Jesus, how the hell did we run up on the twilight of September so damn fast? I mean... the sun went out that one time and then it came back in time for it to rain ash, and then it just rained, and Trump is still in the White House (ugh) so all that is kinda distracting, yeah—but the month shouldn't have moved this quick, right? Lets use this week as an opportunity to slow it down a little, and take in some of the great opportunities this calendar is offering. Downtown Boys are (counterintuitively) on Mississippi this week, Together Live makes sure some of the country's strongest female voices get their turn on the mic, the Hollywood Theatre is gonna help you learn how to park your goddamn car correctly (you need this, trust me), and some of Portland comedy's coolest kids hold down the Doug Fir patio. There's a lot more where that came from—hit the links below and load your plate accordingly.
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Monday, Sept 18
Deerhoof, Christina Schneider's Genius Grant, Mayya & the Revolutionary Hell Yeah!
Deerhoof’s songs are melodic but disjointed, mature but childish, crunchy but clean. The artistry of their sonic clashing is most obvious in the contrast of lead singer Satomi Matsuzaki’s sugary, high-pitched voice against shredding guitars and arena rock drums. Even at their most obscure and avant-garde, Deerhoof’s music is jubilant. The San Francisco band’s new album, Mountain Moves, is like a dopamine rush to a fantastical world, but they’re well aware of what’s happening in the real one. Their Twitter account has more tweets about social justice than self-promotion, and they’re donating the proceeds from Mountain Moves to the Emergent Fund, in case you needed any more proof that listening to Deerhoof is good for the soul. EMMA BURKE
9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $15-17
Manchester Orchestra
In a sea of whiny men complaining about their latest breakups, the tenderness of Manchester Orchestra is like a breath of fresh air. Somewhat out of place among their peers, the band’s latest album, A Black Mile to the Surface, showcases their ability to pair honest, vulnerable songwriting with melodies that are sometimes soft and sometimes sweeping. They’ll be joined by Foxing and Tigers Jaw, two groups that belong to a younger musical generation but offer a similar sincerity. While they come from three different corners of the emo spectrum, these bands make more sense together than I’d first realized, as each of them make deeply emotional music. DELANEY MOTTER
7:30 pm, Crystal Ballroom, $22.50-27.50, all ages
Your Fault for Listening
Experience a live taping of Your Fault for Listening, the Portland-based podcast that gives comedians the chance to perform their sets before a hilarious, set-specific interview by hosts Thomas Lundy and Mercury contributor, D. Martin Austin. A portion of proceeds will be donated to Black LGBT civil rights organization, National Black Justice Coalition. EMILLY PRADO
7:30 pm, Curious Comedy Theater, $8-10
Together Live
The 2017 edition of the nationwide speaking tour focused on female voices kicks off in Portland, with speakers including Glennon Doyle, Luvvie Ajayi, Abby Wambach, Latham Thomas, and more.
6:30 pm, Keller Auditorium, $25-129
How We Can Control the Rent
This workshop encourages attendees to consider how tenants can support one another to protect their rights and fight against unjust raises in rent. Kickoff the Oregon Renter Week of Action right at the inaugural event hosted in collaboration with the Community Alliance of Tenants and Momentum Alliance. EMILLY PRADO
7 pm, Unite Oregon, free
Times Infinity, Luke Sweeney, Ryan Sollee
On Times Infinity’s 2016 self-titled debut, the Portland band cribs trippy rock ’n’ roll excess, garage-rock swagger, and deft songwriting in equal measure. Led by Paul Seely (the Builders and the Butchers, Earthworld), they’re heading out on a West Coast tour armed with the brand-new EP Party to Extinction. It’s the first of a two-part installment, with the second EP tentatively titled Party to Extinction - The Afterparty. Times Infinity’s chameleonic abilities pair well with San Francisco’s Luke Sweeney, himself a bit of a shapeshifter. His 2014 LP Adventure:Us is a smart, loopy exposition of sonic debauchery, keen songwriting, and tastefully bizarre Big Star pop. Add in the cozy confines of a brand spankin’ new vintage hub in Industrial Southeast, and you’re pretty much living your Monday night dream. Plus, it’s free! RYAN J. PRADO
7 pm, Eclectic Rambler Exchange, free
Tuesday, Sept 19
Tennyson, Photay
Until his death in 1892, Alfred Lord Tennyson was a towering figure in poetry and—wait. That's not right! Old Alfred has been replaced with Tennyson, a brother and sister duo from Edmonton whose slick loops of electronic murmurings will chill out the Wonder Ballroom tonight. Truly, as a great poet (Alfred Lord Tennyson) once wrote, “The old order changeth, yielding place to new.” ERIK HENRIKSEN
8:30 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $14-16, all ages
Caroline Kennedy
The Oregon Historical Society invites Ambassador Caroline Kennedy out to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall to speak about her position as ambassador to Japan over the last four years and highlight how a strong relationship between both nations will play a significant role in the security and prosperity of both countries moving forward.
