Christmas is right around the corner! To celebrate, we’ve compiled a “Nice List” of our Top 5 Christmas movies to watch with your family during the holidays!

5) The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Not feeling especially cheery this holiday season? Well, Tim Burton’s gothic, stunning, stop motion musical, The Nightmare Before Christmas is the perfect “anti-Christmas” Christmas film! The film follows Jack Skellington, “The Pumpkin King of Halloweentown,” as he stumbles from his world of ghouls and ghosts into the bright, lovely world of “Christmastown.” So moved by what he sees there, Jack recruits his fellow monsters and mayhem makers to recreate the wonderment of Christmas in their own horror-filled world (to hilarious results!)

4) Home Alone (1990)

When 8 year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is accidentally left behind while his family goes on a Christmas vacation to Paris, Kevin must protect his house from a pair of boneheaded burglars (“The Wet Bandits”) who plan to rob it on Christmas Eve. Directed by Chris Columbus and written by John Hughes, Home Alone is classic, feel-good family film for the holidays.

3) Elf (2003)

The most contemporary movie on this list, Elf became an instant holiday classic when it came out in 2003. Starring Will Ferrell as “Buddy the Elf,” a human who, as a baby, was accidentally abducted by Santa Claus after crawling into Santa’s giant bag of toys. Once in the North Pole, Santa and his elves decide to raise Buddy as an elf. Thirty years later, Buddy discovers that he is actually a human, and ventures down to New York City to meet his real father, who is on Santa’s “Naughty List.”

2) A Christmas Story (1983)

This 1980’s Christmas classic, set in the 1940’s, follows 9 year-old Ralphie Parker and his quest to get a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun for Christmas, despite the fact that he’ll most likely shoot his eye out. A Christmas Story is filled with memorable moments: from the pink bunny onesie, a tongue stuck on a frozen flagpole, and the infamous leg-lamp, this Christmas film is truly one for the ages.

1) It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

After his business and financial situation deteriorate, George Bailey contemplates suicide. However, an angel named Clarence is sent down from Heaven to show George what life would have been like if he was never born. A true classic, It’s a Wonderful Life is an uplifting holiday tale about community, love, and sacrifice.

That’s our list of the Top 5 Christmas Movies to watch with your family this holiday season! If you have any other holiday favorites, add yours in the comments section, below!

Thanksgiving is finally here! After the parade, the feast, the big game, and perhaps a match of touch football in the yard is over, what’s there left to do? Why, watch a Thanksgiving-themed movie of course! Thanksgiving is the only holiday where it’s acceptable to wear sweatpants at the table, stuff your face with a colossal amount of food, and gather ‘round the TV – so take advantage of it! Here is our list of the top 5 films to watch on Thanksgiving with your whole family!

5) Free Birds (2013)

It may feel a bit strange watching this film about lovable turkeys after devouring the feathered creature that same day, but Free Birds is a fun, animated film everyone in your family will love. Owen Wilson voices Reggie, a Turkey who finds himself the lucky spared fowl at the annual Presidential Pardon of the Turkey. He then meets Jake (Woody Harrelson), who takes him on an adventure back in time to exclude turkeys from the first Thanksgiving, thus saving their kind from mass slaughter each year.

4) Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Although technically a Christmas film, Miracle on 34th Street begins at The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, where Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) notices that the man hired to play Santa Claus in the parade is intoxicated. After that, Kringle finds himself playing Old Saint Nick at Macy’s flagship New York store – but soon, he starts claiming he truly is Santa Claus, and his sanity comes into question. Miracle on 34th Street is a classic family film to kick off the holiday season!

3) Addams Family Values (1993)

The story of the first Thanksgiving has been fictionalized throughout the centuries to be a fairytale gathering of Pilgrim settlers and Native Americans breaking bread together for one glorious, peaceful evening. The real story about what happened before, during, and after that first “Thanksgiving” is nothing like the myth we tell ourselves as a nation, and Wednesday Addams in Addams Family Values is here to remind us that in true Addams Family fashion.

2) A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)

This short, animated classic is sure to put a smile on everyone’s face this Turkey Day! Join Charlie Brown, Peppermint Patty, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang as they celebrate Thanksgiving with ice cream sundaes, buttered toast, and jelly beans. Good grief!

1) Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)

Nothing is worse than traveling during the holidays. In this film, Neal Page (Steve Martin) struggles to get home to Chicago to spend Thanksgiving with his family. Along his 3-day journey, he (reluctantly) teams up with Del Griffith (the late John Candy), an annoying, messy, shower curtain ring salesman. Martin and Candy are a legendary comedic-duo in this hilarious Thanksgiving classic, arguably the best Thanksgiving film to date!

We hope you enjoyed our top 5 films to watch on Thanksgiving. From Blackfire Research, have a wonderful, restful Thanksgiving and start to the holiday season!

It’s Halloween! Are you planning on dressing up to go trick or treating? How about visiting that creepy, abandoned Victorian at the end of your block, or contacting departed spirits via Ouija Board? Perhaps that’s a bit too spooky…If you’re looking for a fright this Halloween, look no further than your own living room! Here is our list of the top 5 horror movies to watch in surround sound this Halloween!

