Red Bull Gives You… Quality Shows for Cheap This Weekend
Here you thought the makers of Red Bull purveyed nothing but cans of sweet, bubbly stimulants. It turns out they now present hiply curated music on their Sound Select site and sponsor shows worth going to, including thirty days of music in LA last November. Their focus turns to Portland this Thursday – Saturday, and here’s what you can catch for $10 a night.
Thursday, May 18th: Alvvays at the Wonder Ballroom
Thursday’s show at the Wonder Ballroom is a night of rockin’ women. Alvvays made a modern classic in 2014 with the release of their self/titled LP. The breathy, whimsical vocals and pop-magic lead guitar helped define rock after the technically-deficient wave of mid-aughts indie. They will joined by fellow Canadians, The Courtneys, before they take their own smoothly-sung guitar rock across the ocean to Europe.
Portland’s Candace, dreamy rock trio, will open up the show.
Friday, May 19th: Nao at Wonder Ballroom
Friday night is R&B night. Nao’s bass-heavy, synth-laden brand of it earned her widespread attention with the single, “Girlfriend.” She is joined by Harriet Brown, the LA musician whose Prince-esque write-everything/play-everything wizardry produced the alien groovestorm that is the Contact LP. Local Chanti Darling’s funky throwbacks will get the party started.
Saturday, May 20th at Crystal Ballroom
Saturday night is rap night and brings ELEVEN’s cover feature for the month of May, The Last Artful, Dodgr. Another Portland artist, Aminé, headlines the bill. His modern hip hop is quickly blowing up. Hailing from South London, A2 will perform as well, and is known for his chiller brand of rap. He’s quoted on the event page saying, “This is about authenticity and longevity. Everything I do is about the passion that I put into it.”
– Tyler Burdwood
