The Portland Mercury‘s Highball
BEHOLD! The return of the Portland Mercury’s HIGHBALL! We’ve teamed up with dozens of the finest bars and restaurants in Portland—along with our cocktail-lovin’ pals at Beam Suntory and Portland Beverage—to bring you this one-of-a-kind boozetacular! At each of Highball’s locations, you’ll find specially crafted cocktails. Even better? Each of these fantastic cocktails will be available ALL DAY (not just during happy hour!) and cost you a mere $5! (Mon-Sat March 16-22, Various Locations, $5)
Jo Passed, Panther, Paper Gates
Jo Hirabayashi’s garage-pop project Jo Passed has come a long way from its scrappy origins as a two-piece touring the far reaches of Canada. Now residing in Vancouver, BC and expanded to a trio with drummer Mac Lawrie and bassist Megan-Magdalena Bourne, the group is able—with a little help from Sub Pop Records—to produce lusher, more expansive takes on the guitar rock canon. On their most recent album Their Prime, Jo Passed indulges in soft string arrangements, jagged post-punk, and, as the title of one of their best songs says, “Millennial Trash Blues.” (Sun March 15, 8 pm, Killingsworth Dynasty, $7) ROBERT HAM
Gaytheist, Via Vale, Internet Beef
North Portland is about to have itself one hell of a show, headlined by the uncompromising Gaytheist. (Fri March 13, 9 pm, The World Famous Kenton Club, $10)
Sincere God Magnetic
The “All Magnetic Tour” takes over the Ladd Taphouse, and the Sincere God gets a lot of support from host Muthafuckin Arie, and performances from La Conecta, Syndel, Swiggle Mandela, Rob the Universe, and many more. (Fri March 13, 8 pm, Ladd Taphouse, $10)
Blowout, Source Material
Beloved Portland pop-punk outfit Blowout head up a Friday night show at the Firkin Tavern in conjunction with the Ides of March Fest. Up-and-comers Source Material and a TBA third artist round out the bill. (Fri March 13, 8 pm, Firkin Tavern, $7)
All Worked Up, GFL, Curtains
A trio of Portland punk and hardcore outfits gather at No Fun to head up a benefit show for Jose Mejia in the wake of a tragic car accident that claimed the life of his partner Willow Carver and left him with mounting medical expenses and bills. (Fri March 13, 9 pm, No Fun, $4)
Yuvees, Miss Rayon, Sea Moss
The Yuvees work hard, and the fruits of that labor will be on display at tonight’s tape release party, with support from Miss Rayon and Sea Moss. (Sat March 14, 8 pm, Bunk Bar, $7)
Lubec, Helens, Altona, Knife Callus
Portland dream pop and indie rock outfit Lubec link up with Vancouver-hailing emo and indie rock quartet Altona for an intimate show at Turn! Turn! Turn! Like-minded locals Helens and Knife Callus (featuring members of Bug Seance and Substitute Dad) lend their support. (Sat March 14, 8 pm, Turn! Turn! Turn!, $7)
Helvetia, Candace, Babytooth
The Ides of March Fest rolls into the weekend, with local psych-pop, shoegaze, and indie rock favorites Helvetia and Candace linking up with Isabel Zacharias and her up-and-coming band Babytooth for a Saturday night show at the Firkin Tavern. (Sat March 14, 8 pm, Firkin Tavern, $7)
Modern Times Beer Dark Market
Modern Times hosts the first-ever installment of the PDX Dark Market, with local vendors peddling strange, occult, punk rock, and death metal-inspired art and wares, plus plenty of tasty beer, and metal on the speakers to get your amped up for the occasion. Vendors include Marika Paz Illustration, Fancy Feathers, Oakthorn Studios, Erika Rier, and Stephanie Hatch Art. (Sat March 14, 11 am, Modern Times Belmont Fermentorium, free, all ages)
Coloring Electric Like, Lies We Were Told, Disco Volante
Coloring Electric Like plays electronica-influenced shoegaze rock, with hip-hop beats as the bedrock for Mia Chemillo’s vocals. (Sat March 14, 8 pm, High Water Mark, $10)
Bingo at the Siren Theater
Erin-go-BINGO! Amirite? Eh? Anyway, you know how this works. Same good ol’ Bingo fun you remember from the last time you hit the Siren and daubed (and dabbed, who knows) to your hearts content, or from the days when nicotine-stained Bingo halls dotted the landscape. But this time, the game is St. Patrick’s flavored, and features special guests, comedy, and more. (Sun March 15, 11 am, Siren Theater, $5)
Viral Tyrant, Illryth, Slug Hammer
Fresh off the release of their 2019 demo, Blunt Force, newly-minted local doom and sludge outfit Viral Tyrant head up a hometown show along with support from Illryth and Slug Hammer. (Sun March 15, 8 pm, Twilight Cafe & Bar, $5)
Collate, The Tissues, Vueltas
Kristine Nevrose’s authoritative vocals convey her dissatisfied demands with the power of Poly Styrene of X-Ray Spex, and the drama of a first-two-records Siouxsie Sioux. But I also hear the immediateness of ’00s noise-punk panic, flying above guitarist Jerry Narrows’ frenzied new wave and noise rock guitar riffs. With two totally solid albums under their belt, and this tour that brings their latest release, Blue Film, up the West Coast from LA, the Tissues’ reputation for songs that fly like fuel-efficient rockets and shows that hit with energy and rebelliousness precedes them. (Mon March 16, 8 pm, Black Water Bar, $7, all ages)
Andy Place & the Coolheads, Triple Lutz, Era Bleak, The Ugliez
Portland punks Andy Place and the Coolheads head up a full-slate of rock and roll at the Liquor Store with help from Triple Lutz, Era Bleak, and the Ugliez. (Tues March 17, 9 pm, The Liquor Store, $7)
Basil Strawberry, WL, Shannon Entropy
Basil Strawberry is the electronic singer/songwriter project of Basil Jane Stevens, whose 2019 debut Woman explores gender transition with warm, synthy, punk production and lyrics like “My body is nothing / more significant / than a single drop / or everything at once.” (Thurs March 19, 9 pm, The Liquor Store, $7)
Front Porch Sessions
A local, low-key storytelling event focused on the lives of community members, sharing true tales of their experiences. (Thurs March 19, 7 pm, Alberta Street Pub, $10)
As you’re considering going out in Portland, remember that it’s important to always wash your hands and stay home if you’re sick.It’s a good idea to double-check event websites directly for cancellations or postponements before leaving the house.
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