THIS WEEKEND in SF: 10/29-10/30

Yeah, yeah, yeah, Halloween weekend, everything’s “spooktacular” and “terrorific” – for the skinny on Hallow’s Eve in the Bay, catch The Lo Down Halloween feature. If you just want to know what’s good this weekend, check the list below…

FRIDAY, 10/29

of Montreal / Janelle Monaé – The Warfield 9:00pm $30 adv/$32 door

Oh snap, this pair is just too sweet to miss. Get your dance on to indie-prince Kevin Barnes and the of Montreal circus o’sound, promoting September’s False Prince with the quirky rock-pop for which they’re known – coupled with the future-funk of Janelle Monaé? Are you kidding? ArchAndroid is one of the best of the year. They appear on each other’s albums so fingers crossed for a live collaboration…

Lotus / Mux Mool – The Independent 9:00pm $20

If you’re sad that festival season has come to a close, check out this line-up: Mux Mool’s one-man electronica set prefaces Lotus’s self-proclaimed “instrumental dance rock” – it’s the intersection of jam-band and hip-hop that you… um, crave? Pee in the street and it’ll be Bonaroo all over again.

Built To Spill / Revolt Revolt – Fillmore 8:00pm $25

Promoting new release There Is No Enemy, Idaho quintet Built To Spill sounds comfortable and familiar – guitar driven, lyrically dense, cargo shorts… well-paired with rock trio (and Boise friends) Revolt Revolt.

8 Legged Monster – Coda Lounge 10:00pm $10

Sip a cocktail and cut a rug with 8 Legged Monster (plus six!) debuting this new (r)evolution of the big band. Special shout-out to vocalist Karina Denike (of the Dance Hall Crashers and The Cottontails), whose vocal prowess recalls traditional jazz chops with modern style, relevance, and soul. Cheers.

SATURDAY, 10/30

Mr. Symarip (Roy Ellis) / The Impalers / Boss 501 – Oakland Metro 8:00pm $20-25

The recent death of Gregory Issacs makes seeing a reggae legend like Roy Ellis all the more timely. After a 20-year departure from Jamaican music, Ellis returns to his ska roots infusing two decades of gospel and soul with a lifetime of reggae hits – fans of the genre can’t miss it. And Bay staples The Impalers and Boss 501 to boot? Get on it, rudies…

Kate Nash / Peggy Sue – The Warfield 9:00pm $22.50

Flirty, fun, and oh-so-British – Kate Nash makes her much-anticipated SF return so that she can sass us in person. Yes, please. Arrive early enough for Brighton trio Peggy Sue, who combine pop sensibilities with a folk blues undertow. Britain: so hot right now.

Deerhunter / Real Estate / Casino Versus Japan – Slim’s 9:00pm $17

I want to listen to Deerhunter’s alternative garage rock on a (road) trip through New Mexico, but I’ll settle for Slim’s (or Great American Music Hall on Friday). Bass driven Real Estate and the ambient Casino Versus Japan make for a friendly psychedelic showdown. Prop 19 fans, unite.

Gov’t Mule – Fox Theater 8:00pm $35

“Southern rock jam band formed in 1994” – Wikipedia. In short, Gov’t Mule + Oakland = hilarious.