Summer concert guide: An incredible schedule of legends and icons is headed to Oregon

Diana Ross performs onstage at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures 2nd Annual Gala on Oct, 15, 2022 in Los Angeles. She’ll perform at McMenamins Edgefield on June 20. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
  • 132 shares

Having broken the record for the most 90-degree days in May since 1878, the Portland area’s summer was off to a great start long before the solstice. There’s plenty going on this summer in Portland, as well other Oregon outdoor venues in Bend, Eugene and Troutdale. We kick-off the summer concert season with music legends Diana Ross and Janet Jackson playing dueling shows on June 20. Then we’ll close out the season with tourstops from Sam Smith and the ever-eclectic “little orchestra” Pink Martini at Grand Lodge.

The National, Soccer Mommy

Having been at it since 1999, indie rock band The National is certainly worth their salt. But perhaps an even bigger draw to this show is indie pop singer/songwriter Soccer Mommy, AKA 25-year-old Sophia Regina Allison. Pulling from influences like Taylor Swift, Mitski and Avril Lavigne, Soccer Mommy’s beloved for her confessional lyricism. She’ll focus on songs from her latest album, “Sometimes, Forever,” which she worked on with experimental and electronic music producer Daniel Lopatin. The album was released to critical acclaim last year, and includes stand-out tracks like “Bones,” “Darkness Forever,” and “Feel It All the Time.” On the eerie and jaded “Unholy Affliction,” Allsion sings about burnout: “I’m tired of the money/ And all of the talking at me/ I’m barely a person/ Mechanically working/ Industrial mindset/ Fully efficient.” The jaded single “Newdemo,” sees her prophesying with near-certainty about the end of the world.

6:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, June 2-3, McMenamins Edgefield, Troutdale; all ages; $57.50, edgefieldconcerts.com.

Eyelids

Fronted by vocalists/guitarists Chris Slusarenko and John Moen, Portland-based indie rock band Eyelids is basically a supergroup, also comprising Paulie Pulvirenti, Victor Krummenacher and Jonathan Drews — musicians who share, or have shared studios and stages with The Decemberists, Guided by Voices, Elliott Smith, Quasi, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks. The band will rock the small basement venue at Doug Fir this June, playing live guitar-pop from their new album, A Colossal Waste of Light.

9 p.m. Saturday, June 3, Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E. Burnside St.; 21 and over; $16, dougfirlounge.com. Also: Stub Hub.

Larry June

Portland hip-hop fans would identify with Bay Area emcee Larry June’s “organic rap,” in which weed, oranges and fresh juices are the substance of choice (over popping pain meds, and binging on codeine and liquor). Having graduated from the streets and changed his life for the better, June’s lyrics contain repeated themes of pursuing a healthier, more positive, organic lifestyle. Larry June is also celebrated for his incessant hustle as an indie rapper has ascended over the last decade via his impressive output of 10 studio albums, improving on each of them. We’re dying to hear popular tracks “Private Valet,” “Palisades, CA” and “89 Earthquake.”

8 p.m. Sunday, June 4, Roseland Theater, 8 N.W. Sixth Ave.; all ages; sold out, roselandpdx.com. Also: Vivid Seats, Stub Hub, Seat Geek, Ticketsqueeze.

Bryson Tiller

“Trapsoul” launched rapper/singer Bryson Tiller into the mainstream back in 2015, with his trap- and hip-hop-inspired R&B, and stand-out tracks like “Don’t,” “Exchange,” “Let Em Know,” and “Overtime,” that make for an excellent late night driving playlist. While he very publicly considered retirement, Tiller’s star has continued to rise, and his release schedule has not let up. Since “Trapsoul,” Tiller has released three albums, with two of them dropping in the last couple years. Now in support of his excellent 2022 project, “Anniversary,” Tiller’s on the “Back and I’m Better Tour” — which is inspired by a lyric from “Don’t” — and the evening is sure to provide an abundance of moody, sultry vibes.

