Golda + the Guns were one of the darker rock acts to perform at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts' (YBCA) Indie-Pino Underground Music Fest (photo credit: Karen Datangel).
Of all the ways to spend a hot Saturday afternoon in San Francisco, the Indie-Pino Underground Music Festival was the number one outdoor spot to enjoy fresh live tunes from some seriously scorching acts and some tantalizing Filipino dishes and desserts too! The Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) hosted the free event in their Sculpture Court on June 9th to coincide with their New Filipino Cinema program, and many folks came, went, and stayed to take in the music and food along with the nice weather.
The Naked Chorizo and SF Delights food trucks and Dr. Dawn’s Baking Company provided the goodies for sale, but it was first and foremost all about the music. Five Filipino-American acts from around the country showed off their stuff and brought surges of energy in the busy South of Market area-they even inspired a couple of old men in the audience to engage in a dancing duel!
Vallejo-based band The Savages kicked off the show with a soulful set. Highlighted by entrancing vocals and masterful instrumentals, the ensemble’s pleasing sound takes from old-school rock ‘n roll and R&B plus those of contemporary acts like No Doubt. Some power punk music then came in the form of Pedro Gil, a Los Angeles band named after a Filipino activist. Their song titles proved to be interesting too-“Lite Beer,” “Two Second Stranger” amongst them-and their fun and friendly vibe picked everyone in the audience up. Golda and the Guns, based in Oakland, then delivered an explosive set of metal/dark rock fusion with slivers of pop. Ending the festival on dreamy notes were The Jack Lords Orchestra-a “melancholic pop” band-and Good Night Robot, who hypnotized with their electronic indie rock mix.
The outdoor festival was a lively showcase of the diverse and substantial musical talents of Filipino-Americans today. Check out their websites and social media links in this post to find out more about the talented bands that performed and to discover some of your new favorite tunes.
