March is certainly starting off… weirdly. But that makes sense being as this is Portland and all. On-brand, if you will. Also on brand? A PLETHORA of amazing Things to Do all week long, including (but not limited to) the aforementioned weirdness, as well as legendary soul, celebrated trash, adventurous art, I Anonymous action, and so much more! Hit the links below and plan your week accordingly
Jump to: Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday
Monday, March 2
Ural Thomas & the Pain
It’s tragic that in this era of revitalized appreciation for deep soul heroes, Ural Thomas, Portland’s best-kept secret, hasn’t hit the national consciousness as Charles Bradley and the late, great Sharon Jones have. Thomas is the absolute definition of a genuine article—despite releasing a few criminally obscure (yet collector-coveted) gems in the late ’60s, he’s still delivering his tireless passion for music to his beloved community. Simply put, Ural Thomas is a Northwest treasure, and watching him radiate wizened positivity through the warm grooves of an excellent band is a must for music fans searching for heartwarming togetherness. (Mon March 2, 9 pm, Goodfoot, $10) CHRIS SUTTON
Tim and Eric: Mandatory Attendance Tour
Temple University should put up a plaque to commemorate the first meeting of Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim. It was at that school that the two began a collaboration that has taken surrealist comedy to greater heights and into much stranger and darker places. Coming up is Beef House, the pair’s take on the three-camera sitcom, and a world tour that… well, there’s no guessing what this stage show will be like. As with everything Tim & Eric have put their names on, your best bet is to just give yourself over to their truly unparalleled comedy and see where it takes you. (Mon March 2, 8 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, $45) ROBERT HAM
Best Coast, Mannequin Pussy
Hardcore lifelong Portlanders, take caution: Best Coast is from Southern California, and is unabashedly proud of that fact! If you can manage to get past that, you’ll soon find appreciation for a decade-deep catalogue of songs that includes catchy, Beach Boys-inspired surf rock bops, and also moody, Beach Boys-inspired depressing surf rock anthems. They’ll be joined tonight by Mannequin Pussy, a punk band from Philadelphia that earned praise for its 2019 album Patience. (Mon March 2, 8:30 pm, Wonder Ballroom, all ages) BLAIR STENVICK
The Sea and Cake
The influential band out of Chicago brings their jazz-tinged indie rock and post-rock back through the Doug Fir Lounge for the Portland stop on a quick West Coast jaunt (Mon March 2, 9 pm, Doug Fir Lounge, $18-20)
(No sea, just) Cake
There’s no band quite like Cake. Since forming in Sacramento in 1991, the five-piece has produced seven albums and numerous hits that dominated the airwaves in the late ’90s/early ’00s, including “The Distance,” “Never There,” and “Short Skirt/Long Jacket.” Cake is known for their highly produced sound, deadpan vocals, and frequent use of trumpet. Between simple riffs and bouncing bass lines, the rock band transports us to a time when MTV still played music videos. (Mon March 2, 8 pm, Aladdin Theater, $45, all ages) ROSE FINN
Colony House, Tyson Motsenbocker
Colony House is a fresh-faced quartet from Franklin, Tennessee, whose sound is a seamless pastiche of Phoenix’s bouncy faux-indie-pop, Coldplay’s widescreen soft-rock, and Arcade Fire’s all-together-now whoa-oh-whoa-ing. It’s big beats, bigger hooks, and biggest feels from the latest in a recent line of handsome white pop-rock bands who seem to be materializing out of nowhere, ready to play arenas. (Mon March 2, 8 pm, Star Theater, $16.50) BEN SALMON
Charlie Berens
Helium presents a one-off show with the Emmy-winning journalist, comedian, and creator of the Manitowoc Minute, the YouTube show in which the Wisconsin native utilizes his accent and midwestern charm to run down the top news stories of his hometown. (Mon March 2, 7:15 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $25)
Tuesday, March 3
The Bachelor: Live On Stage
Here’s the thing about the Bachelor franchise: It’s bloated, past its prime, cynical, and cisheteronormative, and it encourages a culture of drinking and conventional beauty norms. It also offers incredible, laugh-out-loud-worthy insight into human nature, straight culture, the observer effect, and just how many men named Tyler and women named Hannah actually exist in the world. The Bachelor Live On Stage takes a similar approach to the TV show, with contestants vying for the affections of one local hottie, but on a hyper-fast-track. It ought to be a good time for earnest fans and incredulous gawkers alike. (Tues March 3, 8 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, $39.50-65) BLAIR STENVICK
Refused, Metz, Youth Code