8 p.m. Thursday, June 15, Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside St.; all ages; sold out, crystalballroompdx.com.

Janet Jackson performs at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood on April 14, 2023 in Hollywood, Florida. She’ll play the Moda Center on June 20. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Janet Jackson)

Janet Jackson

Wait! Janet Jackson and Diana Ross have been booked to play Portland on the same night? (Maybe the two icons will meet up while they’re both in town!) Whether fulfilling a need to see Janet bust-out iconic choreography to “Scream,” hear “Together Again” live, or sing along to the sensual hit “That’s the Way Love Goes,” deep breaths are required to get through this epic show at Moda Center.

7:45 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, Moda Center; all ages; $42.99-$495, rosequarter.com. Also: Vivid Seats, Stub Hub, Seat Geek, Ticketsqueeze.

Diana Ross

Somehow, “Icon” doesn’t seem a big enough word to describe Diana Ross. At least in the music industry, Ross is the reference point for glamor, beauty, elegance and boldness. She’s one of the closest things us Americans have to royalty. With a catalog as extensive as hers — going back to the ‘60s, when she released “Baby Love,” “Love Child” and other hits with The Supremes — who even knows what such a setlist is going to entail for the crowd of eager lifelong fans at the Edgefield. With lots of mega hits like “I’m Coming Out” “Come See About Me,” and ultimate spring-cleaning anthem “It’s My House,” we’re going to be served more than we can possibly process.

6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, McMenamins Edgefield, Troutdale; all ages; $65.50-$160.50, edgefieldconcerts.com.

Taj Mahal

Active since 1968, blues musician Taj Mahal has put out an incredible number of studio and live albums, and the 81-year-old legend doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Taj Mahal headlined the Waterfront Blues Festival last year, and this summer he’ll treat Oregonians twice, with stops at Eugene’s Cuthbert Amphitheater and Hayden Homes Amphitheater in Bend.

6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 24, The Cuthbert Amphitheater, Eugene; 7 p.m. Sunday, June 25, Hayden Homes Amphitheater; all ages; $40-80, thecuthbert.com; bendconcerts.com. Also: Vivid Seats, Stub Hub, Seat Geek, Ticketsqueeze.

Amy Ray and Emily Saliers of Indigo Girls perform onstage during Sundance Institute's opening night on Jan. 19, 2023 in Park City, Utah. They’ll play at Bend’s Hayden Homes Amphitheater on June 27. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for IMDb)

Indigo Girls And Neko Case

Folk-rock duo Indigo Girls started back in the ‘80s, pulling inspiration from a wide range of influences from the songwriting of Joni Mitchell to the soul of Stevie Wonder. The duo is known for their excellent live performances, and have released four live albums over the last few decades, including the most recent one in 2018. Those who make it to Bend’s Hayden Homes Amphitheater for the epic show can hope for a rare rendition of deep cut “Tangled Up In Blue,” and plan on vibing out to popular hits like “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright,” “Galileo,” and “Power of Two.”

6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 27, Hayden Homes Amphitheater, Bend; all ages; $42.50-$82.50, bendconcerts.com. Also: Vivid Seats, Stub Hub, Seat Geek, Ticketsqueeze.

Buddy Guy performs during the 52nd annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage festival on May 4, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He’ll play the Waterfront Blues Festival July Fourth weekend. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/WireImage)

Waterfront Blues Festival

The annual Waterfront Blues Festival is back at it again this Fourth of July weekend for four days of quality blues lineups (and one night that’ll conclude with fireworks over the Willamette River). While the festival isn’t (basically) free anymore, there’s a greater importance on creating a quality experience for those in attendance. Billed artists include Sunny War, Low Lonely Boys, The Mavericks, JJ Grey & Mofro, Cory Wong, Buddy Guy, Lo Steele, and Ural Thomas and the Pain.

