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Monday, Sept 16
Greg Laswell
The Long Beach-based singer/songwriter best known for soundtracking some of the best moments on shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Parenthood brings his folk-rock sounds back to the Doug Fir stage for the Portland stop on a fall tour supporting his latest album, Next Time. (Mon Sept 16, 9 pm, Doug Fir, $20-23)
ILoveMakonnen
Makonnen Sheran, better known by his stage name iLoveMakonnen, brings his pop-leaning hip-hop and R&B to the Paris Theatre stage for an all-ages performance supporting his latest album, M3. (Mon Sept 16, 8 pm, Paris Theatre, $20-25, all ages)
Muna, Chelsea Jade
The Los Angeles-based “dark pop” trio consisting of Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin, and Naomi McPherson returns to Portland for a headlining show supporting their latest album, Saves the World. South African-born New Zealand singer/songwriter Chelsea Jade rounds out the all-ages bill. (Mon Sept 16, 8 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $20-22, all ages)
Story Time for Grown Ups: Roald Dahl
David Loftus’ long-running storytelling series returns once again to the Rose City Book Pub, this time paying tribute to the British fighter pilot and sometime spy who became one of the most beloved authors of the 20th century. (Mon Sept 16, 8 pm, Rose City Book Pub, free)
Akira
My introduction to this movie was like many people’s: I told an older friend I liked Robotech or Voltron or some shit like that, and this kid then gave me a VHS tape with Akira on it and said, “If you want to know what anime is really about, watch this.” This is probably one of the worst introductions to both the genre and to Akira. It’s sort of like telling a little kid, “Oh, you think GI Joe is cool, huh? You should check out Apocalypse Now.” And yet, the artistry of the film is so compelling that revisiting it becomes almost mandatory—an animated itch you just can’t scratch to satisfaction, no matter how often you go back. The story never quite makes sense, even after your second or 12th viewing, but the combination of sights and sounds are still, more than 30 years later, one of the most potent examples of pure cinema there is. (Mon Sept 16, 9:30 pm, Academy Theater, $3-4) BOBBY ROBERTS
Tuesday, Sept 17
Brian Wilson, The Zombies
Though its being dubbed the “Something Great From ’68 Tour,” this run of shows, co-headlined by Brian Wilson and British pop gods The Zombies, promises to go far beyond that one year. Wilson, joined by fellow former Beach Boys Al Jardine and Blondie Wilson, is promising to play choice cuts from two underrated albums—Surf’s Up and Friends—alongside his biggest hits, and the Zombies plan to tackle new material and old classics as well as every track from their ’68 masterwork Odessey & Oracle. (Tues Sept 17, 8 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, $69.50-139.50) ROBERT HAM
Post Malone, Swae Lee, Tyla Yaweh
Fresh off the release of his 2019 album, Hollywood’s Bleeding, rapper, singer/songwriter, and producer Austin Richard Post, better known by his stage name Post Malone, brings the “Runaway” Tour to the Moda Center stage. (Tues Sept 17, 8 pm, Moda Center, $36.50 & Up)
Russian Circles, FACS
Metal doesn’t always have to be accompanied by piercing screams, squeals, or growls. In fact, a lot of the genre’s power can come from what dins under the surface, or what isn’t even there at all. For more than a decade, Chicago trio Russian Circles has proven this to be true, often forgoing vocals altogether with their immersive instrumentals. Like Godspeed You! Black Emperor’s hesher cousin, the band’s atmospheric post-metal never grows stale. (Tues Sept 17, 8:30 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $23-25, all ages) CERVANTE POPE
Blue Tomorrows, Sunbathe, Dolphin Midwives
Sarah Nienaber is one of two multi-instrumentalists who give Portland-based shoegaze-pop band Candace its pretty, plugged-in jangle. Now, she has a new project called Blue Tomorrows, which finds her in home-recording mode, using acoustic guitar strums, soft synths, and floaty melodies to build warm, charming psych-pop songs that seem to sway in time with your body rhythms. Tonight, Nienaber will celebrate the release of Blue Tomorrows’ absolutely lovely debut album Without Sound (on Moon Glyph Records, which recently relocated to Portland). She’ll be joined by some buds, and the result is a killer night of local left-of-center sounds. (Tues Sept 17, 9 pm, Doug Fir, $10-12) BEN SALMON