As an ’80s hardcore kid, I never really sussed Refused; they ascended to relevance as a ’90s stock Victory label band into a group boasting they were “the shape of punk to come.” However, by 1998, had you been listening, their “shape” had come and gone, as they owed everything to acts like Fugazi, Helmet, and Rorschach. Still, they’re a top group for late hardcore ’90s/early aughties kids. Now, two decades after The Shape of Punk to Come, they’ve evolved into a good, contemporary, heavy, hook-filled rock band just like many ’80s-era hardcore bands did by ’87, and I’m inclined to reckon 2019’s War Music LP is their October File. (Tues March 3, 8 pm, Roseland, $30-33, all ages) MIKE NIPPER
Lúnasa
Few traditional ensembles have received the international acclaim of Lúnasa. For the past 20 years, the Irish group has superimposed a contemporary sonic guise over their Celtic folk compositions. (Tues March 3, 8 pm, Alberta Rose Theatre, $25)
Frances Quinlan, Mary Lattimore
After a decade spent transforming her freak-folk solo project into a truly unique force in the world of guitar-driven indie rock as the frontwoman of Hop Along, Philadelphia-based singer/songwriter Frances Quinlan opted to go it alone on her exquisite new Saddle Creek-issued album, Likewise. An unconventional folk-tinged indie pop record built on a bed of strummed acoustic guitar, percussion, digital beats, strings, synth, and piano, the album gives Quinlan’s one-of-a-kind voice the space to command each track, allowing her vivid lyrics and idiosyncratic hooks and refrains to remain front and center. The end result is as striking as anything Quinlan has ever released and it only gets better with repeated listening. (Tues March 3, 9 pm, Doug Fir Lounge, $15) CHIPP TERWILLIGER
Parker Shper, Amenta Abioto
I just can’t shut my trap when it comes to Amenta Abioto, whose work is a fluid combination of jazz, hip-hop, soul, and African music. To see her perform live is a real treat—Abioto has been at the top of her game recently, having perfected her soul-stirring vocals, improvised song-construction, and spot-on comedic timing. (Tues March 3, 9 pm, No Fun, $7-10) JENNI MOORE
The Black Jacket Symphony
The Black Jacket Symphony brings Pink Floyd’s iconic album The Dark Side of the Moon to life at Revolution Hall with all the flourishes and stage lighting you would expect from a nationally touring tribute act. (Tues March 3, 8 pm, Revolution Hall, $25-30)
MarchFourth Marching Band
Portland’s own MarchFourth Marching Band celebrates its 17th anniversary this weekend with a pair of shows at the Crystal Ballroom. The 20-member ensemble’s live performances combine vaudeville theatrics, stilt-walkers, circus acrobatics, and brassy, New Orleans-inspired big-band sounds. Plus, they’ve opened for groups as dissimilar as KISS and Blink-182, if that says anything about their range in appeal. If you’re craving an oversized musical experience with horns, refurbished bike drums and aerial tricks, MarchFourth is probably for you. (March 3-4, Tues 7 pm, Wed 8 pm, Crystal Ballroom, $12-29) CIARA DOLAN
Kulululu, Nahh, Human Ottoman
Art-punkers Kulululu bring their shapeshifting sounds to the Liquor Store for a night of unique vibes, with support from Nahh and Human Ottoman. (Tues March 3, 9 pm, The Liquor Store, $8)
B-Movie Bingo: Lady Dragon 2
Cynthia Rothrock, the clock-cleaning queen of cock-knock, uses “the spirit of the dragon” (and kickboxing) to get revenge on those who attacked her family. (Tues March 3, 7:30 pm, Hollywood Theatre, $7-9)
Wednesday, March 4
The I, Anonymous Show
If you love sick secrets, crazy rants, and side-splitting laughs, have we got a show for you! The I, Anonymous Show stars the fabulous Kate Murphy, who selects the wildest, strangest submissions from the beloved Mercury column and reads them live on stage. Joining Kate is a panel of whip-smart comedians—including the oh-so-funny Wendy Wiess, Dylan Carlino, and Lance Edward—who dissect these submissions with hilarious precision. If you’re looking for serious fun, the I, Anonymous Show is the place to be! (Wed March 4, 7:30 pm, Curious Comedy Theater, $10) WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
Habibi, Rudy De Anda
Garage psych rocker babes Habibi are bringing their dreamy vocals and hip-shakin’ bass lines to town, and we couldn’t be happier. The NYC foursome fittingly released their latest album Anywhere But Here on Valentine’s Day, meaning Portland will be one of the first locations to hear the new tunes live. Get ready to fall in love. (Wed March 4, 8 pm, Mississippi Studios, $12-15) ALEX ZIELINSKI
Dogheart, Slark Moan, Neilson Family
Dogheart’s 2019 full-length, Yeah No for Sure, is a breezy collection of no-frills guitar-pop that strikes a perfect balance between melancholy and gleeful. It’s a record designed for the long drives and slow hangs of spring and summer—a companionate work committed to the known pleasures of the pop form. Like so many Burger Records-flavored bands, Dogheart sounds like they can see the ocean from their garage, but the Portland duo transcends contemporary context; they seem to pull as much from ’80s college rock as they do from latter-day limited cassette runs. The results are familiar but not obvious, comforting but not cloying. Yeah No for Sure is your new best friend. In October the band followed it with their five-track EP Blue Guts, giving them plenty of material to pull for this show in the Liquor Store basement. (Wed March 4, 9 pm, The Liquor Store, $7) CHRIS STAMM
