What a ripper weekend! Homie Fest VI was everything it was supposed to be and so much more—the vibes were truly immaculate. Everyone who was there were homies somehow, and people who didn’t know each other were besties by the end of the second night. Music has such a powerful impact, able to form community in such a short span of time. It’s universal! It’s pre-language! 

Don’t be afraid to talk to people you don’t know at shows or dance nights (don’t be a fucking creep though!), and don’t be afraid to let others start a conversation with you! This is hard for femmes, BIPOC peoples, and queers because of historical and present marginalization, yes, but try not sever opportunities for connection before they’ve even had a chance to begin! There’s so much to be experienced and learned through music and community, let’s get to it!

Tuesday, July 1

Wu-Tang Clan / Run the Jewels

For fans of KRS-One, A Tribe Called Quest, N.W.A.

Certainly nuthing ta fuck wit if you’re a cop, or a racist, or a busta, Wu-Tang Clan very much should be fucked wit if you’re a fan of hard-hitting revolutionary hip-hop. The Staten Island crew formed in 1992 with a roster including RZA, GZA, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Raekwon, and the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard—some of the most influential names in rap and hip-hop to this day. Opening are icons of the genre in their own right, Run the Jewels. The pit during RTJ is gonna be bonkers, fuck around and find out… (Moda Center, 8 pm, tickets here, all ages)

Wednesday, July 2 

Shanea / Tony Horses / Pale Violet

For fans of Kimya Dawson, Will Oldham, Liz Harris

Perhaps best known as the bassist of Portland favorite Dustbunny, Shanea has been quietly crafting a solo catalog of hushed bedroom indie-pop anchored by their singular world-building. Their 2024 debut album Root Rot is a beautiful maze of texture you won’t know you’re lost in until the last song has ended, a maze you will want to revisit over and over. Perfectly paired openers on this all-Portland bill are Tony Horses and Pale Violet—one of which released a powerful album earlier this year, with the other really needing to release their debut full length ❤️‍🔥 (Holocene, 8 pm, tickets here, 21+)

Saturday, July 5

Bijoux Cone / The Mommys / Pool Boys / Ghost Piss

For fans of Cate Le Bon, Destroyer, Grey Anne

When she’s not touring the world with Gossip or down in Brazil playing solo sets and DJing, Bijoux Cone can be found casing the streets of Portland, making some of the city’s best music. Her most recent LP, Love Is Trash, is one of my favorite albums of the last five years—it’s real, it’s camp, it’s stoned, it’s pure summer! Bijoux, if you’re reading this, can you please put out another record? We miss you! One recent development for this show is that Bijoux is bringing back her band the Mommys! They’ll be playing two tracks at the end of Bijoux’s set that are sure to delight and surprise. Portland’s Pool Boys will deliver their dreamy, surfy harmonies in the middle slot, while Brooklyn’s Ghost Piss open this mother up with their indie electro-pop à la the Blow and Nouvelle Vague. (Mississippi Studios, 9 pm, tickets here, 21+)

Sunday, July 6

IX of Swords / Left On Read / Warnoutjoy / House of Warmth

For fans of Glixen, Urika’s Bedroom, My Bloody Valentine

One cup slacker rock, three sprigs shoegaze, a dash of ’90s emo, bake at 666 degrees, and what have you got? A sharable helping of Portland’s IX of Swords! The band released their lush wall-of-sound full length I Can’t Imagine How it Felt to Live last summer—it’s been on heavy rotation since. Left On Read released their Bomb in the Garden EP earlier this year and, if we’re lucky, will be playing it in full. The track “Second Thoughts” features crushingly screamed vocals that'll get you every time. The internet is insinuating that Warnoutjoy is a new band, what their music is saying tells us they know what they’re here to do (very much hoping they’ve got a full record coming down the pipeline). Opening this transcendent bill is House of Warmth—listen to their new track “Buffy, Heavy” and you’ll understand. (Lollipop Shoppe, 9 pm, tickets here, 21+)

Also very worth it…

Valley Maker / Matt Dorrien at Mississippi Studios - July 7, tickets here