Portland-area farm music fest Pickathon could have lost some of its magic this year. There were more tickets on offer, which meant a potential for larger crowds. The days were hot and dusty—even if they weren't as scorching as previous summers. And anytime you left Pendarvis Farm, you needed to wind through a suburban subdivision, envious of the development's outdoor pool. (Could Pickathon have a splash pad? Might not be sustainable.)
However, Pickathon's live music magic prevailed; the center of the fest remains true. And everyone we sent, even everyone we spoke with, found some new group they now love. No matter how many we thought we knew—a fair amount were local this year—we still came away with heartfelt new favs.
Adi Oasis
 Hearing Adi Oasis' as she slayed funky basslines and delivered a soulful set was a highlight of Pickathon this year. After a long day maintaining a pleasant buzz fueled by weed and a few fruity summer ciders, I saw the French-Caribbean singer and bassist at the Cherry Hill Stage on Friday night. The artist—flanked by her fully fleshed out band and armed with honey-smooth live vocals—performed pro-Black, feminist empowerment anthem "Serena," which felt both symbolic and relevant to me in the moment, as one of the few Black women in the audience. Adi's catalog of music never fails to give one "the feels" and I was receiving, thinking about recent events, like the rise of women's athletics in general and the history-making, absolutely MAGICAL performances by athletes like Simone Biles' and Sha'Carri Richardson that were happening at the simultaneously occurring 2024 Olympic Games. Hearing Adi's soaring, pitch-perfect falsetto live, on the self pump-up song, felt like an epiphany, as she sang "Always known about the magic/ Keep an eye on the game this time/ Pick ups got to be chromatic/ When you're casting spells from the bassline." JENNI MOORE
Irreversible Entanglements
Word spread quickly about free jazz / free thought ensemble Irreversible Entanglements, and by the end of the weekend they were the standout act for me (their latest record, Protect Your Light, is already on its way). Then group's two Pickathon performances were their first-ever in our neck of the woods, and the Woods Stage and Galaxy Barn presented the perfect venues for the quintet’s controlled chaos. Camae Ayewa—better known as Moor Mother—dropped intense screeds, but also words to empower action and even hope. The band (bassist Luke Stewart, multi-instrumentalist Keir Neuringer, and drummer Tcheser Holmes) remained lockstep with her words, elevating in intensity and calming the temperature at the right times. By the end, I was beyond stoked to have found this group, and simultaneously ashamed it took me this long. MARK LORE
Jeffery Martin
I was lying obstinately under a tree, refusing to move at all during the hottest part of Sunday, when singer-songwriter Jeffery Martin stepped onto the Windmill Stage and punched a hole in my heart. Though Martin is an Oregonian—and recorded his 2023 album in Portland—his work was unknown to me, but his performance was my favorite of the fest. That's a sort of Pickathon magic that happens reliably; go in with what you think you want to see, and find something you can't believe you didn't know about. On stage Martin joked about playing songs with his eyes closed, saying “I just like the little movie that plays in my mind.” He described his years of early obscurity, playing at Lucky's Club in Eugene, and how he fired the first person who wanted to be his manager after the man suggested Martin play with his eyes open. One song off last year's Thank God We Left the Garden particularly stood out. In "Red Station Wagon" Martin seems to describe a friend from his youth that he failed, the song's lyrics trace tragedy so lightly that anyone could shrug on its heavy guilt. The afternoon set trod slowly but with certainty, and Martin's songs unfolded into a variety of subjects, described with detail and authority. He sang of hard origins and love in the face of despair, working the vowels of his lyrics so they rolled out like ringing bells. Now Martin is on a European tour, but his manager says to keep an eye peeled for a soon-to-be-announced show at Mississippi Studios on October 26. SUZETTE SMITH
RogĂŞ
Rogê’s Woods Stage performance started as a slow build, but by the time this Brazilian guitarist and his band kicked off their second or third song, the entire audience was on its feet and dancing. I was freshly beered, and it proved to be a wonderful way to kick off Saturday’s Pickathon festivities for me. Rogê plays immaculate guitar, which elevates his Samba and funk-laden music. We all know music from Brazil is some of the best stuff on earth. This set, at that moment, was also the greatest thing on earth. ML
Johnny Franco
