New Year’s Eve 2023: 14 cool shows worth checking out on last night of the year
Dec. 31 options include LCD Soundsystem in San Francisco, Pete Escovedo in Oakland, Big Head Todd in Menlo Park.
Our New Year’s Eve plans usually consist of a movie, Chinese food and then trying to get back to our pad before things get too wild out there.
Others, understandably, prefer a more rockin’ way to bring one year to a close and kick-start another. That’s why going to a concert continues to be such a popular NYE tradition for so many.
And Bay Area fans definitely have a lot of tuneful options for Dec. 31, 2023. The offerings range from cool R&B and real-deal blues to electronic rock and Latin jazz.
Then, of course, there are a variety of comedy gigs taking place around these parts as well.
Many of these events will sell out, so now’s the time to make your plans.
To help with that pursuit, here is our guide to the top NYE concerts and comedy shows taking place in the Bay Area.
LCD Soundsystem
The incredibly popular electronic rock act — which headlined the huge Outside Lands festival at Golden Gate Park in 2016 — is set to thrill their many Bay Area fans with two year-ending shows, Dec. 30-31, at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. The Brooklyn-born band, which is led by the talented James Murphy, will be drawing from a catalog that includes such fan favorites as 2007’s “Sound of Silver” and 2010’s “This Is Happening.” The group’s most recent full-length outing is “American Dream,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 back in 2017. Support acts are 2manydjs and Peaches.
Details: 8 p.m. Dec. 30, $79.50; 9 p.m. Dec. 31, $125-$225; apeconcerts.com
Pete Escovedo
The Pittsburg native stands as nothing less than a living legend of Latin jazz, having spent 67 of his 86 years on the planet in the music industry. Now, it’s time to applaud this great percussionist and band leader for all that he has accomplished — as well as thank him for all the terrific music — as the Pete Escovedo Orchestra Retirement Tour visits Yoshi’s in Oakland for a half-dozen shows in three nights. Here’s hoping that Escovedo’s daughter — the amazing Sheila E. — will take the stage as well.
Details: 8 and 10 p.m. Dec. 29, $39-$89; 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 30, $45-$89; 8 and 11 p.m. Dec. 31, $99-$125; yoshis.com
Charlie Musselwhite
Yet another living legend, this Mississippi native — who grew up in Memphis before venturing to Chicago and, eventually, Northern California — ranks as one of the greatest blues harmonica players in the world. His Vanguard Records debut — “Stand Back!” — came out way back in 1966, but Musselwhite has just kept right on delivering quality records over the decades. The blues harp master sets up shop for two year-ending gigs, Dec. 30-31, at the remarkable Freight & Salvage in Berkeley. Singer Angela Strehli is also on the bill for the Dec. 31 show.
Details: 8 p.m. Dec. 30, $20-$45; 9:10 p.m. Dec. 31, $42.50-$85; thefreight.org
Lee Fields
Looking to end 2023 on a very soulful note? Then make a date with Lee Fields, the fantastic R&B entertainer who closes out the year with two big shows, Dec. 30-31, at The Chapel in San Francisco. The North Carolina native is sometimes referred to as “Little JB” — with the “JB” standing for James Brown — which, of course, is high praise indeed for a soul singer. Yet, comparisons — even lofty ones — aren’t really needed here. Just listen to any of Fields’ own albums and you’ll hear why he’s considered one of the best in the business.
Details: 9 p.m. Dec. 30, $35; 9:30 p.m. Dec. 31, $75; thechapelsf.com
Big Head Todd and the Monsters
The Colorado blues-rock band enjoyed platinum-plus success in the ‘90s with its terrific third album — “Sister Sweetly” — which featured the memorable opener “Broken Hearted Savior.” The band continued to do good business as the decade wore on, thanks to “Resignation Superman” and the hit cover of John Lee Hooker’s “Boom Boom.” Of course, it’s been a while since the group has been a presence on the charts, but that won’t stop amazing guitarist Todd Mohr from delivering the fretboard fireworks Dec. 30-31 at the Guild Theatre in Menlo Park.