Saturday-Tuesday, July 1-4, Tom McCall Waterfront Park; all ages; $50-$1,400, waterfrontbluesfest.com.

Jason Mraz

Jason Mraz’ stood out in the early 2000s for his soul-tinged folk pop and surf-rock inclinations, as well as his exceedingly verbal lyrical style. If you’ve got a hankering for a bit of nostalgia, his 2002 album, “Waiting For My Rocket to Come,” and singles like “The Remedy” and “I’m Yours,” might just do it. For this concert, he’s playing with his Superband, and every ticket sale benefits the Jason Mraz’ Charity Foundation.

6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 13, McMenamins Edgefield, Troutdale; all ages; $56-$100.50, edgefieldconcerts.com.

Jidenna attends "Me You & God" Album Release Party on May 5, 2023 in New York City. He’ll play the Roseland Theater on July 16. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

Jidenna

After his major breakthrough hit “Classic Man”, his impressive debut album, “The Chief,” and 2019 full-length “85 to Africa,” Jidenna’s latest offering, “ME YOU & GOD,” feels like a natural next step, though there’s decidedly less Afrobeats and dancehall. Rather than mining his African roots like on previous projects, Jidenna pulled from the music he personally listens to at home, and named Lil Yachty as one of the top sonic influences for the project. Signed to Janelle Monae’s Wondaland Records (distributed through Epic Records), Jidenna is bringing his Silk Road Tour to Roseland in support of his new album, and the show is a must-see; Jidenna is one hell of a performer.

8 p.m. Sunday, July 16, Roseland Theater,8 N.W. Sixth Ave.; all ages; $27.50-$129, roselandpdx.com. Also: Vivid Seats, Stub Hub, Ticketsqueeze.

Zoe Manville & John Baldwin Gourley of Portugal. The Man perform at Riot Fest on Sept. 16, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. They’ll play McMenamins Edgefield on July 21. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen/WireImage)

Portugal. The Man

Activism-minded outfit Portugal. The Man are best known for their 2018 sleeper hit “Feel It Still” (which garnered the band a Grammy that year) and pulling strings like bringing Black Thought of the Roots out for a special performance at a March for Our Lives Rally. The Portland-based group makes an always-interesting blend of psychedelia, alternative rock, and experimental pop, and they’ll be performing some new songs as well, like the danceable yet sinister “Dummy,” and the appropriately timed “Summer of Luv,” featuring Unknown Mortal Orquestra.

6:30 p.m. Friday, July 21, McMenamins Edgefield, Troutdale; all ages; $54.50-$60, edgefieldconcerts.com.

Hayley Williams of the rock band Paramore performs during the 2023 Bud Light Super Bowl Music Festival on Feb. 9, 2023 in Phoenix. They’ll play the Moda Center on July 25. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images)

Paramore

Led by the distinctive Hayley Williams, Paramore doesn’t want to be a nostalgia band, and they’re not rehashing old sounds and rhythms. The band’s new album, “This Is Why”, is a foray into post-punk, with highlights like the funky and soul-influenced “Running Out of Time,” and “C’est Comme Ca.” Let’s hope the band provides just a taste of nostalgia to get us through “Aint It Fun” and “Misery Business.”

7 p.m. Tuesday, July 25, Moda Center; all ages; $120-$152, rosequarter.com. Also: Vivid Seats, Stub Hub, Seat Geek.

Killer Mike and the Midnight Revival

After then-unknown rapper Killer Mike appeared on “Snappin’ & Trappin’” from Outkast’s 2000 album “Stankonia,” he ended up recording his debut solo album at Stankonia Recordings. Over the last decade, the rapper/activist has built quite the following and reputation for his group, hip-hop duo Run the Jewels (with El-P). All of the duo’s albums — including their self-titled debut and their latest, “RTJ4″ — have garnered widespread critical acclaim.

8 p.m. Friday, July 28, Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside St.; all ages; $33-$50, crystalballroompdx.com.