5)  The Grudge

The 2004 American remake of the Japanese film Ju-on: The Grudge was a box office smash. The Grudge is a curse that is born when someone dies in the grip of extreme rage (or sorrow), materializing, and killing those in it’s path. Therefore, the Grudge is constantly being reborn, passing from victim to victim in an endless train of terror. The Grudge makes a clicking/gurgling sound when on the prowl, and your surround sound system will pick up every chilling note. Not to mention, the piercing, high-pitched noises that pervade the soundtrack, as well as all the banging and crashing that goes hand in hand with fighting off an unstoppable force of evil.

4) The Orphanage

This Spanish horror film is as beautifully shot as it is creepy. Filmed on the rocky coast of northern Spain, The Orphanage chronicles the story of Laura, a former child orphan, her husband, and adopted son. Together, they move into the orphanage where Laura grew up to reopen the facility and cater to disabled children. But her son begins to act strangely, claiming to see a masked child, and soon goes missing. The film features an exceptional soundtrack and lots of mysterious banging noises that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

3)  The Babadook

Jennifer Kent’s 2014 masterpiece about a widowed mother and her young son who are tormented by a monster known simply as “The Babadook,” was a commercial and critical success due to the actors’ performances, Kent’s screenplay and direction, and the overall thrilling, yet heartfelt story, loaded with symbolism. The film features “a DTS-HD MA 5.1 track that is layered with creepy sounds, atmospherics, and great surround activity…The overall presentation does so many things right, setting the stage for a story that is sure to send chills down your spine.” (Home Theater Shack)

2) Alien

Sure, “in space no one can hear you scream,” but your surround sound system will pick up every eerie note in this 1979 Sci-Fi/Horror classic. With a musical score composed by Jerry Goldsmith (Planet of the Apes) and performed by the National Philharmonic Orchestra, Goldsmith envisioned a score filled with romanticism and lyrical mystery that would build throughout the film, culminating in suspense and fear. Nominated for numerous awards including a Golden Globe for Best Original Score, a Grammy Award for Best Soundtrack Album, and a BAFTA Award for Best Film Music, we’d say that Goldsmith’s score was out of this world.

1) The Cabin in the Woods

The horror-comedy film, The Cabin in the Woods, follows five friends who travel to an isolated cabin deep in (you guessed it) the woods. Their relaxing vacation soon turns nightmarish when they fall victim to zombies and two technicians who manipulate the ongoing events from an underground facility. From the audio side: “Footsteps thump solidly from every direction, a whirling chain scythes through the air splitting from front to rears with exceptional clarity, and the drip drip of falling water in the forest is heard with pinpoint accuracy…There is no generic 70’s sounding mono music to warn us that a bad guy is creeping up behind the unsuspecting teens, but rather the score floods its way into the audience, creating a mood of suspense and horror without coming right out and giving everything away, as can be so common.” (Home Theater Review)

You’re favorite horror film didn’t make the cut? Share yours in the comments section below!

Fall is coming upon us fast! And once that chilly weather hits, who wants to go outside, anyway? Instead, why not stay cozy and warm at home watching the latest Netflix Originals? From Colombia to “Hollywoo,” here’s what’s coming in September to our favorite streaming service!

Narcos (Season 3)

With the demise of Pablo Escobar last season, Narcos is shifting its focus to the Cali Cartel, Escobar’s former rivals and the most powerful Cartel in Columbia. Pedro Pascal (Game of Thrones) will be returning as DEA agent Javier Pena. Start streaming it on September 1st!

Bojack Horseman (Season 4)

The critically-acclaimed animated series, Bojack Horseman, returns on September 8th with Will Arnett (Arrested Development), Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), and Amy Sedaris (Strangers With Candy) returning to voice the lead roles. The series follows the life of a beloved 90’s sitcom star, Bojack Horseman (Arnett), 20 years after his sitcoms ends – struggling to to make a name for himself (again) in “Hollywoo.”

Strong Island (Documentary)

From Netflix: “Strong Island chronicles the arc of a family across history, geography and tragedy – from the racial segregation of the Jim Crow South to the promise of New York City; from the presumed safety of middle class suburbs, to the maelstrom of an unexpected, violent death. It is the story of the Ford family: Barbara Dunmore, William Ford and their three children and how their lives were shaped by the enduring shadow of race in America.

In April 1992, on Long Island NY, William Jr., the Ford’s eldest child, a black 24 year-old teacher, was killed by Mark Reilly, a white 19 year-old mechanic. Although Ford was unarmed, he became the prime suspect in his own murder. A deeply intimate and meditative film, Strong Island asks what one can do when the grief of loss is entwined with historical injustice, and how one grapples with the complicity of silence, which can bind a family in an imitation of life, and a nation with a false sense of justice.” Strong Island debuts on September 15th.

Fuller House (Season 3 – Part 1)

Fuller House, the reboot/sequel of the popular show, Full House, is returning for Part 1 of it’s third season on September 22. Fuller House is the story of D.J. Tanner-Fuller (Candace Cameron-Bure), a recently widowed mom of three. After realizing she is unable to handle the demands of a full time job as a vet and raising three kids herself, her sister Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin) and childhood best friend Kimmy (Andrea Barber), who is also a mother, offer to move in and help her bring up her children.

What Netflix Originals are you excited for in September? Tell us in the comments section, below!

