PDX POP NOW!
(Refuge, 116 SE Yamhill) It's time for the funnest, rootin'-tootin'est all-ages music fest in town. PDX Pop Now! makes its annual sunny appearance with more than 40 Portland bands, like Radiation City, Youthbitch, and Sons of Huns, playing their hearts out for you for three straight days. For free! This is what Portland summers are all about. Now show your love. COURTNEY FERGUSON Also read our article on PDX Pop Now!
YOUTH LAGOON, FATHER JOHN MISTY, AVA LUNA
(Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell) Finally, FINALLY Youth Lagoon is playing a headlining show in Portland—thank you, god. It's been almost a year since Trevor Powers' released his textured dream-pop debut The Year of Hibernation and, after a cancelled show in January, Boise's pride will finally throw us a bone. ZIBBY PILLOTE
PORTLAND QUEER MUSIC FESTIVAL
(Backspace, 115 NW 5th & Someday Lounge, 125 NW 5th) A successful inaugural festival in 2011 has meant a bigger, bolder, and dare we say queerer Portland Queer Music Festival in its sophomore run. Taking over both Backspace (all ages) and Someday Lounge (21 and over) all day long, organizers have managed to this year include the below-drinking-age set, and also compile an impressive list of LGBTQ and allied artists, most impressively with the quirky alt-rock of San Francisco's Imperial Teen. Local reps include the goth-electro musings of Mattachine Social, the moody, crude rap of Damon Boucher, and the decadent pop-punk of queer-fronted quartet Kiss Kill, among 20-plus other crazily monikered, glittery, fabulous acts. RYAN J. PRADO
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