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Monday, July 29
Florist
There are probably bands out there making music more fragile and emotionally raw than Floristâs, but there might not be anyone doing it better. Built around the quivering whispers, indelible melodies and resolute honesty of singer-songwriter Emily Sprague, Floristâs 2017 album If Blue Could Be Happiness was a soul-stirring meditation on love, loss, and loneliness, as filtered through hushed, hopeful indie-folk-pop. Now, Florist is back with their new album, Emily Alone, and itâs more of the same and just as lovely. The Portland show is one of a small handful of dates featuring Sprague playing solo before sheâs joined by the rest of her band. If "unbridled intimacy" describes your kind of live experience, get thee to Lola's Room tonight. (Mon July 29, 8 pm, Lola's Room, $12-15, all ages) BEN SALMON
Gojira
For nearly two decades Gojira has been putting out some of the most compelling death metal around, taking cues from classic technical thrash outfits like Sepultura and the groove and chug of Pantera. The French metal quartetâs trajectory has been slow and steady, and all indications show theyâre in it for the long haul. Case in point is Gojiraâs 2016 album, Magma, their most accessible to date and one that easily draws comparisons to Metallicaâs Black Album, for better or for worse. Luckily the band hasnât abandoned their studious technical prowessâtheyâve just added more sticky melodies. If thatâs reason for some to cry âsellout,â it just proves that those people arenât really listening. (Mon July 29, 8 pm, Roseland, $25-30, all ages) MARK LORE
Andy Ricker
Bestselling author and acclaimed chef Andy Ricker returns with Pok Pok Noodles, his definitive guide to bringing iconic and lesser-known noodle dishes from Thailand and beyond to your own kitchen table. (Mon July 29, 7:30 pm, Powell's City of Books, free)
Megan Diana, Palm Sunday, Dana Halferty
Portland singer/songwriter and pianist Megan Diana brings her shape-shifting pop sounds to the Turn! Turn! Turn! stage to kick-start the week along with help from Palm Sunday and Dana Halferty. (Mon July 29, 8 pm, Turn! Turn! Turn!)
Friday the 13th Part 3 3D
While you're still high on the '80s nostalgia blast that was Stranger Things, why not go in for a red-and-blue splash of horror straight to your eyes with this anaglyph 3D presentation of Friday the 13th Part 3, which is just as schlocky, gimmicky, and somehow-still-effective as much of that decade's questionable entertainiment. (Mon July 29, 9:35 pm, Academy Theater, $3-4)
Tuesday, July 30
Stef Chura, French Vanilla, Mr. Wrong
Detroit rocker Stef Chura got a lot of attention for her 2017 debut album Messes, which merged her classic indie-rock guitar stylings (think Modest Mouse) with an imperfect singing voice that conveys a very tangible sense of both conviction and uncertainty (think Stevie Nicks). In June, she released her sophomore effort Midnight, and while it retains a lot of those good qualities, it also benefits from the production of Car Seat Headrestâs Will Toledoâa guy who knows something about turning lo-fi recordings into polished, efficient melody machines. Throughout Midnight, you can hear Toledoâs influence bubbling just under the surface, but it never overshadows Churaâs strong presence. In that way, theyâre a perfect match. (Tues July 30, 8 pm, Mississippi Studios, $12-15) BEN SALMON
Gifted Gab, Karma Rivera
When Seattle-bred MC Gifted Gab comes to Portland to play a show, itâs a rare and exceedingly delightful affair. The artistâs witty rhymes are best enjoyed live, and sheâll no doubt be performing all the best tracks from her latest project, Cause & Effect. (She also runs a hilarious, take-no-prisoners Twitter account.) This Doug Fir bill also showcases Portland-based rapper Karma Rivera, who recently released a music video for âA Game,â a single from her debut EP Donât Sleep on This. Rapper/singer Mal London adds even more vibey allure to the bill, along with heavily seasoned DJ/producer Rev Shines (of Lifesavas). And bitch, you shanât miss it. (Tues July 30, 9 pm, Doug Fir, free) JENNI MOORE
Backstreet Boys
How did anyone go unfucked in the late â90s when we were submerged in a soup of romantic ballads about taking relationships to the next level? Boy bands like the Backstreet Boys made it so easy! They spelled out how to get laid. You just have to lie. Or, I mean, talk about your emotions. Also, do some synchronized dances. Itâs not like they dressed well! But thereâs more to this five-part harmony vocal group than their weird, enormous jeans. Thereâs Swedish record producer Max Martin who wrote all their hits. âI Want It That Way,â âQuit Playing Games With my Heart,â âEverybody,â all these songs are perfectly-balanced pop classics and I will take any opportunity to dance like a fool under laser lights to their fearsome symmetry. (Tues July 30, 8 pm, Moda Center, $55-346, all ages) SUZETTE SMITH
State Champs, Mayday Parade, Mom Jeans, Just Friends
Rising pop punk outfits State Champs and Mayday Parade bring their co-headline tour to the Crystal Ballroom, with Mom Jeans and Just Friends on hand to round out the all-ages bill. (Tues July 30, 6:30 pm, Crystal Ballroom, $26.50-28, all ages)
Taco Techno Tuesday
Never before has a dance night sought to balance the glory of tacos with the power of techno. Vegan and gluten free options to go with all that bass, with sets from Ian Page, Dimitri Baca, Select Inhale, Joel Berlow, and Cathiras. (Tues July 30, 9 pm, Paris Theatre, $6-90)
Labyrinth