On this day in 2004, The iTunes Music Store announced that it had become the first online music service to have a catalog of more than 1 million songs. Launched in late April of 2003, The iTune Music Store quickly became the largest music vendor in the world and revolutionized how people purchase and experience their music. In its first 18 hours, the store sold about 275,000 tracks, and more than 1 million tracks were sold in its first 5 days. On December 15, 2003, Apple announced that it had sold 25 million songs. Before it’s debut, most online music was downloaded illegally off of sites like Napster or Limewire. Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, sought to create a service that allowed people to access music legally, so in 2002, he made an agreement with the five major record labels to offer their content through iTunes. Originally, all songs on the service were sold at the same price, but Apple introduced tiered pricing in 2007. At the Macworld 2008 Keynote, Steve Jobs announced iTunes movie rentals. Today, the iTunes Store has expanded from just music downloading to a music and app store, as well as a place to rent or purchase movies and TV shows.

Since the summer of 2008, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park has played host to the Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival. Like other well-known outdoor festivals (like Coachella and Lollapalooza) Outside Lands takes place over the course of three days and boasts an abundance of high profile performers on multiple stages. Unlike other festivals, Outside Lands bills itself as a “celebration of Music, Food, Wine, Beer, Art, and Comedy,” meaning, there’s something there for everyone (even if that something is getting drunk off Napa Valley Merlots at the Wine Lands pavilion).

The festival will be taking place this weekend: Friday August 11th, Saturday August 12th, and Sunday August 13th. This year also marks the 10th anniversary for Outside Lands, and with an all-star lineup, it’s sure to be one big celebration.

The festival begins on Friday August 11th, with everyone’s favorite virtual group, Gorillaz, headlining. Their latest album, “HUMANZ” was released this past spring. Known for their creativity and unique performances, Gorillaz is the perfect group to kick off this year’s festivities. Also performing on Friday: legendary hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest; summer music festival indie favorites Alt-J and Fleet Foxes; as well as celebrated pop group Belle and Sebastian.

The Saturday lineup brings rock and heavy metal to the festival, with rock and roll hall of famers, Metallica, headlining in the evening. Queens of the Stone Age, and Alt/electronic pioneers, Empire of the Sun, are also taking the stage earlier that day. But Solange – whose late 2016 album, “A Seat at the Table,” debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart and earned her extensive critical acclaim – is the artist I’m most looking forward to seeing on Saturday.

On Sunday, the final day of the festival (which is typically the most laid back of the three), Jack Antonoff’s indie-pop side project, Bleachers, will perform. In addition to releasing a new Bleachers album, “Gone Now,” in June, Antonoff has been hard at work producing and writing for other artists over the past few years, most notably – Sara Bareilles, Taylor Swift, and Lorde. Speaking of Lorde – the twenty year-old music sensation who just released her sophomore album, “Melodrama” – will be sub-headlining that day. Lorde is known for her dramatic, captivating live performances, and to say I’m excited to see her is quite an understatement. The final act of Outside Lands 2017 will be classic English rock band, The Who, taking fans on a journey through their iconic body of work, from “My Generation” to “Tommy” and “Who’s Next.”

For more information on the festival and to purchase single day tickets or 3-day general admission, visit the Outside Lands Website.

A new month brings new original shows and movies to Netflix! What are we excited about watching in August? Here’s a list of some of the top, new Netflix releases – because what better way to spend the dog days of summer than at home blasting the AC and watching Netflix?

Icarus (Documentary)

On August 4th, Netflix will be releasing the documentary, “Icarus”, an examination of the Russian doping scandal of the past Olympic Games. Premiering at Sundance this past January, Netflix engaged in an all-out bidding war, with many well-known studios vying for the film. Ultimately, Netflix paid $5 million for the production, and will most likely push the documentary come awards season.

Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later (Limited Series)

Also on August 4th, The Camp Firewood Ten Year Reunion begins! The 2001 cult-classic film by David Wain and Michael Showalter, which got a Netflix Original reboot-series in 2015, returns for an eight-part limited sequel taking place ten years after the events of the original film. This time, the group must save Camp Firewood after the owner announces she’s sellit it. Like the first reboot, this one will also star most of the original cast, including Amy Poehler, Chris Meloni, Elizabeth Banks, Jason Schwartzman, Michael Ian Black, Molly Shannon, and Paul Rudd.

Naked (Film)

August 11th is the new Groundhog Day! Netflix is releasing their own version of the classic 1993 film that starred Bill Murray, with a twisted, romantic-comedy premise: “Rob Anderson (Marlon Wayans) is all set to marry the girl of his dreams, but can’t quite get to the altar. Every time he comes close, he finds himself waking up naked in his hotel elevator, forced to relive the beginning of his wedding day over and over again” (Netflix).

Disjointed (Season 1)

On August 25th, Chuck Lorre (“Two and a Half Men”, “The Big Bang Theory”) and David Javerbaum (“The Daily Show”) release their latest project on Netflix: a new stoner sitcom starring Kathy Bates as a medicinal marijuana clinic owner.

What Netflix Originals are you excited for in August? Share yours in the comments section below!

Catch these and all your favorite shows at Netflix.com

On Saturday July 22, the hugely successful and highly acclaimed hip-hop duo, Run the Jewels, are taking the stage at San Francisco’s Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. In the wake of their third album, “Run the Jewels 3,” they’ve been selling out venues and headlining summer music festivals. With their political lyrics, they’re widely viewed as the future of hip-hop. For ticket information, click here.

