Update from BISS

12 June 2025

BISS List 6.12.25 Spotlight on Bliss Fest (6.21 & 6.22) + The Best of BISS This Week

Happy June Groove, BISS Listers! 

I started writing (well, recording) this the other day while heading back into the city the day after working Sonoma Wild. That first blast of cold air and the wall of fog hit as I approached the Golden Gate Bridge with my “It’s All Good” playlist on blast. I can jam that mix all day and road trip anywhere… I wouldn’t even care where I’m going. But as I looked out crossing the bridge, boats on the water, sunshine barely peeking through the fog, and that familiar chill in the air ahead, it hit me. This city, this moment, this music… it’s the kind of thing that makes you fall in love with the Bay all over again. I love this city. It’s the music, the people, the scene, and this incredible community we’ve built together. We are so lucky to live here. #thisiswhereilive

Last Week in Review

  • Fri 6/6: I didn’t make it to as many shows as I wanted this past week (hi, early mornings), but one standout moment for me was a special afternoon in the Castro last Friday, where I caught Ronkat Spearman alongside guitarist Johnny D Cotto. There was a fantastic photo exhibit reflecting the spirit and era of Harvey Milk’s Castro, hosted at Queer A.F., the artist-led gallery and event space located at Milk’s former Castro Camera site. Titled Positives & Negatives, the show featured powerful, never-before-seen images from the 1970s that captured the raw beauty and resilience of the Queer community during a transformative era in SF history. Made even more special by seeing the photos of my friend (and RonKat’s manager), Gina Hall…from then and now. How cool! (PS: Happy birthday, Gina!)
  • Sat 6/7: Sonoma Wild was a total success, sold out GA and VIP! I was working the VIP side and didn’t get to capture any clips for you, but lemme tell ya the vibes were high, the team was amazing, and the eco-sustainable theme was felt all around. Big thanks to everyone who came out and made it a feel-good day in the sun. Congrats to Tamara with Tapestry Productions!
  • Wed 6/11: Last night was a tough choice… The Motet vs. Trombone Shorty. I’m a huge fan of The Motet…it really was a tough call—but I did get to see them a few months ago here in the city. So this time, I stayed in SF to see Trombone Shorty + Dumpstaphunk at The Masonic. I mean, I saw him at NOLA Jazz Fest… but waaaaaay far away, packed into the Fairgrounds, only able to catch him on the big screen. So I had to take this chance to actually see him on stage, and I’m so glad I did.

On My Radar This Week
Just a few of the gems on this week’s radar… There are so many more listed in the Best of BISS section below!

For even more shows and chances to win FREE tickets, check out Best of BISS, the Full BISS Calendar, and the Win Tickets page.

Mark Your Calendar

  • 6/21 & 6/22: Bliss Fest @ Presidio Theatre (*WIN*) – The third annual Bliss Fest is coming up next weekend, and it’s bringing a standout Bay Area lineup, great eats, and serious local flavor to one of SF’s most scenic venues. We need a strong BLISS contingency out there to represent. (Did I say Bliss? I meant BISS. Check out the Spotlight Double Feature below and you’ll get it.)

And finally, a friendly PSA: High Sierra Music Festival is coming up fast! And BISS has exclusive discount codes just for you—our loyal readers. Please don’t post these publicly, but feel free to share them with friends:

Got a college student in your life who’s passionate about live music? The BISS List is offering a summer internship — an opportunity to build skills and gain valuable experience. Pass it on: bisslist.com/internship.

Still pitching for support to keep BISS List going! If you’re feeling the BISS love, there are two great ways to support what we do: become a Patreon member or make a one-time tax-deductible donation. Every bit helps keep the grooves coming!

That’s it for now, BISS Listers. If we missed anything, email us and tell us what you’re excited about.

I’ll see you out there. Always dancing and definitely plotting High Sierra logistics.

~ Pamela aka Miss BISS
#seeyouattheshows

 

SPOTLIGHT ON BLISS FEST

Third Annual Bliss Fest

June 21st & 22nd @ Presidio Theatre

Win Tickets

Nope, this isn’t a BISS typo — Bliss Fest is real and it’s fabulous. If we had a nickel for every time someone said “Bliss List,” we’d be headlining our own festival… but until then, we’re thrilled to spotlight this one. BISS + Bliss = One hell of a weekend. This two-day all-ages intimate outdoor music festival features a diverse lineup of Bay Area artists with food trucks, beer, wine, arts and crafts at this historic theatre in the beautiful Presidio National Park. Single day or two day tickets available.

Day 1 lineup includes Orchestra Gold, Martin Luther McCoy, The Seshen (*WIN*)

Day 2 lineup includes Grahame Lesh & Friends, Jesus Diaz and the Fifth Chord, Alam Khan & Eman Hashimi: Tribute to Zakir Hussain (*WIN*)

 

WHAT TO KNOW

Bliss Fest isn’t just about the music—it’s a full-on experience! Here’s what else to expect. Grab a bite from food trucks like Curry Up Now and El Fuego, or swing by concessions from Cow Hollow Catering for beer, wine, soft drinks, and snacks. You can even enjoy complimentary tastings from both Standard Deviant Brewing and The Vice Wine. Feeling crafty? Head to the arts & crafts station to paint your own Talavera tile with The Mexican Museum, make a Bliss friendship bracelet, and more. You’ll also want to arrive early, the first 100 people on both Saturday and Sunday will receive a free Bliss Fest poster designed by Brian Blomerth.

