BISS List 4.16.25 Spotlight on Warren Haynes Band (5.3) + The Best of BISS This Week

Happy April 16th BISS Listers! Hope you all made it through the 15th with minimal stress and maybe even a nice little refund. Or hey, maybe you’re just proud of yourself for filing that extension — no judgment here. Either way, the paperwork is behind us (at least until October), and there’s plenty of live music ahead. This week’s BISS is packed with goodness!

First things first: I’m going to be out of town for most of May and I could really use your help. I know some of you have mentioned wanting to try your hand at writing or otherwise contributing to the BISS List — now’s the time! Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just someone who’s obsessed with live music and wants to share that love, I’d be happy to offer guidance. But real talk: if we don’t get a couple folks to step up, the BISS List might be a little sleepy while I’m away. So, help me keep the groove grooving by emailing or messaging me if you’re interested.

Highlights from Last Week:

• Wed 4/9: I had the chance to catch Rainbow Girls at Forest Fête. Such a beautiful night and a powerful cause. Huge thanks & congrats to Kevin C. for putting together such a beautiful event and inviting me as a guest. Pacific Forest Trust is doing good work — keep it up!
• Thur 4/10: ORGŌNE at The Independent was such a killer show! They brought the funk like only they can, and Sweet Lew opened with a vibe that had the whole room energized early.

The rest of my weekend was dedicated to holiday time with chosen family — and the celebration hasn’t stopped. If you know, you know. The soup’s on, and you should come get a bowl!

This Week’s Agenda: This is just my personal plan — but as I always say, create your own adventure! Explore the Best of BISS below, scroll through the full calendar, or check out our Win Tickets page for even more options.

• Thur 4/17: I’ll be at Boom Boom Room for the High Sierra Band Contest. Pamela Parker will be your emcee and judge, joined by fellow judges yours truly and Andy Gadiel from JamBase. We’ll be showcasing four top-notch bands: The Fell Swoop, The Humidors, Tony Glaser & The Party, and Elenah. Four incredible bands. Five bucks. That’s a steal. Come hang!
• Fri 4/18: LAZWELL hits Vallejo at Odd Fellows Hall (*WIN*) for a show presented by Mr. Hat and BISS List. Featuring Starchild Jr. of P-Funk — and you know that means it’s gonna be a funky night! Who wants to join me for a round trip from SF to Vallejo? There just might be some soup in it for you! On our way back, we can swing by BBR for Afrolicious (*WIN*), because… how could we not?
• Sat 4/19: It’s going to be full of heart as we start the day early with a celebration of life of our dear friend Joe Cohen at Tupelo with live music, a NOLA-style second line, and all the love. Then I’ll be heading north to Golden Gate Bistro in Novato for the Deadhead Seder. A joyful and inclusive Passover celebration blending music, story, and Deadhead spirit. Great food, dancing, and two sets of live music featuring a stellar Bay Area lineup: Dan “Lebo” Lebowitz, Jordan Feinstein, Ezra Lipp, Jeannette Ferber, Mookie Siegel, Danny Eisenberg, and Ben Bernstein. Join us for dinner or just the show — all are welcome!

And I know many of you will be catching amazing shows the rest of the weekend:

• 4/18 & 4/19: Shpongle @ The Warfield — Congrats to our winner Michael S. for the 4/18 show, still a chance to *WIN* for 4/19!!
• 4/18 & 4/19: Yonder Mountain String Band @ Sweetwater Music Hall
• 4/19: DJ Williams + Collectivity @ Ivy Room (*WIN*)
• 4/19: The Humidors + The Attic @ Boom Boom Room (*WIN*) If I weren’t booked with family and more holiday celebrations, you’d probably see me dancing right next to you.
• 4/20: Moonalice: 420 Gathering of the Tribe @ Sweetwater Music Hall (*WIN*)
• 4/20: Playing The Dead: 420 Party @ O’Reilly’s Pub (*WIN*)

Speaking of dancing — LAZWELL is celebrating Bicycle Day in Chico at Lost on Main (4/19), and we’ve got a pair of tickets to give away (*WIN*)! And then comes Sunday… 4/20! Even without official events in the Park, you know the vibes will be strong. Up north in Camino: catch 420 Funk Fest with LAZWELL, Lyrics Born, and Boca do Rio.