On Sunday July 30, legendary folk rock singer, Neil Diamond, will be performing at San Jose’s SAP Center as part of his 50th Anniversary World Tour. Presented by Live Nation, the world tour is in celebration of the artist’s astonishing career: from selling over 125 million albums worldwide, to multiple Grammy wins and being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Neil Diamond and his music has helped shape the American landscape over the past half century. For more information, check out this link.

The Band Perry will be coming to the Bay Area and performing at two different outdoor venues this summer. The first, at Mountain Winery in Saratoga on Tuesday August 1st; and the second, at Wente Vineyards in Livermore on August 3rd. Both venues will serve as a perfect background for an evening with the unstoppable pop-country trio. Their popularity and massive industry success leaves other country stars shaking in their cowboy boots.

At the Oracle Arena in Oakland on Friday August 4th, the most talented and sought-after rapper in the business, Kendrick Lamar, will be gracing the stage to what is sure to be a spectacular night of hip-hop. Lamar is coming to the Bay as part of THE DAMN. TOUR, celebrating his latest album, which went straight to No. 1 and was certified platinum. For more ticket information, click here. And check out my review of DAMN. here.

Finally, Hans Zimmer, the Academy Award winning composer behind over 150 film scores including “The Lion King,” “The Dark Knight,” “The Pirates of the Caribbean” series and “Inception” has been on tour this year. To the surprise and delight of many music and movie fans, he was even a headliner this year at the largest summer music festival, Coachella. Now, Zimmer is scheduled to take on the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Wednesday, August 9th. Get your tickets now before they sell out! And don’t forget to bring some popcorn.

What concerts or events are you most excited for in July and August? Comment below!

For Bay Area dwellers, the 4th of July is usually a disappointment: most years it’s too cold for a backyard barbeque, and good luck trying to catch a glimpse of any fireworks through the dense layer of fog that incessantly rolls in every evening during the summer. Most people who live in the Bay Area tend to skedaddle out of town for the holiday, but for those staying in chilly San Francisco today, instead of trying to make out colors through the clouds, here’s a list of movies to watch on the 4th of July while staying cozy and warm inside.

Forrest Gump

One of the most quoted films of all time, “Forrest Gump” is an excellent choice for The 4th of July. The film chronicles the life of a lovable Southerner, Forrest Gump (Played by Tom Hanks), and takes viewers on an American history tour that spans the second half of the Twentieth Century. Through coincidence, talent, and sheer luck, Forrest continually finds himself in the midst of history unfolding: from meeting Elvis before his big break, fighting in the Vietnam War, engaging in 1960’s counterculture and even investing in Apple Computers. The carefully curated soundtrack especially helps the film fully manifest each decade and provides a perfect anthology of American rock. With a runtime of two hours and twenty minutes, “Forrest Gump” is a great film to watch when you’ve got the entire day off to enjoy. And on the 4th of July, it’s a near-perfect, American-themed film.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

You probably watched this uplifting, 1939 film about overcoming political corruption, the goodness of humanity, and the unflappable bedrock of morality that is the American Legislative branch (*sigh*) in your 8th grade Social Studies class. The story follows a Junior Senator, Jeff Smith, who takes on a powerful and corrupt political machine, culminating in an epic, 24-hour long filibuster highlighting American ideals. This film is exactly what your therapist wants you to watch this 4th of July.  

Apollo 13

The 1995, major box office success directed by Ron Howard depicts the true story of the on-board explosion and subsequent emergency landing expedition of the Apollo 13 lunar mission. Starring Tom Hanks as Jim Lovell and Kevin Bacon as Jack Swigert, the film was praised for being scientifically and historically accurate. Besides the all-star cast and stellar attention to detail,  “Apollo 13” is an excellent story about the science, ingenuity, and perseverance that defined the Apollo Program and lifted the American spirit during the Cold War.

1776

This 1972 movie-musical about the events leading up to the signing of The Declaration of Independence features our Founding Fathers (Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, & Company) in neatly choreographed musical routines. Based off of the 1969 Broadway musical of the same name, “1776” borrows portions of its dialogue and song lyrics directly from the letters, diary entries, and memoirs of participants of the Second Continental Congress. Overall, the film doesn’t take itself too seriously, putting a jazzy twist on a long, tiresome debate and the birthday of American Independance.

Independence Day

No 4th of July movie list would be complete without “Independence Day,” the 1996 sci-fi disaster flick about aliens coming to Earth to destroy all of mankind on – you guessed it – the 4th of July. Featuring iconic performances by Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum (and an epically inspirational speech by fictional President Thomas Whitmore), it’s easy to remember that this movie was a really big deal when it first came out – from its high stakes action scenes to its cutting edge special effects (like blowing up the White House), “Independence Day” helped define the modern blockbuster heading into twenty-first century. But most importantly, “Independence Day” brought to light a Utopic vision of all of humanity putting aside their differences once and for all to seriously kick some evil alien butt.

Happy 4th of July! Do you have any favorite 4th of July movies that didn’t make the list? Tell us yours in the comments section below!

