![Jim Harrington, pop music critic, Bay Area News Group, for his Wordpress profile. (Michael Malone/Bay Area News Group)](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Harrington_Jim_2016.jpg?w=85)
Pop music writer
Jim Harrington
Jim Harrington is the Bay Area News Group's pop music critic for The Mercury News and the East Bay Times. He began writing about the Bay Area music scene in 1992 and became the full-time pop music critic for the organization's Oakland Tribune in 2006. He is a South Bay native who graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Liberal Studies. He also received an MBA degree from Santa Clara University.
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Language: Spanish (Some)
Award: West Coast Blues Hall of Fame & Award Show for story of the year and writer of the year
Expertise: Pop, jazz, heavy metal, hip-hop, Christian, and country music; Broadway and other theater; horror movies; theme parks
All Stories
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Paris Olympics playlist: 8 great French music acts you should hear today
Our picks include Serge Gainsbourg, Gojira, Françoise Hardy, Carla Bruni, Booba and MC Solaar.
![Melissa Etheridge was at the top of her game in concert, while Jewel admitted she lacked a game plan for her set at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga. Melissa Etheridge was at the top of her game in concert, while Jewel admitted she lacked a game plan for her set at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sjm-l-etheridge-0723.jpg?w=113)
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Review: Two music icons take the same stage with vastly different results
Melissa Etheridge was at the top of her game in concert, while Jewel admitted she lacked a game plan for her set at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga.
![From Palo Alto to Walnut Creek, Martinez and more, these ice creameries serve up amazing shakes. From Palo Alto to Walnut Creek, Martinez and more, these ice creameries serve up amazing shakes.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SJM-L-MILKSHAKES-0728-01.jpg?w=122)
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Bay Area’s best milkshakes: Here are 9 places to try this summer
From Palo Alto to Walnut Creek, Martinez and more, these ice creameries serve up amazing shakes.
![Mick Jagger leads the Rolling Stones in an exhilarating 2-hour concert at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. Mick Jagger leads the Rolling Stones in an exhilarating 2-hour concert at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SJM-L-STONES-0719-11.jpg?w=117)
Review: Rolling Stones fans find complete ‘Satisfaction’ at Levi’s Stadium
Mick Jagger leads the Rolling Stones in an exhilarating 2-hour concert at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.
![Get tickets to see the Grammy-winning Christian music star on his Every Christmas Tour in San Jose and Sacramento. Get tickets to see the Grammy-winning Christian music star on his Every Christmas Tour in San Jose and Sacramento.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/SJM-L-DRIVEINSMITH-0610-01.jpg?w=132)
It’s only July, but we already have a major Christmas show on the books
Get tickets to see the Grammy-winning Christian music star on his Every Christmas Tour in San Jose and Sacramento.
![Here's how to get tickets to see One Direction star Niall Horan in concert at Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View. Here's how to get tickets to see One Direction star Niall Horan in concert at Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/sjm-l-jingleball-1202-28.jpg?w=109)
Niall Horan brings The Show: Live on Tour to Shoreline Amphitheatre
Here's how to get tickets to see One Direction star Niall Horan in concert at Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View.
![Catch Willie Nelson, Alanis Morissette, Bob Dylan, Joan Jett, John Mellencamp, Morgan Wade, Brittney Spencer at Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View. Catch Willie Nelson, Alanis Morissette, Bob Dylan, Joan Jett, John Mellencamp, Morgan Wade, Brittney Spencer at Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LDN-L-WILLIE90-0428-01.jpg?w=112)
Two fantastic multi-act concert tours heading for San Francisco Bay Area
Catch Willie Nelson, Alanis Morissette, Bob Dylan, Joan Jett, John Mellencamp, Morgan Wade, Brittney Spencer at Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View.
![There are some great art installations to be seen at libraries in San Jose, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Redwood City and San Francisco. There are some great art installations to be seen at libraries in San Jose, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Redwood City and San Francisco.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MAG-L-BOOKART-702.jpg?w=132)
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Literary art: 5 amazing art installations to see at Bay Area libraries in San Jose, Lafayette and more
There are some great art installations to be seen at libraries in San Jose, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Redwood City and San Francisco.
!["I have realized that this community is its own thing -- and it can keep going in perpetuity," Rob Barraco of Dark Star Orchestra "I have realized that this community is its own thing -- and it can keep going in perpetuity," Rob Barraco of Dark Star Orchestra](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SJM-L-HEAR-0711-01.jpg?w=140)
Keeping the Dead alive: ‘It’s almost like it changes your DNA’
"I have realized that this community is its own thing -- and it can keep going in perpetuity," Rob Barraco of Dark Star Orchestra
![Check out new releases this month from Cigarettes After Sex, Leanna Crawford and Dr. Dog. Check out new releases this month from Cigarettes After Sex, Leanna Crawford and Dr. Dog.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/SJM-L-GONZALEZ-0229-01_6a8537.jpg?w=132)
New music: Put these 3 cool albums on your must-listen-to list for July
Check out new releases this month from Cigarettes After Sex, Leanna Crawford and Dr. Dog.