Details: 8 p.m. Dec. 30, $86; 9 p.m. Dec. 31, $99; guildtheatre.com
Mo Amer
The Palestinian American stand-up comedian is known for the acclaimed Netflix’s show “Mo,” a semi-autobiographical series that follows a Palestinian refugee as he deals with two cultures, three languages, supporting his family and trying to secure asylum while living in Houston. Amer, who also starred alongside Dwayne Johnson in last year’s superhero film “Black Adam,” performs Dec. 29-31 at the Improv in San Jose.
Details: 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Dec. 29, $35-$95; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 30, $35-$95; 7 and 10:30 p.m. Dec. 31, $55-$105; improv.com/sanjose
Les Claypool
The Bay Area vocalist-bassist has spent a lot of years celebrating Dec. 31 in the Bay Area, fronting a variety of different bands at a number of local venues. This time around, fans get Les Claypool’s Bastard Jazz, the Primus leader’s side project featuring drummer Adam Deitch, vibraphonist-percussionist Mike Dillon and saxophonist Skerik, at the lovely Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. Uncle Sea Monster is also on the bill.
Details: 9:30 p.m. Dec. 31, $65-$165; gamh.com
The Four Freshmen
The acclaimed vocal troupe, known for filling its concerts with both topnotch harmonies and classic tunes, returns to the Bay Area for a New Year’s Eve show at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore. The legendary group first got its start way back in 1948 and currently consists of Bob Ferreira (sings bass vocal part and plays drums), Jake Baldwin (third vocal part and trumpet), Tommy Boynton (second vocal part and guitar) and Ryan Howe (lead vocals, bass guitar).
Details: 8 p.m. Dec. 31, $60-$90; livermorearts.org
Luna
The NYC indie-rock act — reportedly once dubbed “the best band you’ve never heard of” by Rolling Stone magazine — will hold court on NYE at the legendary Fillmore in San Francisco. Luna is best known for its ‘90s output, including the highly acclaimed 1994 offering “Bewitched,” although vocalist-guitarist Dean Wareham and company’s early 2000s efforts are also pretty swell.
Details: 9 p.m. Dec. 31, $76; livenation.com
Anuhea
The vocalist, who melds reggae, pop and R&B styles in her music, will spend the last three nights of the year – Dec. 29-31 – at Blue Note Napa. Anuhea hails from the island of Maui and has performed and recorded with such artists as Jack Johnson, Ziggy Marley, Taj Mahal and Jake Shimabukuro. Her live album — “Butterflies: Anuhea Live” — was released on Jimmy Buffett’s Mailboat Records label.
Details: 6:30 and 9 p.m. Dec. 29-30, $45-$85; 7 and 10:30 Dec. 31, $55-$135; bluenotejazz.com/napa
Greg Proops
The Bay Area funnyman returns to the Punch Line in San Francisco to once again mark the close of one year and the dawn of another. Proops, who was raised in San Carlos and attended both the College of San Mateo and San Francisco State University, is known for appearing on both the U.S. and U.K. versions of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” and will be taping a live album during this hometown run, Dec. 28-Dec. 31.
Details: 8 p.m. Dec. 28; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Dec. 29-30; 7:30 and 10 p.m. Dec. 31; tickets start at $32, punchlinecomedyclub.com
Monsieur Perine
The Latin music act is set to ring in the new year for the third consecutive year at the SFJAZZ Center. Monsieur Perine, which won the 2015 Latin Grammy for best new artist, plans to play five shows in four nights, Dec. 28-31, at the San Francisco venue. There will be an open dance floor at all of the shows, so fans should come ready to really groove out to the Colombia act’s mix of Latin pop and jazz.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28-30, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Dec. 31; $30-$120, sfjazz.org
String Cheese Incident
The popular Colorado jam band is performing three shows, Dec. 29-31, at the Fox Theater in Oakland. SCI will be celebrating 30 years of making music during this run and will be accompanied by special guests Peter Rowan and Tony Furtado.
Details: 8 p.m. Dec. 29-30, $69.50-$89.50; 8 p.m. Dec. 31, $95-$129; (three-night tickets run $234-$308) apeconcerts.com
The Midnight
The SoCal synthewave duo, consisting of producer Tim Daniel McEwan and singer-songwriter Tyler Lyle, closes out 2023 with a show on Dec. 31 at the Independent in San Francisco. Droid Bishop and Danny Delorean are also on the bill. Ticket prices include open bar.
Details: 9 p.m. Dec. 31, $135-$155; apeconcerts.com