Some bands make you lean in. Others make you want to shout every word back at the stage. Citizen has built its reputation on doing both.
The rock quintet brings that range to San Francisco’s Regency Ballroom this weekend, with songs that move between quiet ballads and distorted anthems without sacrificing their emotional punch. For anyone whose week could use a little catharsis, consider this an invitation.
Citizen has collected plenty of genre tags over the years, from post-hardcore to shoegaze. But on Calling the Dogs, the band strips things back to a straightforward foundation: guitar-driven rock ’n’ roll, delivered with raw energy and an instinct for the singalong.
Vocalist Mat Kerekes, guitarist Nick Hamm and bassist Eric Hamm have taken Citizen from teenage gigs in local dives to sold-out theaters and major festivals around the world. Former touring members Ben Russin on drums and Mason Mercer on guitar round out the five-piece lineup.
That progression gives the Regency show its appeal: a band with years of experience turning deeply felt songs into something a roomful of people can share. Come for the guitars. You might find yourself singing, too.
This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence and edited by SF Weekly staff