Pitchfork

With all indie compasses fixed firmly on Austin right now, it's easy to forget there's a pretty damned excellent festival kicking off tonight in the (sorta) West by North West: San Francisco's Noise Pop.

Celebrating its fifteenth anniversary, this year's Noise Pop goes down at 15 different San Fran venues over six days, February 27-March 4. The Mezzanine plays host to a FREEDM Night kickoff bonanza this evening, featuring Tapes 'n Tapes, Har Mar Superstar, and Extra Action Marching Band-- with David Cross acting as master of ceremonies.

As previously reported, the indie hordes will march though San Francisco over the course of the week, led by Sebadoh, Ted Leo, Clinic, Roky Erickson, Hella, Cake, the Ponys, Annuals, Brightblack Morning Light, Damien Jurado, Love of Diagrams, Earlimart, Malajube, John Vanderslice, Jolie Holland, Midlake, Snowden, Dead Meadow, the Dandy Warhols, the Coup, the French Kicks, Georgie James, and Autolux, among others.

For the complete schedule and details, check out the fest's state-of-the-art website.