THURSDAY, OCT. 30
PUNK
NEVER EASY
Montreal-based band Never Easy blend grunge grit, post-hardcore power and the melodic punch of modern nu-metal. They channel longing and breakdown that draws on two decades of heavy alt-rock, from the loud ache of “i’ll never tell” to the nostalgic, spiked-hair vibe of “stay.” They’re joining Texas provocateur Max Díaz—who describes himself as “a cowboy who transcends the boundaries between realism and nihilism”—on a co-headlining run, fusing northern frost with desert fire. – SONYA BENNETT-BRANDT
INFO: Thu, 8:30pm, 924 Gilman St., Berkeley. $20-$25. 510.524.8180.
THURSDAY, OCT. 30
SAMBA
ROGÊ
A mainstay on Rio de Janeiro’s samba scene since the late aughts, Rogê—a.k.a. Roger José Cury—has been widely hailed as the most exciting samba-soul performer of his generation. He’s been slowly introducing himself to North American audiences, a campaign that started in early 2020 on a U.S. tour with fellow samba-soul star Seu Jorge, of The Life Aquatic fame. The Latin Grammy nominee has forged a propulsive sound drawing on the musical riches of classic 1970s Música Popular Brasileira. Now based in L.A., he released his U.S. debut, Curyman, in 2023 and followed up last year with the second album in a planned trilogy, Curyman II. – ANDREW GILBERT
INFO: Thu, 8pm, The Freight, 2020 Addison St., Berkeley. $34-$39. 510.644.2020.
FRIDAY, OCT. 31
INDIE
JONAH MARAIS
Jonah Marais got his start livestreaming from his bedroom before founding hit band Why Don’t We. Now he’s carving his own lane as a solo artist, experimenting with a sound that drifts between folk-pop and confessional indie. On this Hearts Back Home tour, his new songs trade boy-band gloss for quieter mullings on loss and insecurity. It’s honest, a little bruised and unguardedly hopeful—raw lyrics paired with warm, understated production. Marais is chasing authenticity, not spectacle. – SBB
INFO: Fri, 6pm, Cornerstone, 2367 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. $29. 510.214.8600.
FRIDAY, OCT. 31
THEATER
‘THE HILLS OF CALIFORNIA’
Tony Award-winning Jez Butterworth’s play is a riveting tale of the four adult Webb sisters and Veronica, their fiercely ambitious mother. Intent, when they were young girls, on making them a second-to-none singing troupe surpassing even the Andrews Sisters, the Webb sisters return as adults to their English childhood home. Reckoning with the past, gathered to say last goodbyes to their dying mother, wrestling through estrangements and resentments, the story set in 1976 includes flashbacks to 1955. All families have sagas and secrets, and the Webb family is no exception. Performances go until Dec. 7. – LOU FANCHER
INFO: Fri, 8pm, Berkeley Rep, Roda Theatre, 2025 Addison St., Berkeley. $24-$81. 510.647.2949.
SATURDAY, NOV. 1
CUMBIA
PSYCHED! FEST 2025
Ring in Dia De Los Muertos the right way with a South American psych fest that brings in psychedelic cumbia! Featuring Oakland’s Ritmos Tropicosmos; Amantes del Futuro, straight from Mexico City; and headliner Bardo (ex-Chicano Batman). Psyched! is more than just a show. This is a celebration of Latin culture with DJ sets, Aztec dancers and live visuals by Psyched! Visual Collective and, of course, plenty of psychedelic cumbia. And what better place to have it than at Oakland’s Crybaby? Make sure to wear some comfortable shoes ’cause this night guarantees nonstop dancing. – MAT WEIR
INFO: Sat, 5pm, Crybaby, 1928 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. $30.
SATURDAY, NOV. 1
JAZZ
PEDRO JOSÉ PASTRANA & THE CARIBBEAN JAZZ TRIO
Arriving in the Bay Area from Puerto Rico, Pedro José Pastrana quickly found significant creative allies, including John Santos, Barrio Manouche and Atabal. A master of the cuatro, the diminutive 10-string instrument that’s an essential component of the island’s folkloric jibaro music, Pastrana is dedicated to expanding Puerto Rican traditional rhythms, melodies and cultural narratives with his love of jazz. He’s joined by drummer Colin Douglas, who’s worked with top bandleaders Jesus Diaz, Ray Obiedo, Wayne Wallace and veteran Guatemalan American bassist Ayla Davila, a founding member of the Mexican roots ensemble Los Cenzontles. – AG
INFO: Sat, 8pm, Back Room, 1984 Bonita Ave., Berkeley. $20. 510.654.3808.
SATURDAY, NOV. 1
FUNK
GHOST-NOTE
Mustard n’Onions, Ghost-Note’s blistering 2024 album released on Mack Avenue Records, turned heads and twisted ears with astonishing solos under the leadership of drummer Robert “Sput” Searight. In the band’s suitcase of notables are recordings made with Prince, Kendrick Lamar, Herbie Hancock, Snarky Puppy and Kirk Franklin. Among other attributes of the album, one-time Prince bassist MonoNeon is a longstanding member, and percussionist Nate Werth arrived from Grammy-winning Snarky Puppy. Standout tracks conjure up the ghosts of James Brown, Prince, Mayfield and Miller. Slide over to Yoshi’s and get some Saturday night sound to satisfy every funk-with-energy craving. – LF
INFO: Sat, 7:30pm, Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. $42-84. 510.238.9200.
SUNDAY, NOV. 2
ROOTS MUSIC
BLACK WOMEN’S ROOTS FESTIVAL
No one—seriously, no one—feels and sings roots, blues, jazz and gospel like the lineup featured on the fifth annual Black Women’s Roots Festival. The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol will be joined by Lady Tremaine Hawkins, Linda Tillery and Tammy Hall, Bishop Yvette Flunder, Miko Marks and Big Gems Daughter. And also, as a special treat, by Miss Faye’s Babies—young, talented singers being nurtured by Carol at her School of The Getdown, where they study “the art and history of Black music and performance, and represent our future with strength and purpose.” The Freight will be jumpin’ and sayin’ amen. – JANIS HASHE
INFO: Sun, 4pm, The Freight, 2020 Addison St., Berkeley. $49-$54. 510.544.2020.
TUESDAY, NOV. 4
ROCK
AFI
This week, AFI returns to where it all started: The Bay Area. Thirty-four years after Davey Havok and Adam Carson started the band, AFI continues to grow and evolve. Starting as a hardcore act, they gained mainstream attention with their seventh album, 2006’s Decemberunderground. Since then, they have continued to push boundaries, diving into dance, post-punk and darkwave, like with their new album, Silver Bleeds the Black Sun ... Released only a month ago, it has earned rave reviews from fans and critics, and continues to explore the band’s gothic influences. – MW
INFO: Tue, 8pm, Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Ave. $56-$224. 510.302.2250.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 5
INDIE
FAYE WEBSTER
Ever since she released her first album at age 16, Faye Webster has steered her own course through indie-folk, alt-country, R&B and a few nods to her Atlanta hip-hop start. Her 2024 album, Underdressed at the Symphony, continued the synthesis with cuts like “Make ’em Laugh,” a duet with pop-artist Benét that features swelling orchestra strings and a flute fluttering through the song like a butterfly. Webster’s two-night gig at the Paramount is titled “An Evening with Faye Webster and the Magik*Magik Orchestra” which, for this outing, numbers 40 pieces. Magik indeed. There are shows on Wednesday and Thursday. – JH
INFO: Wed, 8pm, Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. $93-$353. 510.893.2300.
