An annual free outdoor/indoor party, taking place this year at RefugePDX. Showgoers of all ages ad walks of life are given the opportunity to sample a diverse cross-section of both Portland's established and growing musical offerings.
PDX Pop Now!'s mission is to stimulate and expand participation in Portland's music scene. Created in 1998, the organization's mission statement states: "As an all-volunteer organization committed to being accessible, current, and local, we provide and support live performances and recorded materials. We aspire to advance a sustainable community which values inclusivity and a high caliber of artistry to enable a creative dialogue between artist and audience."
suggested picks: FRIDAY, JULY 22ND, 2011
jared mees & the grown children
These Portland staples create indie rock that will load a spring into your step. 6:00PM, OUTSIDE album review "noteworthy and charming"... "can wake you up in the morning and get you going"
stls
STLS is essentially drum nerdery between Portland gals Lisa Schonberg (Explode Into Colors) and STS (The Haggard). Drums. Nerdery. 6:40PM, OUTSIDE
blood beach
These dirty old psych-garage rock goofballs have a theremin (yes!) and a new record coming out next week on the classic Fat Wreck Chords label. 7:20PM, OUTSIDE live show recap + house of commons mixtape download
the reservations
Dual dueling vocalists play games with tension, and capture everything that is to love about rock n' roll in one release. 8:45PM, INSIDE album review "feels as if it is captured in one perfect take, where slightly off-key or off-tempo passes are forever gathered on the tracks"
golden retriever
Analog synths and wind instruments combine to meet blissed out ends. This amazing ambient duo will also be playing our upcoming psych event at Holocene [08/25]. 10:50PM, OUTSIDE
suggested picks: SATURDAY, JULY 23RD, 2011
wild ones
This male-female five-person collective can easily flirt its way into your heart, and does.
4:50PM, MAIN
wizard rifle
As stylistically shape-shifting metalheads, it's for good reason that Wizard Rifle have scored some opening gigs for YOB and Thrones, and a spot in this year's well-curated MusicFest NW. They're on the up-and-up and earning their keep through grueling nationwide tours.
5:35PM, OUTSIDE
ExtrAlone
Rather than listening to ExtrAlone, one must see this former Spaniard perform live. He's a one man band who drums like a madman and works bass synths with his feet... and that doesn't even begin to sum it up.
7:00PM, OUTSIDE
monarques
Monarques recently restructured their band and came back with a psychedelic instrumental set reminiscent of old Pink Floyd. Is that what their PDX Pop Now! set will be like this time around? Hopefully.
7:45PM, INSIDE
witch mountain
Witch Mountain are playing twice this evening, and if you're not one of the lucky human beings to catch their show at Doug Fir Lounge with Lumerians this same evening, you can still catch them for free at PDX Pop Now! With banshee vocals and dirty psychedelic guitarwork, Witch Mountain live up to their name.
11:10PM, OUTSIDE
nurses
This September, Nurses will be releasing their third album, Dracula. Catch them at this free hometown show before they blow up around the country and you actually end up having to consistently pay for their shows. And oh...! Expect Rocky Tinder (of Wampire) to fill in as guest guitarist since vocalist Aaron Chapman busted his elbow!
11:50PM, OUTSIDE band interview
suggested picks: SUNDAY, JULY 24TH, 2011
cloaks
Listening to Cloaks makes you wish that these electronic experimental masterminds would take pity on you -- that they would alleviate your suffering by wrapping you up in their vibrating universe of spastic, positive sound. A serious choice pick.
12:40PM, OUTSIDE
nasalrod
Nasalrod probably has a bit of a cult following for a reason. Vocalist and frontman Chairman alone is worth the trek out to PDX Pop Now!. On top of his antics, though, don't discount the fact that Nasalrod are actually quite technically proficient and instrumentally tight, as well.
3:25PM, INSIDE live show review
kelli schaefer
Ms. Shaefer has a voice that makes you fall in love. Problem is, it only makes you fall in love with her, and at the show, there will be quite a few other suitable competitors.
9:00PM, OUTSIDE
guidance counselor
Synth dance rock with punk rock attitude. With frontman Ian Anderson leaving town, PDX Pop Now! may be your last chance to see Guidance Counselor in quite some time -- or possibly, forever. Check out songs of the duo as a duo, and of the duo playing songs from Anderson's solo project, Feelings.
10:20PM, OUTSIDE feelings' album review and stream + high scores and records mixtape download
festival schedule
Asterik (*) = suggested shows;
Plus sign (+) = related articles
FRIDAY, JULY 22ND, 2011
OUTSIDE
6:00PM: Jared Mees And The Grown Children +
6:40PM: STLS
7:20PM: Blood Beach +
INSIDE
8:05PM: Weinland
8:45PM: The Reservations +
9:25PM: Lovers
OUTSIDE
10:15PM: The Minders
10:50PM: Golden Retriever *
11:30PM: The Chicarones
12:10PM: And And And
SATURDAY, JULY 23RD, 2011
INSIDE
12:00PM: Ezza Rose
12:40PM: Yeah Great Fine
OUTSIDE
1:25PM: Archers
2:05PM: Palo Verde
2:45PM: Lost Lander
