I usually try to save the Mercury Music Picks intro for joy… This week’s a little different. I am so tired—exhausted even—of people using the r-word thinking it’s somehow subversive and edgy when it’s actually completely fucked up and ableist. You know what’s actually subversive under an administration that’s currently demolishing resources for disabled communities? Radical acts of care centering people with disabilities, that’s what. Community- and scene-building doesn’t come from a Bush-era vocabulary; catch up with us, honey. We’re smarter than that, we’re more evolved.
This rebuke springs from the title of a new single by local band Keddies Resort. I assume it’s meant to be a joke, but instead it’s wildly ableist and completely regressive. It’s not fucking funny—you sound like an ignorant bigot for using it. Do better, Keddies Resort.
Because of this recent trend of people using the r-word, please consider donating or volunteering at local institutions supporting the care and development of communities with disabilities. Some Portland favorites include Elbow Room, North Pole, and Our House of Portland.
P.S. I'm taking next week off so this MMP is extra long! Brb 😘
Wednesday, June 4 & Thursday, June 5
Holocene 22nd Anniversary
For fans of Grouper, Patricia Wolf, Motor City Drum Ensemble
Back when I lived in Bend, I’d regularly make the trek over the Cascades to check out shows at Holocene. It was the spot to see experimental anything in Portland both local and touring. Holocene has remained a backbone of live music in the Central Eastside, and this two-day celebration is a getting back to the roots of the venue and looking toward its future. The first night, co-presented by Beacon Sound, will host LA-by-way-of-NY experimentalist Byron Westbrook headlining a bill that also includes Portland-based field-recordist Marcus Fischer and experimental ambient artist Sanae Yamada. The second night pumps the volume and energy up with a dance party featuring Soul Clap, Ben Tactic, and Phreaker Fighter on the one’s and two’s. (Holocene, tickets here, 21+)
Thursday, June 5
Wayne Hancock / IV and the Strange Band / A Town Called Home
For fans of Link Wray, Earnest Tubb, King Lollipop
When I was very young, like five or six, my dad took it upon himself to begin my country music education. And in the mix with classic favorites—giants like Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, along with contemporary alt-country acts like the Knitters and Southern Culture on the Skids—he regularly played ’90s country singer Wayne Hancock. While there have been plenty of comparisons made between Hancock and Williams, I find that sentiment the lowest of the hanging fruit. Since his 1995 debut Thunderstorms and Neon Signs, he’s been turning and burning surf-inflected twang like no one before or since. Hancock’s one of the lesser-known living legends of the genre, catch him as often as you can. (Showdown Saloon, 8 pm, tickets here, 21+)
Friday, June 6
Portraits of Past / Ragana / Rainmaking
For fans of City of Caterpillar, Swing Kids, These Arms Are Snakes
Can you even believe it? What a treat it’s been to have so many reunion shows and tours come through Portland the last few years! The Bay Area’s short-lived Portraits of Past split in 1995 and have only played a handful of shows since—the last being in 2009. Early innovators of screamo, Portraits were among the first to really bridge the gap of ’90s midwest emo and the post-hardcore popping off at the time, thanks to the likes of Steve Albini. Olympia Indigi-queers Ragana are headed down to crush the middle slot with their flavor of Cascadian black metal; Portland-based screamo huns Rainmaking open their hearts and the night for us. (Hawthorne Theatre, 8 pm, tickets here, all ages)
Saturday, June 7
New Wave
For fans of Vietnamese culture, music documentaries, drag
Debuting to buzzy acclaim last year at Tribeca Film Festival, Elizabeth Ai’s New Wave documentary brings to light underground culture in 1980s post-war Vietnam to exceptional results. The attitude is big, but the hair is bigger. New wave music, a freshly flamboyant sense of fashion, and queer culture collide in the film giving those of us too young to have experienced new wave in real time a peek into a fabulous subculture, while injecting Gen-Xers with pure sentimental bliss. Blossom Drearie hosts the Clinton Street screening that includes an AAPI drag show, and Ai in attendance for a Q&A and book signing. Heads up, masks are required at this screening. There will also be an after party popping off at Dots across the street so we can carry the hi-nrg into the night! If you can’t make this event, Tomorrow Theater will be screening the documentary on June 14 as well. (Clinton Street Theater, 5 pm, tickets here, all ages)
Thursday, June 12
City Cast Portland ft. Nolan Parker
I’ve been listening to the City Cast Portland podcast for a minute now, and what a sweet surprise that they’ve asked me to come on the pod! I’ll be talking about the best outdoor music happenings popping off in Portland over the summer—of which there are many—along with a few other fun goings on. The episode drops June 12, check it out!