Despite Mark Twain’s cheeky remark that “the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco,” the Bay Area does have the occasional temperate day during the so-called “warmer” months. Like most major cities across the US, summertime in San Francisco is a frenzy of music festivals and outdoor concerts, because what better way is there to celebrate summer than spending time outdoors listening to excellent music? Here’s a list of outdoor concerts and festivals we’re excited for throughout June and July in the Bay Area. (Just don’t forget to bring a sweater!)

John Mellencamp is performing a two night engagement on June 13th and 14th at The Mountain Winery in Saratoga, California (just south of Cupertino) as part of his “Sad Clowns and Hillbillies” Tour. Listen to classics like “Jack and Diane,” “Hurts So Good,” and “Pink Houses” while taking in breathtaking views, overlooking the entire Valley. The Mountain Winery hosts it’s Annual Summer Concert Series in an outdoor amphitheater facing it’s historic, ivy-covered Winery Building. For more information, check out The Mountain Winery’s website. For ticket information, click here.

The Monterey International Pop Festival is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary this summer. Founded in 1967, it was the first major rock festival, predating Woodstock, and was an influential force behind (and kickstarted) the famous Summer of Love in 1967. The original festival hosted the likes of The Jimi Hendrix Experience (their first major US performance), Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, The Who, and The Grateful Dead. Now, 50 years later, the festival, scheduled for June 16th-18th, boasts big names like Leon Bridges, Father John Misty, Regina Spektor, Jack Johnson, Norah Jones, Dr. Dog, and The Head and the Heart. The festival is taking place at the same location as it did 50 years ago, at The Monterey County Fairgrounds. For more information, check out their website here.

ID1OT Music Festival and Comic Conival, created and hosted by stand-up comedian, Chris Hardwick (“@midnight with Chris Hardwick”), will be taking place at The Shoreline Ampitheatre in Mountain View on June 24th and 25th. This two-day event features musical acts on The Mainstage, such as Weezer, Girl Talk, TV on the Radio, OK GO, and Animal Collective; a Comedy Tent with comedians Demetri Martin, Michael Che, and Garfunkel & Oates performing; a Comic Book Artist’s Alley; and a Comic Conival with games, interactive displays, photo ops, and more. For more information about this unique festival, check out their website.

Australian rock legend, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, will be performing at The Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Saturday, June 24th. The architecture of this gorgeous outdoor amphitheater is based off of the ancient Greek theater, Epidaurus. Over the years, The Greek Theater in Berkeley has become one of the most well known, and well liked, outdoor concert venues in the Bay Area. Located at the base of the Berkeley Foothills, The Greek Theatre overlooks the city, as well as the picturesque UC Berkeley campus. The Greek Theatre is owned and operated by the University. On July 14, multi-talented musician and singer, Beck, will  be performing at The Greek Theatre alongside fellow Los Angeles native, Thundercat, for what’s sure to be an unforgettable night of funk-rock. For upcoming concert information, click here.

Also on July 14, rocker Alanis Morissette will be performing at The Wente Vineyards, just south of Livermore, in the midst of the beautiful, rolling hills of the East Bay. Wente Vineyards provides a unique amphitheater experience, where guests can reserve a table for the concert and enjoy a sunset dinner provided by the Vineyard’s restaurant. So go ahead, swallow that “Jagged Little Pill” while feasting on a gourmet meal with world class wines. For more information, click here.

What outdoor concerts or festivals are you most excited for this summer?

For Radiohead’s second night in the picturesque Greek Theatre, we were blessed with a beautiful and balmy evening in Berkeley. The opening act, Dudu Tassa & The Kuwaitis, an Israeli cross-cultural project came on at 6:30pm sharp and played an entertaining set. As with most things Radiohead, it was a tasteful, off-the-wall choice for a supporting act.

But by 7:30pm, the anticipation for Thom Yorke and the rest of the band was tremendous. Joining Yorke was the usual touring lineup of Ed O’Brien, Jonny and Colin Greenwood, Phil Selway, and guest drummer Clive Deamer. They opened with three songs from their latest album, “A Moon Shaped Pool:” “Daydreaming,” “Desert Island Disk”, and “Ful Stop.”  Radiohead’s live sets are  always a fluid, unpredictable trip through their full discography. Of the 25 song set, only 6 came from their latest album. High points in the set were a powerful rendition of “Airbag” from “OK Computer,” which is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its release this year, and “There There,” from “Hail to the Thief.”

A six piece band with bass, two drummers, and three guitarists conjures images of prog rock at its worst, but the way Radiohead deploys its musicians is what makes them unique, and for a band with three guitarists, their sound is very un-guitar like. Jonny Greenwood tortures and twists his guitar into the sounds that you hear on their post-“Kid A” albums, and Ed O’Brien is continuously adjusting the speed/duration of his sampled and looped guitar chords to create noises like those in the outro of “Climbing Up The Walls.” Together with the two drummers (Portishead drummer Clive Deamer doubling up with Phil Selway), the overall performance is amazingly “analog,” Yes, there is clearly midi sync between the drum beats and the delay loops, but no sequencing or pre-recorded noises that I could detect. It was real-time performance art and not the “off-line programming” that many EDM acts specialize in.