Pepper, Kash’d Out, The Elovaters
The Hawaii-hailing and San Diego-based trio of Kaleo Wassman, Bret Bollinger, and Yesod Williams bring their reggae-rock and dub sound to the Wonder when the “Step To The Local Motion” Tour swings through Portland. (Wed March 4, 8 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $22.50, all ages)
Zack Villere, Mulherin
Rising Louisiana-hailing singer/songwriter and producer Zack Villere brings his playful blend of DIY pop and alternative R&B to the stage at Holocene for an intimate, all-ages show. (Wed March 4, 8 pm, Holocene, $15-18, all ages)
Feminist March: Clueless
Oh shit, it’s Turk from Scrubs! Oh hey, it’s Jon from those execrable Garfield movies! Oh no, it’s that crazy Fox News lady that Chris Rock used as a prop at the Oscars one year! Aww damn, there’s Brittany Murphy, it’s a shame she’s not still here, I bet she’d have been one hell of an award-winning weirdo by now. Oh hey, it’s Paul Rudd and holy fuck why hasn’t he aged a single second, that’s not fair! That’s not fair at all. (Wed March 4, 7:30 pm, Hollywood Theatre, $7-9)
Death Before Dishonor, Crooked, Berator
The Boston hardcore crew returns to Portland in support of their 2019 Bridge Nine-issued album, Unfinished Business, the band’s first album in a decade. Crooked and Berator round out the bill. (Wed March 4, 8:30 pm, Dante’s, $13)
Saint Motel, Kolars
An evening with the Los Angeles based quartet whose breakout single, “My Type,” displays their penchant for crafting big and bright party-starting pop music. (Wed March 4, 8 pm, Roseland, $27.50-30, all ages)
Thursday, March 5
The Plastic Weather Circus Spectacular
Drawing inspiration from the Rolling Stones’ (cursed?) Rock and Roll Circus—where The Who famously stole the show so the Stones sat on the videotape of it for 28 years—local synth-punk favorites Plastic Weather dreamed up a varietal evening of not only music groups—Seance Crasher and Internet Beef—but burlesque by Baby LeStrange, comedy from Jay Shingle, balloon animals by Clancy Hanes Feahr, caricatures by Vo Minh McBurney, and a drag performance from Violet Hex. Truly everything you could want! (Thurs March 5, 8 pm, Holocene, $10) SUZETTE SMITH
Bambara
After turning heads with their acclaimed 2018 full-length Shadow on Everything, Brooklyn’s Bambara brings their dark and driving post-punk and noise rock back to town for a headlining show supporting their latest album, Stray. Thurs March 5, 9 pm, Doug Fir Lounge, $12-14)
Prince Royce
For the United States run of his “Alter Ego” tour, Royce is doing it up very big, hitting over 40 cities, and luckily, that includes Portland. (Thurs March 5, 8 pm, Moda Center, $41-131)
Shopping, Atomatic, Mope Grooves
The core sound of UK trio Shopping—twitchy, rhythm heavy, high on its own supply—hasn’t changed much in the eight years since the band was formed. But the feeling of the group’s latest album All or Nothing couldn’t be more different from their 2013 debut Consumer Complaints. Their music has been given a proper studio makeover, sleek and water-resistant. And their instrumental skills have grown by a factor of 10. The drums rumbling instead of slapping, the bass bouncing instead of jerking. Post-punk is an easy thing to ape, and a hard concept to get right. Meet the new masters. (Thurs March 5, 9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $14-16) ROBERT HAM
Anamanaguchi
The Brooklyn-based quartet comprised of Peter Berkman, James DeVito, Luke Silas, and Ary Warnaar brings their trademark rush of ’80s nostalgia and electro-pop-infused chiptune music back to town for an all-ages show supporting their latest album, [USA]. (Thurs March 5, 9 pm, Hawthorne Theatre, $20-25, all ages)
Frantarctica, Pluto Revival, Gul-Dukat, Mare
The ragged, dirty punk brought noisily into existence by Frantartica has had a longstanding presence in the Portland music scene, thanks to now-iconic outfits like Dead Moon, the Frances Farmer Gals, and Neo Boys. This ensemble places itself along that continuum with a mighty, sludgy heave, a basement show, and a cheap beer-fueled blend of anger and paranoia. (Thurs March 5, 8 pm, Turn! Turn! Turn!, $5) ROBERT HAM
Sissy Moon Ceramics Show & Flagrant Magazine Release Party
Laundry gets in on the First Thursday fun with an opening reception for Time Travel, a new ceramics show about basketball by Sissy Moon. The event doubles as a release party for Flagrant, an all-inclusive print magazine celebrating basketball and the vibrant art, culture, and community that surrounds the sport. With free beer from Culmination Brewing and kombucha from Camellia Grove. (Thurs March 5, 6 pm, Laundry, free)
311, Tropidelic
The name 311 originates from the police code for indecent exposure in Omaha, Nebraska, used when the original guitarist for the band was arrested for streaking. The more you know! (Thurs March 5, 8 pm, Crystal Ballroom, $45-50, all ages)
Don’t forget to check out our Things To Do calendar for even more things to do!