THURSDAY 9/1

MGM, LINDA AUSTIN, ALLIE HANKINS, WHY I MUST BE CAREFUL, POOL OF WINDS, ROB WALMART, E*ROCK
(Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison) See My, What a Busy Week!

YOUNG JEEZY, FREDDIE GIBBS, COOL NUTZ, SPAC3MAN
(Roseland, 8 NW 6th) Read our article on Young Jeezy.

THE NOCTURNES, PSYCHIC FELINE, THE WOOLEN MEN
(TThe Saratoga, 6910 N Interstate) Emma Ruth Rundle recently joined the ranks of Red Sparowes, but her other band, the Nocturnes, just released its second full-length album, Aokigahara, which was recorded in Venice, California, at a spot where the Beach Boys once worked. Aokigahara sounds nothing like the Wilson clan, but there's a dreamy, sunset-swept sound in the soft beds of guitars and voices that Rundle and the other three Nocturnes create. Never rising above a slow simmer, Aokigahara contains mystery to spare, at times evoking the mistier moments of Fairport Convention's Liege and Lief, and at others the narcotic glimmer of the Cowboy Junkies. There's also a rumbling, subterranean unrest beneath the Nocturnes' sound—as much as their soothing, holistic music serves as a balm, it also switches one's senses to high alert. NED LANNAMANN

SEA PDX EXG: RED FANG, WHITE ORANGE, SMOOTH SAILING, THE CHASERS
(Plan B, 1305 SE 8th) Seattle has Portland pretty well beat in the rock category. They've got Heart, Metal Church, the Murder City Devils, and the entirety of the grunge movement. That doesn't mean we still can't be friends, right? The SEA PDX EXG two-day showcase—curated by Hannah Levin (KEXP in Seattle) and Carly Henry (Starbird Promotions in Portland)—illustrates that both cities can work together and coexist in harmony. While we're at it, we can prove our prowess in rock with the likes of Red Fang (like anyone in PDX doesn't already know that Red Fang owns?) tonight, and Negative Queen (members of Purple Rhinestone Eagle and Cull) tomorrow evening. ARIS WALES

FRIDAY 9/2

SEA PDX EXG: BROTHERS OF THE SONIC CLOTH, NORSKA, NEGATIVE QUEEN, CULL
(Plan B, 1305 SE 8th) See Thursday's listing.

MASSIVE MOTH, MONOPLANE, YOUTH, THE WE SHARED MILK
(Doug Firr, 830 E Burnside) The stylistically wide-ranging rock of Salem-based trio Massive Moth hit its stride on the group's second album More Scenery Than Man, released earlier this year on Warble Records. They're playing their last Portland show before going on hiatus, so here's your last chance to see the group for the time being. Massive Moth's sprawling, adventurous fare is equal parts aggression and quirk, with intriguing lyrics and dueling lead vocalists; more often than not the group's finest songs attain a level of majesty. Arrive in plenty of time to catch a slew of good openers including Youth and Salem band Monoplane. But don't miss out on the We Shared Milk, who just premiered the video for their catchy party jam "Drag," and whose current EP Jesuses is 20 solid minutes of damn good feelings. NL

TYCHO
(CCrown Room, 205 NW 4th) As signs of summer's wane slowly appear, nostalgia for warm, dusty nights and bonfire memories need a soundtrack. Tycho's upcoming album Dive (out on Ghostly International in November) is just the thing. Following up his 2004 Sunrise Projector LP, Tycho (Scott Hansen) includes some of the dreamy downtempo soundscapes he's known for, while also treading into new trance territory (think the Field, not Paul Oakenfold). For instance, the beautiful single "Hours" invokes a vague and endless shoreline on a timeless beach somewhere in a contented recollection of the most meaningful September of your life. Each and every track on Dive carries a similar emotional weight. For more specific visualization, check out the stunning album artwork, perfectly sentimental to suit the music and done by Hansen under his ISO50 guise. AVA HEGEDUS