The Paper Kites, Harrison Storm
The Melbourne-hailing folk-rock quintet known for their tender harmonies and delicate finger-picked guitar return to Portland for a headlining show supporting their 2018 album, On the Corner Where You Live. (Tues Sept 17, 8 pm, Revolution Hall, $30-34, all ages)
One Cut of the Dead
There is no sub-genre of horror as exhausted as zombies. This might be appropriate considering the subject matter, but it’s also disappointing if you want to, you know, like watching zombie movies. Director Shinichiro Ueda did his part to give the zombie canon a jolt with 2017’s One Cut of the Dead, a satire about filmmaking that blends gags and gore just as tightly as (if not even tighter than) Edgar Wright’s Shaun of the Dead. (Tues Sept 17, 9:30 pm, Hollywood Theatre, $7-9) BOBBY ROBERTS
The Moth StorySlam
A spinoff of the nationwide storytelling success, in which potential soul-barers put their names in a hat, and once called, have five minutes to tell their tale. “Neighborhoods” is the topic for this installment. (Tues Sept 17, 7 pm, Holocene, $15)
Wednesday, Sept 18
Phony PpL
If you like your R&B and soul like a gurgling waterfall in the middle of a rainforest, then turn your ears to Phony Ppl. This Brooklyn-based quintet combines smooth, bubbly jazz melodies with the kind of vocal harmonies that bring to mind the feel-good artistry of Earth, Wind & Fire. Singing smart, tuneful lyrics that are deep explorations of love and relationships (such as the irresistible “Before You Get a Boyfriend”), Phony Ppl aren’t afraid to dip into more political territory, such as “on everythinG iii Love.,” which pays tribute to the Black people whose lives were taken by police brutality. But more than anything, Phony Ppl trades in music that’s heavy on the head-nodding percussion and gorgeous arrangements—exactly what you need on a heavy-hearted day or lazy Sunday morning. (Wed Sept 18, 9 pm, Jack London Revue, $16) WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
Sassyblack, Brown Calculus, KayelaJ, Mami Miami
Seattle’s Catherine Harris-White, better known as SassyBlack, brings her ever-evolving R&B sound back to town to celebrate the release of her latest album, Ancient Mahogany Gold. Portland’s own Brown Calculus, KayelaJ, and Mami Miami round out the proceedings. (Wed Sept 18, 8 pm, Holocene, $10-20)
Fade to Light: A Multidimensional Fashion Event
More than just a runway show—though if it were just that, it would still be well worth your time—Fade to Light is the twice yearly “multidimensional fashion event.” And that ain’t just fancy talk! Creator (and former Mercury fashion columnist) Elizabeth Mollo challenges designers to push the boundaries of traditional runway presentation, which means creativity will reach a whole new level—especially when such A-game clothiers as Altar, PFI Collection (Designed by Sharon Blair), Sara Bergman, Veil & Valor, and Graduates from the Portland Fashion Institute are in the house. Miss at your own peril. (Wed Sept 18, 8 pm, Crystal Ballroom, $12-75, all ages) WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
Sheer Mag, Tweens, Andy Place & the Cool Heads
Too many of this century’s garage-pop greats have either called it quits or settled into extended hiatuses before the world was ready to let them go. Gentleman Jesse: silent. Royal Headache: broken up. Barreracudas: broken up. The Marked Men: a once-in-a-blue-moon festival act. The Splits: Who knows? Cincinnati’s self-proclaimed “trash pop” outfit Tweens have yet to burn out, but they’ve definitely faded away. It’s been five years since they released their remarkable self-titled debut, which showcased songwriting instincts on par with the aforementioned masters of fuzzed-out bliss. Five years is way too long. Here’s hoping Tweens know they are needed, now more than ever. (Wed Sept 18, 9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $16-18) CHRIS STAMM
Street Fighter V Tournament XXIX
Battle Lounge once again asks Portland’s fighting game community if they’re ready, and the response will include much joystick twitching and fightstick tapping (or smacking, depending on the results) as some of the region’s best fighters chuck much plasma and combo the competition to death. And even if you’re not good at the game, spectating a Street Fighter tourney is always a good time. Unless of course someone picks Blanka. You can go ahead and hit the bathroom until that’s over. Because Blanka sucks, and has always sucked. (Wed Sept 18, 6 pm, Black Water Bar, free to spectate, $10 to enter)
