WEDNESDAY 8/9

GOLDEN RETRIEVER, VISIBLE CLOAKS, DOLPHIN MIDWIVES, ILYAS AHMED, DANIELLE ROSS AND CHLOE ALEXANDRA
(Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison) Read our story on Golden Retriever.

ALEX NAPPING, LITTLE STAR, SURFER ROSIE
(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi) Alex Napping’s new album Mise En Place is a lovely example of mid-paced indie-pop with designs on becoming something more. Driven by a steady drumbeat (courtesy Andrew Stevens) and bass-plucked pulse (by Tomás Garcia-Olano), the Austin group’s songs sound tethered to Earth, even as guitarists Adrian Sebastian Haynes and Alex Cohen wander and sparkle in the sonic space above. But the centerpiece of their music is Cohen’s melodies, which float like a feather. On Mise En Place, Alex Napping is more than the sum of its parts. They sound like a restless band ready to explore new horizons. Joining them are two excellent local pop-rock bands from the Good Cheer Records label, Little Star and Surfer Rosie. BEN SALMON

CAKE
(Edgefield, 2126 SW Halsey, Troutdale) There’s no band quite like Cake. Since forming in Sacramento in 1991, the five-piece has produced seven albums and numerous hits that dominated the airwaves in the late ’90s/early ’00s, including “The Distance,” “Never There,” and “Short Skirt/Long Jacket.” Cake is known for their highly produced sound, deadpan vocals, and frequent use of trumpet. Between simple riffs and bouncing bass lines, the rock band transports us to a time when MTV still played music videos. They aren’t promoting a new album, but Cake’s got plenty of oldies but goodies. ROSE FINN

GZA, SIMS, BRETTO, DJ WICKED
(Star Theater, 13 NW 6th) As the rap game’s Neil deGrasse Tyson, there’s a reason why GZA of Wu Tang Clan is known as “The Genius.” He’s got one of the most expansive vocabularies in hip-hop, plus an interest in different philosophies and sciences. It’s why he’s worked on initiatives in New York City to expand African American and Latino students’ science education through hip-hop, and why he’s concocted a concept album called Dark Matter. GZA first hinted at the project a few years ago, saying that it’s the first in a series of records centered on physics, spacetime, and the universe. It’s still unreleased, but given the advanced subject matter, it could take light years to complete. CERVANTE POPE

THURSDAY 8/10

BOMBA ESTÉREO
(Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside) Bomba Estéreo is beloved for bringing cumbia-inspired dance music to international stages. Their name even translates to “stereo bomb,” the Colombian term for a killer party. But the band’s new single, “Duele,” is surreal, moody, and down-tempo—an exciting divergence from their comfort zone. CIARA DOLAN Read our story on Bomba Estéreo.

RAEKWON
(Dante’s, 350 W Burnside) Knowing what pairs well doesn’t necessarily require the help of a cook, but Wu Tang Clan’s Raekwon—AKA Raekwon the Chef—has tastefully coupled deep introspection and driving flow since 1993. His brand of self-described “mafioso rap” sheds light on the ills of street life throughout his steady discography of journal-like recordings. Raekwon’s new album, The Wild, is no different, but more successfully pairs his epic lyrics with trappy hip-hop production than on 2015’s Fly International Luxurious Art (F.I.L.A.). The Wild centers on his identity in the current state of the world, especially since he converted to Islam in 2009. Raekwon’s mastery of the spoken word is evident as he tells the story of what it’s like to be Black and Muslim in America. CP

SWIRLIES, CRUEL SUMMER, TENDER AGE
(Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E Burnside) Though they’re named after a particularly icky form of bullying, Swirlies is actually the perfect moniker to capture the whirling, dreamy sound this longtime Boston band emits. Nominally shoegaze due to its love of processed guitar tones and breathy vocals, this fluid collective spins into all different kinds of musical corners. On albums like 1998’s Strictly East Coast Sneaky Flute Music and their 1996 epic They Spent Their Wild Youthful Days in the Glittering World of the Salons, they’re just as easily found dabbling in programmed beats, fractured heavy rock, and smears of pure noise. Swirlies are spending some time on the West Coast this month for a long-overdue run of dates in support of a last year’s vinyl reissue of their blissful and blistering 1993 debut, Blonder Tongue Audio Baton. ROBERT HAM