Another Portland group that I didn't realize was a Portland group, Johnny Franco and his "real brother" Dom stole a Saturday afternoon set that they weren't even supposed to be playing, after Vacations failed to make their flight. Franco seized the crowd easily, striding in with "anybody going through a tough time romantically?" Those who cheered became volunteers for the Brazilian-born songwriter's attention, as the group's set cycled through upbeat torch tunes and crowdwork bits. At one point, Franco commandeered an audience member's phone to call his own hotline (503-694-4006) where fans can hear a list of upcoming performances or the musing of various eccentric characters like "Papa Sausage Fingers" or "Downtown Birdman," all of whom may or may not be Franco himself. Also on order at that number is a live show, where the duo will serenade on delivery. Franco said he and Dom became locally famous for doing this during the pandemic, playing shows for the porchbound from street sidewalks. The group's songs are solid little classic crooners. My guess is that there was a bit more talking at our substitute set than usual because the crowd needed aggressive winning, but by the end Johnny Franco, his real brother Dom, and the musicians accompanying them on drums and brass had the Woods Stage dancing to "Ones and Pennies" happily enough to make me ask my friends: "Is this, like, a famous song or something?" Could have been a Dylan deep cut, in all honesty. SS
The Barbaras
One of the plentiful local acts on this year's Pickathon lineup, the Barbaras are sisters Weezy and Sallie Ford, and they make a fun and charming blend of music inspired by classic country and doo-wop. Their Sunday set in the Lucky Barn was part interview, part performance, so we heard answers to questions ranging from Sallie's Dolly Parton tattoo to their love for Portland's DIY music scene. Most impressive and enjoyable were their tight, locked-in harmonies, irreverent lyrics, and genuine musicianship, which made for an undeniably pleasant and satisfying set. The live audience genuinely enjoyed cheeky lyrics like "Oh shit, God damn/ I got terrible taste in men," and giggle-worthy songs like "Walk of Shame," about how society oughta change that name to something more celebratory, considering it's describing a person who just got laid. Needless to say, while I may not be historically known for being a country music fan, I'll be making an effort to hear more from this Portland duo. JM
Dean Johnson
Dean Johnson does what many great country songwriters did before him—tell stories with immediacy and candor. Oftentimes they hit so close to home you might even find yourself uncomfortably shifting in your seat, or getting lost in thought. The first thing you’ll notice about Johnson’s live presence is his sweet, smokey voice, which is what drew me into his Sunday evening Paddock Stage performance (the same thing happened with Sturgill Simpson in the Galaxy Barn in 2013). Johnson's Paddock set ended up being one of those shows I’ll never forget. The temps were cooling as the sun made its descent, the audience and Pendarvis Farm as a whole, was hushed (although some mouthed the words to every song), and Johnson and his crack band of local twangers rode off into the sunset. ML
Heron's Embrace AKA that giant bird and nest sculptureÂ
Throughout a typical Pickathon weekend—which can involve everything from shuttling, camping, hauling gear, imbibing, and quite literally hiking through the bumpy woods in 90-degree heat to catch as many live performances as one can fit in a day—finding organic wooden nooks to tuck off into and rest, or cute art installations designed to provide shade was necessary for survival and maximum enjoyment. There were plenty of art installations and stage designs that resembled critters, adding to the family-friendly vibes, but Heron's Embrace by Portal Arts Collective struck a particularly comforting and delightful tone. Conveniently located in the field by the Paddock Stage and adjacent the Medical Tent, the heron sat atop a small nest, with a single shimmering egg the size of a basketball, and glowed in the dark like an alien species. My favorite part: There was a big soft carpet that was clean-ish, and a few '90s-style plastic-upholstered cushions for sitting! Whether dancing, lounging, resting, or running amok under the overbearing yet beautiful behemoth, the kids of Pickathon (mine included) looked absolutely thrilled to gaze up into its crazed eyes—and I, an adult woman, concur. JM
Nicolas Barrome Forgues Sculptures / StagesÂ
Every year there are new surprises on the farm, and this year’s stages really stood out. The Paddock Stage lumbered over us with, well, heavy lumber, and the cut antlers pulled from the Pickathon deer logo was a really cool touch. The entrance to the Grove and Cherry Hill stages looked a little like Squidward from SpongeBob SquarePants, and I was cool with that. Basically, it was the usual top-notch attention to detail that makes Pickathon so unique and special. ML
