2016 Tune Tourney Round 1: San Francisco

This year’s Tune Tournament kicks off in the San Francisco region, hometown to both Idle Time and last year’s champions, The Y Axes. With this week’s release of their new album, Umbra, the Axes are in championship form and primed to defend their crown.

jefferson_airplane_fillmore_poster_1966SF is also home to The Fillmore, the iconic music venue on the corner of Geary and Fillmore that was the epicenter of the Bill Graham-led counterculture revolution. The walls of the upper bar and balcony are covered in gig posters that span genres, styles, and generations. A good number of bands competing in this region have been lucky enough to play on this stage, and for the others, it’s only a matter of time.

Who moves on to the round of 32? Cast your votes and spread the word, as these eight matchups close on Wednesday, November 23 at noon.

Matchup 1: The Y Axes – “Monsters” vs. The Stratford 4 – “Just Sad Really”


Matchup 2: Xiomara – “Crystal King” vs. No Vacation – “August”



Matchup 3: Cathedrals – “Harlem” vs. Bonnie & The Bang Bang – “Darlene”



Matchup 4: Deerhoof – “Debut” vs. Terry Malts – “Seen Everything”



Matchup 5: Thao & The Get Down Stay Down – “Nobody Dies” vs. Smokin’ Ziggurats – “Brick Man”



Matchup 6: Christopher Owens – “Nothing More than Everything to Me” vs. Teens In Trouble – “Santa Monica”



Matchup 7: Sonny & The Sunsets – “Well But Strangely Hung Man” vs. Burnt Palms – “Last Time”



Matchup 8: VCO Vault – “Under the Star” vs. Owl Paws – “Bring Me Back”



Coming Tuesday, November 22: First Round Matchups in the London Region!