SUICIDE NOTES, MEAN JEANS, SLEEPTALKER
(The Know, 3728 NE Sandy) Disciples of ’60s pop, razor’s edge punk, and summer rock anthems rejoice! Portland renegades the Suicide Notes are celebrating the release of their debut full-length Is That You? via Hovercraft Records. Since dropping their self-titled EP in 2012, they’ve subsisted on a steady diet of rollicking live engagements. Is That You? marks the culmination of nose-to-the-grindstone songwriting that exists at the crossroads of surf, first-wave rock ’n’ roll, and the melodic real estate of bands like the Bangles and even early Sleater-Kinney. “Mutha Fuckin’ Love” fizzles like a cracked egg on a hot sidewalk, with venomous harmonies spit by the Jessi Lixx/Double A vocal tandem. “Velvet Crime” finds legs in a bottom-heavy rhythmic drive that eventually explodes into an instantly classic chorus. With Mean Jeans and Sleeptalker rounding out the bill, expect your dance card to be completely filled tonight. RYAN J. PRADO

FRIDAY 8/11

CHASTITY BELT, NEVER YOUNG, STRANGE RANGER
(Star Theater, 13 NW 6th) There's a lot to love about Seattle's Chastity Belt: Their band name. Their penchant for bucket hats and selfie sticks. Their wry sense of humor. But the four-piece’s new album, I Used to Spend So Much Time Alone, cuts the irony for excellent post-punk driven by strong guitar melodies and vulnerable lyrics. CIARA DOLAN See All-Ages Action!

WILLIE NELSON, KACEY MUSGRAVES
(Edgefield, 2126 SW Halsey, Troutdale) The closest thing our corrupted country has to a national treasure is Willie Nelson—who, at 84 goddamn years old, is still touring, bringing his lovelorn, world-weary, funny, and sweet songs to the masses, and making all our lives better in the process. Tonight, the eternally badass Willie is playing outdoors at Edgefield—and he's brought along Kacey Musgraves, who, if we're lucky, represents what country will sound like for the next few decades. ERIK HENRIKSEN Read our story on Kacey Musgraves.

COTTON SHIPS, RILED, YOUNG ELVIS
(Anarres Infoshop, 7101 N Lombard) See All-Ages Action!

SATURDAY 8/12

IT’S SO BAZAAR XRAY.FM SUMMER PARTY: MØTRIK, SURFER ROSIE, COOL NUTZ, & MORE
(White Owl Social Club, 1305 SE 8th) The city’s best all-around radio station is going big with this one. XRAY.FM has booked out the White Owl Social Club for the entire afternoon and night, in a free bash that will pair a street fair (Clothing! Jewelry! Drink samples!) with a music venue. The station’s fine slate of weekend DJs will be doing live broadcasts of their shows, while the likes of Cool Nutz, Møtrik and Surfer Rosie pop by to perform. This is fantastic news. DIRK VANDERHART

HOT MASS BLOCK PARTY: HUSTLE AND DRONE, RASHEED JAMAL, KING WHO, WORTH, DJ KMEGAHZ
(Church, 2600 NE Sandy) Considering the dangerously hot weather we’ve been having, “Hot Mass” is an appropriate title for the gothic church-themed bar’s outdoor concert this Saturday. In addition to draws like Church’s “confessional” photo booth and high-quality menu of Southern-inspired food and drink, there’s some great local music to be devoured: DJ Chookie Crisp will be spinning throughout the night, and exceptional hip-hop acts like Rasheed Jamal and Hustle & Drone will be on deck. JENNI MOORE