Looking ahead to next week:

• Phish is in town 4/22 & 4/23. Here’s your early scoop: After Tuesday’s Phish show, I’m heading to Boom Boom Room for a late-night aftershow and SUPERJAM (*WIN*) curated by Dennis Mill (Hot Mountain Dips). It’s a stacked lineup featuring some of the funkiest players in the jam scene: Reed Mathis, Joe Marcinek, Angeline Saris, Danny Eisenberg, Emerson Rose, and Lantz Lazwell (LAZWELL). And maybe even more surprise appearances — you’ll want to be there!
• Wed 4/23: Mark Karan’s Budz @ Sweetwater Music Hall (*WIN*) skip the Phish crowd and catch one of my longtime favorites

***FYI*** This is your last chance to spread the word on Golden Road Gathering and enter to win a pair of tickets. We will be picking the winner next week. This is a big one, remember Quality & Quantity of shares will increase your chances to WIN!

That’s the download for this week. Packed with just enough chaos to keep things interesting. Let me know what’s on your radar, and let me know if you know someone who should be writing the BISS while I’m away!

~ Pamela aka Miss BISS
#seeyouattheshows

SPOTLIGHT ON WARREN HAYNES

The Warren Haynes Band

May 3rd @ The Fillmore

Visionary GRAMMY Award-winning artist Warren Haynes is a cornerstone of the American music landscape, lauded as one of the most formidable guitarists and vocalists of the modern era and a prolific songwriter and producer. He effortlessly cross-pollinates genres and unfurls solos that broil with passion in his distinctive, signature style. Throughout his prolific career as part of three of the greatest live groups in rock history – Allman Brothers Band, Gov’t Mule and the Dead – and an acclaimed solo artist, he has become one of music’s most treasured storytellers and his artistry has led to thousands of memorable performances and millions of album and track sales. Haynes is a beacon of creativity and musical excellence that inspires fans as well as fellow musicians, evidenced by the diverse array of artists that he has performed and recorded with, including Dave Matthews Band, Peter Frampton, Chris Stapleton, Coheed and Cambria, Dave Grohl, Carlos Santana, Willie Nelson, and Dolly Parton, and many more.

**Check out all of our Featured Shows.

BEST OF BISS THIS WEEK

04/16 Melt, Katie Lynne Sharbaugh @ Mystic Theatre

04/16 Grateful Dead Night with Jenerator @ Ashkenaz  

04/17 DJ Williams Band @ Music City SF

04/17 The Rock Collection ft Melvin Seals, Greg Anton, Stu Allen and more! @ Great American Music Hall

04/17 High Sierra Music Festival Band Contest: San Francisco Regional Finals @ Boom Boom Room

04/17 Tony Saunders Band @ Blue Note Napa

04/17 Patterns Fly: Andy Coe, D’Vonne Lewis & Galen Clark (7 & 9:15pm) (Four Nights) @ Black Cat

04/18 Laura Jane Grace & The Mississippi Medicals w/ Alex Lahey and Rodeo Boys @ Cornerstone Berkeley  

04/18 Yonder Mountain String Band (Two Nights) @ Sweetwater Music Hall

04/18 Shpongle (Two Nights) w/ The Sponges, Cosmic Trigger @ The Warfield  

04/18 Personal Space Man + Super Greens + Vince Charming Band @ Ivy Room  

04/18 Melt w/ Katie Lynne Sharbaugh @ Felton Music Hall  

04/18 The English Beat (Two Nights) @ The Guild Theatre

04/18 LAZWELL ft Starchild Jr @ Oddfellows Hall Vallejo  

04/18 Afrolicious @ Boom Boom Room  

04/18 Misfit Cabaret Presents Cinephilia: A Rock and Roll Musical Variety Show (Two Nights) @ Great American Music Hall

