I'm excited that my first 2026 show purchases are St. Vincent and Mavis Staples! And a recently discovered 2025 show - Corinne I saw your note and somehow didn't know that The Beths are coming here to Portland until last week even though I certainly look out for them. I'm happy to say that I'm going to see them on Nov 14 (the same week as Cut Copy and Neko Case!)

Hey music loving friends. I'm going to see Neko Case tonight at the Paramount, as well as tomorrow at the Roseland Ballroom in PDX, in case anyone wants to meet up for a beverage beforehand. I'll be at the Six Arms tonight around 6:30-ish? Don't know about tomorrow as I'm not that familiar with the area near the Roseland. Open to suggestions!

I've considered doing a Morning Show about this but I only have 3 hours. It would take me 3 months. So mine was 16 years old, Jane's Addiction with Mary's Danish opening at Eastern Washington University. I remember walking in to "Coming Down the Mountain" and seeing bodies flying in the air, everyone wearing black, just absolute MAYHEM and all I wanted to do was more of this! I stayed out the pit that day and just stood there in awe to be seeing and hearing the music from a band I loved. I was HOOKED. I think they played 30 minutes because Perry was a mess but I didn't know any better and in fact was shocked when I saw a band play longer! Also first show in Seattle? Pixies. Moore Theater.

So - going through several live performances I've archived and had no-one to share with, this track epitomizes at least one important aspect of hope for me. I do not know the language, and haven't seen an official translation, but purportedly the lyrics are a grandparent telling a kid to not lose their way. There's hope in the sounds - and a sorrow that moves to joy and excitement. There's enough in the music to know to what's being said, I think. Regardless of the lyrics, just wait till the drums and sax (maybe not a sax - but at least a brass woodwind!) kick in. It' so cool.

after a few lighter years of seeing live shows due to a variety of reasons, I'm back into the groove this year. Some standouts in no particular order: Charlie Parr, Wet Leg, Sleigh Bells, Phantogram, Andrew Bird with the Oregon Symphony, Courtney Barnett, Sleater Kinney, Gift, Bob Mould, Sharon Van Etten, and The Flaming Lips. And very much looking forward to: Wolf Alice, Nation of Language, Purity Ring, M. Ward, The Tallest Man on Earth, Cut Copy, and Neko Case.