Has everyone dried out from the atmospheric-river-torrential-downpour over the weekend?? Phew, thank goodness! I was about to start building my ark there for a second….
This week is full to the brim with fabulous concerts, AND—most exciting—sees the release of the Mercury’s 2025 Queer Issue! The issue’s theme is “Be Gay, Do _____.” and is my first print issue edit (lovingly co-edited by arts & culture editor Suzette Smith)! It starts hitting the streets this Wednesday, and features heaps of music coverage: an interview with post-punk huns Casual Hex, a queer mixtape of all Portland artists, the maximalist exuberance of Rock Horror, a queer centerfold and event listings, and an extremely clutch coloring page by Samuel Fancy featuring Nonbinary Girlfriend. Pick it up for free all over the city!
Lastly, check our Portland Summer Fuzz playlist (updated weekly) on Spotify! It finally feels like the sun is here to stay—these are the appropriate tunes for the occasion!
Tuesday, June 24
Slime / Shell Shock / Saint Breaker / Mad Choice / At Peace / Ripped Off
IT’S FINALLY HERE—the opening of Portland’s only all ages hardcore (and hardcore adjacent) venue! The aptly named High Limit Room has taken over the former Analog Cafe space at 720 SE Hawthorne. The venue has been pulled together by the heads behind 777 Booking with help from the hardcore and DIY scenes as well as Portland’s wider music communities… THIS IS THEIR FIRST SHOW IN THE NEW SPACE! Go out and support, this is community, this is important! Typical of hardcore shows, the bill is massive. Typical of 777 Booking shows, the bill is immaculate. (High Limit Room, 7 pm, tickets here, all ages)
Wednesday, June 25
Talib Kweli / Swiggle Mandela / No Request DJs
For fans of Wu-Tang Clan, The Roots, Common
Throwin’ it down in Brooklyn since the mid-’90s, Talib Kweli is a deeply influential rapper having worked with some of the biggest names in hip-hop including MF DOOM, DJ Quik, De La Soul, and so many more. Kweli’s star initially rose in 1997 with the release of Black Star, a collab album with Yasiin Bey (FKA Mos Def). Since then the MC’s voice, flow, and vocabulary has been immediately recognizable—positioning him as one of hip-hop’s longest running taste makers. It may seem kind of odd that Kweli is pulling up to Dante’s, and that’s true, but it’s also hilarious and very cool! I reckon this is the most intimate setting any of us will ever be able to catch him in. Portland’s hip-hop ride or dies Swiggle Mandela are in the opening spot, with the No Requests DJs setting the mood. (Dante’s, 9 pm, tickets here, 21+)
Thursday, June 26
Rhododendron / Jousting / Swing
For fans of Clikatat Ikatowi, Great Falls, Rex
Portland’s Rhododendron have been on the come up for the last few years with their angular flavor of post-hardcore noise rock. Both post-hardcore and noise rock bands often fall into the cycle of an intense, high volume, single note note across whole albums or even entire discographies—Rhododendron does not suffer from this ailment. They’ve got the abrasive, driving highs, the almost whisper lows, and everything in between. I really hesitate labeling a band I like post-rock but Jousting fits the bill, and while that is a big part of their sound they also pull heavily from ’90s slowcore. More Indian Summer than Explosions in My Eye, for sure. Rounding out the all-Portland bill is the mysterious Swing. (Mission Theater, 8 pm, tickets here, all ages)
Friday, June 27 & Saturday, June 28
Homie Fest VI
For fans of having a good ass time with your friends!
The homies behind Homie Fest took a seven-year sabbatical, but they’re back, baby! The much beloved, sorely missed festival has found a perfect home at Central Eastside favorite Swan Dive, and will be hosting two stages between the two floors. Homie Fest’s sixth iteration pops off June 27 and 28 and—in collaboration with the booker buds at Lonely God—a pretty stellar lineup has been announced. Excepting one band, the fest features Portland-area bands exclusively, serving as a crash course in local music with professors Nonbinary Girlfriend, Snugsworth, and Public Pleasure learnin’ us good. Julimar, Saloli, and E.M.A. are also enrolled in this School of Rock, and as upper classmen, they’re gonna teach us something, too. Puerta Negra and Orquestra Pacífico Tropical, the late night headliners (deans in this analogy?) of this Portland Music University, play at 1 am on their respective nights, setting a very groovy tone that will carry the sock hop into the wee hours. I better hear you say “present” when your name’s called at Homie Fest roll call. (Swan Dive, June 27–28, tickets here and here, 21+)
Sunday, June 29
Carny Cumm / Bottom Blade / Unspeakable Carnage
For fans of Lebenden Toten, Quartine, Avola
Named after one of the rarest, most sought after substances on earth, Portland’s Carny Cumm is a simultaneous, multifaceted assault on all senses—including the sixth one (my deepest condolences to Haley Joel Osment). The band’s wall-of-noise flavored industrial music is the sonic equivalent of someone taking steel wool to your fresh stick-n-poke dragon tattoo while an ex holds your favorite soft serve just out of reach. Carny Cumm isn’t for the faint of heart. But then again, neither is carny cum. The real rocker asses Bottom Blade crush the middle slot, with the Unspeakable Carnage deathgrinders opening up this dark carnival. (Swan Dive, 8 pm, tickets at the door, 21+)
Also very worth it…
Planning For Burial / Drowse / Death Parade at Twilight Café - June 24, tickets here
Swinging / Erisy Watt / Ann Annie at Lollipop Shoppe - June 25, tickets here
Haywire / Death Before Dishonor / Spurr / Aggro / Jab at Stronger Skatepark - June 25, tickets here
Gillian Welch / David Rawlings at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall - June 25, tickets here
Barenaked Ladies / Guster / Fastball at Edgefield - June 26, tickets here
Madi Gains / Wet Thud / Vacant Valley at the Fixin’ To - June 27, tickets at the door
Perfume Genius at Revolution Hall - June 27, SOLD OUT
Wavves / Beach Goons / Death Lens at Mississippi Studios - June 27, tickets here
Garbagewitch / Edd Party / Bentabia Beacon Bezalel at Alberta Street Pub - June 28, tickets at the door
Dyke Night featuring Meanmug / Casual Ana at Lollipop Shoppe - June 28, tickets at the door
Tone Poem Record Release & Ippei Matsui Art Exhibition at Maps Goodspace - June 28, FREE
Portland Music News:
It’s not everyday that one of Portland’s own is featured on national television, especially on something as glamorous as the Kelly Clarkson Show. Well folks, it happened! And it couldn’t have happened to better people working towards a better goal—Andre Middleton and his daughter Madalyn chatted with Clarkson about their work developing Friends of Noise and the future opening of The Off Beat in Kenton. Watch the wholesome clip below and get at them to see how you can support!
