Portland’s annual festival celebrating the local music scene, PDX Pop Now! returns this weekend for three days of all-ages adventure at Audiocinema (under the Hawthorne Bridge). Check out the full schedule here, plus The Deli’s top picks for the weekend below:
Balto: Daniel Sheron’s psych-Americana project is lyrically driven and big and melodic. His first record Call It By Its Name is a diverse mix of country, folk, and pop that sounds like Blitzen Trapper’s love child with a dash of outlaw thrown in for good measure. Catch them at 6:40 p.m. on Friday.
Golden Hour: Portland’s tender-hearted garage group Golden Hour are like the younger sibling in a cool band that you never had but always wanted. Their catchy, relatable lyrics and upbeat, declarative songs will linger with you long after you hear them–in the best way possible. Don’t miss their set at 4:10 p.m. on Saturday.
Hands In: Bedroom psych favorite Erick Crosby brings his dreamy tunes to the stage Saturday evening at 6:50 p.m. Hands In provides the perfect soundtrack to your angst, your dance mood, or general party attitude.
The Last Arful, Dodgr: A new voice in the Portland hip hop scene, Dodgr brings a fresh sound to the festival and holds it down for lesser-represented genres in the local music scene. Don’t miss her breakout set at 6:10 p.m. on Saturday.
The Stops: These self-described "five girls playing punk" do not mess around. Their fast, hard, sorry-not-sorry songs are sure to get the crowd moving at this weekend’s festival. Representing the all-ages scene, their debut album Nameless Faces is a dirtier, grittier version of local favorites Summer Cannibals. Get down to Audiocinema early on Saturday, The Stops play at 2:10 p.m.
These and many more perform Friday through Sunday at Audiocinema. The music festival includes a street fair, beer garden, and plenty of opportunities to get immersed in the Portland music scene.
-Zibby Pillote