Wednesday, May 11
Mindless Self Indulgence
Aladdin Theater, 3017 S.E. Milwaukie Ave.
$16.50/$18, 21+
Led by a guy named Urine, this industrial/punk band want to piss you off, but they’ll probably just end up boring the plaid off your kilt.
John Butler Trio, Tristan Prettyman
Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E. Burnside St.
$11/$12, all ages
Heartfelt blues-infused rock from an Aussie with dreads – those of you allergic to patchouli and henna be warned.
Aceyalone, Abstract Rude, Bus Driver
Berbati’s Pan, 231 S.W. Ankeny St.
$14, 21+
Project Blowed is coming through with the fastest, funniest and most fucking profound emcees around. I feel for the locals performing down the street, because Aceyalone is the best in town tonight. Backpacks abound pt. 2.
Thursday, May 12
Pink Martini
Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside St.
$16/$18, All ages
Thomas Lauderdale and China Forbes might just be the two sexiest members of the Portland music community, but maybe that’s only in comparison to the drunk SUV owners who seem to frequent their shows.
John Renbourn, Jacqui McShee, Strawbs
Aladdin Theater, 3017 S.E. Milwaukie Ave.
$20/$22, All ages
I don’t care what you say, Pentangle were one of the best folk-rock groups of the ’70s, and John Renbourn is a fucking amazing guitarist, even if all he seems to like these days are Gaelic ballads.
Friday, May 13
Zion I, Opio, Crown City Rockers
Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E. Burnside St.
$11/$13, 21+
It’s just too much hip-hop! Crown City Rockers rose from the ashes of one of the most underrated Bay crews, Mission: history in the making.
Umphrey’s McGee, Kyle Hollingsworth
Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside St.
$15, All ages
Umphrey’s McGee may follow in the footsteps of Frank Zappa instead of the Greatful Dead, but they’re still a jam band. Your time would probably be better spent at home trying to find your own Moon Unit.
Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Faun Fables, The Bad Things
Dantes, 1 S.W. 3rd Ave.
$8/$10, 21+
Sleepytime is creepy in the vein of Idiot Flesh or Marilyn Manson (propa), smart, beautiful and theatrical. Faun Fables is their poetic folk companion in darkness. Suspend your disbelief and get your mind blown.
Saturday, May 14
Aesop Rock
Roseland, 8 N.W. Sixth Ave.
$16, all ages
With some of the most poetic and esoteric lyrics and unique vocal style set to the backdrop of Blockhead’s layered and beautifully off-kilter production, Aesop is the poster child for what underground hip-hop can be.
Ivy, Robbers on High Street
Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E. Burnside St.
$9, 21+
Indie-pop at its seductive best. Synth beats, acoustic guitars and Dominique Durand’s warm, inviting voice are sure to put you in the mood for some well coiffed canoodling.
Melt Banana, Das Oath, Dark Forces
Dante’s, 1 SW 3rd Ave.
$10, 21+
The very fucking best noise rock from Japan! Fuck yeah!
Six Organs of Admittance, Sir Richard Butler
Berbati’s Pan, 321 S.W. Ankeny St.
$10, 21+
Tripping you fantastic! Six Organs is the kind of experience that reeks of naturalism and dreams of psychedelic. Who needs flashing lights or Day-Glo when you can get carried by clouds? For real, son.
The Books, Mia Doi Todd
Holocene, 1001 S.E. Morrison St.
$10, 21+
With so many shows to choose from tonight, why choose this? Because the Books have taken their sampled Americana and made it live. Hella live. This is possibly the smartest band in the US.
Sunday, May 15
The Shins
Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside St.
SOLD OUT, all ages
The Shins are back by popular demand, but they’re sold out again and the same kids with their parents’ credit card number nabbed all the tickets.
Monday, May 16
Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E. Burnside St.
$10/$12, 21+
The “Queen of Funk,” Sharon Jones, is one sexy lady. A throwback to the hard-driving funk of James Brown, she will knock your socks off then coax them back on with her smoky voice so you can dance the night away.
The Shins
Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside St.
SOLD OUT, all ages
Your second chance to wait outside the Crystal in the rain hoping a high-schooler will trade you a ticket for beer.