MLP Picks its Favorite MusicFest Shows

T h u r s d a y   S e p t   4 t h

8:00 Dave Allen is a nice guy. Go see what he’s cooking up with the Aesthetics Showcase at the Fez. Or, then again, you could go to the Shanghai Tunnel and drink until--
11:00 Go see Blackalicious. (Crystal Ballroom)

F r i d a y  S e p t  5 t h

8:00 Go for a walk in the Chinese Gardens.
9:00 For you rock and roll kids, we suggest the improbable slice of pop that is Junior Private Detective (Cobalt Lounge). Elsewise check out the dark jazz swoon of Noir City (Bridgeport Heritage Room).
10:00 Grab your slide rule and head over to Stumptown for an hour of math wizards System and Station.
11:00 Here’s a curve ball. Go see Jimmy Bennington at the Fez. This dude is a jazz drummer with a youth and energy unimaginable in some of your uptight clubs. You’ll find out what all that fuss used to be about, as if you were there in the days of Ornette Coleman. Oh, but wait! Menomena is playing at the Ohm. Never mind, go to whichever is closer. The drinks are expensive at both of these joints.
12:00 Desert City Soundtrack (Nocturnal) will give you a sonic lashing that will leave you begging for more while Vagabond Opera (Jimmy Mak’s) gives you a New Orleans burlesque show.
1:00 The beautiful guitar driven synth pop of Viva Voce (BP Heritage Room) allures you or perhaps you would prefer the insanity of Captured! By Robots (Dante’s) to bend your drunk ass ear.
2:00 GO HOME!!!!

S a t u r d a y  S e p t  6 t h

8:00 Get good and loaded at Bush Gardens
9:00 Next stop is Wadsworth over at Lola’s. The former guitarist of metal band Add-X has been doing Wadsworth now for at least 2 years. They’re a Fucking Champs/Don Caballero sort of 3 piece with awesome technical skill but plenty of heart. Too much to handle? Jimmy Mak’s hosts the driven, windy landscapes of the bendable We’re From Japan.
10:00 Rock your balls off with The Very Foundation (Paris Theatre) or rock the very foundation with Storm and the Balls (Roseland Theater). I leave the choice up to you. Oh wait, don’t forget Bastinado. Lovely, lovely Bastinado. (Stumptown Coffee)
11:00 Go back to Jimmy Mak’s and get your tempo rearranged by the ever expanding Rm. 101
12:00 Two words: Icanlickanysonofabitchinthe house (Dante’s).
1:00 Close out the evening at Berbati’s Pan with the space rock darlings of Portland, The Swords Project. Or, if you want to decompress, check out Tracker over at the Tonic.
2:00 Throw back the rest of your PBR, kiss a random stranger, call your mother, pass out.