Tycho and Shannon Shaw Open Rolling Stone and Sonesta’s 2026 “Musicians on Musicians” Tour in San Francisco

The first stop of the three-city tour brings an intimate night of music and conversation to The Clift Royal Sonesta, celebrating the artists’ Bay Area roots.

San Francisco, CA, April 24, 2026 — Last night, Thursday, April 23, Rolling Stone and Sonesta International Hotels kicked off their 2026 Musicians on Musicians tour with Tycho and Shannon Shaw, of Shannon & The Clams. Held at The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco, the night brought together a candid artist conversation and special stripped-back performances, setting the tone for the nationwide series ahead.

In a conversation moderated by Rolling Stone senior music editor Joseph Hudak, Tycho and Shannon Shaw reflected on their shared roots in San Francisco and the lasting impact the city has had on their creative lives. The discussion touched on the Bay Area’s musical legacy, including the influence of the Grateful Dead, and the close-knit community that continues to shape the local scene, along with more personal moments from their own paths. Tycho also shared that he met his wife in the hotel’s famed Redwood Room, the very space where the event took place. Shaw spoke to the bold, colorful visual identity behind her work, while Tycho, a former graphic designer, discussed his hands-on approach to creating his album artwork. Both cited Bimbo’s 365 Club as a favorite hometown venue, reflecting the city’s enduring live music culture. The conversation also took on a more emotional turn as Shaw reflected on the support she received from the Bay Area music community following the loss of her fiancé in 2022. They closed with a shared message to the audience: you don’t need permission to create, just begin.

After the conversation, Shannon Shaw and Tycho performed intimate acoustic sets. Shaw’s powerhouse voice felt nuanced and soulful, making the experience rare, personal, and unexpectedly moving. Performing his catalog in the same setting, Tycho’s songs also landed differently, bringing the craft behind his ambient textures into focus.

The San Francisco event marked the start of Rolling Stone and Sonesta’s three-city Musicians on Musicians tour, a nationwide extension of Rolling Stone’s acclaimed editorial franchise, brought to life in Sonesta hotels across some of America’s most musically vibrant cities. The next events will take place in Denver, CO and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The tour complemented one of the franchise’s most high-profile annual moments, Rolling Stone’s flagship Musicians on Musicians issue and live showcase, which will take place later this year.

While access to each Musicians on Musicians tour event was invite-only, Sonesta Travel Pass members had the exclusive opportunity to reserve premium access through a curated package, offering priority entry, elevated hospitality, and unmatched connections to the artists shaping today’s music landscape. The series highlighted Sonesta’s commitment to creating unforgettable cultural experiences in cities across the country, bringing fans and artists together in inspiring, intimate settings.

About Rolling Stone:  

Five decades since its founding, Rolling Stone today has evolved into a multi-platform content brand with unrivaled access and authority, reaching a global audience of over 60 million people per month. Staying true to its mission to tell exceptional stories that illuminate the culture of our times, Rolling Stone is an authority for music reviews, in-depth interviews, hard-hitting political commentary and award-winning journalism across print, digital, mobile, video, social and events. Operated and published by Penske Media Corporation, Rolling Stone provides “all the news that fits.”