PAPER UPPER CUTS, WOODEN INDIAN BURIAL GROUND, ANIMAL STITCHES
(The Know, 2026 NE Alberta) Mona Dehghan, the one-woman head of Brooklyn label Mon Amie Records, gave a disclaimer in describing her latest release, the 10-inch single Holy Mountain/Sunbeams and the Cosmic Ascent to Nowheresville from Portland's very own Wooden Indian Burial Ground: "I don't put out many records... just ones that kill me a little (in a good way)." That gives you an idea of what to expect from WIBG mastermind Justin Fowler, who since 2007 has put out just a spattering of "western psychedelia" songs, which have been enough to enamor, but not satisfy, intrigued listeners. Fortunately that will soon change, as more WIBG tracks are slated to be put to vinyl in the months to come, including the whimsical "The Doctor's Note," a song that spills over with atmosphere so enticing as to threaten to swallow you whole. MARANDA BISH

SATURDAY 9/3

HALL & OATES
(Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway) See My, What a Busy Week!

BIG BLACK CLOUD, BLOOD BEACH, SEI HEXE
(The Alleyway, 2415 NE Alberta) Read our article on Big Black Cloud.

DAVILA 666, CHEAP TIME, TENSIONS, THE NO TOMORROW BOYS
(East End, 203 SE Grand) There are some things you need to do to prepare yourself for going to a show. First of all, East End is going to be packed from floor to ceiling, with a good deal of sweat and inebriation present. Also, it will likely be the best dance party you've been to in a long time, as the playful punk stylings of Puerto Rican rock and rollers Davila 666 have never failed us in the past. The band has not looked back since blowing up with their self-titled debut on In the Red back in '09, and they topped it with this year's Tan Bajo, an album singer/bassist Carlito Davila described in an interview with Paste as "music to make sad lowlifes happy." MB

THE NAKED AND FAMOUS, SURFER BLOOD, VIVA BROTHER
(Roseland, 8 NW 6th) Auckland, New Zealand's the Naked and Famous are responsible for "Young Blood," the finest, sparkliest, bubbliest party popper since Passion Pit's lead singer swallowed that first helium balloon. And since MGMT have readily proven that they can no longer be counted on for anything, the Naked and Famous are currently your best bet for crazily infectious, bottom-heavy, arena-sized pop. The band has already achieved a startlingly large amount of success—tonight's bargain-priced show is sold out—but get in if you can, since this kind of gratuitously enjoyable synth pop doesn't always retain the longest shelf life. You'll also get to see up-and-comers Viva Brother, plus what may be the final crest of Surfer Blood's initial rise before the dreaded sophomore slump. NL

JIM JONES REVUE, UNNATURAL HELPERS
(DDoug Fir, 830 E Burnside) Burning Your House Down is a sultry collection of sinful barebones rock numbers that will satiate Nick Cave followers or those looking for a sound similar to Jerry Lee Lewis on a bender. It's only fitting that Burning, the second album from London's Jim Jones Revue, was produced by Jim Sclavunos (Bad Seeds, Grinderman), a man who knows how to harness the power of a moody, howling frontman. On tape Jim Jones stomps and stammers as if the dark lord himself has possessed the wild-eyed singer, so one imagines that he'll be even more impassioned when you see the man in the flesh. In fact, I'd wager my soul on it. EZRA ACE CARAEFF

SUNDAY 9/4

TOXIC HOLOCAUST, HOLY GRAIL, KRUM BUMS, EXCRUCIATOR, DR. LOOMIS
(Branx, 320 SE 2nd) The first track on Toxic Holocaust's new record Conjure and Command is the aptly named "Judgment Awaits You." It's 1:56 of blisteringly fast early-'90s Sepultura-esque thrash—the perfect way to kickstart an extremely brutal album that makes the wrath of God seem cowardly in comparison. Proceeding tracks like the chugging, bloodthirsty "Bitch," the slow and slithering "I Am Disease," and the straight-ahead rocker "The Liars Are Burning" contain all the elements that have made thrash great over the years, yet none of them come off as stale or done to death. Joel Grind is a modern thrash-metal genius. That, or he has an amazing record collection that provides endless inspiration. Either way, we win in the end. AW Also see My, What a Busy Week!

