Welcome to Labor Day weekend, everybody. We made it!
So now what?
Well, now we try to figure out new and interesting ways to relax a little. The city itself seems to be doing an okay job of it for 2016—there's not a whole hell of a lot on tap this weekend. But think quality over quantity, right? What is happening is going to be pretty damned satisfying. Especially if you're a big fan of watching kids crash into each other at 80 miles-per-hour while snacking and drinking heavily, because this weekend sees the return of College Football to Providence Park, as well as your TV screens. But maybe you're a little more reserved on the prospect of supporting the brain-damaging racket that is collegiate sports. That's okay! We got way more low-impact kinds of fun to get into—there's a little slice of Germany foaming over on Mt. Hood, an artist so slick and satisfying he stole Dr. Dre's last album out from under him, a pair of festivals celebrating vital Portland communities, and a birthday party for Beyonce. You get 24 extra hours of weekend this time around: Hit the menu below and plan accordingly.
Jump to: Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Monday
Friday, Sept 2
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Blank Range
Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears hit the ground running in 2009 with their excellent major-label debut, Tell ’Em What Your Name Is! Lewis’s manic guitar playing, James Brown-like shrieks, and the unhinged energy of his live performances showed promise in the new artist. Since then, however, we haven’t heard a whole lot from the Austin, Texas native. He and his band released Scandalous in 2011, more or less repeating the same garage-soul and blues-rock formula of their debut. In 2013 they dropped “the Honeybears” from the band name and released Electric Slave, transitioning away from their earlier sound in favor of heavier, sludgier rock. Seeing as how three years have passed since Electric Slave, who knows what to expect next from Black Joe Lewis, or even what brings the band on the road now. But if their live show has remained any bit as maniacal as before, that’s ultimately all that matters. SANTI ELIJAH HOLLEY
Doug Fir, 9pm, $15-17
Explosions in the Sky, Preoccupations
The first time I saw Explosions in the Sky was at Sasquatch 2009. It was hot. I was ill-prepared, and after day one had only trail mix and water left to sustain me. I learned that I do not possess the stamina for festivals, and I also learned that sometimes the perfect set is enough to wash all of that away (at least temporarily, anyway). I watched a whole crowd sway and cry. I marveled as the sound seemed to fill up the seemingly endless space of the Gorge. Explosions in the Sky still excel at making huge, lush instrumental albums that often feel like entire wordless narratives unto themselves, and their latest is no exception. The Wilderness revisits familiarly emotional landscapes in the way they know best: without words. If you’re ready to go on the journey, just don’t forget your trail mix. JENNA FLETCHER
Crystal Ballroom, 8pm, $27-30
Mike Epps
One of the most talented, likable stand-ups currently working, both on stage and on screen, in properties such as The Boondocks, Friday After Next, The Hangover, and the upcoming Richard Pryor biopic from director Lee Daniels.
Sept 2-4, Helium Comedy Club, 6:30pm, 9:30pm, $35-50
Grenades, Where My Bones Rest Easy, Family, Sloths
A night of hardcore post punk headlined by the Seattle-based quartet, Grenades.
High Water Mark, 9pm, $10
Multiple Maniacs
One of John Waters’ earliest celluloid atrocities (that’s not us saying it, that’s the film’s poster saying it) has been digitally remastered so as to best capture every last millimeter of Divine’s psychotic glory. Co-starring the National Guard, and George Figgs as Jesus Christ. Also see Film, this issue.
Hollywood Theatre, 9:30pm, $9
Mortified
The schadenfruede-flavored storytelling series featuring people sharing experiences from the hell that is adolescence.
