San Francisco is set to welcome the 33rd edition of the Noise Pop Festival tomorrow, an annual celebration where curated voices meet distinctive music. This year, the festival carries an added poignancy: it marks a heartfelt farewell to one of the city’s most cherished indie venues, Bottom of the Hill, which will close its doors permanently at the end of the year—the very stage where the festival began its journey decades ago.
Running from 19 February to 1 March, the ten-day festival spans nearly fifteen venues across the city, showcasing over 150 performances. While the venues are best known for indie, rock, and experimental music, they offer attendees the perfect blend of emerging talent and established acts. Music lovers in San Francisco can anticipate discovering new artists while enjoying performances by familiar favourites.
Key Performances and Special Shows
| Date | Performer | Venue | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 20 | Hudson Freeman | Bottom of the Hill | Farewell concert series |
| Feb 21 | Jeffrey Lewis & The Voltage | Bottom of the Hill | Classic indie folk |
| Feb 26 | Carpool Tunnel | Bottom of the Hill | Emerging band showcase |
| Feb 26 | Shannon Shaw | The Commons at KQED | Intimate set, garage rock |
| Feb 28 | Illuminati Hotties | Bottom of the Hill | Shoegaze and indie rock fusion |
Headline performers this year include Tortoise, whose experimental rock compositions have earned worldwide acclaim; Stephen Malkmus, renowned as a member of the iconic 1990s indie band Pavement; and Wisp, a shoegaze-inspired singer-songwriter known for atmospheric and emotive performances.
Cultural Impact
Over the years, the Noise Pop Festival has become an inseparable part of San Francisco’s nightlife. It has provided a launchpad for numerous indie acts to reach international audiences. Last year’s performers included St. Vincent, Benjamin Gibbard (of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service), and rapper Earl Sweatshirt, exemplifying the festival’s wide-ranging influence.
Tickets and Participation
Tickets are available for individual shows, while a festival badge grants full access to all performances, parties, happy hours, and even sold-out events—a package designed for true music aficionados. The festival is celebrated for its emphasis on discovery, earning it a reputation as San Francisco’s own miniature South by Southwest. For indie music enthusiasts, attending Noise Pop is an essential experience.
More than just a gathering of music lovers, this year’s festival will be remembered as both a tribute to the city’s rich musical history and a launchpad for new chapters in San Francisco’s vibrant soundscape.