Outside Lands is just three weeks away so mark your calendars and prep with awesome, entirely unrelated to the festival live music. There is still so many awesome shows to go around between now and then it’s damn near overwhelming. I’ve saved you the trouble of freaking the fuck out this weekend with the return of weekend music picks. Hit it:
The Motels
Friday: If you’d like a bit of new wave nostalgia, the Motels are surely the band to tickle your Friday night fancies. Ignore the waxing and waning and regrouping the LA outfit has undergone over the decades and bear in mind that Martha Davis is determined to make this work. “Only The Lonely” still sounds just as it did when the single was released in 1982. Davis still has the voice and the stage presence to break through the crap constraints of new wave and make for some seriously enduring music.

What: The Motels at the Chapel
When: Friday, July 24; doors: 8pm, show: 9pm
Where: the Chapel: 777 Valencia St
Cost: $25 in advance, $30 at the door; purchase tickets here

Death Grips
Saturday: Yes, Death Grips are still a thing. The band known more for the performances they’ve missed (and that phallic album cover or whatever) is actually impeccable when they do show up. Thank god they’ve returned with The Powers That B, an ambitious double LP no less hard than the Death Grips of yore. The Sacramento outfit put on a damn near violent performance — the type that must’ve made it mighty interesting for Fillmore bookers to get insurance for Saturday night given the trio’s rep.

What: Death Grips at the Fillmore
When: Saturday, July 25; doors: 8pm, show: 9pm
Where: the Fillmore: 1805 Geary Blvd
Cost: $26; purchase tickets here

Kehlani
Sunday: Stretch your sense of sonic enjoyment in a completely different direction with a chilled out Sunday catching Kehlani at Slim’s. A Bay Area hero, (she’s from Oakland and damn proud) this young vocal virtuoso is my new favorite crooner. Her debut LP and eponymous You Should Be Here Tour has been hitting earholes and airwaves to much acclaim. Engage in the hype.

What: Kehlani at Slim’s
When: Sunday, July 26; show: 8pm
Where: Slim’s: 333 11th St
Cost: Sold Out! Check Stubhub and/or pray for a miracle

the author

Always in motion. April Siese writes about music, takes photos at shows, and even helps put them on behind the scenes as a stagehand. She's written everything from hard news to beauty features, as well as fiction and poetry. She most definitely likes pie.

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