Most of the plaza is standing (aka dancing!) room, but there will be some chairs and tables scattered around. Blankets are welcome, but lawn chairs aren’t allowed due to space. Need a break? Step inside the lobby for indoor seating. If you need specific accommodations, reach out to the box office ahead of time.

You may also be interested to know that this is a theatre with some history! Built in 1939 by the U.S. Army with WPA funding, this elegant Spanish Colonial-style theatre served as a movie house and performance venue for military personnel and their families for over fifty years. Today, the beautifully restored Presidio Theatre thrives as a vibrant, 600-seat performing arts center hosting live music, dance, theatre, and film in the heart of the stunning Presidio National Park, surrounded by cypress trees and historic architecture. Dive deeper into the past of the Presidio Theatre here.

 

BEST OF BISS THIS WEEK

06/12 The Cat Empire @ August Hall

06/12 David Nelson Band: David’s Birthday Bash! + David Nelson & Banana (Acoustic Set) @ Hopmonk Tavern Novato

06/12 Sarah Hanahan Quartet (7 & 9:15pm) @ Black Cat  Win Tickets

06/12 LIT-ness FEST (No Cover) @ Boom Boom Room

06/13 Grace Jones @ Blue Note Summer Sessions  Win Tickets

06/13 James McMurtry + BettySoo (Two Nights) @ Hopmonk Tavern Novato  Win Tickets

06/13 Friday Happy Hour at The Shell: Sgt. Splendor ft Kate Vargas & Eric McFadden @ Golden Gate Park Bandshell

06/13 The English Beat @ Cornerstone Berkeley  Win Tickets

06/13 The Soul Rebels @ Felton Music Hall

06/13 Jenerator Trio @ Music City SF  Win Tickets

06/13 Jenerator Trio @ Music City SF  Win Tickets

06/13 The Motet w/ Webster Moore @ Lost On Main Chico  Win Tickets

06/13 Wicked Messengers: Dylan & The Dead ft Jay Wilcox & Pat Nevins @ Rio Nido Roadhouse

06/13 Stu Allen & Mars Hotel: A Grateful Dead Night @ Ashkenaz

06/13 San Francisco Jazz Festival (6/13-6/15) ft Charles Lloyd Sky Quartet, SFJAZZ Collective w/ Kurt Elling, Don Was & The Pan Detroit Ensemble, Braxton Cook, Sachal Vasandani, Lakecia Benjamin, Kassa Overall,… @ SF Jazz

06/14 Pete Floyd: Premier Pink Floyd Tribute @ Sweetwater Music Hall  Win Tickets

06/14 James McMurtry + BettySoo (Two Nights) @ Hopmonk Tavern Novato  Win Tickets

06/14 Little Feat w/ Pure Prairie League @ Blue Note Summer Sessions  Win Tickets

06/14 Bloc Party, Blonde Redhead @ Greek Theatre

06/14 Fuzz Collective @ Brick & Mortar Music Hall

06/14 Tori Roze & the Hot Mess w/ Ginger Molasses @ Boom Boom Room  Win Tickets

06/14 Wreckless Strangers @ Lucca Beer Garden

06/15 OMD + Walt Disco @ Fox Theater Oakland

06/15 Stern Grove Festival: The California Honeydrops w/ The Dip @ Stern Grove

06/15 Sunday B3 Sessions with Adam Shulman and Mike Olmos @ Madrone Art Bar

06/15 Brother Ruckus ft Safari (7 & 9:15pm) @ Black Cat  Win Tickets

06/15 Judy Nee’s Songwriters’ Parlor ftJenny Kerr, Darren Nelson, The Keller Sisters @ Mac’s @ 19 Broadway

06/17 Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton @ The Masonic

06/17 Bill Frisell Trio ft Thomas Morgan & Rudy Royston (Two Nights) @ Hopmonk Tavern Novato  Win Tickets

06/17 Phat Tuesdays with Oscar Myers Steppin’ @ Madrone Art Bar

06/17 Souls Of Mischief @ Felton Music Hall

06/18 The Kooks, lovelytheband @ Fox Theater Oakland

06/18 Bill Frisell Trio ft Thomas Morgan & Rudy Royston (Two Nights) @ Hopmonk Tavern Novato  Win Tickets

06/18 Marcello Carelli Album Release @ Black Cat  Win Tickets

06/18 An Evening with Cowboy Junkies @ Freight & Salvage

06/19 Silversun Pickups @ The Regency Ballroom

06/19 Jeff Denson Trio (7 & 9:15pm) @ Black Cat  Win Tickets

06/19 April & Monroe Grisman @ Mac’s @ 19 Broadway

 

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

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