Alberta Rose Theatre, 7pm, 10pm, $16
Trujillo, The Welfare State, Archangels Thunderbird
Trujillo's 2014 album, Amexica, embraces cumbia, Chicano rock, and Beatles-esque folk and psychedelia across its 40 minutes, paying tribute to Ugalde and Freddy Fender, and examining the topics of immigration and assimilation. It's a remarkable album, deeply rooted in musical traditions but tying familiar genres together in extraordinary ways. NED LANNAMANN
Turn! Turn! Turn!, 8pm, $5
Saturday, Sept 3
Summer Cannibals, The Shondes, Creature to Creature, Husky Boys
Alberta Street punk rock HQ the Know’s days are numbered, so you’ll want to spend plenty of time there between now and the last show in late November. Portland rockers Summer Cannibals—all hard-driving guitars and angsty lyrics and awesomeness—are an outstanding reason to pop in. DIRK VANDERHART
The Know, 8pm
Portland State Vikings vs. Central Washington Wildcats
So long, boring and sports-free Saturdays, it’s now the most wonderful time of the year: college football season. Oregon State opens the season with a rare Thursday game at Minnesota (6 pm, Big Ten Network), while the Oregon Ducks will put a whooping on UC Davis in Eugene on Saturday (2 pm, Pac-12 Network). But we recommend you check our local team, the Portland State Vikings, in person on Saturday as they face Central Washington. They’re good, it’s cheap, it’s outside, it’s nearby, and it’s college football—what more could you ask? DOUG BROWN
Providence Park, 2:30pm, $5-30, all ages
Ages and Ages, Chris Pureka
Consistently producing inspired records is one thing, but making sure they’ve got heart is another thing altogether. Portland’s Ages and Ages have honed purposeful pop throughout their tenure, but the band’s latest, Something to Ruin, goes a step further. Here they focus on the dramatic development of the city, juxtaposing the eyesore of greed with a desire to give up. Songs like “Kick Me Out” get right to the point, with vocalist/guitarist Tim Perry declaring, “All around me is changing I see/All the places I used to belong that I don’t wanna be.” The fact that the album is even remotely as triumphant-sounding as the band’s 2014 magnum opus Divisionary is astounding—with Something to Ruin, Ages and Ages again raises the bar through patient, meticulous songcraft that’s as buoyant as it is timeless. RYAN J. PRADO
Mississippi Studios, 6pm, 9pm, $13-15, all ages
6th Annual Arab Festival
A celebration of the culture courtesy the Arab American Cultural Center of Oregon, featuring authentic food, live music, dance, art exhibitions, poetry readings, kids activities, and much more.
Oaks Amusement Park, 11am, all ages
Art in the Pearl
This year is the 20th anniversary of Portland's celebration of international and local art, featuring works from over 120 artists from the United States and Canada.
Sept 3-5, North Park Blocks, free, all ages
Loch Lomond
The hometown folk pop ensemble known for their dynamic arrangements play an in-store album release show in support of their new full-length, Pens From Spain.
Music Millennium, 6pm, free, all ages
Sunday, Sept 4
Bey Day: A Celebration for the Queen: DJ Ronin Roc, Holla & Oates
For the third year in a row, Holocene is hosting what’s arguably the best birthday celebration in town for the one and only true queen, Beyoncé. The dance party will honor Queen B with a night full of the popular classics, remixes, and collaborations courtesy of DJs Ronin Roc and Holla N Oates, along with Bey-themed video art to set the mood. For those interested, there will also be a dance-off and a costume contest, so come ready to channel your inner goddess. GUADALUPE TRIANA
Holocene, 9pm, $10
Wilco, Joan Shelley
For some, Wilco has become the punchline of a lame joke about music made for settling into 21st century fatherhood. It’s true that the veteran Chicago rock band has a few khaki-Dockers albums in its discography, but 2015’s Star Wars found Jeff Tweedy and company embracing a “less is more” aesthetic: It felt buzzy and squirmy and eccentric and tossed off, in a good way. And Tweedy’s masterful two-night stand at Pickathon was a good reminder that few (if any) humans have written more great songs in the past three decades. Most importantly, Wilco has always been an absolute beast of a live band, no matter how their records sounded. So snicker if you want, but miss tonight’s show at the Schnitz at your own peril. Also, don’t be late: Opener Joan Shelley is a brilliant folk singer whose Over and Even was one of 2015’s best albums. BEN SALMON