While your normal jubilant time will be had watching babyfaced Jennifer Connelly alternately fuss and frolic in a Muppety wonderland full of magic dancing and farting bogs, every viewing of this Jim Henson classic going forward will be a just a little bittersweet, being that we now exist in the dark timeline where David Bowie has left the building. Guess youâll just have to sing along all the louder when he makes his fabulous presence felt. (Tues July 30, 7:20 pm, Academy Theater, $3-4)
Wednesday, July 31
OMSI After Dark: Astronomy & the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
The latest installment of OMSI After Dark invites you to grab a beverage and go hands-on with everyday items designed for space use, learn how to detect exoplanets, and take a look back at Apollo 11 in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the celebrated mission that sent Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins to the moon. (Wed July 31, 7 pm, OMSI, $15-21)
Erotic City
You gotta have some serious nerve to step into the purple high-heeled booties of Prince, and luckily Portland's premier tribute band, Erotic City, has the chops to back it up. Part of the 2019 Music on Main summer concert series. (Wed July 31, 5 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, free, all ages) MARJORIE SKINNER
Rest In Pieces: The Final Tonic Goth Lounge
The Tonic Lounge's weekly dark music dance party with and fireside cocktail party comes to an end. Pay your respects while swaying away to post-punk and darkwave sets from a rotating cast of DJ's. (Wed July 31, 9 pm, Tonic Lounge)
Covenant, Adrian H & the Wounds
Swedish trio Covenant bring their synth-driven blend of industrial pop music back to the Star Theater stage for the Portland stop on their latest North American headlining tour. (Wed July 31, 8 pm, Star Theater, $20)
Marrakesh 30 Year Anniversary
Starting at 5 pm Marrakesh invites all to come in and enjoy a real Moroccan feast and help them celebrate three decades of serving delicious food to the Pacific Northwest, with food specials, live belly-dancing, and more on the menu. (Wed July 31, 5 pm, Marrakesh)
Golden Vessel, Instupendo
Up-and-coming Brisbane-based singer/songwriter Max Byrne (AKA Golden Vessel) brings his downtempo electro-pop through the Doug Fir for the Portland stop on his first North American headlining tour. (Wed July 31, 9 pm, Doug Fir, $12-14)
The Karate Kid
In 1984, the director of Rocky returned to theaters with a movie that was... basically another Rocky, but this time the underdog Italian in question is young Daniel LaRusso, a twerpy new kid in California whose only real friend is his apartment's Okinawan handymanâwho is also basically real-life Yoda. Together, they help each other become better people, and win a karate tournament with magic and blatant face-kicking cheatery. Part of the 2019 Flicks on the Bricks screening series. (Wed July 31, 7 pm, Pioneer Courthouse Square, free, all ages)
Thursday, Aug 1
Tiffany Jenkins
The viral Facebook sensation and author of High Achiever brings the "This Show is Awkward AF" Tour to the Revolution Hall stage to share stories about her past, her battle with opiate addiction, and her struggles with depression and anxiety. (Thurs Aug 1, 7:30 pm, Revolution Hall, $30-45)
Michelle Wolf
After selling out a pair of headlining shows at Revolution Hall last year, the hilarious and influential comedian who made a name for herself at the 2018 White House Correspondents Dinner and via her debut hour-long special Michelle Wolf: Nice Lady finds enough time to return to Portland. (Thurs, Aug 1, 8 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $30-40)
Portland Pickles vs. Walla Walla Sweets
The Pickles close out their penultimate homestand of the regular season with a Thursday night game against the Walla Walla Sweets. Join Dillion and the Portland Brewing Company in a celebration of Music Millennium's 50th Anniversary by arriving early to catch sets from the Strange Tones and the Volcano Vixens. (Thurs Aug 1, 7:05 pm, Walker Stadium, $8 & Up, all ages)
Simon Hanselmann
Two years ago I saw Tasmanian comics artist Simon Hanselmann perform on a First Thursday downtown. He had a bunch of synthesizers and was singing about fisting while yuppies in college sweatshirts wandered inâand promptly OUT. Best known for his ongoing comics series about the drug (and sex!) adventures of a witch, a wolf, a cat, and an owlâwhich often feels like a strange brew of The Simpsons meets TrainspottingâHanselmannâs 2017 One More Year left me emotionally devastated. Iâm beyond psyched for his newest collection Bad Gateway. (Thurs Aug 1, 7 pm, Floating World Comics) SUZETTE SMITH
The Psychedelic Furs, James, Dear Boy
We could all use a little escapism right about now. Tonight, your best bet is to sink into the soft, forgiving nostalgia of the Psychedelic FursââLove My Wayâ and âPretty in Pinkâ remain evergreen post-punk gems of the â80sâand see if you can forget the past three years ever happened. (Thurs Aug 1, 8 pm, Crystal Ballroom, $42.50-45, all ages) NED LANNAMANN
Devin the Dude
An alum of Scarface's Facemob, Devin the Dude struck out on his own back in '98, wowing underground hip-hop audiences with his blend of quirky, intelligent, and often fall-down funny lyrics ladled atop some devilishly wicked beats. (Thurs Aug 1, 8 pm, Paris Theatre, $22-25)
Deep Happening
Bodecker Foundation hosts this celebration of local art and the adventurous creative spirit, with performances from Aether, Dan Phelps, Korgy & Bass, Luis Ocasio, and KMHD's Derek Smith dj'ing between performances. RSVP for free at hello@bodeckerfound.org. (Thurs Aug 1, 6 pm, Bodecker Foundation, free w/ rsvp)
Dave Alvin
Blasters founder Dave Alvin showcases his folk-rock side at an intimate, all-ages show celebrating the 25th Anniversary of his 1994 solo album, King of California. (Thurs Aug 1, 8 pm, The Old Church, $25-30)
Don't forget to check out our Things To Do calendar for even more things to do!