7 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, $40-60
Gov't Mule
The long-running southern rock and blues jam band spearheaded by Allman Brothers Band guitarist Warren Haynes returns to Portland for a headlining show supporting their latest studio album, Revolution Come… Revolution Go.
8 pm, Roseland, $29.50-40
Repressed Cinema: Wheels on Reels 3
Curator Ian Sundahl returns to the Hollywood with another showcase of lost-to-time 16mm short films about cars, with some new discoveries burning rubber as well as some tried-and-true favorites getting their shine, including “the hypnotically meditative” short How to Park Your Car, a film that roughly 89 percent of all Portland motorists could stand to pay just a little more attention to if the sidewalks on Alberta and Hawthorne are any kind of indication (and they absolutely are Jesus Christ you fuckin’ people I swear to god). BOBBY ROBERTS
7:30 pm, Hollywood Theatre
Third Angle: Japanese Music Now
Third Angle presents an evening of contemporary Japanese music performed in the picture perfect setting of the Portland Japanese Garden. Attendees will be permitted to explore the tranquil garden while taking in performance by musicians placed throughout the landscapes. The evening will close with the world premiere of a newly commissioned work by composer Dai Fujikura, performed in architect Kengo Kuma’s new Cultural Village.
7:30 pm, Portland Japanese Garden, $40
Thad Vogler
Spirits expert Thad Vogler reads from By the Smoke and the Smell, his debut book celebrating an array of hand-made spirits from around the world and the talented individuals who produce them.
7:30 pm, Powell's City of Books, free
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. "Mastery" is the theme for tonight's story session.
7 pm, Holocene, $10
Wednesday , Sept 20
The Cool Kids Patio Show
The Doug Fir patio hosts one of the finest free stand-up showcases in town, paired perfectly with some of our city's best singer/songwriters. This time, Laryssa Birdseye provides the sounds while Shain Brendan, Jason Traeger, and Joann Schinderle bring the jokes. Hosted by Andie Main.
6 pm, Doug Fir, free
Martha Wainwright
The Aladdin Theater hosts and evening of folk-rock and pop with yet another member of the Wainwright family. This time around it's Martha (sister of Rufus and Lucy, daughter of Loudon III and the late Kate McGarrigle), who is currently touring in support of her 2016 full-length, Goodnight City.
8 pm, Aladdin Theater, $18
Natasha Kmeto, Fritzwa, Notel
Electronic producer/vocalist Natasha Kmeto’s powerful, edgy voice commands a whole room. Her single “Pour Down” kind of reminds me of electro-pop from the early ’90s. Whether she’s performing her own catalog solo, or adding vocals and keys behind Chanti Darling, or DJing under the Nasty Tasha moniker, her live sets are always dope. Arrive at a decent hour to catch Fritzwa, a talented rapper/singer/producer from New York who makes alternative R&B, funky house and hip-hop music. JENNI MOORE
8:30 pm, Holocene, $10
Black Kids, Le Vice
The Jacksonville, Florida-hailing indie rock, pop, and post punk outfit return to town in support of their 2017 full-length,Rookie, the long-awaited follow-up to their 2008 debut, Partie Traumatic.
9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $10-13
Twiztid, Moonshine Bandits, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Whitney Peyton, Andrew W. Boss
There will be whoos. Lots and lots of whoos. For you see, hardcore rap outfit Twiztid sings the siren song of the Juggalo, and clown rap aficionados are powerless against its call.
