The Chapel

It was the first time seeing The Boys live. I've loved their music for years now but seeing them up close and live really made it personal. I feel like a kindred spirit in terms of upbringing and and circumstances. I grew up hard in a blue-collar neighborhood in San Francisco and feel like their lyrics speak to me. Jason recently sent out an email about sobriety and dealing with life after someone sobers up. Especially the anger part of it. I struggle with that part of my sobriety as well, and it hit close to the heart. I could only hope to sit down and chop it up with them. Perhaps one day. They do feel accessible. Of the People and for the People, is what I like to say. Peace, Aaron

Incredible show. The performance was spot on. Almost ruined by a knob throwing his drink in Andrew’s face on the opening song. After collecting himself, and Damien’s strong words to the perpetrator, they went on to play 20 more tunes in the tightest, hell bent way. Kudos to the sound man.

Three of my favourite 90s era bands are 9 “ Nails (SF Bill Graham Stadium), Dandy Warhols (Warfield, SF) & the Brian Jonestown Massacre (Chaple & The Independent) SF. For the record, I hate the BJM’s modern sh*t….if they only played that, I wouldn’t have gone—-it’s their oldies that set my heart a flutter!!! BJM really nailed the Rolling Stoned (1967-1969. I mean Note for Note how the Stones would sound playing a new BJM style if played in the sixties. See them before they are gone “Hey BJM—-play F*CKER, F*CKER!!”

I remember saying, whenever he comes my way, I'm going to see him! I am so happy that I did! He was all that you would think he would be....his voice was clear and soulful and he sounded just like his album. The venue sound could have been a little better but his voice cut through any interference. I can't wait for his second Bay Area round!!

Felt as tho I was in a golden era of folk with the mellow, down to earth vibes. First time seeing Moose Loon solo set and loved the change in lyrical feel now that he has fam/complex emotional perspectives at the center. Good lighting &banter all around. Glad it worked out that it happened to overlap with a retreat I had in San Fran &hope ML visits the Atlantic coast soon to perform! So much gratitude for the excellent performance/cozy venue &waiting for those unreleased songs to surface on the interweb streams. Bummed I somehow missed the fresh tshirt designs so will have to visit the merch table next time!

Some of the most amazing live music you could ever hear. Their psychedelic, Turkish folk rock is a dreamy spiritual experience. You don’t need to understand the language to appreciate the emotions being expressed in the music. There was such a great rapport between the band and the audience. While they played a long set with an encore the night went too quickly. I hope I get to see them again.

What I loved about this venue was that it was so disorganized yet organized in a way that still worked for seating. It was a time that was set from the moment Nika (Zola Jesus) stepped onto the stage, adjusted her light silky draped wings of her main outifits bodice and lit incense atop the right corner of the piano and sat down. Silence ensued and fate that nothing but pure delight ensued thereafter. The range, the vocals and the sound of her voice is like a dream and a mystery to unravel all at once. If only the dream could last forever— and it could,be bottled into a specific scent I would definitely say it’s the closest thing to Mark Buxton’s German made Pardum de Kumstwerke’s MB03. Which can only be purchased in Europe and at fine retailers of such exquisite and mesmerizing scents. That is like how Zola Jesus could be considered in Solus. Her tour of churches and chapels prior to US leg through Europe was nonetheless missed by many - and yet, those of us in the US were lucky enough to get the chance to experience it in person. If even for a fleeting moment in time and even if on the eve of the largest single political protest in the history of the United States to date. History is always written. Song is one way to experience feelings associated with traversing through the sands of time —and a way to bring about emotive intentions that feel so visceral and so raw and yet so beautiful all at once too. What a blessing to behold. I believe the staff at the venue were extremely surprised to hear her at the start and I overheard one state omg ‘THIS IS SO FIRE’ and perhaps it is…and perhaps it’s water, earth and air all at the same time too. Xoxo

Unbelievable performance by a crucially important band. Their lyrics were so powerful and prescient in 1979 … so applicable for today… Their encore was an additional version of Damaged Goods. Ted Leo was KILLING it on guitar and Gail Greenwood (bass) and Hugo Barnham (drums)were fantastic 🎸🤩 . Happy 70th BD Jon King! Buy his autobiography!!

