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Writing about topics outside of music, and music-adjacent happenin’s isn’t really in my wheelhouse, but good god damn was Drama Tops’ show Dads one of the most beautifully unhinged things I’ve ever seen! Their Time Based Arts festival appearances are now in the past, but if you EVER have the chance to see them here or in Seattle—their homebase—do it. You won’t know exactly what’s going on, but you’ll be delighted.
It feels like the great cooling is finally upon us, folks. But you know what’s not cooling off? The hot, hot heat of shows coming through Portland this season. We’ve still got festivals and club shows to look forward to, and I know y’all do be lookin’ good in leggings and a light sweater.
Lastly, before we get to the good stuff, I’d like to say that the Mercury has divested from Spotify. We no longer pay for their services, though we will keep our account up and updated. Use it as a tool for discovery, not the end of your interaction with music. Listen to one of our playlists (fall playlist drops soon), head to some gigs, buy records and merch directly from artists, tell them how much their music means to you. Rinse and repeat.
Tuesday, September 9
WITCH / Sonny & the Sunsets
For fans of Fela Kuti, Ebo Taylor, The Lijadu Sisters
Which Witch is this Witch? Why, it’s WITCH of course! We Intend To Cause Havoc, formed in 1970s Zambia, are punk through and through—don’t conflate their sometimes laidback music for music less intentional: They bring a political mindset to their lyricism not seen outside of punk and protest music. Non-Euro-centric, using Zambian dialects including Bemba, and their mix of traditional and Western instrumentation culminate, giving WITCH their distinct sound. Opening are longtime indie darlings, Sonny & The Sunsets. (Aladdin Theater, 8pm, more info here, all ages)
Wednesday, September 10
NxWorries
For fans of D’Angelo, André 3000, Prince
Led by hip-hop heavy-hitters Knxwledge and Anderson .Paak, NxWorries compose music to make love by. For real, I bet if we look at population data nine months after their two incredible albums—2016’s Yes Lawd! and 2024’s Why Lawd?—we’d see a spike. The sex appeal oozing from everything NxWorries does is actually irresponsible… the planet can’t handle baby-making music of this caliber anymore! THINK OF THE CHILDREN. (Crystal Ballroom, 8pm, more info here, all ages)
Wednesday, September 10 & Thursday, September 11
Modest Mouse / Flamming Lips / Dehd
For fans of Ugly Cassanova, Pixies, Grandaddy
It feels like there was a couple decades there that you couldn’t go to a festival in the PNW without seeing Modest Mouse or the Flaming Lips (or the Shins, or Death Cab) and thank god for that. From their earliest days, Modest Mouse have put on an incredible live show, and no matter what you think about the man himself, Isaac Brock is an incredible songwriter. I’m also guessing most of us are aware of the Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test that is a Flaming Lips show. It’s pretty wild watching Wayne Coyne sing the indie-psych anthem “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” while crowd surfing in a giant bubble. Young up-and-comers Dehd do us the honor of opening both nights with their chiller post-punk tunes. (Edgefield, 6pm, more info here, all ages)
Friday, September 12 & Saturday, September 13
Lose Yr Mind Fest
For fans of psych music in all its many forms
Celebrating 10 years, spread between three of Central Eastside’s crown jewels, Lose Yr Mind Fest is one of the most rockin’ times that can be had in Portland, Oregon. Running between Lollipop Shoppe, Swan Dive, and the Get Down to see party music, dancing music, boogie music, et al. only adds to the energy. LYM 2025 includes appearances by Italians Do It Better label mates Desire and Johnny Jewel, the outsider hip-hop of Billy Woods, Seattle’s J.R.C.G. (if you saw one of their Pickathon sets, you know not to miss them), and local hunnies the Shivas, Sun Atoms, Ogre, Family Worship Center, Rayon, Shaylee, and more. (Lollipop Shop, Swan Dive, The Get Down, 6pm, more info here, 21+)
Friday, September 12–Sunday, September 14
PDX Pop Now!
For fans of Portland music, beer gardens, family-friendly activities
The most honorable Snoop Dogg once said: “Pop it like it’s hot,” and every year PDX Pop Now! does just that, with a line-up of the city’s best local music heaters. The 2025 festival lineup is stuffed to the gills with the likes of Alien Boy, Rango, Franklin Gothic, Friends Friends, the Prids, the Apricots, Femme Cell, Spiderling, Swiss Army Wife, and more. In past years, sets crawled the alleys of SE industrial, but this year’s location is legit: Westside Portland favorite Midtown Beer Garden. That means the food and family-friendly activities are on lock; all we have to do is rock. (Midtown Beer Garden, FREE, more info, all ages)
Related: Read our review of Alien Boy’s latest album, You Wanna Fade?
Saturday, September 13
Fief / Hedge Wizard / Wraith Knight
For fans of Mortiis, Fogweaver, Quest Master
As you travel along a mossy path alone, in search of a sacred rune that—legend has it—is able to heal the sick, and rid the world of evil, suddenly, the air of the dark forest grows heavy with mist. As you approach the glen your quest has led you to, an ancient well reveals itself. Peering into the holy waters below, you ask your question to the void, “What is the meaning of life?” The void answers: “Fief.” (Old Church, 7:30pm, more info here, all ages)
Related: Read our album review of Mortiis’ album Live at Enchanted Forest & Star Theater.
LU2K / Miley Serious / Plus
For fans of Rave Racers, Sully, Bianca Oblivion
RIP to LU2K’s band Jesus Piece, one of the best hardcore outfits on the circuit for years. Luckily, we’ve got his solo output to keep dance floors filled. His hard-hitting Fuck Real Life EP has remained in heavy rotation for DJs spinning hard tech, jungle, and DnB sets at Barn Radio and Process. Parisian DJ Miley Serious pulls up from her homebase in NYC with her vast music knowledge, wrapping any room around her fingers. Filling out the night is Portland’s Plus along with Barn Radio DJs. (Barn Radio, 10pm, more info here, 21+)
Also very worth it…
Extradition presents Piano Aktivitys as a Disciplind Destruktshun (a piano work’t) at Leaven Community – Sept. 12, more info here
Bleakfest Preshow feat. Youth Code, Street Sects, Insula Iscario, Possible Jumper at High Limit Room – Sept. 12, more info here
Kenji Bunch and Monica Ohuchi at Pacific Center – Sept. 14, more info here
Twirl at Kenton Club – Sept. 14, more info here
Portland Music News:
Have you heard? The Mercury is teaming with floral design baddies Fresh Cut Flowers to launch a new workshop series, Fresh Cuts! The events combine floral design workshops with intimate live music performances in cool and unusual spaces. The inaugural Fresh Cuts, taking place September 24 on the ballroom floor of the Crystal, features a performance by Rico Nasty and a 1.5 hour floral design workshop led by Cody Shulund of Fresh Cut Flowers. More info and tickets here.
Very cool, breaking news: Local booking and promoters Guerilla Joy are linking with Central Eastside favorites Bunk Bar to bring you SYLM—Support Your Local Music. The new series launches with Menopalooza #1, headlined by queercore icons Team Dresch on September 18. Another couple SYLM shows to add to your already packed concert calendar are Sun Blood Stories on 9/26, and Missionary Girls and House of Warmth on 10/25.
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Nolan Parker
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