The 2024 Noise Pop Festival is set to feature a dazzling display of Bay Area talent from Feb. 22 to March 3.
There are dozens of local acts in the mix, hailing from a wide variety of different musical genres. There are also a number of cool national headliners in the lineup, but you’ll have to learn about those on your own since we are taking a locals-only approach here.
We are highlighting eight of the many Bay Area acts worth seeing during this year’s Noise Pop. Visit noisepop.com for details.
Bodysync
San Jose’s own Giraffage is one half of this electronic duo, which explores many different subgenres of dance music during its performances. He’s released a number of his own acclaimed albums over the years as well as remixed tracks by Odesza, Janet Jackson and more. The UC Berkley graduate is joined in the Bodysync project by Canadian DJ/producer Ryan Hemsworth, who has worked on tracks by E-40, Tinashe, Tory Lanez, Mitski and others.
Details: 6 p.m. Feb. 22; California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco; $20.
Discnogirl
Get ready to groove along with this Oakland-based DJ, who serves up juke, garage, jungle and other styles of electronic dance music. She’s also known for co-founding the local party/music collective Strapt. Discnogirl and fellow DJ Jarradcleofé serve as the support acts for the Bodysync-headlined show mentioned above.
Tommy Guerrero
The San Francisco native first came to fame due to his prowess on the skateboard, which earned him a spot on the Bones Brigade professional skateboarding team back in the ‘80s. He’s remained in the spotlight, however, thanks to his terrific work in the music realm over the last 25-plus years. The multi-instrumentalist, who mixes jazz, hip-hop, rock and more in his music, has released more than a dozen albums. His most recent outing is 2023’s “Amber of Memory.”
Details: 7 p.m. Feb. 24 and 1 p.m. Feb. 25; 4 Star Theater, San Francisco; $30.
Suzanne Ciani
This should be one of the coolest shows of the entire Noise Pop festival, as this electronic music pioneer celebrates the 40th (plus) anniversary of her 1982 breakout album, “Seven Waves.” Upping the cool factor substantially is the fact that the five-time Grammy nominee (all in the best new age category) will be performing in one of the most awe-inspiring settings in all of San Francisco — the beautiful Grace Cathedral. Celia Hollander is also on the bill.
Details: 7 p.m. Feb. 24; Grace Cathedral, San Francisco; $64.38
Holly Bowling
A classically trained pianist with a following on the jam-band circuit? Yes, that would be this San Francisco-based artist, who interpreted the groovy tunes of Phish on 2013’s “Distillation of a Dream” album and then turned her attention to the Grateful Dead with 2016’s “Better Left Unsung” outing. Here’s hoping she performs her fantastic versions of Phish’s “The Squirming Coil” and “A Song I Heard the Ocean Sing” during this Noise Pop show.
Details: 7 p.m. Feb. 29; Joe Henderson Lab at SFJAZZ Center, San Francisco; $25.
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Agouti
Psychedelic rock fans will want to check out this powerful and diversely entertaining Oakland act. It’s led by memorable singer-songwriter Carmen Caruso, who reportedly came up with the idea of putting together a psychedelic music project after returning home to the Bay Area after a stay in the Costa Rican cloud forests.
Details: 5 p.m. Feb. 29 at Bender’s Bar & Grill, San Francisco, free (with Oakland’s Oona and Jack Lillian); 2:30 p.m. March 3 at Kilowatt Bar, San Francisco, $15 (with a number of Bay Area artists and other acts).
Space Ghost
The Oakland DJ/producer is quite prolific, having delivered a bevy of platters in a relatively short amount of time. His works — including “Private Paradise” and “Dance Planet” — have earned him a number of accolades as well as a following in the electronic dance community. Fellow Bay Area act Mishka is also on the bill.
Details: 4 p.m. March 2; The Line, San Francisco; free admission.
Ana Roxanne
The experimental/ambient musician, who hails from Vallejo, draws from jazz, new age, choral and other genres in her acclaimed recordings. She’s released one EP, titled “~~~” (2015), as well as the full-length debut “Because of a Flower” (2020). Pitchfork described the latter as a “tender meditation on gender, identity, and self-love.” Nailah Hunter and Oakland’s Cole Pulice are also on the bill.
Details: 8 p.m. March 3; Gray Area, San Francisco; $25