04/18 Patterns Fly: Andy Coe, D’Vonne Lewis & Galen Clark (7 & 9:30pm) (Four Nights) @ Black Cat

04/19 Yonder Mountain String Band (Two Nights) @ Sweetwater Music Hall

04/19 Shpongle (Two Nights) w/ Spoonbill, Beat Kitty @ The Warfield  

04/19 DJ Williams Band + Collectivity @ Ivy Room  

04/19 Bicycle Day ft Whiskerman @ Golden Gate Park Bandshell

04/19 The English Beat (Two Nights) @ The Guild Theatre

04/19 Black Sheep Brass Band @ Vintage Space

04/19 Lantz Lazwell ft Starchild Jr. + Suika T and Thunderlump @ Lost On Main Chico  

04/19 Misfit Cabaret Presents Cinephilia: A Rock and Roll Musical Variety Show (Two Nights) @ Great American Music Hall

04/19 The Deadhead Seder: Steal the Yeast Right Off Your Bread. Again @ Golden Gate Bistro

04/19 The Humidors + The Attic @ Boom Boom Room  

04/19 Patterns Fly: Andy Coe, D’Vonne Lewis & Galen Clark (7 & 9:30pm) (Four Nights) @ Black Cat

04/20 Moonalice: 420 Gathering of the Tribe @ Sweetwater Music Hall  

04/20 Playing The Dead – 420 Party @ O’Reilly’s Pub (formerly Milk Bar)  

04/20 Patterns Fly: Andy Coe, D’Vonne Lewis & Galen Clark (7 & 9:15pm) (Four Nights) @ Black Cat

04/22 Graham Nash: More Evenings of Songs and Stories (Two Nights) @ Bimbo’s 365 Club

04/22 Phish (Two Nights) @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

04/22 Hot Mountain Dips @ Boom Boom Room  

04/22 Phish Aftershow SuperJam ft Reed Mathis, Joe Marcinek, Angeline Saris, Dennis Mill, Danny Eisenberg, Emerson Rose @ Boom Boom Room  

04/23 Graham Nash: More Evenings of Songs and Stories (Two Nights) @ Bimbo’s 365 Club

04/23 Mark Karan’s Budz @ Sweetwater Music Hall  

04/23 Phish (Two Nights) @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

04/23 Yak Attack @ Boom Boom Room  

Want more shows from BISS?
Check out the Best of BISS & BISS Full Calendar

New to the BISS List?

The BISS List began in 2003 as an email newsletter for diehard live music fans in the Bay Area. Over 20 years, we’ve grown to become the go-to resource for funk, jam, soul, and groove music, reaching approximately 20,000 followers and over 80,000 through various platforms. Our curated list features only the shows we and our fans love, and we host ticket giveaways to enhance promotions with venues and artists.

Each week, we highlight the BEST OF BISS shows, with select FEATURED SHOWS that you won’t want to miss. Our shows are free to view and add to—if you have a show to submit, visit our submission page or email us at biss@bisslist.com.

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🎶 Two Ways to Help Keep the BISS List Alive! 🎶

The BISS List has always been a labor of love, fueled by passion for live music and a dedication to this amazing community. What started as a personal email of show picks has grown into a full-fledged resource for funk, jam, soul, and groove lovers—bringing you curated show recommendations, ticket giveaways, and a space to connect over the music we love.

But running BISS takes time, effort, and real costs—over $3,000 a month just to keep the basics going! That’s why we’re excited to offer two ways you can support and help sustain the BISS List:

✨ Make a tax-deductible donation – The BISS List is now fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts & Media, which means your donation directly supports our mission while also being tax-deductible! Every contribution helps us grow, support artists, and expand BISS to serve the music community even better.

✨ Join our Patreon – Want to support and get perks? Patreon gives you a way to back the music you love while enjoying exclusive benefits. Your membership helps cover essential costs and allows us to keep BISS thriving without constant financial stress.

Your support—no matter the size—keeps the BISS List alive and ensures we can continue sharing the music, artists, and shows that bring us together. Thank you for being part of this incredible community. Let’s keep the music playing! ~ Pamela aka Miss BISS