Noise Pop Festival Opens, Bids Farewell to Iconic Venue

San Francisco's 33rd Noise Pop Festival is set to commence tomorrow, heralding not only a celebration of indie music but also a poignant farewell to Bottom of the Hill, the cherished Potrero Hill venue where the festival first took root over three decades ago. The venue, a mainstay of the city’s live music scene, is slated to close its doors permanently at the end of this year, making this year’s festival particularly significant.

Spanning ten days, from 19 February to 1 March, Noise Pop will feature approximately 150 bands performing across 15 venues throughout the city, offering music lovers a chance to catch both emerging artists and established indie favourites.

Headliners and Highlights

This year’s festival boasts a diverse lineup of headliners, including:

Tortoise, the experimental rock pioneers

Stephen Malkmus, former frontman of the seminal 1990s indie band Pavement

Wisp, the shoegaze singer-songwriter captivating audiences with ethereal soundscapes

In honour of Bottom of the Hill, the venue will host a farewell concert series comprising seven shows over the festival period. Notable performances include:

The festival’s reputation as a launchpad for rising indie acts remains intact. Over the years, Noise Pop has introduced numerous bands that have gone on to achieve mainstream recognition, while continuing to offer a platform for eclectic, avant-garde performers. Last year’s lineup, for instance, included St. Vincent, Benjamin Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service, and rapper Earl Sweatshirt.

Insider Picks

Festival-goers should look out for Shannon Shaw, the charismatic frontwoman of garage rock band Shannon and the Clams, who will perform an intimate set at The Commons at KQED on 26 February.

Attending the Festival

Tickets are available individually for each show, but purchasing a festival badge provides comprehensive access to all concerts, including sold-out events, as well as special parties and happy hours. Noise Pop continues to be one of the city’s most reliable ways to discover your next favourite band—or catch an indie treasure before they rise to wider fame.

With its mix of nostalgia, cutting-edge talent, and communal spirit, this year’s Noise Pop Festival promises to be both a celebration and a heartfelt farewell.