Arts & Culture :: Music

Michael Tilson Thomas' farewell:  SF Symphony's Musical Director and conductor's legacy celebrated

Michael Tilson Thomas' farewell: SF Symphony's Musical Director and conductor's legacy celebrated

  • by Philip Campbell
  • Jun 16, 2020

Celebrations of Michael Tilson Thomas' farewell month as Music Director of the SF Symphony have transformed unavoidably. COVID-19 robbed the maestro of his triumphant final victory lap, but can't diminish the impact of his historic 25-year tenure.

Tom Goss' new song 'Regretting' focuses on a tenuous relationship

Tom Goss' new song 'Regretting' focuses on a tenuous relationship

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jun 15, 2020

Gay singer-songwriter Tom Goss just released an emotional single and music video, "Regretting" starring 'Mean Girls' actor Daniel Franzese, from his seventh album, 'Territories.'

Fresh Meat Festival 2020 showcases transgender & queer music, dance, performance

Fresh Meat Festival 2020 showcases transgender & queer music, dance, performance

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jun 8, 2020

In previous years, the annual Fresh Meat Festival's been sold out, so this year the 19th annual diverse shows of transgender and queer performance, music and dance offers a bonus; everyone gets a front row seat! Online, that is.

Pride Prom features a big lineup of LGBT celebs, music acts

Pride Prom features a big lineup of LGBT celebs, music acts

  • by Events Editor
  • Jun 8, 2020

The second annual Pride Summit and Prom, sponsored by Billboard and the Hollywood Reporter and scheduled for June 13, features a lengthy list of LGBT celebrities, actors and music acts.

Chillin' with Dylan Rice: gay musician's new music of 'Fits and Fevers'

Chillin' with Dylan Rice: gay musician's new music of 'Fits and Fevers'

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jun 2, 2020

There aren't many up and coming gay singer-songwriters who can say that they were given the seal of approval by queer royalty at the start of their careers. But Dylan Rice can. Styx co-founder and bassist Chuck Panozzo.

Q-Music: Safety in (small) numbers: Tennis, Purr, Omni, Ex Hex new music

Q-Music: Safety in (small) numbers: Tennis, Purr, Omni, Ex Hex new music

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jun 2, 2020

Social distancing can be a challenge if you are in a band. It probably gets somewhat easier for musical duos and (possibly) trios.

Online Extra: Smithsonian Pride Alliance hosts online concert and LGBTQ time capsule

Online Extra: Smithsonian Pride Alliance hosts online concert and LGBTQ time capsule

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • May 29, 2020

Join the Smithsonian's Pride Alliance to kick off Pride month with Project Pride - a virtual concert and time capsule of LGBTQ+ culture, with Jake Shears, Big Freedia, Rufus Wainwright, Indigo Girls, Pet Shop Boys and other talents.

Kinsey Sicks get serious with 'Sounds of Sirens'

Kinsey Sicks get serious with 'Sounds of Sirens'

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • May 28, 2020

Known more for their comic performances, dragapella quartet The Kinsey Sicks' haunting cover of the Simon & Garfunkel classic takes on the tragic realities of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ruthie Foster: soulful sassy singer's new CD

Ruthie Foster: soulful sassy singer's new CD

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • May 26, 2020

Out singer and songwriter Ruthie Foster has the kind of voice that can give you chills and warms your heart at the same time. Soulful, sassy and as powerful as a transformer, her new Cd is a recorded live concert with big band style.

Q-Music: Queens for the queens: Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson reissues

Q-Music: Queens for the queens: Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson reissues

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • May 26, 2020

Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson super-hit albums are reissued on vinyl

Miners' miracle: Daniel Burton of Early Day Miners

Miners' miracle: Daniel Burton of Early Day Miners

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • May 19, 2020

As musical genres go, slowcore (or sadcore, if you please) had its share of devotees and detractors. Early Day Miners' 2000 debut album Placer Found features the band's cofounder, now out and gay lead singer Daniel Burton.

Online Extra: Jake Heggie's gay Holocaust music-drama streams

Online Extra: Jake Heggie's gay Holocaust music-drama streams

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • May 18, 2020

Music of Remembrance, the Seattle-based arts presenter, shares streaming performances of Jake Heggie's 'For a Look or a Touch' the gay-themed music drama inspired by the true love story of two young men who were doubly targeted in Nazi Germany.

Sabrina Ellis: lead singer of Sweet Spirit on musical inspiration

Sabrina Ellis: lead singer of Sweet Spirit on musical inspiration

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • May 12, 2020

There's a lot to like about 'Trinidad,' the new album by Austin-based Sweet Spirit. Of course, these songs wouldn't have the firepower they possess if not for the incredible vocal abilities of lead vocalist Sabrina Ellis.

Q-Music: Family affairs; worth a listen

Q-Music: Family affairs; worth a listen

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • May 5, 2020

Five singer-songwritrs and bands -Eliza Gilkyson, Lilly Hiatt, Justin Townes Earle, Frankie Cosmos and Echosmith- share a familial connection to other artists.