Future Islands, Oh Rose
Baltimore synth-poppers Future Islands return to Portland in support of The Far Field, the eagerly awaited follow-up to their 2014 breakout album, Singles.
8 pm, Crystal Ballroom, $22-25
Downtown Boys, Lithics, Cool Flowers, Little Star
The sound made by Downtown Boys is arresting in the best possible way, stopping you in your tracks with its energy and velocity. But the Providence, Rhode Island, punkers aren’t here to keep you down—their music functions as catharsis and proclamation, dismantling patriarchal bullshit with unflinchingly smart lyrics and good, old-fashioned volume. NED LANNAMANN
9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $13-15
Fresh Hop Pop-Up Beer Fest
For the second year in a row, Burnside Brewing transforms its parking lot into a pop-up festival featuring 10 taps rotating daily through a selection of over 20 fresh hop harvest beers this season, from brewers including Fremont, Laurelwood, Breakside, and Fort George, as well as an Oktoberfest styled ala carte menu. Visit fresh-hops.com for a list of participating breweries and scheduled tappings.
Sept 21-24, 11 am, Burnside Brewing Co., free
A Beat Happening
Another showcase for the city's best beatsmiths, creating grooves, breaking beats, looping the loops, and generally remixing the night itself for a couple hours. Featuring sets from Trox, Snugsworth, Elijah Who, and more.
6 pm, Future Shock, free
The Heartlights, Patsy's Rats, The Suicide Notes
Oakland-hailing quartet The Heartlights bring their infectious garage-tinged power pop sounds to the Know stage for the Portland stop on a Northwest tour supporting their recently released EP, Oh Dear. Like-minded locals Patsy's Rats and The Suicide Notes round out the bill.
8 pm, The Know
LVL Up, Dude York, Turtlenecked
LVL UP’s Return to Love might be the best indie rock album of 2016 that almost didn’t get made. After self-releasing two full-lengths and a slew of EPs on Double Double Whammy, the four-piece made a pact that if they didn’t get someone else to put out their music, they’d hang it up for good. Instead, Seattle’s Sub Pop Records signed them on for a third full-length. It’s a joyous and angry meditation on nature, relationships, and modern spirituality. This approach certainly risks alienation, but Return to Love addresses religion without any pretense or cheesiness—instead with bursts of beauty and refreshing, un-apathetic honesty. CAMERON CROWELL
9 pm, Star Theater, $12
Public Service Broadcasting
London's Public Service Broadcasting use found sounds, samples, and esoterica to make involving instrumental music that actually tells a story. NED LANNAMANN
8:30 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $16-18
Pee Wee Ellis Funk Assembly
Saxophonist, composer, and arranger Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis honed his chops as a vital member of James Brown's band from 1965 to 1969. Tonight the funk pioneer stops off at the Alberta Rose Theatre to perform with his latest backing band, featuring vocalist Fred Ross, drummer Brian Foxworth, bassist Ben Jones, keybordist Michael Elson, and guitarist Jay Bird Koder.
8 pm, Alberta Rose Theatre, $26
Josh Weil
Josh Weil reads from his new collection of stories, The Age of Perpetual Light, the follow-up to his acclaimed debut novel, The Great Glass Sea. 7:30 pm, Powell's City of Books, free
Don't forget to check out our Things To Do calendar for even more things to do!
