STROMAE
(Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside) After a half-decade of significant international success but little traction in America, Stromae seems to finally be breaking through here. The Belgian dance-pop star’s recent appearance at SXSW was one of the buzziest of the festival. He’ll stop in Portland on his way to a highly anticipated set at Coachella. And in October, he’ll headline a cool little performance space in New York City called Madison Square Garden. It’s about time we caught on—Stromae’s music is pretty irresistible. It’s super upbeat and danceable, powered (but not overwhelmed) by electronic throb and flecked with global flavor. His voice is warm and sturdy, and his lyrics often deal with issues like prejudice, violence, and class conflict, a rarity in dance music. Add it all up and Stromae is the total package. For proof, visit YouTube, check out his massive hit “Papaoutai,” and push the video a little closer to 250 million total views. BEN SALMON
RED BULL SOUND SELECT: GARDENS AND VILLA, HELVETIA, GRANDPARENTS
(Bunk Bar, 1028 SE Water) See My, What a Busy Week!
IAMSU!, ROME FORTUNE
(Alhambra Theatre, 4811 SE Hawthorne) With his dyed blue beard and woozy flow, Rome Fortune is one of the best freaks that hiphop has produced since fellow Atlantans Outkast decided to get real, real gone. The mixtapes that Fortune’s unleashed on the world since 2012 are nasty and hypnotic, built with a mind for mood and waking up the third eye. Or, as he told Spin magazine last year about his method for directing producers like Childish Major and Bassnectar: “I’ll be like, ‘Hey, man, I want something that sounds like a laser gun shooting a dolphin underwater.'” He adds a psychedelic swirl to the devilish things the South’s hot climate inspires. ROBERT HAM
BOYZ II MEN, OREGON SYMPHONY
(Arlene Schnitzer Concert Halll, 1037 SW Broadway) See My, What a Busy Week!
ELIAS STRING QUARTET
(PSU Lincoln Performance Hall, 1620 SW Park) The folks at Friends of Chamber Music have been bringing the finest small-scale ensembles to Rose City for 76 years, and they’re currently playing host to the Elias String Quartet for a pair of concerts. Following Monday’s gig, tonight’s program boasts a brilliant trinity of legendary composers from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, zeroing in on a pair of late-career masterworks from Britten and Beethoven. Both compositions are steeped in a slightly blurry, unresolved melancholy that seems to continually raise questions and avoid easy answers, so mentally prepare yourselves for a night of rather intense introspection. The more I listen to English marvel Benjamin Britten, the more I fall in love with him, and the opportunity to witness his sublime Quartet No. 3 in G Major, Op. 94 performed live and gloriously unplugged within the intimate walls of PSU’s Lincoln Hall should not be dismissed lightly. And don’t be late: A delightful helping of F.J. “Papa” Haydn kicks off the show. BRIAN HORAY