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?

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.

On this day in 1994, San Francisco’s historic concert venue, The Fillmore, reopened to the public after years of refurbishments. Originally built in 1912 as a dance hall, The Fillmore was made famous thanks to legendary concert promoter, Bill Graham, who began booking high profile shows there throughout the 1960’s. Pretty soon, the San Francisco venue become a mainstay for the decade’s burgeoning counterculture, playing host to artists such as The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, and Jimi Hendrix. In the early 1980’s under new management, The Fillmore became a punk rock venue called The Elite Club, but several years later, Graham decided to take it back. Unfortunately, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck the Bay Area in 1989, severely damaging the building and forcing it to close. Then, in 1991, Graham was killed in a helicopter crash. In honor of his memory, Graham’s family and friends decided to refurbish and retrofit The Fillmore, restoring it to it’s former glory. The Fillmore reopened to the public on April 27, 1994 with a surprise performance by the Smashing Pumpkins.

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!

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!