Greetings, residents of this war-ravaged city! With all the things going on around the world, in this country, and in Portland specifically, it’s admittedly hard—even for me, this column’s author—to focus on pleasures like art and music in a time when authoritarianism is rapidly infecting our society’s institutions, all while our city is being occupied by Trump’s armed federal agents who are presumably being sent to, I don’t know, terrorize our bike rides and molest our emotional support animals? 

Still, over the next three months, there are at least three interesting, cool, and noteworthy live music experiences that might just be worth your money, time, and energy. Yes, even in this economy!

MUST SEE: 

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

Creative Music Guild’s Improvisation Summit of Portland Night 1 featuring Ches Smith’s Clone Row, Cosmos Dark, and Noah Simpson

Together with Holocene, Creative Music Guild’s Improvisation Summit of Portland 2025 (Oct 13 – 29) provides an opportunity to see a bevy of artists at an array of Portland’s best venues. This week we’re highlighting stalwart Chicago-to-Portland artist Vaughn Kimmons in one of her many musical iterations. Many know Kimmons by her Brown Alice moniker, comprising one half of Portland-based intergalactic post-soul duo Brown Calculus, along with AndrĂ© Burgos. She is also part of Be Present Art Group, and is one third of new-ish Portland-based soul trio WRK!, in which she sings gorgeous harmonies with Amenta Abioto (Yawa) and Jacque Hammond, also of Be Present Art Group. 

Music nonprofit Creative Music Guild (CMG) is an all-volunteer-run nonprofit organization with a mission to promote experimental and improvisational music through live shows, workshops, and other events pulling together the larger music community—from globally celebrated musicians, to local artists, and music students of all ages. On the first night of the CMG’s Improvisation Summit of Portland, behold: A chance to catch a set by Kimmons’ solo performance art project Cosmos Dark, through which she takes audiences on a journey of shadowy themes, intimate lyrics, erratic rhythms, expansive electronic soundscapes, and of course, those haunting vocals she’s so beloved for. Brooklyn-based Ches Smith’s Clone Row ensemble, featuring Mary Halvorson and Liberty Ellman on guitars, Nick Dunston on bass, and Ches Smith on drums, headlines, performing experimental jazz from their 2025 album Clone Row, and Noah Simpson opening the evening with his dynamic, jazz-rooted trumpet improvisations. (Holocene, Mon, Oct 13, 8 pm, more info here, 21+)

THUNDERPUSSY / HIPPIE DEATH CULT

Going strong for more than a decade, Seattle-based rock band Thunderpussy often pairs passionate, sex-positive themes with a bluesy, soul-powered sound, all centering a badass queer woman’s perspective. Led by the epic, soaring vocals of Molly Sides, the band comprises bassist/songwriter Leah Julius, and new-ish drummer Michelle Nuño. Their upcoming show at Polaris Hall will be a good chance to have your face melted as the band rips through standouts from their 2024 album West—like the witchy and soulful “I Can Do Better” (featuring Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready); the sultry “Put Your Hands On Me;” and the invigorating “NED”—all of which were co-written by Sides and guitarist Whitney Petty. For their tour finale in Portland, their tour mates, Portland psych rock trio Hippie Death Cult, will open with ample doses of hard and heavy rock & roll. (Polaris Hall, Tues Nov 18, 8 pm, more info here, 21+)

ADDED TO THE QUEUE: 

Some upcoming music buzz to add to your radar.

John Legend

In celebration of the two decades since his prolific 2005 studio debut Get Lifted, John Legend is bringing his “Get Lifted 20th Anniversary Tour” to Portland this December. I’m not one to advocate for housed Portlanders leaving their homes during the winter season—that is, unless there’s a really good reason; John Legend’s [ahem] legendary vocals are one such example.

Co-produced by Legend’s then manager and GOOD Music label head Kanye West (alongside Dave Tozer, will.i.am, and Devo Springsteen), the themes on Get Lifted largely revolve around cheating and betrayal, getting high, and passion-driven rollercoaster romances. And yet, for more than 20 years it’s been hard to resist Legend’s warm and slightly raspy soul vocals as he repeatedly switches back and forth between justifying cheating and asking for forgiveness from his lover throughout the album. Yes, John, we forgive you. (Luckily, it appears Legend has since cleaned up his act and I couldn’t be happier for him and Chrissy Teigen’s adorable family.)

Legend will no-doubt slay all the major highlights from the 2005 album: From the catchy yet ill-advised “Used to Love U” and infuriatingly cute paradox of “Number One,” to his dreamy and soaring ballad “So High” and, of course, his breakthrough break-up/make-up hit “Ordinary People”—as well as other album highlights at least partly performed pianoside. 

Concertgoers can also expect to hear other career-spanning hits that pass the vibe check, like “Save Room,” and “All of Me,” and hopefully at least part of his topically poignant, Grammy award-winning single “Glory.” Indeed, those in attendance are pretty much guaranteed to fuck around and find out that when it comes to songwriting and sweet serenades, John Legend really is that dude. (Moda Center, Sun Dec 7, 7:30 pm, more info here, all ages)