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Posted inMusic

The Long-Awaited Return of Electronic-Music Innovators Cabaret Voltaire

Stephen Mallinder talks “Nag, Nag, Nag,” reinventing the group’s music for their farewell tour, and more.
Avatar photo by Dave Segal

Anticipation to see British electronic-music pioneers Cabaret Voltaire perform has been building among some Americans for almost 50 years. Luckily for these diehards, the band—led by 71-year-old bassist/vocalist Stephen Mallinder—are touring North America for the final time this year, with a Portland date at Roseland Theater on May 8. Coming together in British industrial hub Sheffield during the mid-’70s, Mallinder, […]

Posted inSpin Cycle

Spin Cycle: Go Your Own Way

Dispatches on three wildly different artists just doing what they gotta do, man.
Avatar photo by Ryan J. Prado

It probably goes without saying that it’s difficult to choose just three albums to feature for each edition of Spin Cycle. Inundated by a flurry of cultural crib sheets, personal recommendations, and last-minute rando diamonds in the rough, whittling down to what ends up in this column can be an internal struggle. And being off […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning News! Blazers Game 3, City Council Grills Housing Admin, Transpo Fee Expected To Pass, and Even Kash Patel Thinks This Is Weird

Avatar photo by Jeremiah Hayden

If you appreciate the Mercury‘s interesting and useful news & culture reporting, consider making a small monthly contribution to support our editorial team. Your donation is tax-deductible. You can also subscribe and have our papers delivered! Good Morning, Portland: Behold, the sun! It’s looking to be a gorgeous weekend, starting today (look outside, sleepyhead). The birds […]

Posted inMusic

Breaking: Portland Mercury to Host “Party of the Year” May 14

Celebrating their first Music Issue since pre-pandemic, the Mercury have Isabeau Waia’u Walker, the Barbaras, Keeks, and La Isla Electronica along for the ride at Turn! Turn! Turn!
Avatar photo by Nolan Parker

It’s been a long time since the Mercury dropped a Music Issue. So long, in fact, that we’re throwing a party about it and you’re invited!  On May 14, the Mercury ne’er-do-wells are taking over (THE NOT CLOSING) Turn! Turn! Turn! for a two-part concert featuring four of our favorite Portland artists. This here Music […]

Posted inMusic

Getting High on Her Own Supply

For FKA twigs, dancing is just as important as singing on her Body High Tour.
Avatar photo by Andrew Jankowski

FKA twigs’ Body High Tour was delayed last year by a host of production-related problems including visa issues, but if anything, the London-based singer only delayed gratification for her “Twiglets.” By the time of her rescheduled Portland appearance on Saturday, April 4, FKA twigs—AKA Tahliah Barnett—was not only promoting her acclaimed album Eusexua, but its […]

Posted inSpin Cycle

Spin Cycle: Get Up to Get Down!

Earworm audio dispatches from formidable live acts near and far.
Avatar photo by Ryan J. Prado

Somehow, until recently, I hadn’t yet attended any live shows at the Get Down—the subterranean Central Eastside venue thriving since its 2022 opening. With a flush of seasonably accurate sunshine tantalizing even the most curmudgeonly amongst us this past weekend in Portland, I made it a point to touch base with the venue during a […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News! Money Helps With Poverty, We 🌹 Portland Arts, Top “Hillbilly Elegy” Diplomat to Pakistan, ICE and Other Dumbass Trump News

Avatar photo by Jeremiah Hayden

If you appreciate the Mercury‘s interesting and useful news & culture reporting, consider making a small monthly contribution to support our editorial team. Your donation is tax-deductible. You can also subscribe and have our papers delivered! Good Morning, Portland: There’s so much going on this weekend that the local section of this edition of Good […]

Posted inMercury Music Picks

Mercury Music Picks: Mix Master Mike Chops It Up and Forty Feet Tall Get Higher at High Limit Room

Plus Portland Music News and New Music Portland!
Avatar photo by Nolan Parker

Last weekend was kooky-beautiful outside. Or at least it looked that way while convalescing in my sickbed… That means that Darkswoon, FKA twigs, Only Fire, Six Sex, and more were missed by this lowly music editor. The absolute pits! But I suppose sickness can be framed as a reminder to be proactive about seeking joy.  […]

Posted inMusic

Snakes on the Dance Floor

Swedish producer Cobrah turned Wonder Ballroom into a gay rave.
Avatar photo by Andrew Jankowski

The Wonder Ballroom has long been a springboard for queer pop icons launching into the stratosphere, from Durand Bernarr’s concert last spring ahead of his Grammy win to the local stop nearly 20 years ago of Lady Gaga’s Fame Ball tour.  Swedish producer and beatsmith Cobrah slithered into Wonder’s pantheon on Wednesday, April 1 during […]

Posted inMusic

Healing Through Dance at Process PDX

The new-ish club and rave space in a SE Portland warehouse focuses on intentionality, harm reduction, and specialty sound.
Avatar photo by Kendall Porter

Stepping into Process, an underground rave club in the Watershed PDX building on SE Milwaukie Avenue, is a portal into a utopian vision of the future. The bar, tucked behind the ticket stand, faces cubic wooden benches and tables, custom-built for the space and its needs. Illuminated shapes cut out of the walls act as […]

Posted inMusic News

Turn! Turn! Turn! Lives! Lives! Lives!

After months of uncertainty, new owners take over the venerated North Portland venue.
Avatar photo by Nolan Parker

Christmas came way early yesterday, April 1, when it was announced via Instagram that the longtime venue on the corner of North Killingsworth and Williams, Turn! Turn! Turn!, has found new owners to carry on the space’s storied legacy of providing Portland with a music living room.  The news comes at a pivotal juncture in […]

Posted inMercury Music Picks

Mercury Music Picks: Homos Rejoice—Cobrah, Only Fire, Darkswoon, FKA twigs, Six Sex, and HIRS Collective Are All in Town!

Plus Portland Music News and New Music Portland!
Avatar photo by Nolan Parker

This week is big time for the homosexuals… and it’s not even June! If you a gay and like dancing, Cobrah, Only Fire, and Six Sex are your best bets. If you gay but a more alternative gay, Darkswoon’s album release and FKA twigs will scratch all your itches. If you gay but really not […]

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