Here goes part two of our recommended schedule for this year’s Music Fest North West. Check out part one here. If you’re in Portland this coming week/end, you’re not going to want to miss these gigs.
FRIDAY SEPT 10
4:30pm – 7:00pm – Male Bonding & Surfer Blood @ Wonder Ballroom
As we mentioned before, there’s no reason not to make these free Nike shows. Even if the venue reaches capacity before you make it inside, hearing these bands play their songs live is at least a little more exciting than simply listening to the records. With hyped up bands like these, you’re more there to be seen than anything. Make sure you stick around for the Black Lips though, because even if you want to see Mogwai Burning at the Baghdad, a free Black Lips show is far from something you can get on DVD in the future.
Black Lips – Before You Judge Me
8:00pm – Astrology @ Backspace
I don’t know anything about Astrology really, I moved before they started doing gigs, but I can tell you that everything Charlie Salas Humara touches turns to gold; Panther and The Planet The are proof enough of this. Get a touch of some serious local talent with this show before the festival is taken over by out-of-towners in the hours that follow
9:00pm – S. Carey @ Doug Fir Lounge
Dude will never get out of the shadow being in a band with Justin Vernon has cast, but truthfully this dude is capable of some real cool stuff. His solo record All We Grow is really awesome, and Doug fir is the perfect venue to hear the hushed tones transformed into the live setting.
9:30pm – Nice Nice @ Holocene
If you’re not in the mood to be serenaded with S. Carey, head down the street to Holocene where Nice Nice will play some truly unique electronics. One of my first loves, and to this day my favorite Portland band, Nice Nice put on a great show that allows for simple head-bobbing, or full on freak-outs.
10:00pm Wiz Khalifa @ Roseland Theater
As much as I want to tell you to go check out Mimicking Birds, or the much talked about Magic Kids, The Roseland theater is where you’ll want to be. Sure, the crowd will be packed, and the room will be clouded with pot-smoke, and hey, even the music will likely sound like shit! But the truth is, Portland is lacking mainstream hip-hop shows, and this may be the last opportunity of the year to surround yourself in stoned jail-bate. Every hipster’s dream right?
11:00pm TIE: Abe Vigoda @ Backspace or Okkervil River @ Crystal Ballroom
Abe Vigoda is about to release a really cool record, Crush, and the backspace is an infinitely more fun place to check out a show. On the other hand, Okkervil River just released an amazing album with Roky Erickson, and the Crystal would be a perfect fit for them. Honestly, this one is a toss up. I’d flip a coin, or designate a friend to each show and shotgun beers; whoever goes down first is the show you choose.
11:55pm – Lazer Sword @ Rotture
WOW! This dude comes through Portland pretty often, and I’ve yet to check out one of his shows. I did, however, just get ahold of his self-titled record, and this shit is insane. Provided enough people go to this show, this will unquestionably be the place to be. Bangers aplenty.
SATURDAY SEPT 11
9:00pm – Sistafist @ Rotture
I’ll admit, my disinterest with the shows that precede this one is coupled with some ignorance, but nothing truly grabs me until this time-slot at Rotture. Another Portland group I’ve yet to see, but from what I understand Sistafist are the West Coast (and probably as a result) & White version of Yo Majesty. A little bit of raunch with a whole lot of rhyming. As far as local acts go, this is probably the most fun one you could hope to have kick start the evening.
10:15 – The Smashing Pumpkins @ Wonder Ballroom
For no other reason than Nostalgia/ to say you have.
11:00pm – Titus Andronicus @ Backspace
This would have been a 3-way tie between Free Energy, Menomena and TA, but Andronicus beats them out due to the venue. By Saturday night, your going to be sick of the crowds at the Crystal, and the Doug Fir is much too formal a setting for a band as fun as Free Energy. With it’s short short stage, and very intimate size, Backspace will be the perfect spot for a raucous rock show like Titus Andronicus.
11:55pm – Shabazz Palaces @ Jimmy Maks
It would be awesome to see Big Freedia at Holocene, but she was added to the Major Lazer show, and as you saw from our previous post, you had that slot free anyways. Shabazz Palaces are going to be equally as exciting, in a venue you’ve probably never been to, and wouldn’t otherwise go to. I’ve had these dudes on repeat since their EPs dropped, and now they’ve signed to Sub-Pop for their upcoming full-length debut. Provided they live up to their amazing recorded material, there’s no better place to close out the night.
Shabazz Palaces – 32 leaves dipped in blackness making clouds forming altered carbon
SUNDAY SEPT 12
4:00pm – 7:30pm - Talkdemonic/The Helio Sequence/The Walkmen/The National @ Pioneer Square
Look, this show is not the most exciting at it’s surface, but you’re going to be way burnt out by this point anyways. I say go, because of The Walkmen’s new record being good, Talkdemonic always putting on a great show, and for the sake of making the final push to close out the weekend. I wouldn’t blame you for skipping the inevitably unbearable crowd though. That’s it! What a fucking weekend.
Posted By David Hutchinson
