LoveLikeFire

Saturday, February 28

There is something pleasantly familiar about San Fran popgazers LoveLikeFire’s single “William.” At first listen, I instantly thought: “Oh my God! The Yeah Yeah Yeahs just Asobi Seksued all over my Lush record!” Which in itself isn’t a bad thing at all. Then I played the song about four more times. With each listen, I fell a little harder for teensy frontwoman Ann Yu’s crazy big vocals, the song’s heavy dose of warm guitar wash and its almost militant, ever-building rhythm section. LLF may not be reinventing female-fronted, pedal-heavy, melodic pop music, but their take on it is certainly well-executed. They’re one of the most anticipated bands to play this year’s SXSW, but you lucky Seattleites will get to see them first. Photo courtesy Julie Zielinski.

Sat., Feb. 28, 9 p.m., 2009