The California Honeydrops, Daniel Rodriguez Band
Revolution Hall hosts a funky party with band leader Lech Wierzynski and his super troupe of R&B and soul providers. (Wed Sept 18, 8 pm, Revolution Hall, $20-24)
Titus Andronicus, Control Top
Patrick Stickles and his ever-evolving punk and indie rock project out of New Jersey make their way back to Portland to head up an all-ages show supporting the band’s new Bob Mould-produced album, An Obelisk. Rising Philadelphia-based punk outfit Control Top round out the bill. (Wed Sept 18, 8 pm, Polaris Hall, $18-20, all ages)
Portland Timbers vs. New York Red Bulls
A busy week at Providence Park continues, with the Timbers hosting perennial Eastern Conference powerhouse the New York Red Bulls in a Wednesday night match up. (Wed Sept 18, 7:30 pm, Providence Park)
Gabby Rivera, Tehlor Kay Meija
Writer, speaker, and storyteller Gabby Rivera reads from Juliet Takes a Breath, a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age novel about a queer Puerto Rican woman from the Bronx who comes out to her family the night before moving to Portland to intern with her favorite feminist writer. (Wed Sept 18, 7 pm, Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, free)
Thursday, Sept 19
mxmtoon, Alexander 23
The artist known as mxmtoon (pronounced “em-ex-em-toon,” n00bs) has, like so many musicians her age (19), found her fame on the internet. It started with cute footage of family vacations on her YouTube channel. Then, it was clips of adorably awkward confessionals and tart original songs played on ukulele. Three years later, she has amassed a global fanbase and has a debut full-length that blends her quaint, diary entry-like tunes with lush, textured pop. She may be a mystery to you olds but best believe your adorable nieces and nephews know all the words to “seasonal depression” and “prom dress.” (Thurs Sept 19, 7 pm, Holocene, $15, all ages) ROBERT HAM
Jay Som, Boy Scouts, Affectionately
Acclaimed Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Melina Duterte, better known by her stage name Jay Som, brings her infectious blend of dream pop back to the Doug Fir Lounge for the Portland stop on a tour supporting her latest album, Anak Ko. (Thurs Sept 19, 9 pm, Doug Fir, $15)
Women in Film PDX Member Screening
Despite phenomenal talents like Ava DuVernay, Kathryn Bigelow, Greta Gerwig, Patty Jenkins, Nicole Holofcener, and more, the number of women filmmakers remains infuriatingly low: In 2018, a mere eight percent of the year’s top-grossing 250 films were directed by women. Supporting work from women filmmakers is always important, and you’ve got an excellent chance to do so at the fourth annual Women in Film PDX: Member Screening. Put on by the non-profit group made up of Portland women who work in film and media, the event features members’ new, short films and a post-screening dialogue. (Thurs Sept 19, 7 pm, Northwest Film Center at Whitsell Auditorium) ERIK HENRIKSEN
Cool Kids Patio Show
The Doug Fir’s free, outdoor showcase invites you to to take in the first real brisk breaths of autumn with a refreshing blast of stand-up and music. With Dylan Jenkins, Dylan Carlino, Kupp, James Barela, and Mohanad Elshieky. Hosted by Nariko Ott. (Thurs Sept 19, 6 pm, Doug Fir, free)
Northwest Heshfest Opening Party
Portland heavy rockers Red Fang and Black Elk join forces with Austin’s American Sharks to kick-start this year’s edition of Northwest Hesh Fest with a loud and rowdy opening night at Bossanova Ballroom. (Thurs Sept 19, 9 pm, Bossanova Ballroom, $30)
All Hits, Ex-Kids, Scorch
Rising Portland punk outfit All Hits heads up an intimate hometown show at Valentines, with like-minded locals Ex-Kids and Scorch rounding out the bill. (Thurs Sept 19, 8 pm, Valentines, $5)
Zara Larsson
Rising Swedish singer/songwriter Zara Larsson brings her blend of dance-pop and R&B to the Wonder Ballroom stage for an all-ages Portland stop on the “Don’t Worry Bout Me” Tour. (Thurs Sept 19, 8 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $25)
Millencolin
A night of rock and skate punk from this long-running Swedish quartet whose derived their name from the skateboard trick rather than the feeling of sadness. (Thurs Sept 19, 8 pm, Hawthorne Theatre, $22-25)
Don’t forget to check out our Things To Do calendar for even more things to do!