His band defined 1990s indie rock. In SF, he reclaims a singular voice.

"California-born and currently based in Chicago, Malkmus embodies two sides of songwriting: reveling in the work of others while composing gold-coated verses of his own. He started in 1989 with Pavement, a noisy and candied junket out of Stockton that he co-founded with Scott Kannberg. The band went on to define a decade, but Malkmus evaded the trappings of a 1990s legacy act."

"Across the 21st century as a soloist or in two other bands - Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, and the recent supergroup called the Hard Quartet - Malkmus shrugged off irrelevance to glide near the top of alternative rock with the steady grace of a windhover."

"He's a natural fit to headline the ongoing and citywide 33rd annual Noise Pop Festival, appearing as both forefather and torchbearer for music built around guitar. Malkmus is a familiar face at the Great American Music Hall, remaining as cool and calm as ever, while the rest of the world has changed."

Stephen Malkmus exemplifies a musician who balances celebrating other artists' work with creating his own acclaimed music. Beginning with Pavement in 1989, a band that defined the 1990s, Malkmus avoided becoming a legacy act by continuously evolving. Throughout the 21st century, he has worked as a solo artist, with Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, and recently with the supergroup Hard Quartet. Based in Chicago but California-born, Malkmus remains a prominent figure in alternative rock, demonstrating sustained artistic relevance. He headlines the 33rd annual Noise Pop Festival, serving as both a foundational figure and current torchbearer for guitar-based music. His performances at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall span nearly two decades, reflecting his enduring presence in the music scene.

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