Christmas will be arriving five days early in North Portland this Friday. Three of Portland’s biggest acts of 2013 will be hosting a yuletide celebration that will make your office Christmas party look like… well, an office Christmas party. Sorry, no time for fancy rhetoric, here’s the skinny: Tango Alpha Tango will go on first. Their guitar-driven rock makes them one of the bluesiest bands this city has in its books and they play in such a raw way that you can’t help but move to the fine-tone rhythms and fuzzy keyboard that gives them a funky edge. And not slacking in the funk category is the soulful six-piece, Minden. Whether you like their melodic keyboards, smooth bass, or harmonizing vocals, you will surely get your fix when Minden takes the stage. Finally, the hosts, The Lower 48 will headline the bill. The vintage-pop sounds laden with folk songwriting has built quite the name for this band in the local scene. The past six months touring all over the west coast, east coast, and the Midwest and finally make it back to Portland just in time for a holiday extravaganza. This Friday, the triumphant bells will ring sounds of joy for one more concert 2013 won’t forget. – Colin Hudson
