Air Guitar National Finals

The US Air Guitar Championships return to The Independent in San Francisco for the second straight year, marking the third year the Nationals have been held in the city. This event is the Super Bowl of competitive air guitar, blending elements of American Idol, professional wrestling, and performance art. City champions from across the country and the defending national champ compete in two rounds of high-energy, anything-goes mayhem, with the winner earning bragging rights, 15 minutes of fame, and a trip to represent the United States at the Air Guitar World Championships in Oulu, Finland.

The evening also features a special performance by Ultimate Fakebook, a trio that melds the pop power of 70s groups like Cheap Trick with the snark of 80s garage bands like the Replacements. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of their album *This Will Be Laughing Week*, the band will play the original album in its entirety for the first time ever. The lineup includes two US Air Guitar Hall of Famers, adding an extra layer of authenticity to the night's festivities.