PRIMUS, CLUTCH
(Edgefield, 2126 SW Halsey, Troutdale) Few bands can lay claim to honing such a unique combination of instrumentation, style, voice, and energy as Bay Area punk-funk-fusion trio Primus. They attained this distinction almost immediately after forming in the mid-’80s, fronted by virtuoso bassist Les Claypool and his twisted tenor. The band brought original drummer Tim “Herb” Alexander back for their 2014 Willy Wonka-inspired Primus and the Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble, and just announced the release of their ninth studio record, The Desaturating Seven, reported to be inspired by a children’s book called The Rainbow Goblins. Lead single “The Seven” is vintage Primus, with staccato/tapping bass-guitar interplay and general bizarro-world lyrics. Whether tackling quirky funk-metal on early classics like Sailing the Seas of Cheese or Frizzle Fry or going full psychedelic shroom trip on Tales from the Punchbowl, Primus unites fans of musical technicality and the absurd in equal measure. RJP

SUNDAY 8/13

INTER ARMA, ATRIARCH, SÓL
(Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside) If the recent 100-degree days and relentless sunshine are getting you down, duck into the Doug Fir’s basement and wallow in the pitch-black sounds of Atriarch. The local quartet has been churning out lurching, death-obsessed rock since 2009, blurring the lines between sludge metal, droning doom, experimental noise, and strangled punk rock. Atriarch just released its fourth full-length album, Dead as Truth, on the world’s leading metal label, Relapse Records. It’s a harrowing slab of bleakness, with enough deep, dark anti-grooves to keep the devil’s excavation business busy for eternity. The band’s rhythm section (bassist Andrew Stromstad and drummer Maxamillion Avila) will crush your soul in slo-mo. Singer Lenny Smith possesses a hopeless howl and a ghastly groan. And guitarist Joshua Dark sounds like he’s scraping evil off the walls of hell. Together, they’re one of Portland’s nastiest bands, and Sunday, they play the Doug Fir with Inter Arma, psych-doom masters in town all the way from Richmond, Virginia. BS

SPECK’S RECORDS AND TAPES GRAND OPENING: FOUNTAINE, POST MOVES, GOOBS, MEAT CREATURE, DJ VNPRT, DJ STONEBUNNY, & MORE
(Speck’s Records and Tapes, 8216 N Denver) Since Speck’s Records and Tapes quietly opened its doors this past March, the family-run record store has quickly become a favorite among local music lovers. Situated along the Kenton neighborhood’s sleepy strip, Speck’s carries a wide range of genres and a small selection of audio equipment. Owners Michael and Maia Gersten invited a slew of promising local acts to perform in-store at this long-awaited grand opening. Headliner Fountaine will bring hazy hip-hop tracks from his new album, Hell for Infinite Losers (H.F.I.L.). Other highlights include dreamy pop trio Post Moves, masterful live mixing from DJ VNPRT, vinyl garage rock spins by DJ Stonebunny, and a pop-up from Moffenzeef Modular. Keep your fingers crossed for a surprise performance by DJ Bouncy, the owners’ school-aged son. EMILLY PRADO

MONDAY 8/14

AHLEUCHATISTAS, U SCO, TETON
(The Know, 3728 NE Sandy) Hailing from Asheville, North Carolina, Ahleuchatistas make it their mission to defy a listener’s expectations. Much like Philadelphia's Palm or like minded locals U Sco (who are also on tonight’s bill), guitarist Shane Parish and drummer Ryan Oslance will lock into a complex and inventive math-rock composition, only to strip mine the entire thing and pave it over with a new layer of noise just when you thought you had it figured out. It’s a mesmerizing and thrilling thing to behold, and it’s made all the more breathtaking when witnessed live. CHIPP TERWILLIGER

STEVE EARLE AND THE DUKES, THE MASTERSONS
(Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark) Read our story on Steve Earle.

TUESDAY 8/15

BRYAN FERRY
(Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway) The swoon-worthy voice of crooner Bryan Ferry is elegance personified, and tonight he’ll seduce every last row of the Schnitz with his luxurious siren songs. With a brimming back catalog that features Roxy Music classics, dapper solo albums, and impeccable taste in cover songs, tonight will be a perfectly appointed tour through Ferry’s rock-cabaret world. NED LANNAMANN

THE BUTTERTONES, PSYCHOMAGIC, THE GOOBS
Lola’s Room at the Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside) See All-Ages Action!