SAN FRANCISCO — The Joy Formidable returned to the Bay Area following the release of its new album, Aaarth. The Welsh trio played at The Independent to an energetic, joyful and formidable crowd. The band’s heavy…

SAN JOSE — With thousands of mostly young music fans lining up for hours to see a K-Pop boy band in Oakland on Tuesday, it was fair to wonder (yet again) what that meant for…

Following the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Ritzy Bryan, frontwoman of Welsh noise-pop band The Joy Formidable found herself gazing out her Utah studio window. “I have a lovely view out the window, and I always find…

SAN FRANCISCO —  Some bands care about more than playing a terrific technically proficient show, and The Joy Formidable proved just that with an intimate set at Swedish American Hall Saturday that included plenty of jokes between songs — which…

Noise Pop has returned to San Francisco for its 25th year, and producers have made their silver anniversary special. Over the next week, some of the most unique, up-and-coming and well known names in rock, pop, R&B, hip-hop and…

The producers of Noise Pop announced additional artists added to the 25th iteration of the popular music festival, which takes place in a dozen venues throughout San Francisco and Oakland. The additions are highlighted by Rogue Wave,…

Even as Welsh rock trio The Joy Formidable was writing Wolf’s Law, their 2013 sophomore album, vocalist-guitarist Ritzy Bryan and bassist Rhydian Dafydd could see their romantic relationship crumbling. Like a premonition, their songs at…

While Welsh rockers The Joy Formidable toured their 2013 sophomore album, Wolf’s Law, singer-guitarist Ritzy Bryan and bassist Rhydian Dafydd, a long-time couple, broke up. The trio, which included drummer Matt Thomas, spent the following…

NAPA — The fourth installment of the BottleRock Napa Valley festival brought high temperatures and memorable performances. Temperatures flirted with the 90-degree mark as 40,000 flocked to the Napa Valley Expo each day for the event. Let’s…

I’ve been a bit hooked on Big Deal since their 2011 album, “Lights Out.” While that album was good, though, it didn’t have a stand-out song. Not like “Dream Machines,” off new album “June Gloom”…