Don't want to travel south for the three-day festival of the sunburn? Well, fine: Most of the biggest and best draws at Coachella are hitting the Bay Area over the next few weeks anyway. Here's a guide to whom to catch when -- but be warned: Several of these shows are already sold out, and others are doubtless close to it. If you're itching to see any of these artists locally, it's probably best to nail down tickets as soon as possible.
Fox Theater, Oakland
Saturday, April 9
Soulful pounders from Long Beach stick it out some more after years of buzz and cult acclaim, including a four-star Rolling Stone review for 2006's Robbers and Cowards.
Fox Theater, Oakland
Tuesday, April 12
His 15 minutes of next-big-thingdom may be up, but the emo-raised troubadour has only gotten better over the last five years, with a four-album streak dating from 2005's I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning to 2008's gorgeous, underrated Conor Oberst that shows major growth in both the humor and tune departments.
The Warfield
Tuesday, April 12
Does the Fugee that made the world fall in love require an introduction? She's crazy, she's a world-class rapper and singer, she may yet disappear from view again. Take the chance.
Great American Music Hall
Wednesday, April 13
Like 'em or not, they've taken Radiohead's place as the band you can't avoid having an opinion on. See these electronic hippies while they're soaking up the love, and before they win a Grammy in 2017.
Warfield Theatre
Wednesday, April 13
The acclaimed Toronto collective that spawned Feist, the world's cuddliest indie-rocker -- who made it all the way to Sesame Street. There's a dozen more where that came from.
The Warfield
Thursday, April 14
Peej stormed back in February with Let England Shake, her highest-acclaimed album in ten years. You don't want to miss its unusual fusion of protest folk and samples like "Summertime Blues" and "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" in a live setting.
The Regency Ballroom
Saturday, April 16
Damn right he's from Tony! Toni! Toné! and still working his ass off. 2008's masterful The Way I See It boasted a daring return to Smokey Robinson-style soul, with help from Joss Stone and Jay-Z. New one slated to drop this Spring.
Slim's
Sunday, April 17
Postpunk legends Wire never really went away after their milestone opening trifecta of Pink Flag, Chairs Missing, and 154, just check out the ace '80s best-of The A-List and the industrial strength 2000s EPs Read and Burn. The new Red Barked Tree is a more mature but no less arch or sharp-riffed take on the Wire of olde.
