BARtab :: Live Music
Q-Music: Say gay playlist
Singing about LGBT and Q love, musicians in folk, pop, rock and jazz Y La Bamba, Caroline Rose, Black Belt Eagle Scout, Eric Reed, Mathew V and Pigeon Pit should be on your new playlist.
In the Spotlight: singular talents hit local stages
A breakout glam rock cabaret star; a character actress who plays a whole cast of characters; Broadway's standby success story of the year; and a show tune interpreter like you've never heard before.
Romeo Void's Debora Iyall: a timeless punk diva
Romeo Void's lead singer discusses the band's history and the release of "Live From Mabuhay Gardens, November 14, 1980."
Oakland Gay Men's Chorus celebrates Black history
On April 15 & 16 the Oakland Gay Men's Chorus will perform "True Colors," their Spring concert, including a performance of the song "My Heart Be Brave," which the chorus describes as "an important contribution to music in the Black tradition."
Q-Music: The art of rock
You know the old adage: don't judge a book by its cover. But what about an album? What happens when the music on the record is as cool as the cover art? That sounds like a win-win situation for everyone.
Ann Hampton Callaway has the "Fever"
More than 30 years since the release of her debut album, jazz vocalist, songwriter, and Winnetka-native Ann Hampton Callaway shows no sign of slowing down. Her new album pays homage to the late great Peggy Lee.
Q Music: men's men
Check new music by men, including Lambchop, Father John Misty, Marlon Williams, Bret McKenzie, The Mountain Goats, and Freedy Johnston.
Wonder women in music, 2023
Listen up. Our prolific music reviewer samples new albums from Nessa Barrett, Sunny War, Weyes Blood, KT Tunstall and other women singer-songwriters.
Jake Wesley Rogers: anthems and extravagance at Bimbo's
The exuberantly queer Jake Wesley Rogers' first tour as a headliner stops at Bimbo's 365 Club on March 12. His richly emotional songs bring a sweeping, passionate quality evocative of Billy Joel, David Bowie, and Elton John.
Say gay, or just sing it: new albums from Adam Lambert, P!nk, and more
Our intrepid music columnist shares reviews of new quite queer albums by Adam Lambert, P!nk, Cavetown, H.C. McEntire, Thus Love and the Broadway cast recording of 'A Strange Loop.'
Jake Blount's genre-queer Afrofuturist folk music
If you ever listened to Jake Blount's music, it defies description, making it unforgettable. He describes his style as "playing fiddle and banjo from Black and Native American musicians, mostly in the Southeastern United States."
Catherine Russell: singing the test of time
"Before I record something," explained Catherine Russell, who plays the Fairmont Hotel's Venetian Room February 26 as part of the Bay Area Cabaret Series, "I always test them out with live audiences, just to see if they work. Luckily, they usually do."
Q-Music: more solos and sides
Lesser-known reissues from a folk rock great, plus new albums from bands you know, or don't, make up our eclectic listening playlist.
One Night Only REAF concert with 'Mean Girls'
Cast members from the touring production of "Mean Girls" gave rousing performances at the One Night Only REAF benefit concert, held at the Marines' Memorial Theatre February 13, with guest performers D'Arcy Drollinger and Shawn Ryan.