6 pm, Hawthorne Theatre, $25-30, all ages
Goldfrapp
The London-based electronic music duo consisting of Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory bring their dynamic synth-pop sound to the Crystal Ballroom for the Portland stop on a North American tour supporting their 2017 full-length, Silver Eye.
8 pm, Crystal Ballroom, $40-42, all ages
Bonobo
Los Angeles-based/Brighton-hailing DJ and producer Simon Green brings his long-running electronic dance music project back to the Roseland for a live performance supporting his latest album, Migration.
8 pm, Roseland, $25-35
DJ Clark Kent
One of New York's (and thus, by definition, the world's) best hip-hop DJs comes to Portland with support from local Dev From Above.
9 pm, White Owl Social Club, $10
Big Business
It's probably beyond debate now that Big Business is one of underground metal's most respected acts. RYAN J. PRADO
9 pm, Dante's, $12
Thursday, Sept 21
Future Islands, Oh Rose
Baltimore synth-poppers Future Islands return to Portland in support of The Far Field, the eagerly awaited follow-up to their 2014 breakout album, Singles.
8 pm, Crystal Ballroom, $22-25
Downtown Boys, Lithics, Cool Flowers, Little Star
The sound made by Downtown Boys is arresting in the best possible way, stopping you in your tracks with its energy and velocity. But the Providence, Rhode Island, punkers aren’t here to keep you down—their music functions as catharsis and proclamation, dismantling patriarchal bullshit with unflinchingly smart lyrics and good, old-fashioned volume. NED LANNAMANN
9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $13-15
Fresh Hop Pop-Up Beer Fest
For the second year in a row, Burnside Brewing transforms its parking lot into a pop-up festival featuring 10 taps rotating daily through a selection of over 20 fresh hop harvest beers this season, from brewers including Fremont, Laurelwood, Breakside, and Fort George, as well as an Oktoberfest styled ala carte menu. Visit fresh-hops.com for a list of participating breweries and scheduled tappings.
Sept 21-24, 11 am, Burnside Brewing Co., free
A Beat Happening
Another showcase for the city's best beatsmiths, creating grooves, breaking beats, looping the loops, and generally remixing the night itself for a couple hours. Featuring sets from Trox, Snugsworth, Elijah Who, and more.
6 pm, Future Shock, free
The Heartlights, Patsy's Rats, The Suicide Notes
Oakland-hailing quartet The Heartlights bring their infectious garage-tinged power pop sounds to the Know stage for the Portland stop on a Northwest tour supporting their recently released EP, Oh Dear. Like-minded locals Patsy's Rats and The Suicide Notes round out the bill.
8 pm, The Know
LVL Up, Dude York, Turtlenecked
LVL UP’s Return to Love might be the best indie rock album of 2016 that almost didn’t get made. After self-releasing two full-lengths and a slew of EPs on Double Double Whammy, the four-piece made a pact that if they didn’t get someone else to put out their music, they’d hang it up for good. Instead, Seattle’s Sub Pop Records signed them on for a third full-length. It’s a joyous and angry meditation on nature, relationships, and modern spirituality. This approach certainly risks alienation, but Return to Love addresses religion without any pretense or cheesiness—instead with bursts of beauty and refreshing, un-apathetic honesty. CAMERON CROWELL
9 pm, Star Theater, $12
Public Service Broadcasting
London's Public Service Broadcasting use found sounds, samples, and esoterica to make involving instrumental music that actually tells a story. NED LANNAMANN
8:30 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $16-18
Pee Wee Ellis Funk Assembly
Saxophonist, composer, and arranger Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis honed his chops as a vital member of James Brown's band from 1965 to 1969. Tonight the funk pioneer stops off at the Alberta Rose Theatre to perform with his latest backing band, featuring vocalist Fred Ross, drummer Brian Foxworth, bassist Ben Jones, keybordist Michael Elson, and guitarist Jay Bird Koder.
8 pm, Alberta Rose Theatre, $26
Josh Weil
Josh Weil reads from his new collection of stories, The Age of Perpetual Light, the follow-up to his acclaimed debut novel, The Great Glass Sea.7:30 pm, Powell's City of Books, free
Don't forget to check out our Things To Do calendar for even more things to do!