Parliament Funkadelic Featuring George Clinton

Led by George Clinton AKA the Funkmaster, Parliament Funkadelic, a music collective of rotating musicians, puts on an incredible — and yes, funky — dance party. Expect psychedelic and sci-fi elements, bizarre humor, wild fashion, and an overall lit atmosphere.

8 p.m. Saturday, July 29, Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside St.; all ages; $55-$65, crystalballroompdx.com.

Pickathon

Pickathon is the Portland-area music festival with the most cult-ish following, and for good reason. The festival has figured out how to solve many of the less desirable aspects of music festivals, eliminating trash with their ban on single-use disposable items, requiring every billed artist to play two sets throughout the weekend, and smartly having people bring their own water vessels to fill up. Known for being an experiential festival for attendees of all ages — with camping, family-friendly activities, and wellness programming, Pickathon feels like a mini vacation just outside the city. Their 2023 lineup and full schedule is out now, and features Lee Fields, Courtney Marie Andrews, Butcher Brown, W.I.T.C.H., Say She She, They Hate Change, Po’ Ramblin Boys, Motrik, and many more.

Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 3-6, Pendarvis Farm, Happy Valley; all ages; $180-$410, pickathon.com.

Big Thief & Lucinda Williams

Brooklyn indie folk band Big Thief recorded their 2022 album, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You, over the course of five months in 2020, having quarantined in Vermont for two weeks for their first session. They’ll be digging into the 20-track project at their headliner set at Edgefield this August, bringing with them blues-informed Americana singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams.

6:45 p.m. Friday, Aug 4, McMenamins Edgefield, Troutdale; all ages; $50, edgefieldconcerts.com.

Greta Van Fleet

Love them or hate them, until 2021, many dismissed or adored Greta Van Fleet for their sound’s uncanny similarities to that of Led Zeppelin. After all, if you weren’t one of the lucky souls who saw Led Zeppelin live before they stopped touring in 1977, hearing Greta Van Fleet’s live act is probably as close as we’re going to get. (Seriously, they’ve even gotten Robert Plant’s blessing.) However, there’s decidedly more to the classic rock revivalists after hearing the new direction on “The Battle At Garden’s Gate.” Just a couple weeks before their show, the band releases their highly anticipated third studio album, “Starcrawler.”

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, Veterans Memorial Coliseum; all ages; $45.50-$399.50, rosequarter.com. Also: Vivid Seats, Stub Hub, Seat Geek, Ticketsqueeze.

DakhaBrakha

Ukrainian folk quartet DahkaBrahka’s music is deeply steeped in Ukrainian culture, also integrating elements from various other cultures, and even creating nature sounds onstage with their voices. The vocalists often discuss the plight of women in their songs. The song “Carpathian Rap” has a feminist message, and sees them rhyming about a picky woman who refuses to settle. The group garnered hundreds more fans when they played a stunning and mind-blowing set at Pickathon’s Mount Hood stage in 2018, now they’ll bring their incredible live act to the smaller confines of Revolution Hall.

8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, Revolution Hall, 1300 S.E. Stark St.; all ages; $29.50-$39.50, revolutionhall.com. Also: Vivid Seats, Stub Hub, Ticketsqueeze.

Bon Iver

Founded in 2006 by singer/songwriter Justin Vernon, indie folk band Bon Iver puts out stereotypically Pacific Northwest music — think moody, emotional and soft stuff that’s ideal for ruminating, walks along the coastline, and soundtracking “Twilight” movies and “Grey’s Anatomy.” The band’s reputation (and more specifically, Vernon’s distinct vocal timbre) landed the band on the somber song “Exhile,” becoming the only featured artist on Taylor Swift’s “Folklore” album. Those in attendance probably won’t have to demand to hear the aforementioned, as well as popular songs like “Roslyn,” “Skinny Love,” and “Holocene,”

6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, Hayden Homes Amphitheater, Bend; all ages; $79 and up, bendconcerts.com. Also: Vivid Seats, Stub Hub, Seat Geek, Ticketsqueeze.

