Music Fest Northwest kicks off tomorrow with a performance by Will Sheff of Okkervil River. The baroque folkster will be accompanied by Portland Cello Project, Fences and Damien Jurado.
A wristband to the 4-day all-over-town festival can be purchased at the website or tickets can be purchased at the venue on the day of the show.
Here are some our picks for what shows we think you should be heading out to see over the next week of awesome music.
THURSDAY
9 pm – Ah Holly Fam’ly @ Berbati’s Pan
One of the most difficult parts about Music Fest Northwest is that there is so much good music that is going on at the same time. Thursday is definitely no exception. This is when the nifty wristband comes in handy because it allows you to flow easily from venue to venue and create your own night of music.
At 9pm, we suggest checking out this eight piece lo-fi folk troupe is making waves through the northwest and beyond. Their precious, well-constructed moody pop tunes are a perfect opener for the evening. With a new album due out on October 13th, this band is sure to gain in popularity. Check them out along with all their new tunes before they get big.
10pm – Cymbals Eat Guitars @ Doug Fir
Explosions in the Sky @ Crystal Ballroom
Things start to get tough at 10pm. Austin, Texas post-rock outfit Explosions in the Sky tops one of the best shows I have ever seen. They blended their atmospheric rock songs into a 1-hour composition without stopping. It was like being at a post-modern symphony. If you haven’t seen them before, this comes highly suggested.
However, while Explosions is amazing, they have been around for awhile, so if you’ve caught them before then check out Cymbals Eat Guitars whose recent album Why There are Mountains is one of the top releases of 2009. Their sprawling-epic brand of indie-rock is intense and sure to make for one hell of a life show.
11pm – Derby @ Ash Street Saloon
11:30pm – The Twilight Sad @ Dante’s
Things don’t get much easier come the 11 o’clock hour. The always fun, tight-knit indie rock of Derby will sure to make for a satisfying show at the intimate Ash Street Saloon.
If you are a Derby fan but looking for something you haven’t seen before, then we suggest going at seeing the swirling Scottish outfit The Twilight Sad who perfectly hone the layered-intensity of noise-rock and make it accessible with their knack for emotionally, eerie pop.
12am – ??????
This one is just too hard to decide. Local favorite popsters The Dimes will be following Derby at the Ash Street Saloon. Those familiar with their recent EP know that this band has just gotten better and better with each release. Yet, over at Dante’s, another Scottish-outfit, Frightened Rabbit, will be performing their own brand of lovable and earnest folk-pop. Then there is the Dirty Three at Berbati’s Pan who has consistently releasing moody instrumental compositions for over 15 years. Finally, you could go check out The Pains of Being Pure At Heart at the Doug Fir who have taken the best moments of Jesus and the Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine into a washed-out pop utopia on their debut self-titled full-length. Alas, Friday is too hard to make a decision. You’re on your own at midnight!
(The Pains of Being Pure At Heart)
Be sure to check back later this week for further MFNW suggestions!
Saxon Baird | Team Marmoset
