BISS List 5.22.25 Spotlight on High Sierra Music Fest (7.3-7.6) + The Best of BISS This Week

Happy Thursday BISS Listers!

This is Jen Serota (aka CJ) subbing in for Miss BISS Pamazing herself while she finishes up at the Golden Road Gathering that was this past weekend in Placerville. I am sure many of you attended and I’m looking forward to hearing your highlights. I also want to give a big birthday shout out to Mister BISS himself Spor. His b-day was this past Monday and we all want to wish him a very happy and merry next journey around the sun.

This past weekend I attended Cosmico Festival in Guerneville that took place at the beautiful Dawn Ranch. The venue is magical. It’s a little boutique bungalow hideaway tucked in a redwood forest where the vibes are high and there is a pool in which you can hang in while watching some DJ’s. Friday kicked off with Analog Dog, honoring the vibration of the psychedelic revolution of the 1960’s, digging into the disco groves from the dance revolution of the 1970’s, and simultaneously embracing modern indie pop soundscapes. Plus Paul McDonald & the Mourning Doves, his live performance feels equal parts revival and rock séance, proving this man’s heart beats louder than ever. Saturday leaned into indie-pop and dance, with standouts like Gilligan Moss and Bay Ledges, but White Denim stole the show. While their music is influenced by so many different genres, I really appreciated the jamming approach, intense looping work and unusual song structures. Sunday’s highlight was the Crosby Collective, a mind-blowing, mashup-heavy set that felt like a private show. I highly recommend attending Cosmico Fest next year! If you’re looking for another intimate festival (I mean small) this is your fest!! Check out my full recap with photos and videos.

Meanwhile, back in the bay BISS contributor Travis Gaskell had “a busy week meant that I only caught a single show, but it was still quite the show to catch. Rolling in on an unassuming San Francisco last Thursday night, The Wooten Brothers lit up Great American Music Hall like a funked out Christmas tree with their dynamic, enrapturing playing and stage presence. Those of us lucky enough to be in attendance were graced with a performance that spanned decades of funk, jazz, psychedelic rock and so much more.” Check out Travis’s full recap with photos and videos.

And there’s more, BISS Contributing Editor Gabriel Barkin has treated us with not one, but two show reviews and photos from this past weekend, with Hurray for the Riff Raff at the The Chapel on 5/16 and the 10th Anniversary Outlaw Festival ft Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Billy Strings, and Sierra Hull at Wheatland’s Toyota Amphitheatre on 5/18.

Here’s what’s on my radar this week. So much to choose from, so little time!

• Thurs 5/22: John Craigie wraps up the final of three wonderful nights of the Beatles @ Hopmonk Tavern Novato
• Fri 5/23: Anders Osborne + Bella Rayne @ Hopmonk Tavern Novato
• Fri 5/23: Allen Stone w/ Grace Bowers @ Uptown Theatre in Napa. If you haven’t seen Grace Bowers live yet—run, don’t walk. She is a young guitarist who is making her mark on the scene quickly. She is a seriously fierce talent!
• Sat-Mon 5/24-5/26: Los Lobos kicks off the summer series @ Rancho Nicasio, a magical little venue to check out if you have not been yet
• And of course Fri-Sun 5/23-5/25: BottleRock in Napa with Green Day, Sublime, Justin Timberlake, Benson Boone, Noah Kahan, and my personal fav Khruangbin headlining

Miss BISS Radar: Pamela is just barely back, and if she’s not too tired here’s where she will be this week:

• Thurs 5/22: Robyn Hitchcock @ The Chapel
• Fri 5/23: Yak Attack + Banshee Tree + The Westones @ Ivy Room (*WIN*)
• Sat 5/24: KATDELIC @ Boom Boom Room (*WIN*)

I don’t know where the time flies, but I cannot believe we’re almost at the end of May. With Memorial Day this upcoming weekend, there is a plethora of amazing music happening in the Bay. Reminder that BISS List has all the event happenings in and around the Bay, so I encourage you to choose your own adventure by checking out the Best of BISS, Full Calendar, or Win Tickets page.

