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The Matches, Felice Brothers Treat Night Owls in SF

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Searching for an exciting end to the opening day of Outside Lands, concertgoers wiped bay-fog off their shoulders as they cozied in between the blood-red curtained walls of San Francisco’s Independent Friday night for SPIN and Dell’s afterparty, featuring sets from the Matches and the Felice Brothers.

“Ya’ll feelin’ independent tonight?” asked Felice Brothers drummer, Simone Felice, moments before the group broke into a raucous set of rowdy Americana, showcasing their self-titled full-length with songs like “Whiskey In My Whiskey” and “Ruby Mae.” Guitar strings snapped as the gents stomped out their signature brand of country rock, roaring out rough harmonies as the crowd shouted in unison.

Then the room underwent a swift sonic change as the Matches took the stage, delivering clean, crisp slashes of strummed resonance (and a new bassist, Dylan Rowe). Sporting matching red pants, the band swiveled and shook as they pumped punky pop rock into a sea of in-tempo head nods. The Bay Area natives fed listeners from their newest album, A Band in Hope, with the anthem-esque “Wake the Sun,” as well as a helping of old offerings off Decomposer, including “Little Maggots” and “Salty Eyes.” And when all was said and done, and the assembled audiophiles stumbled into the salty morning air, it was obvious this afterparty — thanks to a top-notch bill and equally excellent performances — rivaled the landmark happenings across town at Golden Gate Park.

Check out pictures from last night on page 2.

Enter here to win tickets to see The Matches at the Oakland Art and Soul Festival.


The Matches / Photo by Muhammad Asranur


The Matches / Photo by Muhammad Asranur


The Matches / Photo by Muhammad Asranur


The Matches / Photo by Muhammad Asranur


The Matches / Photo by Muhammad Asranur


The Matches / Photo by Muhammad Asranur


The Matches / Photo by Muhammad Asranur


The Felice Brothers / Photo by Muhammad Asranur


The Felice Brothers / Photo by Muhammad Asranur


The Felice Brothers / Photo by Muhammad Asranur


The Felice Brothers / Photo by Muhammad Asranur