Dear Mercury music lovers,

I’m always pleasantly surprised by the lineup of artists rolling through our fine city, but this week’s picks are pretty peak, I won’t lie. We’ve got Dinosaur Jr. and Stef Chura on the same Rev Hall bill, the dreamy sounds of Black Belt Eagle Scout, Soft Cult, Julia Jacklin, Frankie Cosmos, and She’s Green all in one week, and the proverbial cherry on this sonic sundae—to me, at least—is that of Sweden’s lo-fi electronic-emo outfit Weatherday, soon to be gracing Portland with their presence at Polaris Hall. 

And sure, that seasonal sleepy time is just around the corner. As the days get darker earlier and the air gets brisker by the day, I’m here to encourage you to not let it get you down! Personally, I am considering investing in one of those sunlamps, maybe to keep near my record player so I can zone out and listen to all the vinyl I’m collecting at shows while basking in the fake sun. Which reminds me, if you have the means, I recommend buying physical media and merch from all your favorite bands. Not only is it the best way to support them directly (I won’t even get into music industry economics right now) but it’s also a great way to get offline and feel connected to music outside of the digital nightmare landscape of late-stage capitalist soul-sucking. You’re probably reading this now online or on your phone, and I know there’s no true escape. But I think every little moment counts! Listen to a CD, wait in line with your friends, keep your ticket stubs. Let this week of captivating concerts set the tone for a new season. I’m feeling hopeful. 

Thursday, October 22

Dinosaur Jr., Stef Chura

For fans of Built to Spill, Sebadoh, Pavement

The oddball-gritty-alt-noise-rock luminaries of Dinosaur Jr. are finally en route back to Portland. This time, they’re featuring opening act Stef Chura, a Detroit-based artist who wears her heart on her sleeve, rocking a powerful new album, Dancing Alone on the Concrete. I’ve always felt that Dinosaur Jr.’s frontman J. Mascis somehow emits a Pacific Northwest vibe, despite being from Massachusetts (granted, the Pioneer Valley does feel like a tiny bit of Portland). Perhaps it’s the colorful aesthetics and driving guitar tones that seem to have inspired a generation of PNW indie rockers that bring out this feeling. Either way, with new songs and a familiar, fun energy, this show is a must.

(Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark, 8 pm, $50.58, more info, all ages)

Friday, October 23

Black Belt Eagle Scout

For fans of SASAMI, Haley Heynderickx, Soccer Mommy

If you haven’t yet been graced by Katherine Paul’s dreamgaze-y tones in Black Belt Eagle Scout, you’ve got another chance to redeem yourself. Portland-based, Paul is a Swinomish/Iñupiaq songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist who blends a gritty Pacific Northwest grunge with equal parts poignant and haunting vocals. Her performance is magnetic, writing all at once of grief and joy. Black Belt Eagle Scout is both heavy and soft, touching on the complexity of the human spirit and how it intersects within identity and community care through resilience. The culmination is a unique, must-hear sound.

(Glenn and Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center, 527 E Main St, Hillsboro, 7:30 pm, $35 adv $40 dos, more info) 

Monday, October 26

She’s Green, Witches Exist, Starling

For fans of Slowdive, Cocteau Twins, Wisp

The High Limit Room is known to host a wide variety of heavy-hitting bookings, and this evening’s no exception. With LA-based grunge outfit Starling, Austin-based indie rockers Witches Exist, and Minneapolis-based dreamers She’s Green, the result will be downright gazey from the shoes to the stars. She’s Green (often stylized all lowercase i.e. she’s green) is a nature-inspired wall of twinkly sound, both reminiscent of classic shoegaze and somehow entirely refreshing and ethereal. Whether you like the classic drive of My Bloody Valentine or the more lilting contemporary dreamgaze of bands like Wisp or Winter, this show is sure to be sonically stellar all the way around. 

(High Limit Room, 720 SE Hawthorne, 7 pm, $15, more info, all ages)

Tuesday, October 27

Weatherday

For fans of Asian Glow, awakebutstillinbed, Your Arms Are My Cocoon

I won’t lie, I’ve been waiting for this show almost all year. I’ve been a fan of Weatherday since 2022, after the release of Weatherglow, which was made alongside South Korean band Asian Glow (who played Portland earlier this year and put on a killer show). Their glitchy-pop emo is lo-fi but complex, both dancey and cathartic. Coming all the way from Sweden, Weatherday’s surprisingly tapped into the local scene by way of Topshelf Records, their Portland-based label. Supported by local artists Yudai and Jean Wilder, Polaris is about to be flooded with a strange collection of sound.

(Polaris Hall, 635 N Killingsworth Ct, 8 pm, $22-$28., more info, all ages)

Wednesday, October 28

Team Dresch (Record Release Show), Heavens to Betsy, Altar Girl

For fans of Bikini Kill, Sleater-Kinney, The Hirs Collective

Despite their Olympian origins, Team Dresch often gets boxed into the genre “queercore” rather than “riot grrrl,” though I’d argue they’re two sides of the same coin. Cutthroat and forward, Team Dresch kicked off in the early ’90s, with their first release out on Kill Rockstars in the same era as other fan faves like Bratmobile and Bikini Kill. Now Portland-based, these punk heroes are celebrating the release of their latest record, joined by original riot grrrl rock duo Heavens to Betsy (featuring drummer Tracy Sawyer and Sleater-Kinney’s Corin Tucker) and gothy-punk scream-team Altar Girl.

(Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark, 8 pm, $45.96, more info, all ages)

But wait, there’s more!

Friday, October 23

Bedouine

For fans of Jessica Pratt, Weyes Blood, Adrianne Lenker

Azniv Korkejian is Bedouine, a folk project that reflects on identity and family as a tender journey through music. (Polaris Hall, 635 N Killingsworth Ct, 9 pm, $38.26, more info, 21+)

Slow Pulp

For fans of Wishy, Crumb, Feeble Little Horse

Pop-reverb perfection, Slow Pulp is if shoegaze sipped caffeine and stepped it up just a notch. (Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark, 8 pm, $34.41, more info, all ages)

Sunday, October 25

Frankie Cosmos

For fans of Snail Mail, Big Thief, Japanese Breakfast

Sweet in a heartbreaking kind of way, Greta Simone Kline’s project is the perfect bedroom pop to cry or dance to. (Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie, 8 pm, $34.38, more info, all ages)

Monday, October 26

Julia Jacklin

For fans of Angel Olsen, Sharon Van Etten, Faye Webster

Crooning and charming, this Australian artist’s indie-folk is calling your name. (Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 8 pm, $41, more info, all ages)