THU 5/11
POP
JAMES BLAKE
The GRAMMY-winning musician might be the ultimate collaborator. Beyoncé, Frank Ocean, SZA, Rosalía, Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, U.K. Rapper Dave and many more have persuaded him to buddy up with them on recordings. With six studio albums of his own and billions of streams, Blake is known to put on a stunning solo show. The Greek is the perfect forum: Grand architecture that evokes thoughts of mythological gods and modern, state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. The stars and moon will carpet the sky above as the sun sets, the atmosphere will hum, the universe will be in harmony. That’s rare these days and oh, so necessary. – LOU FANCHER
INFO: Thu, 7pm, Greek Theatre, 2001 Gayley Rd., Berkeley. $77. 510.871.9225.
THU 5/11
REGGAE
THIRD WORLD
Anyone who is even remotely familiar with reggae most likely already knows Third World. For over five decades this reggae band has combined roots, soul, disco and funk with politically and socially charged lyrics to stand up to Babylon and make the people think. While it’s gone through a number of line-up changes over the years, bassist Richard Daley remains the constant thread linking Third World’s past to its present. However, this Thursday’s show is bittersweet as it’s a tribute to Stephen “Cat” Coore, a founding member of Third World and the band’s guitar player since its inception. So dance for the spirit of Coore, who brought so much love and wisdom to generations. – MAT WEIR
INFO: Thu, 8pm, The Freight, 2020 Addison St., Berkeley. $44-$49. 510.644.2020.
FRI 5/12
PUNK
SUMMER FEST
Ah, summer. It’s a time for outdoor grilling, swimming and utterly brutal moshpits. Thankfully, Summer Fest hits the Gilman this weekend to deliver the last of the summer trifecta. This two-day, 12-band festival benefits the long-running punk collective, so attendees can not only have a good time, but feel guilt-free while doing it. On Friday, get down with the sounds of Peaboo and the Catz, Happy Now, the Bonstones, Enemy Proof, Hell Bound Pound and Bitchfit. Then stick around for Saturday with Calling the Skis, the Dollheads, We Might Die, Halibut Head, East Brothers and Stay Out. It’s two days of Bay Area punk for Bay Area punks, just the way Dog intended. – MW
INFO: Fri, 6:30pm, 924 Gilman St., Berkeley. $15/Fri., $20/Sat. 510.524.8180.
FRI 5/12
JAZZ
ORCHESTRA NOIR
Founded by Jason Ikeem Rodgers in 2016, Atlanta’s all-Black Orchestra Noir is simply spectacular. Highlighting African-American musicians whose achievements in classical, jazz, blues, hip-hop and R&B music have made and continue to transform the industry is only the first step. The orchestra’s journey brings its remarkable musicians and exceptional repertoire to audiences of all ages, races, ethnicities and musical persuasions. Educational concerts and workshops geared for young, minority students guarantee the magic will keep flowing long into the future. The orchestra’s 2000 Tour is a look back aimed at looking forward. Catch the view now and never let it go. – LF
INFO: Fri, 8pm, Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts, 10 10th St., Oakland. $78-121. 510.629.2381.
SAT 5/13
SOUL
THE GOLD SOULS
The Gold Souls approach funk, soul and blues as living, breathing dance music. Fronted by Juniper Waller, the Bay Area/Sacramento group builds deep-pocket grooves around bright horn arrangements, bluesy storytelling and infectious joy. Their all-women horn section punches through the mix with swagger and precision, while the band’s rhythm section keeps everything loose enough to move. The result lands somewhere between classic revue energy and modern West Coast boogie. – SONYA BENNETT-BRANDT
INFO: Sat, 8pm, Ivy Room, 860 San Pablo Ave., Albany. $18. 510.526.5888.
SUN 5/14
BRAZILIAN
GRUPO FALSO BAIANO
The first Brazilian musical idiom to blend African rhythms with European forms and instrumentation, choro has undergone repeated revivals since it emerged in Rio de Janeiro in the 1870s. Grupo Falso Baiano is one of the Bay Area’s leading ensembles, steeped in the virtuosic instrumental style, with a repertoire that ranges across choro’s century-and-a-half repertoire. Featuring percussionist Ami Molinelli, seven-string guitarist Brian Moran, mandolinist Jesse Appelman and reed player Zack Pitt-Smith, the group has gained international renown over the past two decades. They’re joined by Brazilian guitarist/composer Carlos Oliveira, a former East Bay resident who moved back to Recife, and Israeli reed star Anat Cohen, who has recorded with many of Brazil’s greatest choro musicians. – ANDREW GILBERT
INFO: Sun, 5pm & 7:30pm, Piedmont Piano Company, 1728 San Pablo Ave., Oakland. $30-$35. 510.547.8188.
SUN 5/14
FITNESS
ALAMEDA YOGA & WELLNESS FESTIVAL
Produced by Yoga Amansala and local wellness leaders, the second annual festival begins with a meditation and sound bath. Yoga, Mat Pilates, flow and ecstatic-dance sessions follow. Headliner Sol Rising swings into action for part of the day and brings everyone into the same headspace. A portion of each ticket benefits the Alameda Food Bank. Taking care of the body and mind includes giving that leads to everyone’s wellness. The vendor village introduces new products and services, with local purveyors and local folks meeting face-to-face. A kid’s corner, mocktail lounge and, honestly, the vibe in the outdoor venue promise to rejuvenate even the most world-weary among us. – LF
INFO: Sun, 9:30am, Radium Runway, 2151 Ferry Point, Alameda. $23.
TUE 5/16
R&B
PATTI AUSTIN
What can’t Patti Austin do? At 75, the vocalist has been a music business force since the mid-1960s, when she worked as a teenage session musician. She’s recorded duets with George Benson and Michael Jackson, sang backup on Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” and scored a chart-topping hit with James Ingram on the Quincy Jones-produced “Baby, Come to Me.” While best known for her work in pop and R&B, Austin is a commanding jazz vocalist who has effectively paid tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and Dinah Washington, her godmother. Her two-night run at Yoshi’s is likely to have the feel of a homecoming. – AG
INFO: Tue, 7:30pm, Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. $55-$89. 510.238.9200.
TUE 5/16
REGGAE
J BOOG
Raised in California with Polynesian roots, J Boog has become one of the defining voices in contemporary island reggae. His music pulls together roots reggae warmth, R&B smoothness and Pacific Island sensibilities into songs that feel both breezy and emotionally grounded. Mentorship from Fiji and time spent recording in Jamaica deepened his connection to reggae’s lineage, but his sound never feels overly reverent. J Boog’s specialty is relaxed, melodic songs built for slowly swaying crowds, beach-day optimism and collective singalongs. – SBB
INFO: Tue, 8pm, The UC Theatre, 2036 University Ave., Berkeley. $49. 510.356.4000.
WED 5/17
INDIE
PROBLEMS
Chicago one-person creative factory PROBLEMS makes electronic music that feels both meticulously constructed and barely contained. Led by Darren Keen, the project ricochets between blown-out dance beats, experimental collage, noise-pop chaos, abrasive vocals and moments of orchestral beauty. The maximalist energy to it all—absurd samples, sudden left turns—is undergirded by an ambitious composer’s instinct. His latest album, 2025’s Enter the Annals, can be best described as the result of a mad genius with a synthesizer and a mic improvising the soundtrack to a haunting narrative video game. – SBBINFO: Wed, 8pm, Thee Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. $15. 510.859.8709.