CLAUDE VONSTROKE, THE PERFECT CYN, SAPPHO, RYAN WALZ
(Refuge, 116 SE Yamhill) Claude VonStroke's instant classic "Who's Afraid of Detroit?" had to be the most played summer dance-floor hit of '06. The song came to define VonStroke, making his sound patently recognizable in a vast sea of competing bleeps and bloops. He seemed to be at the absolute top of his game, as did his San Francisco-based tech house imprint Dirtybird Records and now, five years later, VonStroke hasn't slipped at all. As a DJ he has incrementally remade himself with each new production, exploring the possibilities of ever-chunkier basslines while gaining popularity on the international dance-music circuit in the process. His recent Makeovers remix collection chronicles the wide range of sounds he has produced over the years, all of which will surely be heard in tonight's set. As an added bonus, presale tickets include VIP access to make the acquaintance of Mr. VonStroke at a private artist meet and greet. AVA

SCREAM, TRAUMA, RABBITS, FRENZY, DJ SKELL
(East End, 203 SE Grand) With the exception of a back flip from H.R. or Minor Threat kicking it on the porch of the Dischord house, there are few things in DC punk more iconic than Scream. Primarily known outside the beltway as that one band Dave Grohl played with before joining Nirvana (ex-Pen Cap Chew), Scream churned out tidy blasts of melodic hardcore for nearly a decade (1981-1990) before splitting and eventually reforming in '09. The band's original lineup (Grohl-less; he joined in '86) is currently all accounted for and their just-released Complete Control Recording Sessions EP was produced by Mr. Foo Fighter himself. He won't be behind the kit tonight, but drummer Kent Stax—the man who he replaced, and who later replaced him—can easily hold his own. EAC

RAY LAMONTAGNE, VUSI MAHLASELA
(Edgefield, 2126 SW Halsey, Troutdale) Ray LaMontagne is the talented, nice guy whose music you don't mind receiving wider approval—better him than half the garbage out there with the "Grammy Award-winning" prefix. Over just four records LaMontagne already boasts a solid body of earthy folk songs. His even heartier voice puts a nice ribbon on the package, a smoky rasp that makes it all sound genuine and human. Most notable is the fact that with each album LaMontagne has taken steps—if not leaps—in both production and songwriting, seemingly trying to distance himself from becoming a dreaded one-dimensional folk troubadour. 2008's Gossip in the Grain has more tension and soul than almost anything dubbed Americana in the past five years. I guess we can thank Stephen Stills for giving LaMontagne a reason to write a song. MARK LORE

MONDAY 9/5

HANSON
(Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie) Remember those fresh-faced heartthrobs from Tulsa? You know, the ones with the song that went "MMMBop," and then 10 million screaming pre-teen girls were like "YESSSSSS! MMMBOP!" and the world was forever changed? Well, it appears the efforts of the brothers Hanson have not been thwarted due to premature success, and they'll be stopping in Portland on their Musical Ride Tour. As an attendee, you get to dictate which record they'll play and if you're anything like me, your pre-pubescent heart murmurs resurged at the very thought of hearing 1997's Middle of Nowhere in its entirety. However, much to our dismay, that album is not on the city's ballot, though 2010's Shout It Out is and honestly, it's not that bad. The songs clutch a '60s pop nostalgia and are carefully dabbed with soulful touches, thanks to horn arranger Jerry Hey (Michael Jackson, Earth, Wind, and Fire) and Funk Brothers' bassist Bob Babbitt. Plus, all lyrics are comprised solely of tried-and-true English words; the boys have grown up indeed. RAQUEL NASSER Also see My, What a Busy Week!