Mark your calendar for these shows coming up:

• 5/28: Melvin Seals & JGB @ The Junction Mill Valley
• 5/31 & 6/1: Terrapin Roadshow ft Grahame Lesh, Sam Grisman, Lebo, Amy Helm, Jason Crosby, and Ezra Lipp @ Monte Rio Amphitheater (*WIN*)
• 6/11: The Motet @ The Junction Mill Valley
• 6/11: Trombone Shorty + Dumpstaphunk @ The Masonic (*WIN*)
• 7/3-7/6: High Sierra Music Festival, more on that in the spotlight below including how you can win tickets!!

Before I close out, how could I not mention the highly anticipated announcement this week, Grateful Dead 60th Anniversary shows from Dead & Company in our own backyard. Three nights of pure magic at the Polo Fields in Golden Gate Park, Aug 1st-3rd. I am curious how this is going to work out with the already scheduled Jerry Day (8/2). Not to mention all the amazing shows that Great American Music Hall just announced for that weekend as well including two nights of Melvin Seals & JGB (8/1 & 8/2) and the Axial Tilt celebration (8/3) with a powerhouse lineup of musicians and special guests to close out the Sunday Funday weekend (I’m hoping Bobby will show up for that one). I better start getting into shape now for all those steps I plan on doing in those 72 hrs 😉

That’s a wrap for this week! Hope to see you out there.
~ On behalf of Pamela aka Miss BISS, this is Jen (CJ) Serota signing off

SPOTLIGHT ON HIGH SIERRA

High Sierra Music Festival

July 3rd-6th @ Plumas County Fairgrounds

High Sierra offers an experience that goes far beyond the stage. It’s a chance to connect with nature, music, and a community that celebrates the joy of self-expression. Featuring an eclectic lineup packed with artists traversing all musical genres, backed by a picturesque venue surrounded by a mountainous landscape and national forests.

This year’s lineup includes ALO, Amy Helm Band, Andy Frasco, Bamba Wassoulou Groove, Barker & Genfan, Barr Brothers, Bobby Alu, Boombox, Broken Compass Bluegrass, Cat Clyde, Chaparelle, Daniel Donato, Desert Hollow, Diggin’ Dirt, Dogs In A Pile, Elias Alexander, Everyone Orchestra, Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge, Handmade Moments, Helm Family Midnight Ramble, Holly Bowling, John Craigie, Johnny & The Yooahoos, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, Karina Rykman, LaMP, Les Green & The Swayzees, Low Cut Connie, Lucky Break, Lyrics Born, Mikaela Davis, Mescalito, Miko Marks, Mitchum Yacoub, Molly Tuttle, Natalie Cressman & Ian Faquini, Nathan Moore, OTT, Pamela Parker’s Fantastic Machine, Parlor Greens, Punkadelick. Rainbow Girls, Reed Mathis, Ron Artis II, Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars, Saritah, Scott Pemberton, Sgt. Splendor, Smoked Out Soul, Steve Poltz, Surprise Me Mr Davis, The Coffis Brothers, The Great North Special, The Rumble, The Slip, The Third Mind, The Heeters, and Whiskerman + High Sierra Band Contest winners The Fell Swoop and Nightbrain ++ Artists at Large Jennifer Hartswick and Lebo +++ even more to come!!

And you can enter to win a pair of festival passes from the BISS List ~ remember that Quality & Quantity of shares will increase your chances to win!

BISS REVIEW

Hurray for the Riff Raff

“Alynda Segarra’s Hurray for the Riff Raff played a solid 90-minute set of powerful indie folk at The Chapel on Friday night. The sold-out show was the second of two nights in San Francisco. Segarra was accompanied by a three-piece band. They (to be clear, Segarra uses they/them pronouns) played acoustic guitar for most of the night, occasionally putting it aside to hold the mic. Notably, electric guitarist Ray Suen was a monster on frequent slide leads. Segarra models a captivating mesh of machismo and tenderness. They sport tattoos of both a knife and a butterfly on their right arm. They pout and pose like Iggy Pop at the mic, but they also have an Altoids tin on their pedal board with “I love you!!!” written inside the cover.” Check out BISS Contributing Editor Gabriel Barkin’s full review & photo gallery here.

