by Sean Reiter
“We have only 3 rules tonight San Francisco,” lead singer Cristal Ramirez of The Aces told the packed dance floor of San Francisco’s historic Bimbo’s 365 Club on Friday night. “First: You have to shake some ass. Second: Be nice and respectful to everyone around you. The third rule is you have to be Gay. Well, if you’re not and your nice…it’s OK if you’re straight. But, we would really prefer that you weren’t.” The audience roared with approval as Ramirez and her bandmates laughed on a night that saw the Indie Pop all female (and 3/4 Queer) band bounce between rock, pop and disco.
The vibe and music at Bimbo’s seemed like a San Francisco stew that had been concocted of elements from throughout the city’s rich rock history – from pyschedelic and disco to alternative and Indie. The Aces new album “Gold Star Baby” is impossible to place in only one or two musical genre boxes and the talented performance of the quartet (rounded out by guitarist Katie Henderson, bassist McKenna Petty and drummer (and Cristal’s sister) Alisa Ramirez) to bounce effortlessly between categories.
The show was as much joyous celebration as it was a concert – particulary given that it was the last show of the “US Gold Star Baby Tour” in a city that prides itself on our inclusiveness. The spotlight was placed on many songs off the latest album – including “Jealous”, “Gold Star Baby” and “Twin Flame” all of which shined with added disco ball luster early on in the set as quartet was in constant motion with huge smiles and positive energy that set the tone for the night.
Earlier in the evening, Lydia Night accompanied only by her drummer and backing tracks, delivered a spirited set that leaned heavily into her 2025 album “Parody of Pleasure.” Night’s sound and stage persona was strongy reminiscent of a stripped down Taylor Swift with a healthy dash of Avril Lavigne cynicism and irony thrown in. Songs like “Little Doe”, “Pity Party” and and “Art Sucks” were incredibly catchy live (I found myself humming the songs hours later as I made my way up the steep hill of Bay Street).
The final night of a tour almost always brings some out of the regular routine moments and Sunday night was no exception. First, The Aces crashed Lydia Night’s set in “Gold Star Baby”-style dancing and draping her in a bright pink boa as she tried to play guitar and sing. Eventually, Night abandoned the song and recognized the moment with a laugh and expression of her love for her tourmates. For The Aces’ final show of this run, they not only crowned the night’s “Gold Star Baby” (congrats to gold-dressed Lissa who was celebrating her 30th birthday), but had rounds of shots with both the winner and then with all of the support team and Lydia Night.
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