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 7:30pm, $39.50-69.50
Portland Thorns vs. Boston Breakers
With the top of the table in sight, the Thorns kick off their final homestand of the season with a Sunday afternoon matchup against the Boston Breakers. Be on hand to greet the return of the team’s Olympians, and be sure to give an extra warm reception to Canadian legend Christine Sinclair, who led her country to a second straight bronze medal over Olympic hosts Brazil. CHIPP TERWILLIGER
Providence Park, 4pm, $10-40, all ages
Ray LaMontagne
Ray LaMontagne boasts a solid body of earthy folk songs. His even heartier voice puts a nice ribbon on the package, a smoky rasp that makes it all sound genuine and human. Most notable is the fact that with each album LaMontagne has taken steps—if not leaps—in both production and songwriting, seemingly trying to distance himself from becoming a dreaded one-dimensional folk troubadour. MARK LORE
Edgefield, 6:30pm, sold out/good luck, all ages
Iska Dhaaf, The Fur Coats, The Wild Body
Iska Dhaaf is poppy, melancholic, loud, rain-dipped, and lightly, almost gently psychotic. It covers both dance and rock while fortunately evading "dance rock" territory; it's filled with hooks and weird left turns; it's very good. NED LANNAMANN
The Liquor Store, 8pm
Edna Vazquez Band, Weezy Ford
When one gets the opportunity to hear the gorgeous vocals of Edna Vazquez, one should jump at the opportunity. Her take on Mexican traditional folk music is both velvety smooth and chilling. WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
Mississippi Studios, 9pm, $5
Tango Alpha Tango, Astro Tan
Nathan Trueb's knack for capturing the grit of dirty desert blues is infectious and fun, full of clichéd rock 'n' roll lyrics about getting high and lusting after women, and comes teeming with an arsenal of back-porch riffs and driving rhythms. RYAN J. PRADO
Rontoms, 8pm, free
Mt Hood Meadows Oktoberfest
A little slice of Munich nestled comfortably on the slopes of Mt Hood, with award-winning craft beers on tap, and Oktoberfest food specialties from Executive Chef Dan DeHay
Mt. Hood Meadows, 11am, $14
Gem Faire
Washington County Fairgrounds, 10am, $7, all ages
Monday, Sept 5
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Almost everything you could, should, and do love about Mad Max: Fury Road, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Avatar (both the blue kitty-people version and the kid with the arrow on his head version) was already present in this 1984 anime classic, but made more visually interesting and emotionally engaging thanks to the beautiful mind of legendary storyteller Hayao Miyazaki. BOBBY ROBERTS
Academy Theater, 4:20 pm, 9:05 pm, $3-4, all ages
Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, Pomo, Duckwrth
If you needed any more reason to go to the Anderson .Paak show (you don’t), opener DUCKWRTH is a compelling draw. The singer/rapper/graphic designer reps and credits the Bay Area for his artistic influences, and is regarded as a creative visionary for his progressive hip-hop and vibrant, expressive style—just watch his recently released visual for “Get Uugly” and you’ll see why. Last summer he collaborated with the Kickdrums to put out the super dope EP Nowhere, which features experimental R&B and rock-infused tracks like “Naruto,”“Unagi,”“Lambo,” and “Skank.” He recently dropped “Rare Panther+Beach House,” a leading track off his upcoming EP I’m Uugly, which is set to release next month. JENNI MOORE Also read our story on Anderson .Paak.
Crystal Ballroom, 7:30pm, sold out/good luck
Mr. Wrong, Gentle Bender
Portland duo Mr. Wrong's debut release, Distraction Demo, is a collection of seven crunchy lo-fi punk songs equally reminiscent of ’80s Los Angeles cow-punk bands like the Gun Club and Seattle three-piece Childbirth. The songs range from self-deprecating humor about being distracted and jobless (“Distraction”) to odes to tarot cards and candles (“Witchy”), along with a great cover of ’70s organ-punk band the Delinquents’ track “Do You Have a Job for a Girl Like Me.” CAMERON CROWELL
Church, 9pm
Twelve Gardens, Real Real Talk
Twelve Gardens debut tape, no more cool '93 is characterized by a slow-fast/quiet-loud approach to songwriting reminiscent of Pixies and the Softies, with just one song extending past the three-minute mark. Despite its brevity, no more cool '93 is notable in its breadth of emotionality, which is perhaps best exemplified on the repetitive track "Bicycle." CAMERON CROWELL
The Analog Cafe and Little Theater, 7pm, $8