R.A.P. Ferreira / Blax / Frankie Jax No Mad
For fans of Earl Sweatshirt, J Dilla, Billy Woods
On his outstanding new album Outstanding Understanding, R.A.P. Ferreira’s back with his unmistakable chiller beats that pair perfectly with his laidback flow. On the surface, Ferreira’s expansive vocabulary and beats-to-study-to style flows can be just that—music well suited as a backdrop, but give the man’s music another listen, and then another. There’s power in keeping calm and questioning what the fuck is going on in America and the world right now. Blax is on tour with Ferreira bringing a higher energy and faster-paced vocals, while the frenetic (in a good way) hip-hopper Frankie Jax No Mad is on opening duty. (Mississippi Studios, 8 pm, tickets here, 21+)
Saturday, June 14
Casual Hex / U Sco / So Pitted / Conspire
For fans of Sonic Youth, Gang of Four, Dïat
This is the one we’ve been waiting for folks, the album release show for Casual Hex! The band has been pretty quiet since the release of their 2018 weirdo-noise opus Zig Zag Lady Illusion. Thankfully for all of us, the band is back with the hotly anticipated Zig Zag Lady Illusion II and coming to crush us at St. Johns staple, the Fixin’ To. Do not sleep on what will absolutely be one of Portland’s (and Seattle’s and Tacoma’s) best records of 2025 and, ergo, one of the best shows of the year. Casual Hex has pulled together a clutch lineup for their release party including their maximalist pals in U Sco, Seattle post-punks So Pitted, and another of Portland’s best bands, Conspire. (The Fixin’ To, 8 pm, tickets here, 21+)
Cole Pulice
For fans of Nico Mulhy, Patricia Wolf, Patrick Shiroishi
Building gorgeous soundscapes on their new album Land’s End Eternal, Cole Pulice has brought a serene lushness to my listening as of late. The compositions feel like they beckon the listener to slow down, and take in life’s details unseen until that very moment. I highly recommend putting Land’s End Eternal on your turntable, opening all the windows of your home you can, and drift between daydreaming and sleep. And what a perfect backdrop for Pulice to perform at the Old Church—it feels like it’s been a minute since we’ve been treated to this type of performance at TOC, it’s sure to be a special one. (The Old Church, 7:30 pm, tickets here, all ages)
Monday, June 16
Bloc Party / Blonde Redhead / Family Dinner
For fans of The Hives, Foals, Sparklehorse
At one point one of the biggest bands in what is now known as indie sleaze, Bloc Party’s appearance in Portland is a big deal. They haven’t performed live in these parts since playing Wonder Ballroom in 2016—pretty wild considering they’re now playing Theater of the Clouds. Appreciation of music from the mid-’00s has been starting to come around the last few years and it’s fucking rad to see, as it felt like a bunch of these bands were on the brink of slipping into the “indefinate hiatus” void or just straight up never playing out again. Glad Bloc Party is back in the PNW, and maybe this is an unpopular opinion, but I think the switch-a-roo of Blonde Redhead opening instead of Metric is a massive come-up. (Theater of the Clouds, 7 pm, tickets here, all ages)
Tuesday, June 17
Michael Cera Palin / Aren’t We Amphibians / Swiss Army Wife / Saoirse Dream
For fans of Heart to Gold, Simple Shapes, Oolong
Ok, let’s get it out of the way: Michael Cera Palin is one of the funniest band names that’s ever existed. And, maybe another unpopular opinion, but their cover of Sheryl Crow’s “If It Makes You Happy” is far-and-away the superior version—fight me. Beyond their genius name and cover song chops, the band rips! They’re hands down one of the most exciting pop punk bands on the scene right now and their LP, We Could Be Brave is proof positive that they’re only just getting started. San Diego screamo/emo heads Aren’t We Amphibians are up to take over the middle slot, while local baddies Swiss Army Wife and Saoirse Dream are doing their things in the opening positions. Also, kudos to Mission Theater, they’ve been hosting some extremely sick shows the last few years, giving a stage to bands and artists that would likely be sequestered to DIY and house venues. Though we love those DIY spaces, we should all say a big thank you to Mission Theater 👏 (Mission Theater, 8 pm, tickets here, all ages)
Also very worth it…
Scientist / Yungmorpheus at Holocene - June 7, tickets here
Modular on the Spot at Overlook Park - June 8, info here
Preoccupations / Goon at Polaris Hall - June 8, tickets here
Lydia Lunch / Babyspit / Replicunt at Star Theater - June 11, tickets here
Crush on Everyone w/ Andi Camp of Ribbon Fix at Turn! Turn! Turn! - June 11, tickets at the door
Universal Monster / Sonnam / Unga Dunga at Shanghai Tunnel - June 13, tickets at the door
Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark at Grand Lodge - June 13, tickets here
New Wave at Tomorrow Theater - June 14, tickets here
