FRI FEB 23
Typhoon
w/Wild Ones, Amenta Abioto; Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside
After a five-year hibernation, Typhoon finally released their fourth record Offerings last month, and now the 11-piece indie rock band is rolling back into Portland for a hometown show at the Crystal Ballroom. Across 14 tracks, frontman Kyle Morton illustrates the struggle of a character whoâs losing his memory. Though this existential dread lingers in every dark corner, the band still manages to coax out those catchy, orchestral melodies that helped their last album, 2013âs White Lighter, hit No. 2 on Billboardâs Heatseekers chart. Despite Typhoonâs past mainstream success, Offerings is deliberately experimental; the record opens with Mortonâs warning, âListen: Of all the things youâre about to lose, this will be the most painful,â and itâs often unclear where one song ends and the other begins, adding to the sense that Offering is meant to be ingested as one whole body of work. Sometimes the albumâs dip into dystopia can feel a bit forced, but itâs a welcome return from one of the cityâs most successful bands.
SUN FEB 25
Sudan Archives
w/Tune-Yards; Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell
The self-titled debut EP from Sudan Archives is one of the most interesting releases of last year; inspired by Sudanese fiddlers, Brittney Denise Parks sings and loops her violin over intricate, often hand-clapped rhythms, and the result is a lush, technicolor marriage of experimental folk and R&B (the best example is the standout âOatmealâ). If youâre going to see headliner Tune-Yards, get there earlyâbased on the weight and creativity of this first EP, itâs safe to say Sudan Archives is going to be a big name in the years to come.
MON FEB 26
Margo Price
w/Blank Range; Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark
If youâre wondering where all the Lorettas and Dollys and Tammys have gone, look no further than Margo Price. The Nashville musicianâs 2016 debut Midwest Farmerâs Daughter and 2017 follow-up All American Made pay homage to the first ladies of country while kicking down the fences thatâre still holding her back, especially on songs like âPay Gapââa modern update of Partonâs â9 to 5â where Price laments âripping my dollars in halfâ with shrewd analysis of the fact that âThis institution, a dead revolution/Is giving young women abuse.â Sheâs not afraid to criticize Trump and his supporters in her anti-Americana anthems, and even collaborated with fellow alternative country icon Willie Nelson on the track âLearning to Lose.â Margo Price preserves the best parts of country musicâthe defiance, twang, and homespun warmthâand shucks off the bullshit.