The Bay Area is a place of many things, including food, nature and wine. But, it has also been the breeding ground for great music over many, many years. Not only has the Bay been the birthplace of many legendary bands and artists, The Grateful Dead, Train, Carlos Santana, just to name a few. It has also been the center for amazing live performances. Although the "home" of the music industry is Los Angeles, the Bay Area is my home and, therefore, will always be a special place in my heart as the land that cultivated my love and appreciation for music.
1. The Greek Theater -- Berkeley, CA
This place will forever be near and dear to my heart. My junior year of high school, I saw my favorite band (at the time) perform here and it was, to say the least, one of my favorite memories of all time. The outdoor venue is especially perfect for the spring and summertime, with the sun setting behind the stage right before most shows begin and the amphitheater architecture protecting audience members from the wind. The General Admission seating allows for attendees to choose whether they would like to be in "the pit" or seated on the timeworn stone steps. This venue has the amazing concert aura that you're always searching for, and the only downside is the parking. Edward Sharpe and the Magentic Zeros, Twenty One Pilots, Modest Mouse, Alabama Shakes and many others will be visiting this summer. Check out http://www.thegreektheatreberkeley.com/ for the skoop.
2. The Fox Theater -- Oakland, CA
The Fox Theater is historic, first opening its doors in 1928. Since the beginning of its existence, it has been a stage for a variety of musicians. Besides the amazing detail in the inside decor, the Fox is a big venue that feels so small in the right ways. You can choose to get up close and personal with the band in the General Admission 1st floor, or have your space and a seat on the balcony, this venue has the perfect level of intimacy. The theater also houses a bar that can be visited throughout the show, and is located right across the street from the 19th Street Oakland Bart Station. Check out The Growlers or Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals here this summer. (http://www.thefoxoakland.com/index.php)
3. The Shoreline Ampitheatre -- Mountain View, CA
If you went to high school anywhere in the Bay, you know Shoreline. This is another amazing outdoor venue, thanks to the amazing weather of the Bay. The layout was inspired by the Grateful Dead's 'Steal your Face' logo, digging deep into the roots of Bay Area music history. This venue actually serves two purposes. One, if you really enjoy the artist performing, you can purchase a ticket for an actual seat with a great view and amazing acoustics. But, if you're just looking to have a good, cheap time, you can also buy the inexpensive lawn seats where you can surely hear the music, but only see the screens on which the show is being projected. All-in-all, a great location, besides the parking situation, which is pretty much an issue anywhere in the Bay. This summer, head to Silicon Valley to see The Cure, G-Eazy, Rascal Flats, Panic! At The Disco, Dead & Company or hit up Live 105's BFD. More ticket and event info available at http://www.mountainviewamphitheater.com/.
4. Levi's Stadium -- Santa Clara, CA
This place is brand spanking new, and beautiful. I was shocked at how clean this place was, something you don't expect, especially from a football stadium. While this venue is obviously on the bigger side, the cleanliness and organization makes this location a must-see. The hype that has been built up over the years of the stadium actually being built is completely valid. This venue is different from many others because it is high-tech and high-capacity, but it is still a great place to see a great artist. Tickets can be pretty expensive, even for nose-bleeds, but totally worth it if the artist is one of your favorites. Not only is the stadium home to the 49ers, but it will also host Coldplay and Beyonce during the coming months. (http://www.levisstadium.com/)
5. Golden Gate Park -- San Francisco, CA
Clearly not your typical concert hall because this place is literally a park, but Golden Gate Park has become the home of one of Bay residents' favorite events, Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival. This festival is something that I personally think you have to go to at some point in your lifetime, or many at many points in your lifetime. The perfect early August San Francisco weather combined with the food, beer, wine, art and music lover camaraderie makes for the three best days of the year. That's really all I can say, go to this heaven-on-Earth. This year the festival features artists like Radiohead, Lana Del Rey, Chance the Rapper, and many others. Check out more info at http://www.sfoutsidelands.com/.
