High Notes: The Best Live Music in Portland This Week, August 4-9
Tuesday, August 04, 2015
Why fight it? Portland’s got more music festivals than you can shake a tambourine at, so join the party already! Remember, these are the days you’ll look back upon fondly when you’re a drooling old geezer staring out the window from your oxygen tent. Let’s live a little!
Photo credit: Chicano Batman by Josue Rivas
Chicano Batman
Photo credit: Chicano Batman by Josue Rivas
Aug 6 @ 9pm
Sure, you can call it New Latin Rock, though the sound is a sweet throwback to early East L.A. swooning-soul pioneers like Thee Midniters, filtered through the funky ’70s when War and El Chicano introduced barrio blues to the world at large. The members of Chicano Batman wear matching ruffled tuxedo shirts in solidarity with their forebears, but songs like “She Lives On My Block,” “It’s A Balloon,” and “Joven Navegante” are just a bit too proudly peculiar to be dated, even with the wah-wah guitars and slithery organ cues. It’s pretty obvious that this band isn’t interested in recreating history, but rather adding something a little different.
$12-15. Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E Burnside St.
Portland Psych Festival
Aug 7-9 @ 6pm
Take a trip without leaving town, as contemporary interpreters of psychedelia join forces to prove that the 21st century is every bit as weird and wonderful as the Woodstock era. The fest kicks off Friday night at Hawthorne Theater Lounge (7pm), before bugging out to the Star Theater for nights two and three. In addition to local practitioners like Paradise, the Reverberations, Verner Pantones, and the Upsidedown, sonic seekers are likely to encounter bands from as far out as Korea (Julia Dream) and Mexico (Dorotheo). Above all, remain positive and shine your brightest.
$12-20. Star Theater, 13 NW Sixth Ave.
Hoverfest
Aug 8 @ noon
It looks like another hot weekend, so metalheads should probably leave their leather goods at home. But what a party! Local amp makers Hovercraft and the fine folks at Cravedog Media have gathered the cream of Portland’s hard-rock crop to hammer away the heat starting at noon o’clock. Soak up sulphuric sets by Witch Mountain, Danava, Lord Dying, Holy Grove, and Sons of Huns, among others, while applying craft beer and reasonably priced chow to your evil face.
$20. Cravedog Inc. 611 N Tillamook St.
Photo credit: La Luz by Andrew Imanaka
La Luz
Photo credit: La Luz by Andrew Imanaka
Aug 8 @ 8pm
How can anyone who loves rock not love La Luz? This matching-jacket girl gang from Seattle is tough but tenderhearted, with the ripest four-part harmonies this side of the Bangles. “Don’t Wanna Be Anywhere,” “Call Me in the Day” and “Clear Night Sky” are sufficiently groovy for mandala-pop purists, while elsewhere, every ’60s subgenre you can think of gets respectfully recycled and rejuvenated, often to better effect than they were back in the day. La Luz is due for a new album called ‘Weirdo Shrine’ any day now.
$20-23. Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell St.
Jason Isbell
Aug 8 @ 8pm
Alabama boy Isbell spent several years honing his craft as a member of lefty redneck ensemble Drive-By Truckers, even writing one of their best songs, “Goddamn Lonely Love.” Since going solo in 2007, he’s evolved into a high-profile songwriter and performer, with his latest album, ‘Something More Than Free,’ hitting number one on Billboard’s Country Album chart. With his capable pen and heroic howl, Isbell represents a kinder, gentler outlaw, one that the whole country can stand behind.
$27.50-37.50. Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway.
Related Articles
- High Notes: The Best Live Music in Portland This Week, July 28 - Aug 2
- High Notes: The Best Live Music in Portland This Week, July 14-19
- High Notes: The Best Live Music in Portland This Week, July 7-12
- High Notes: The Best Live Music in Portland This Week, June 16-21
- High Notes: The Best Live Music in Portland This Week, June 2-7
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It