Maggie Rogers

It’s always nice when Pharrell Williams cosigns your work. Williams bestowed wisdom and immeasurable amount of good juju on Maggie Rogers’ music career when he visited NYU to critique students’ work, heard Rogers’ song “Alaska” and his rightfully stunned and mesmerized reaction was filmed and went viral. In 2022, Rogers released her new project, “Surrender,” which she’ll be performing at the Edgefield. Fans will be waiting with bated breath to hear Rogers croon “That’s Where I Am,” and the catchy “Want Want.”

6:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, Aug. 17-18, McMenamins Edgefield, Troutdale; all ages; $65-$119.50, edgefieldconcerts.com.

Weezer

One of the great, unexpected music comebacks of the century was that of Weezer’s after the major miss of their album “Pinkerton,” which frontman Rivers Cuomo has called “disgusting” and “embarrassing” after the fact. But the album resonated with a new throng of angsty fans of geek-rock and pop-punk. And Weezer should be required by law to play “Say It Ain’t So,” at this Bend concert, as the song basically defined a generation of youth from broken homes. At their concert in Bend, Weezer fans will headbang and mosh to their hearts’ content while Weezer delivers live renditions of their best and most beloved songs: “Beverly Hills,” “The Sweater Song,” “Buddy Holly,” as well as pleasant summer anthems like “Island In the Sun.” Surely they’ll also include tracks off “SZNZ: Winter,” their quartet of EPs from 2022.

6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug 22, Hayden Homes Amphitheater, Bend; all ages; $65-$415, bendconcerts.com. Also: Vivid Seats, Stub Hub, Seat Geek, Ticketsqueeze.

Sam Smith

In 2019, Sam Smith became one of the first music stars to announce preferred they/them pronouns. On the Gloria Tour, Smith will no-doubt be performing their breakthrough single “Latch” (with electronic duo Disclosure), as well as heartbroken ballads like “Stay With Me,” and new hit single “Unholy.” Make sure to get to the venue on time to catch an opening set from Canadian singer/songwriter Jessie Reyez.

8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, Veterans Memorial Coliseum: all ages; $35-$149, rosequarter.com. Also: Vivid Seats, Stub Hub, Seat Geek, Ticketsqueeze.

Pink Martini featuring China Forbes

Bandleader (and former-politician) Thomas Lauderdale founded Pink Martini – the “little orchestra” – in 1994, to provide quality music and ambiance at political functions, charities and fundraisers. Fronted by vocalist China Forbes, the band’s music spans as many as 25 languages, and melds styles such as jazz, classical and vintage pop. Put plainly, the Portland-based band Pink Martini takes eclectic music to a whole new level, transporting listeners to another time and place.

7 p.m. Friday, Aug, 25 McMenamins Grand Lodge, Forest Grove; all ages; $50-$109, grandlodgeconcerts.com.

The Dave Matthews Band

It wouldn’t be a normal summer if The Dave Matthews Band didn’t play multiple dates across the Pacific Northwest. Die-hard DMB fans plan to gobble up classics like “Bartender,” “Grey Street,” “Crash Into Me,” “Where Are You Going,” and “Samurai Cop (Oh Joy Begin),” and “The Space Between.” While the Aug. 29 show at Bend’s Hayden Homes Amphitheater is sold out, fans should have more luck finding tickets to the three dates in September, when Dave makes annual multi-day visit to the Columbia River Gorge on Labor Day weekend.

5 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Sept. 1-3, Gorge Amphitheater, George, Washington; all ages; $49.50- $1,000, georgeamphitheatre.com. Also: Vivid Seats, Stub Hub, Seat Geek, Ticketsqueeze.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

X

Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information

If you opt out, we won’t sell or share your personal information to inform the ads you see. You may still see interest-based ads if your information is sold or shared by other companies or was sold or shared previously.