Noise Pop Festival 2019 Preview: 10 Underground Acts to Explore

City-wide, week-long music and arts festival, Noise Pop, is coming up fast and will host more than 130 acts from around the world.

The full schedule for the 27th annual festival is packed with shows every night at venues throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, February 26th to March 3rd.

To preview the upcoming festivities, we asked two of the head talent buyers for Noise Pop Festival 2019, Niki Bodemann and James Lopez, to recommend their top underground acts to explore at this year’s festival. The list below includes an eclectic blend of local artists and indie talent performing music from a variety of genres.

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Saturday, February 26th
 

Chynna: Philadelphia-based rapper has a deadpan delivery and clever lyrics, making her an exciting act to take in. She opens for Kodie Shane at Cafe du Nord.

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Wednesday, February 27th
 

Haley Heynderickx: This Portland indie-folk artist released her 2018 debut album, I Need To Start A Garden, as a slow-burning, introspective piece that reflects on the need for both vulnerability and empowerment. After selling out Cafe du Nord last autumn, Haley Heynderickx and her band return to the Bay to play at Swedish American Hall.

Illuminati Hotties: Self-coined “tenderpunk” group Illuminati Hotties burst through the indie rock scene in 2018 with their debut album Kiss Yr Frenemies, earning them touring support slots with Los Campesinos! and Lucy Dacus. Catch them co-headline Oakland’s Starline Social Club with Tiny Engines label-mates Club Night.

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Thursday, February 28th
 

Sour Widows: Albany’s Sour Widows joins H.C. McEntire and San Francisco indie band Foxtails Brigade for a special blend of folk and pop. Their debut EP, big girls bedroom, is an underrated collection of lo-fi, fuzzy songs. The group will gather for a performance at Cafe du Nord.

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Friday, March 1st
 

awakebutstillinbed: San Jose emo band released their debut album last year and they rip live. They play at Thee Parkside with Sundressed, Sunsleeper, and Alien Boy.

Boy Scouts: Project of Bay Area singer-songwriter Taylor Vick, who makes dreamy folk music reminiscent of Elliott Smith and Big Thief. Catch their full band set (and hopefully hear some new songs) when they open for Vagabon at Swedish American Hall.

Qrion: Since moving to San Francisco from Japan, Qrion is the latest Bay Area artist making waves throughout the electronic scene. Her uptempo, sample-driven GAF EP has club kids around the world two-stepping their soles away. Qrion returns to Noise Pop Festival to play at Gray Area with UK “sadtronica” producer Tourist and fellow Bay Area electronic act Gilligan Moss.

Kamaal Williams: London act brings a memorable night of jazz with his latest ensemble with funk-laden house producer Henry Wu. Enjoy live cuts and improvisations from their debut album, The Return, when Kamaal Williams makes their way to Starline Social Club.

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Saturday, March 2nd
 

Yves Tumor: Yves Tumor took the world by storm in 2018 with his Warp Records debut, Safe in the Hands of Love. Join them for a sensory overload at The Chapel and witness the enigmatic producer’s frenetic, live A/V show.

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SF Station Sponsored Show
Princess Nokia

 

While not necessarily underground, be sure to check out New York rapper Princess Nokia performing at The UC Theatre on March 2nd.

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Sunday, March 3rd
 

Valley Maker: The project of Seattle-based Austin Crane, Valley Maker released their second album Rhodedendron last October. The new material by Crane, who currently in a Human Geography PHD program, ruminates on love, faith, nature, and his relationship to geography. Valley Maker plays as main support for Laura Veirs at Swedish American Hall.

Written by Carlos Olin Montalvo

Follow me @carlosolin