Where else to see acts (like Lion Babe, above) who will perform at Coachella.
There’s a lot to love about a great festival: the camaraderie of tens of thousands of fans assembled in one place, singing along with some of the biggest acts in music or discovering new favorites over the course of a weekend.
But there are drawbacks as well: Fighting through crowds just to be able to see the artists onstage, a big physical commitment (it takes a lot of energy to attend an eight- or 10-hour session) and, of course, no indoor plumbing.
Well, every April, the Bay Area gets a taste of that festival fare without all the downsides as more than a quarter of the acts that play at the trendsetting Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival make their way up the coast in the weeks surrounding their Southern California performances to fit in an extra tour stop or two while in the state. Call it San Franchella, Fauxchella or Localchella, but the glut of musicians coming through creates a mock festival that takes over nightclubs across the region.
Want to feel like you’ve been to Coachella without actually having to go there? Here are some ways to do it:
Rising Stars
If you’re a music lover who wants to listen to tomorrow’s superstars today, then afternoons at Coachella are custom-fit for you. But rather than stand around in the desert festival’s typical triple-digit temperatures, you can catch them in (mostly) air-conditioned venues throughout the Bay Area over the next month. Lion Babe: 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 9. $25-$30. Harlow’s, 2708 J St., Sacramento. www.harlows. com; 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 11. $20. 1015 Folsom, 1015 Folsom St., S.F. http://1015.com Moses Sumney: 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 10. $25. The New Parish, 1743 San Pablo Ave., Oakland. https://thenewpar ish. com King Krule: 8 p.m. April 16. $35. Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. http://the foxoak land.com The Buttertones: 8 p.m. April 17. $15-$39.95. Slim’s, 333 11th St., S.F. www.slimspresents.com Jorja Smith: 9 p.m. April 24. $24.50. The Regency Ballroom, 1300 Van Ness Ave., S.F. www.theregencyballroom.com
Headliners
If you’re the type of festivalgoer who shows up after the sun is down for the superstars, your San Franchella features big names like Kygo and Alt-J — playing the Greek Theatre on April 15 and the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on April 18, respectively — and, with a little wait, even the Queen Bee herself. Miguel: 7 p.m. Thursday, April 12. $52.50. The Greek Theatre, 2001 Gayley Road, Berkeley. http://thegreekberkeley. com Jamiroquai: April 17. $65. Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, 99 Grove St., S.F. http://apecon certs.com SZA: With Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolBoy Q, Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, SiR and Lance Skillwalker for the Championship Tour. 7:30 p.m. May 8. $89-$167.50. Oracle Arena, 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland. www.oracle arena.com Migos: With SZA, Brockhampton and more. Blurry Vision Festival. May 12. $109$199. Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, 2777 Middle Harbor Road, Oakland. https://blurry visionfest.com Beyoncé: With Jay-Z for the On the Run II Tour. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29. $79.50$350. Levi’s Stadium, 4900 Marie P. DeBartolo Way, Santa Clara. www. levisstadium.com
Legends
Sometimes, the veterans have to show the young artists how it’s done. Every Coachella going back to the Pixies reunion has showcased a handful of legacy acts who make the trip to the desert to appeal to a new audience — or to those seeking a nostalgia trip. Detroit Love (featuring Carl Craig, Moodymann and DJ Minx): 9 p.m. Saturday, April 14. $17-$25. Public Works, 161 Erie St., S.F. www.pub licsf.com Jean-Michel Jarre: 8 p.m. Sunday, April 15. $39.50-$150. City National Civic, 135 W. San Carlos St., San Jose. https:// sanjosetheaters. org Chic With Nile Rodgers: 8 p.m. April 19. $55-$75. Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. http://thefoxoakland.com David Byrne: 8 p.m. Aug. 16-17. $65-$135. Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. http://the foxoakland.com; 8 p.m. Aug. 18. $55-$150. City National Civic, 135 W. San Carlos St., San Jose. https://sanjosetheaters. org; 8 p.m. Aug. 21. $55$150. Community Center Theater, 1301 L St., Sacramento. www.sacra mentoconventioncen ter.com; 8 p.m. Aug. 22. $65-$175. Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, 99 Grove St., S.F. http://apeconcerts.com