BISS REVIEW

Outlaw Festival ft Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan,
Billy Strings, and Sierra Hull

Outlaw Fest lit up Wheatland with a once-in-a-lifetime lineup of legends and rising stars. Willie Nelson was the heart, Bob Dylan the mystery, Billy Strings the wildfire, and Sierra Hull the shining surprise. Check our Gabriel Barkin’s review & photo gallery here.

BEST OF BISS THIS WEEK

05/22 Robyn Hitchcock plays Songs From 1967 @ The Chapel

05/22 John Craigie performs The Beatles @ Hopmonk Tavern Novato

05/22 Bob Schneider @ Felton Music Hall

05/22 Yak Attack & Banshee Tree @ Moe’s Alley

05/22 Steel Pulse, Joe Samba @ The UC Theatre

05/23 Yak Attack, Banshee Tree, The Westones @ Ivy Room  

05/23 Allen Stone w/ Grace Bowers @ Uptown Theatre Napa

05/23 Anders Osborne + Bella Rayne @ Hopmonk Tavern Novato

05/23 The Wallflowers (Two Nights) @ The Guild Theatre

05/23 Marty O’Reilly @ Crazy Horse  

05/23 Scott Guberman & Friends @ Peri’s Tavern Fairfax

05/24 Los Lobos (Three Days) @ Rancho Nicasio

05/24 Fantastic Negrito + Anna Moss @ Hopmonk Tavern Novato  
05/24 Robby Krieger of The Doors @ Uptown Theatre Napa

05/24 The Wallflowers (Two Nights) @ The Guild Theatre

05/24 The Unauthorized Rolling Stones ft Rudy Colombini @ Music City SF

05/24 An Evening with Gang of Four @ The Chapel

05/24 Banshee Tree @ Crazy Horse  

05/24 SF Carnaval: Wampi, Mexican Institute of Sound, and lots more! @ Harrison Street

05/24 KATDELIC with Luhtakizz @ Boom Boom Room  

05/24 Steel Pulse, Joe Samba @ The Catalyst Club

05/25 Josh Zee and Friends @ Sweetwater Music Hall

05/25 Los Lobos (Three Days) @ Rancho Nicasio

05/25 Sam Grisman Project @ The Guild Theatre

05/25 SF Carnaval: Parade & Harrison St Music @ Harrison Street

05/25 Bob Schneider (band) w/ Daniel Rodriguez @ Hopmonk Tavern Novato

05/26 Los Lobos (Three Days) @ Rancho Nicasio

05/26 Matisyahu @ The Guild Theatre

05/26 Sam Grisman Project w/ April & Monroe Grisman @ Hopmonk Tavern Novato  

05/26 BottleRock AfterDark: The War And Treaty, Madeline Edwards @ The Chapel  

05/27 An Evening with Goose (Two Nights) @ The Masonic  

05/28 The Wailers @ Sweetwater Music Hall

05/28 An Evening with Goose (Two Nights) @ The Masonic

05/28 Anthony Arya & AC Myles @ Club Fox Redwood City

05/28 Stu Allen & Mars Hotel: A Grateful Dead Night @ Ashkenaz

05/28 The Redwood Mountain Faire Kick-off Party ft Jive Machine, Sun Hop Fat and more! @ Moe’s Alley

05/28 Kai Lyon’s Cuban Changuisonico @ Boom Boom Room

05/29 SKERIK Quartet (Four Nights) (7 & 9:15pm) @ Black Cat  

05/29 King Dream w/ Suzanimal, Cave Clove @ Bottom of the Hill

05/29 Magilo, Super Greens, Litty Debungus @ Rickshaw Stop

05/29 The Detroit Cobras w/ The IFIC @ Crepe Place

05/29 Bread & Roses Golden Jam ft Lebo & Friends, August Lee Stevens, and The Gold Dust Brothers @ Sweetwater Music Hall

05/29 Mestizo Beat + El Pecado De Juana @ Ivy Room  

05/29 Crosseyed & Painless: Music of the Talking Heads ft Chris Zanardi, Jordan Feinstein, Jefferson Bergey, Angeline Saris, Alex Bowman, and Brian Chris Rogers @ Longboard Margarita Bar  

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.

Sign up now to get the BISS List in your inbox every week!!

🎶 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