DEVON WILLIAMS, HAUSU, THE SHIVAS
(East End, 203 SE Grand) Devon Williams is the candy man, and he's stocked full of enough caramel-laced pop confections to send you into a sugar coma. These tasty tunes are so ooey-gooey that they're almost too rich to take in at once, but the occasional indulgence feels so good, how could it be wrong? Williams' new record Euphoria is more than just a guilty pleasure—it's that perfect half-hour bite, balancing nostalgic depth of flavor with hints of slow-motion power pop (à la Cleaners from Venus), soft rock pastiche (Prefab Sprout), and a fascination with '80s production styles (the Church). But like every great chocolatier, you've got to have that something special to keep people coming back when the craving hits. In this case, it's the exquisite choral and orchestral arrangements Williams tops his treats with. You'll be sucking your sticky fingers for days afterward. CHRIS CANTINO

TUESDAY 9/6

SHARON VAN ETTEN, DOUG KEITH
(Bunk Bar, 1028 SE Water) See My, What a Busy Week!

WEDNESDAY 9/7

LABELMATES: ARCHERS, ADVENTURES WITH MIGHT, DJ REMY MARC, CURTIS KNAPP, COMMUNITY LIBRARY DJS, DJ FRANK SUMATRA, DJ SCOTT SIMMONS
(Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison) See My, What a Busy Week!

MUSICFESTNW: THE KILLS, ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER, MINI MANSIONS
(Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside) See My, What a Busy Week!

MUSICFESTNW: WHEEDLE'S GROOVE
(Mission Theater, 1624 NW Glisan) Read our article on Wheedle's Groove.

MUSICFESTNW: CROOKED FINGERS, SEAN FLINN AND THE ROYAL WE, KELLY BLAIR BAUMAN, THE HELIGOATS
(Bunk Bar, 1028 SE Water) Celebrate the official kickoff of Eric Bachmann Week (also known as MusicfestNW) as the raspy-voiced singer starts his double shift in Portland. Tonight he'll be singing new songs for the old drunks at Bunk Bar, and later this week he'll make all my dreams come true by fronting a reinvigorated and reunited Archers of Loaf. Then he'll probably get the key to the city and then be awarded a novelty-sized check in appreciation for his contribution to the indie arts. Of course, it's hard for tonight's show to not be overshadowed by the AOL reunion, but please—for the love of God—do not walk away from Crooked Fingers. Their forthcoming Breaks in the Armor is Bachmann's finest work since '05's Dignity and Shame, and while his back catalog is damn near impeccable, it's safe to say Bachmann's best work still lies ahead of him. EAC

MUSICFESTNW: CORIN TUCKER BAND, HURRY UP, HUNGRY GHOST
(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi) It's a shame that Corin Tucker Band's 1000 Years hasn't quite garnered the same level of fawning praise as Wild Flag. The pair of acts to emerge from the ashes of Sleater-Kinney are both stellar, and while CTB might lack the indie all-star power of Carrie Brownstein's latest vehicle, their namesake more than makes up for it on their inspired debut. Joining this bill—which is like a mid-'90s Olympia reunion—is Hungry Ghost (the latest from Unwound, and CTB, drummer Sara Lund) and Hurry Up, a side project of the Thermals that swaps frontman Hutch Harris for Bangs' Maggie Vail and should not be confused with their other project, Harris' Forbidden Friends. EAC

RAMBLIN' JACK ELLIOTT, DENVER
(Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta) Eighty-year-old Elliot Charles Adnopoz has been ramblin' for more than half a century, telling stories and singing folk songs in a husky voice that some Minnesota kid named Robert Zimmerman carefully learned how to imitate. Ramblin' Jack Elliott is tied by the same threads that bind Woody Guthrie and Dylan together with the folk music traditions of this country, and he also is perhaps the embodiment of the direct conduit from folk to outlaw country, inspiring folks like Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson along the way. Ramblin' Jack never wrote much in the way of his own material, which is maybe why he never quite achieved the legendary status of those he influenced, but the man's a singular titan of American music, and the opportunity to see him shouldn't be passed up lightly. NL