But the most memorable moment of the night might well be Yorke’s “save” of the delicate song “Give up the Ghost”. While laying down the backing loops, Yorke looked across to Jonny Greenwood and punctuated the vocal track with the expletive “Aaaw Sheeeit” –  which then looped around every 8 bars for the rest of the performance. Apart from a fit of giggles, he played through to the end of the song to the delighted whoops and cheers of the audience. What a pro. Watch the video here:

Overall, it was an evening full of outstanding creativity, musicianship and showmanship, covering the spectrum from grungy indie guitar rock through EDM, and even Krautrock. If you ever have the chance to see Radiohead perform live, I highly recommend it, no matter your taste in musical genres.

Recording duo Sam France and Jonathan Rado, who make up the indie rock group, Foxygen, are midway through a US club tour as a 9 piece band (including an awesome brass trio).  I caught their gig in San Francisco on Friday, April 7, on the small stage of The Independent. Unapologetically cliché-ridden, Foxygen played a captivating, high-energy set that was equal parts psychedelic 70’s performance-art and rock concert. France and Rado proudly wear their influences on their sleeves, with overt musical riffs  on their extensive 70’s record collection: Elton John , David Bowie, Captain and Tennille, Donovan, Abba, Exile-era Stones and even James Brown’s stage dynamics made an appearance  during the course of the night. Bandmaster Rado’s piano and guitar playing were outstanding, and the brass section were Motown-esque in their professionalism, but it was France’s stage presence that held the audience’s attention. And for a feel-good Friday night out, you really can’t beat that.

Enjoying nice weather is so overrated. Who needs a picnic in the park, fresh air, or sunshine when you’ve got hours upon hours of binge-worthy shows to watch? With the return of several Netflix Original fan favorites and a slew of brand new, promising shows and movies, in the month of May, Netflix is certainly testing the limits on how long it’s viewers can go without putting pants on and leaving the house (or at least, putting us all at risk for a severe Vitamin D deficiency). Here are the reasons why we’re canceling all of our plans next month:

On May 5, make sure to check out the Netflix original film, “Handsome: A Netflix Mystery Movie” starring Jeff Garlin (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) as Los Angeles homicide detective, Gene Handsome. This offbeat comedy follows Detective Handsome as he attempts to solve a murder and make sense of his own life’s problems. The film also stars Natasha Lyonne, Amy Sedaris, and Steven Weber.

Also on May 5, Netflix will begin streaming the documentary, “The Mars Generation,” which takes an in-depth look at the future of space exploration, in both the public and private sectors, and the teens who are training at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center to be the first to, one day, set foot on Mars. Sounds stellar.

The 1908 novel, “Anne of Green Gables” comes to life in the new series, “Anne,” out May 12. This classic coming-of-age story follows a young, orphaned girl who accidentally gets sent to live with an elderly brother and sister on Prince Edward Island. An outsider and free spirit with a stunning imagination, Anne learns to fight for who she is and what she believes in, transforming the lives of her adopted family, and their community.

On May 19, Kimmy, Titus Andromedon, Lillian, and Jacqueline White are all back “in formation” for season three of the hugely popular, overly optimistic, and immensely hilarious “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” co-created by Tina Fey (“30 Rock”). After being kidnapped and forced to live in an underground cult for 15 years, Kimmy decides to move to New York City and take control of her life once again, which turns out, is easier said than done. Kimmy’s contagious positivity catches on, and those close to her begin to feel the mighty effects of self-worth and a sunny disposition.

And finally, after an excruciating delay, Netflix’s, first Original show, and most critically acclaimed, “House of Cards,” returns on May 30. Season Five will pick up right where the show left off, with the aftermath of Tom Hammerschmidt’s article exposing the Underwood’s in the Washington Herald and the terrorist execution of an American hostage. Throughout season four, Frank and Claire Underwood’s relationship showed signs of severe fracturing. Will they continue to re-strengthen their relationship as running mates, or will this be the year Frank’s delicate house of cards finally comes crumbling down? We’ll have to wait and find out.

Michael Coleman and Emmanuel Moran’s thought provoking documentary, “The Art of Listening,” was made available for free viewing on YouTube in early March. Beautifully shot and painstakingly recorded – as befits the subject matter – the documentary explores the ways in which music is created and enjoyed. Blending art and science, the documentary unveils the nuances and detail that musicians, instrument makers, recording engineers and music lovers put into the creation of music.

Standout interviews from the film include: Jean Larrivee, founder and CEO of his eponymous guitar company, explaining why he spends five months a year travelling the world to select tone woods; virtuoso drummer, Antonio Sanchez, talking about his transition from Rock Drummer to tone-chaser; studio architect, John Storyk, explaining why musicians put so much effort into music that gets played back through cheap, white earbuds; and producer, Gabe Roth, urging viewers to put down their plethora of electronic devices in order to truly experience and enjoy the quality of modern music – “love it more; not just love more of it.”

The documentary ends with a call to action: invest in audio playback devices, such as high quality speakers, headphones, and receivers that can capture the studio quality of your music. The technology exists, but the audio market is overwhelmed by mediocre products. Mixing Engineer, Andrew Scheps, suggests that “for people who want to connect directly with the artist…the more you give them the better chance they have of connecting to the actual performance…and the more compressed the audio gets, the less of that intimacy is left in the audio itself.”

According to Shunsuke Shiomi, headphone engineer at Sony, high resolution files provide music lovers with the best listening experience. “Simply put, the recording contains every detail from the space where it was captured. That’s what high resolution delivers. But it’s also important that the equipment you use to play these files is capable of playing back every detail.”

