Artists were dying to play live shows. Music fans are dying to see and hear their favorite acts on stage.
Yet both sides have been prevented from doing so, to one degree or another, since the start of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, two years of pent-up demand translates into a huge year for live music in 2022.
And fans don’t have to wait for summer to enjoy the riches. We are already in the middle of a big spring concert season.
And it’s all about taking it to the next level, as two of the main outdoor venues are set to open this month. UC Berkeley’s Greek Theater kicks off its 2022 season with a sold-out Beach House show on April 8 and the Concord Pavilion opens for 2Cellos on April 16. (Shoreline Amphitheatre, by the way, reopens June 2 with a double bill of Tears for Fears and Garbage.)
To help you with your planning, we’re sifting through the showtimes and picking the 20 most compelling shows on the books through early June (listed in chronological order). Keep in mind that COVID-related conditions and precautions may change.
1. Spiritualized: The British space rock band, best known for 1997’s sprawling epic ‘Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space’, are hitting the road in support of upcoming studio album ‘Everything Was Beautiful’. Details: 8 p.m. April 11-12; Fillmore, San Francisco; $50; livenation.com.
2. John Scofield: The jazz guitar master performs in three different musical contexts – solo, duet (with bassist Dave Holland) and with two different quartets – during his four-night stay in San Francisco. Details: 7:30 p.m. from April 14 to 16; 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on April 17; SFJAZZ Center, San Francisco; $25 to $95; sfjazz.org.
3.Maxwell: Fans can’t wait to hear hits as well as new music from the neo-soul star’s long-awaited and long-awaited next album. Details: 8 p.m. April 16; Oakland Arena; $60.95 to $76.19; ticketmaster.com.
4. Deftones, Gojira: The Sacramento-born Deftones are cool but we’re actually much more interested in Gojira, the French metal act who now deserves to be ranked among the genre’s all-time greats. Details: 7 p.m. April 18; Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco; $69.50; apeconcerts.com.
5. Chaim: LA’s sister act makes solid albums — check out 2020’s “Women in Music Pt. III” as an example — and puts on even better shows. Details: 6:30 p.m. April 27; Greek Theatre, Berkeley; $69.95; apeconcerts.com.
6.J Balvin: The “Prince of Reggaeton” returns to the Bay Area to support his fifth studio album, “Jose.” Details: 8 p.m. on April 30; SAP Center, San Jose; 7 p.m. May 1; Oakland Arena; $31 and up; ticketmaster.com.
7. Lorde, Bill Graham Civic: She keeps putting out great records, which is just one of the many reasons we’ve been counting the days until this show. Details: 7:30 p.m. May 3; Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco; $85; apeconcerts.com.
8. Little Simz: The British hip-hop star’s fourth album, ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introverted’, was one of the best albums of 2021. Details: 8 p.m. on May 4 and 5; Independent, San Francisco; $25; apeconcerts.com.
9. Paul McCartney: Is there a special mom in your life who is a huge Beatles fan? If so, Sir Paul has the right ticket for Mother’s Day weekend. Details: 8 p.m. May 6, 7:30 p.m. May 8; Oakland Arena; $29.50 to $399.50; ticketmaster.com.
10. For king and country: Of course, Bay Area fans might have to travel a little farther to catch this one. Still, this Australian Christian pop duo is worth the extra cash for petrol (and at today’s fuel prices, that’s saying something). Details: 7 p.m. May 8; Golden 1 Center, Sacramento; $14 and up; ticketmaster.com.
11. Pearl jam: Fans can expect to get their money’s worth – and more – every time Eddie Vedder and company take the stage. Details: 7:30 p.m. May 12-13; Oakland Arena; $103; ticketmaster.com.
12. Coldplay, SHE: Coldplay puts on a great live show, but the #1 reason to attend is to see the Vallejo R&B star HER Details: 7:15 p.m. May; Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara; $52 or more; ticketmaster.com.
13. Sigur Ros: It’s been too long since we’ve had a good dose of the band’s magnificent music and “Hopelandic” – their made-up language – so welcome, Sigur Ros. Details: 7:30 p.m. May 17; Frost Amphitheater, Stanford University; $39.50 and up; axs.com.
14. Blondie and the Damned: Hopelandic not your thing? Well, here is one of the best doubleheaders of the year which takes place on the same night as the previously listed show. Details: 8 p.m. May 17; Masonic, San Francisco; $55 or more; livenation.com.
15. Bauhaus: Get out your best goth gear and get ready to sing along to “Bela Lugosi’s Dead.” Details: 8 p.m. May 21-22; Masonic, San Francisco; $59 and up; livenation.com.
16. Olivia Rodrigue: The former Disney Channel star, thanks to her highly acclaimed album “Sour,” has arguably the hottest concert tour of the year. Details: 8 p.m. May 27; Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco; $49.50; apeconcerts.com.
17. New kids on the block: The multi-platinum “boy band” (all in their 40s and 50s) lead the best package tour of the year, featuring Salt-N-Pepa, En Vogue and Rick Astley. Let the Rickroll begin! Details: 7:30 p.m. June 1; SAP Center, San Jose; $39.95 to $179.95; ticketmaster.com.
18. Midnight Oil: The Australian rock band, whose best-known song is the 1987 hit ‘Beds Are Burning’, have embarked on their final tour. Details: 8:00 p.m. June 4: Fox Theatre, Oakland; $55 to $75; apeconcerts.com.
19. Phil Lesh and Friends: The Grateful Dead legend has put together an incredible lineup for his latest project ‘Friends’, featuring guitarists Scott Metzger, Grahame Lesh and John Scofield along with drummer Joe Russo and keyboardist Benmont Tench. Details: 6:00 p.m. June 4; Frost Amphitheater, Stanford; $75 to $80; axs.com.
20. Spirit West Coast: The popular Christian music festival returns for its 25th year with programming featuring Hillsong Worship, Tauren Wells, Bethel Music and Ryan Ellis. Details: 5:00 p.m. June 12; Pavilion of Concord; $25 to $450; transparentproductions.com.