’s Local Market patio in Loch Lomond Marina.
Concerts in the Park, Belvedere
Sept. 1 @ 4 p.m.
Dave Martin’s House Party finish Belvedere’s yearly concert series with a bang. True to the band’s name, this concert should be a party with plenty of fun and dancing at Community Park this Labor Day weekend.
Creekside Unplugged, Mill Valley
Sept. 6 @ 5–7:30 p.m.
Maddy & the Mayors play acoustic music amongst the redwoods at the Rec House Cabin. Bring along a picnic and your friends and family to enjoy the evening.
Jazz and Blues by the Bay, Sausalito
Sept. 6 & 13, 6–7:30 p.m.
Two concerts are left for this bayside music fest, with classic soul from the Seastrunk Brothers on Sept. 6, and funky accordion by Andre Thierry on Sept. 13.
West End Block Party, San Rafael
Fridays through Oct. 11 @ 6–9 p.m.
Four Fridays in September, going down on downtown’s Fourth Street. Local groups like Urban Outlaws, Talley Up!, San Geronimo and San Rafael’s own Catfight each play this September.
Live on the Avenue, San Anselmo
Fridays & Saturdays through Sept. 28 @ 5:30–8:30 p.m.
There are too many great artists to list coming to Live on the Avenue. Show up any Friday or Saturday for music and community on San Anselmo Avenue. Performances include groups like Grahame Lesh & Friends on Sept. 7, Jenny Kerr Band on Sept. 14, and even some local teen groups and school bands toward the end of the month.
Concerts in Depot Plaza, Mill Valley
Sept. 7 & 8 @ 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
There are four acts per day and plenty of genres to choose from at these all-day fests in the middle of Mill Valley. Dance along to I ko YaYa on Saturday, or vibe out to songwriter Meels on Sunday afternoon, among all the other great acts taking the stage.
Rock the Block, Novato
Sept. 12 @ 6–9 p.m.
Grant Avenue in downtown Novato rocks out to Wonderbread 5, playing all the tunes that you can’t help but sing along to.
Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival
Sept. 14–15 @ 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
The two-day arts festival in the heart of Mill Valley hosts full schedules of musical performances, including an appearance by Aki Kumar, the San Jose-based blues singer and harmonica player from Bombay, plus many children’s shows and concerts.
PorchFest, San Rafael
Sept. 15 @ 12–5 p.m.
It’s bands on bands on porches at the fifth annual PorchFest, where local artists jam out from the front yards of the Gerstle Park neighborhood’s beautiful homes.
Aren’t we lucky to have all these concerts in Marin this September? If you have a concert you think our readers will like, shoot me an email at [email protected] for consideration.