I enjoyed this documentary immensely, and I highly recommend you take the time to dim the lights and watch. And listen.

Check out the movie here.

For us at Blackfire Research, April is shaping up to be a music lover’s dream. From newly-minted breakout stars to the return of 60’s psychedelic rock, the San Francisco Bay Area is playing host to a number of highly anticipated concerts this month.

On Saturday, April 15, English indie pop group, The xx, comes to the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in downtown San Francisco as part of their North American tour promoting their latest album, “I See You.” Accompanying them is breakout artist, Sampha, who just recently released his debut album, “Process” to rave reviews and stunning critical acclaim. For tickets, click here.

Radiohead returns to The Greek Theatre in Berkeley for a two night, sold out engagement on April 17 & 18. The beautiful outdoor amphitheater, located at the start of the Berkeley Foothills, adjacent to The University of California campus, is the perfect venue to reconnect with everyone’s favorite 90’s rock band.

Also making an appearance in Berkeley this month: The Zombies. Journey back in time as the iconic 60’s psychedelic rock band performs at The UC Theatre on April 25 as part of the First Anniversary Show celebrating the remodeling and reopening of this historic venue. Tickets are on sale now.

Winner of Best Rap Album at the 2017 Grammy Awards, Chicago native, Chance the Rapper, takes his critically acclaimed “Coloring Book,” on the road, performing to an already sold out crowd at the Oracle Arena in Oakland on April 26. In addition to his massively successful solo career, Chance lends his talents on other influential albums, such as Kanye West’s “The Life of Pablo.” Recently, Chance made headlines when he donated $1 Million to the Chicago Public School system, garnering high praise from another well-known CPS alum, Michelle Obama, who took to Twitter to thank Chance for his generosity, branding him as a leading “example of the power of arts education.”

R&B chart topper, The Weeknd, will be making a stop at San Jose’s SAP Center on Friday, April 28 for part of his first World Tour, Starboy: Legend of the Fall. The award winner’s sophomore album, “Starboy,” was released last November and chronicles the aftermath of the artist’s newfound fame. Tickets are on sale now.

British folk singer, Laura Marling, who just released her sixth studio album, “Semper Femina,” to rave reviews, will be gracing The Fillmore stage in San Francisco on April 30. Marling’s placid stage demeanor, coupled with the richly poetic language of her lyrics, accentuates the hypnotic effect she holds over an audience. Experience the magic, you won’t regret it.

On that same night, iconic American folk singer and two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, David Crosby, will be performing at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood. In addition to his classic hits, Crosby will be performing songs from his latest solo album, “Croz,” as well as pieces from an upcoming album titled “Sky Trails.” For more information, click here.  

What concerts or events are you most excited for this April? Let us know in the comments section!

A new month brings a slew of new shows to Netflix. From stand-up comedy, to science, and a revival of a cult classic, April is shaping up to be a disastrous month for productivity. Here’s what the Blackfire Research Team is excited to binge-watch in April.

The sharp wit, self-deprecating, morality skewering comedian, Louis CK, is back on Netflix for a new Stand Up Comedy Special. “Louis CK: 2017,” which begins streaming today (April 4), is on track to be just as clever and entertaining as his earlier work. The “Louie” star has also signed on for a second Stand Up Special to be released sometime later this year.

Robot Roll Call! April 14 marks the triumphant return of cult classic TV show, “Mystery Science Theater 3000.” The relaunch marks the show’s eleventh season, which creator Joel Hodgson funded through a Kickstarter campaign, raising roughly $6 Million to produce 14 new episodes. New host Jonah – who’s been abducted by mad scientists (played by Patton Oswalt and Felicia Day) – joins robots Crow and Tom Servo as they watch and riff on B-list films as their only source of entertainment in Outer Space.

Bill! Bill! Bill! Every 90’s kid’s favorite scientist, Bill Nye, returns to television with an all new Netflix Original Series. “Bill Nye Saves The World,” which premieres on April 21, tackles a different scientific topic in each episode, ranging from Global Warming to GMOs. Accompanying Bill is a pack of celebrity scientists and science lovers, like supermodel Karlie Kloss and Food Network personality, Alton Brown. “Bill Nye Saves The World” looks equally entertaining and educational.
 

These are just some of the shows debuting on Netflix in April.

For a complete list of upcoming Netflix content for 2017, click here.

In the wake of the sudden passing of Prince last year, there has been an overwhelming demand for the legendary music icon’s body of work to be made available on music streaming services. As of February 12, many fans got their wish. Warner Bros, who owns the rights to much of the late musician’s work, including renowned albums 1999, Purple Rain, and Dirty Mind, has reached an agreement with Prince’s estate to allow all his music (released prior to his 1996 split with Warner Bros) to be made available on music streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and Pandora. The February 12 release date coincided with the Grammy Awards, which honored Prince with a tribute performance by The Time and Bruno Mars.

Warner Bros has also announced that, on June 9th, they will release a remastered version of Purple Rain, as well as two previously unreleased Prince albums and two concert films from Prince’s personal vault at his Paisley Park recording complex.