Blancmange Great set with Neil Arthur and a female keyboardist. All the classics including "Feel Me", "Living On The Ceiling", "Blind Vision", "Game Above My Head", "Don't Tell Me." It struck me how Neil was influenced by David Bryne of Talking Heads and Fred Schneider of the B-52s. Compare this lyric from Feel Me: "Here comes a love song! There goes the banister!" to Rock Lobster: "There goes a narwhal! Here comes a bikini whale!" 39 years since he last played in SF. Midge Ure Midge played guitar and keyboards with a second keyboardist and framed several songs with "the making-of" stories. Some highlights: His version of Bowie's "The Man Who Sold The World", Visage's "Fade To Grey" and the great Ultravox hits "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes", "Sleepwalk", "Vienna" and the beautiful instrumental from that album "Astradyne." Midge first performed in SF in 1980. Could not stay for the full set as I had to get back to the garage before they closed at 10 PM.

Lovely show! Not really any crowd interaction, and not the best acoustics in the venue (which is not the performers' fault). But the playing was fantastic and the vibes were chill! Plus, there was a hearty encore that capped the set off with a more intense, rockin energy :) Also, great openers! (The Papercuts) Loved their sound!

The support band Shoplifters United were fantastic. The Chapel should book them as headliners. Temptation were good however there are serious sound issues with them at the Chapel. The band has no sound coming from the stage itself except the acoustic drummer, so anyone behind or level with the main hung PA (the first 30 feet near the stage) were only hearing the acoustic drum kit. The backing track, synths, bass were inaudible, people at the show were constantly yelling to the stage to turn up the parts of the music they weren't hearing. The band were using in-ear monitors of the PA mix so they had no idea what the music sounded like in the room, they were getting a glorious mix from the desk that many were not hearing in the room. I recommend Temptation do a sound split so there are amps for synth, backing computer tracks and bass on the stage so there is sound coming from the band itself so that you don't need to be perfectly positioned away from the stage to hear the music properly.

The show was billed as Scientist actually mixing the music of Orchestra Gold, but actually it was more that Orchestra Gold played a set first and then Scientist played a set. Great that he had two excellent female singers with him. A legend! The acoustics were not great at The Chapel, super loud next to the speakers in a small space, but weirdly distant sounding toward the back of the space.

Sarah and her band were amazing. Spot on for every song and Sarah's vocals were better than her recordings. She played a lot of her new album, which was fine by me, and also threw in a great collection of older tunes. I saw Sarah last year in London at a similar sized venue and the show was a bit more subdued. Overall, 5 stars and can't wait to see her again.

Even better than the last one in San Francisco. I liked their new format of starting and ending on the loud rockers, with an extended group of more quiet harmony pieces in the middle. They appeared to be having fun, especially in the second half, and that fed back to the audience. And, complements to the sound guy who let us hear Julia, not just bass and drums.

Guerilla Toss were fantastic! It was my second time seeing the band, but my first time at The Chapel, The Chapel was a great place to see a band, the crowd was enthusiastic but it wasn't too jammed packed. I liked the Tequila/Tecate combo special. That and the great people in the crowd made this show special!

50% faster, 100% rawer live. The vocal freakouts are improvised. They give it their and perform incredible feats. They are also super cool funny and personable. Possibly my favorite live show ever. Also, the guitarist is an extremely beautiful man. Gave me goosebumps. Any fan should see them live, as it really is a unique experience.

Band was clearly working out new material, techniques, & ideas. It had more of a workshop vibe feeling out extended looping effects, reverb, & distortion than a more polished tour after a full release. The set was played without Sofia Arreguin on keys or vocals. The 20 minute White Cat extended jam and Pink Trash Can’s opener gave the SF set a much more experimental noise rock feel. However, Wand’s new tracks sound promising and they played their standards like Wonder, Flying Golem, and Melted Rope at high decibel and equally high standards. Wish more people were turned on to them.

Per is always great, such a performer and great voice, it was unfortunate the audience was small, people do not know what they are missing out on. Great opener and Millsap came with a full band, flat out jamming. The sound has been improved at the Chapel and Parker really held his own. I haven't missed one of his shows in the city since he was 18

The concert was amazing! It was the Arhoolie awards, so there was music by Blind Boy Paxton, who blew the audience away. Then Santiago Jimenez Jr. played a set which was phenomenal, lively, and well appreciated. Dave Alvin was so great! He is my all-time favorite musician and he did not disappoint. I’m so glad he was given the well deserved award. My son and I loved it!

I love Dustbowl Revival. The new musicians mixed with the longer time band members sound terrific. I really had a good time, and as always loved their music. Check them out! I have been a fan for years. Every show I see, seems unique to the last show. They have so much material, and the release new music often. The occasional cover song always blow the roof off of the venue. Twice I have seen them perform an encore on the floor with the fans.