There’s more than just rain to get into this week. We've got a chance to support Mississippi Records, at a benefit concert to help offset damages from a recent fire. We're listening to a new rap single from Karma Rivera and Chilifa Nem. And if you’re already looking ahead to summer 2024, there’s exciting concert plans in the works for Providence Park. Get into all the stuff to Hear in Portland.

MUST SEE: 

Upcoming local event(s) featuring local artist(s). 

Mississippi Records Fire Repair Benefit

On the morning of September 29, an act of what appears to be intentional arson caused an estimated $10,000 worth of damages to both the building and the wares inside Mississippi Records. No one was harmed, and somewhat beautifully, a whole community of people arrived to clean the beloved music shop, on the next day. According to fire and police reports, rumors that the fire began due to a molotov cocktail appear to be unfounded, but the situation is still difficult for a small business to shoulder. In collaboration with Mississippi Records owner Eric Isaacson, Portland-based music hero Papi Fimbres (of Dreckig, Savila, Orquestra Pacifico Tropical, et al.) put together a concert to benefit the shop, on the day before Halloween, at neighboring record stronghold Turn! Turn! Turn! In an email to the Mercury, Fimbres explained: "Because it's a day before Halloween, I thought, let's make it a costumed themed party! So the theme is 'dress up as your favorite (or not!) album cover!'" On the benefit's bill, you'll find Fimbres’ own Dreckig, no wave garage rockers Lo Fives, and lo-fi experimentalists Lo Glo, who specialize in a simple, yet mesmerizing, setup of drums and operatic vocals. (Turn! Turn! Turn!, 8 NE Killingsworth, Mon Oct 30, 8 pm, $10 at the door, 21+) 

MUST LISTEN: 

New release(s) from a Portland-relevant artist. 

“Taraji P,” Karma Rivera, Chilifa Nem

At the Thesis Yacht Party in September, Karma Rivera fans ate up the Afro-Latina's set of upbeat and polished new tracks. So it's impressive that she just dropped another addition—a new single with Texas-born Portland-based artist Chilifa Nem—to her string of danceable pop-infused songs. Over a silvery beat produced by Hendrick Valera, Rivera kicks it off, rapping a flirtatious first verse: “She’s single for the summer/ she ain’t giving out her number/ no she get it from her mother/ way she throw it in that romper/ I’m like damn.” Released with three alternate versions (radio edit, slowed down + reverb, and sped up) “Taraji P” feels like it could soundtrack the next season of The Ultimatum: Queer Love. Listen to the slowed down version if you want to go deep on these lyrics. And you do.

ADDED TO THE QUEUE: 

Some upcoming music buzz to put on your radar.

Providence Park Glow-Up

Providence Park—AKA the home of the Portland Timbers FC and Portland Thorns FC—will start hosting live stadium concerts next summer! The city-owned stadium hasn’t hosted large scale music events since 2005, though a soccer-friendly renovation in 2009 and another update in 2019 each increased its potential audience capacity. Now the park projects that erecting a stage at its south end will leave room for around about 30,000 people, and plans to kick off a series of multiple shows, presented by Live Nation, starting with a late-season visit from the Foo Fighters on August 16, for which tickets are already on sale. While a crowd size of 30,000 still won't be nearly enough major draws like BeyoncĂ©, the new venue will certainly help Portland compete with other outdoor venues like Bend's Hayden Homes Amphitheater or the Gorge, which have capacities of just 8,000 and 27,000, respectively. It'll even eclipse Moda Center, which seats approximately 20,000.Â