Prince did once have his music available for streaming on some digital platforms, but, with the exception of Jay Z’s Tidal (which gives artists a larger share of profits) took his music down in 2015. An advocate for artist rights, Prince split with his long-time record label, Warner Bros, in 1996 because, as a prolific songwriter, Prince wanted to release new music as soon as it was ready, but Warner Bros refused his request. This dispute and eventual split was what prompted the singer’s infamous name change to the un-pronounceable emblem combining the astrologically inspired Mars-male and Venus-female symbols. In a press release at that time, Prince wrote: “Warner Bros took the name, trademarked it, and used it as the main marketing tool to promote all of the music I wrote…The company owns the name Prince and all related music marketed under Prince. I became merely a pawn used to produce more money for Warner Bros.”

Once the Warner Bros contract expired in the year 2000, Prince went back to using his name, creating his own record label and innovating new ways for fans to access his work, becoming one of the first artists to sell their albums online.

Listen to Prince on Spotify here.

Loving music is a requirement for working at Blackfire Research. As a wireless entertainment technology company, we’re listening to music all day while testing wireless speakers, surround sound systems, music streaming applications, and more. Although we specialize in perfecting wireless home entertainment, there’s plenty of excitement to experience outside the home. One of the best aspects about being located in San Francisco is the immense access to all the live concerts, shows, music festivals, and events that the Bay Area has to offer. And, believe me, there’s a lot. Here’s a list of some upcoming concerts near the City by the Bay we’re excited for this month.

On Friday, February 24, indie rock band and Oakland natives, Rogue Wave, best known for their 2007 song “Lake Michigan,” returns to the Bay Area to host a night full of ‘80’s jams for “Rogue Wave presents Cover Me: A Night of ’80s Classics.” They’ll be teaming with up-and-coming Australian indie band, MIDDLE KIDS, who will be making their San Francisco debut. The event is presented by Bay Area favorites Popscene and Noise Pop at Rickshaw Stop in San Francisco. Click here for ticket information.

Also on February 24, Grammy-winning R&B singer and all around Diva, Chrisette Michele, will grace The Warfield stage in San Francisco as part of The Milestone Tour, in celebration of her fifth studio album, Milestone. For more information, click here.

February 25th marks the Bay Area return of legendary pop rock icon, Bonnie Raitt, whose career spans over four decades, and is most famous for her 1991 hit “Something to Talk About.” Not only is Raitt a nine time Grammy Award winner, she is also an outspoken political activist. She’ll be playing for one night only at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now for what is sure to be an explosive performance.

Heading into March, San Jose welcomes Rock and Roll icon, Bon Jovi, to the SAP Center as part of his “This House Is Not For Sale” U.S. tour. On March 1st, Bon Jovi fans will be treated to the band’s classic rock anthems, as well as new hits off their latest album. This will be the band’s first tour since 2013.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers take on The Oracle Arena in Oakland on March 12 as part of their World Tour in support of their latest album, “The Getaway.” With a thirty year career under their belt, the band has experienced an epic, Rock and Roll story filled with major musical successes, drug abuse, and fame. In 2012, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

California native and Kanye West protege, Big Sean hits the stage at The Nob Hill Masonic Center on March 23. Big Sean (Sean Anderson) was raised in Detroit and discovered by West on the radio, signing him to his label, GOOD MUSIC, in 2007. Big Sean is touring the U.S. as part of the release of his fourth studio album, “I Decided,” which features verses by big name artists like DJ Khaled, Drake, and Chris Brown. Get in on all the action here.

What concerts or events are you most excited for this month? Let us know in the comments below!

Blackfire Research wishes you a very happy Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re in love with your wireless home theater, surround sound system, or the ease of streaming music wirelessly from your smartphone to portable speakers, celebrate today by snuggling up on the couch and enjoying unrivaled audio enabled by Blackfire’s patented technology. (Because flowers and chocolates are so overrated.)

Once again, Netflix is rolling out fresh, original content for the new month. And once again, we at Blackfire Research are excited. Is this list of new shows and movies worthy of your surround sound system? There’s only one way to find out.

Coming up for full streaming on February 3 is the debut season of the Netflix Original Series “Santa Clarita Diet.” Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant star as Sheila and Joel in this dark, offbeat comedy about a pair of LA realtors whose lives take a sudden, unusual turn after their daughter makes a huge life decision.

Watch the Trailer here:

On February 10, “Abstract: The Art of Design,” a Netflix Original Documentary Series, premieres. This series will explore modern art and will give viewers an in-depth look into how artists render computer design, as well as contemporary art inspired by the computer age. Special guests will include some of the world’s most prolific designers and artists. Also on February 10, British actor and comedian, Ricky Gervais, reprises his role as hopelessly awkward David Brent, former branch manager of a midsized paper supplier company, Wernam Hogg. Now, years later, Brent is back in “David Brent: Life on the Road.” This “mockumentary” film follows Brent on tour with his new band, exclusively on Netflix.

Watch the Trailer here:

Another film is premiering this month on Netflix beginning February 24. “I Don’t Feel At Home In This World Anymore” was picked up by the streaming giant from The Sundance Film Festival. Melanie Lynskey and Elijah Wood play Ruth and Tony, neighbors who decide to track down local thieves after Ruth is burglarized. However they soon find out they are dangerously in over their heads against a gang of criminals.

These are some of the Netflix shows and movies debuting in Feburary. For a complete list of upcoming Netflix content for 2017, click here.