Sometimes you have to marvel at the great musicians who live in the Bay Area. We’ve got loads of local groups performing in Marin this month, and this article is just a sample of our Bay Area talent (plus one out-of-town musician on her national tour). That is to say, local music shines this April, and Marin’s venues are presenting some exciting concerts.
This month, I’m trying a different approach to the live music calendar by selecting a handful of standout performances across genres. I encourage you to click through to the venue sites below to see even more fantastic concerts. Without further ado, here are some highlights for live music in Marin this April.
Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley
Our Pick: Joan Osborne, April 7 @ 8 p.m.
See Sweetwater’s full calendar for live music here.
Despite being pigeonholed by some as a 90’s one-hit wonder, Joan Osborne has been headlining tours and churning out album after album in the almost 30 years since her song “One of Us” dominated pop charts. Whether she’s singing original songs or interpreting tunes by giants, Osborne’s voice radiates soul and emotion. And her live band can handle the two poles of Osborne’s style: the stripped-down and the hold-nothing-back.
Another Sweetwater concert to look out for this month is a benefit performance by former San Francisco Giants pitcher Jake Peavy, who’ll be playing some twangy guitar with friends (including former Giants coach Tim Flannery). Read more on Sweetwater’s website.
Mac’s at 19 Broadway, Fairfax
Our Pick: Soul Discipilz, April 12 @ 9 p.m.
See Mac’s full calendar for live music here.
A conglomerate of local musicians, Soul Discipilz makes their way around the Bay Area with grooving soul tunes and performances that will have you dancing. Expect a full band with talented instrumentalists, from the rhythm section to a roaring saxophone. And the group’s singer, Adesha Adefela, delivers timeless and versatile vocals that evoke classic soul singers of years past (and sometimes retro post-disco sounds too). The party lasts until midnight with the Soul Discipilz at Mac’s.
For more concerts at Mac’s, hit up the venue’s website here.
Peri’s Tavern, Fairfax
Our Pick: Wreckless Strangers + Pardon the Interruption, April 12 @ 8:30 p.m.
See Peri’s full calendar for live music here.
An evening of high-energy rock is waiting for you at Fairfax’s Peri’s Tavern. First up are Wreckless Strangers, a Petaluma group made up of accomplished session musicians hot off their Pacific Northwest tour. They blend Americana, R&B and good ol’ rock and roll. And keeping the music going is the Sonoma-based Pardon the Interruption (or PTI), showing off their flavor of new wave rock.
Check out Peri’s website for more concerts from local groups, plus a special 4/20 techno celebration.
HopMonk Novato
Our Pick: Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band, April 19 @ 8 p.m.
See HopMonk’s full calendar for live music here.
As usual, there’s a bunch of great concerts happening at HopMonk this month. One standout is Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band, a young group of Bay Area artists playing — you guessed it — bluegrass. They’re exceedingly skilled musicians, incorporating elements from jazz and modern originals into their tunes. This concert is like a homecoming for the group after some time in Asia for an international tour.
Also at Hopmonk this April: Ramblin’ Jack Elliott returns for a show, and other performances are sure to wow. Book your tickets now.
Rancho Nicasio
Our pick: Jinx Jones & The King Tones, April 21 @ 5 p.m. (Dinner reservations 4–7 p.m.)
See Rancho Nicasio’s full calendar for live music here.
Jinx Jones’ guitar skills are the real deal. This rockabilly picker and his band perform constantly around the Bay Area. You might run into Jones playing at a bar in North Beach, a BBQ in Campbell or, on April 21, the Rancho Nicasio in Marin. Though the ticket will get you in for dinner and a show, I expect plenty of folks will jump out of their seats for a bit of dancing.
For even more concerts, including performances by Danny Click and the Zydeco Flames, check out Rancho Nicasio’s website.
Smiley’s Saloon, Bolinas
Our Pick: Kelly McFarling & Big Dog, April 26 @ 8:30 p.m.
See Smiley’s full calendar for live music here.
Two folksy West Marin artists bring their guitars and voices to Bolinas for this double feature. Big Dog, also known as Dana Frankel, nails upbeat bluegrass but can also make you cry with an emotional folk ballad. Then there’s Kelly McFarling, originally from Georgia but now a Californian. McFarling has a strong, clear voice and an impressive discography. Her 2017 song “Records” has garnered 20+ million plays on Spotify, and five albums worth of songs show off her beautiful sound and intimate approach to songwriting.
Another promising concert this month at Smiley’s is the April 12 performance by In Plain Air, a garage rock group from Colorado.
