Category: Concert Reviews

Concert Reviews

Concert Review: Kiefer Sutherland Fully Transparent in Portland Debut

Drew

The two-sport athlete who successfully pursues both crafts is certainly an exception, but perhaps even less common is the performing artist who flawlessly jumps from one stage to the next. Best known as Jack Bauer, among a number of other famous characters he’s brought to life for the last 30 years, actor Kiefer Sutherland has a new gig and if the whole acting thing doesn’t work out, well, he’s got a pretty good back-up plan. Sutherland, in his first visit to Portland, OR since filming “Stand By Me” brought his band on Saturday to the Mississippi Studios as part of … Continue reading Concert Review: Kiefer Sutherland Fully Transparent in Portland Debut

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Concert Review: Social Distortion Brings a Little Religion and Politics to Portland

Drew

Note: For a review of the July 2018 show at the Roseland Theater click here. Social Distortion returned to Portland, OR for the second time in 18 months on Friday at the Roseland Theater this time in support of their 2017 Spring Tour which featured two new songs, a wide selection of their 90s fare, some political speak and an ounce of religion. Last time around the Southern California punk band celebrated the 25th anniversary of their eponymous album, this time they drew heavily from 1992’s Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell and 1996’s White Light White Heat White Trash, which … Continue reading Concert Review: Social Distortion Brings a Little Religion and Politics to Portland

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Concert Review: Duran Duran Throws Two Day Bash in Palm Springs

Drew

What a party. Duran Duran commenced their short 2017 Spring Tour on Friday at the most enjoyable The Show at Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, CA (just outside Palm Springs) with sold-out back-to-back performances at the 2,000 seat venue. The Tour of the Americas, which heads south in a few weeks to central America before wrapping up the States in April, continues support for the band’s successful album Paper Gods, out a year and a half ago. Both nights offered the same setlist (and no opening act) with an order change for a couple of songs on Night 2. … Continue reading Concert Review: Duran Duran Throws Two Day Bash in Palm Springs

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Concert Review: Switchfoot Looks for America and Finds Hope in Portland

Drew

It’s certainly atypical to begin a concert review with a request but so be it. Switchfoot, you guys have outgrown the Crystal Ballroom. Please consider the Keller Auditorium or Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on the next tour through Portland, OR. You’ll have a professional stage, we’ll have chairs and unobstructed views, and you’ll still blow the lid off the place. Now, on to the show. Indeed, Switchfoot played to an immense sold-out crowd on Thursday at the ballroom with the bouncing floor finally bringing their Looking for America tour to the Pacific Northwest. They’ve been on the road for months … Continue reading Concert Review: Switchfoot Looks for America and Finds Hope in Portland

Concert Reviews

Concert Review: The Head and the Heart Bring Both to the Crystal Ballroom

Drew

Folk rock heroes The Head and the Heart took a break from a string of Christmas themed shows, held inside large arenas and featuring a lineup of bands, to something more their tempo selling out the intimate Crystal Ballroom on Tuesday in Portland, OR as headliners and gave the thankful crowd a full 18 song set lasting about 90 minutes. The Seattle-based ensemble continued the popular “December to Remember” concert series held all month at the third-floor venue and sponsored by local radio station 94.7 KNRK. The band drew from their three albums and is currently enjoying heavy radio play … Continue reading Concert Review: The Head and the Heart Bring Both to the Crystal Ballroom

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Concert Review: Jimmy Eat World – Sure and Certain in Portland

Drew

Jimmy Eat World gave a sold out crowd packed inside the Crystal Ballroom at least one day in December to remember with an impressive 23 song set on Monday touching seven of nine studio albums including six off their latest Integrity Blues. The band, currently on tour supporting Integrity Blues, continued a string of sold out performances as part of local radio station 94.7 KNRK’s annual “December to Remember” concert series held at the stuffy, mostly standing room only, third-floor venue in downtown Portland. Jimmy Eat World could be considered elder statesmen compared to most of the acts booked this … Continue reading Concert Review: Jimmy Eat World – Sure and Certain in Portland

Concert Reviews

Concert Review: Pet Shop Boys Bring Some Super Songs to Portland

Drew

The Pet Shop Boys returned to Portland on Tuesday just three years after their first ever visit but this time the 80s icons took the stage at the Keller Auditorium in support of their 13th album Super which was released in April. Sticking to their new foray into heavy bass beats and dance riffs as the last two albums attest, the evening felt very much like attending a nightclub though all eyes were directed towards the stage and the stars of the evening. Singer Neil Tennant and keyboardist Chris Lowe moved briskly through a 23 song set stretched over an … Continue reading Concert Review: Pet Shop Boys Bring Some Super Songs to Portland

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Concert Review: Def Leppard Never Gets Old

Drew

Def Leppard returned to the Pacific Northwest on Friday for the fifth time in seven years this time filling the smaller and more intimate Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, OR in support of their latest album Def Leppard out nearly a year ago. The setlist didn’t change much from past tours – of course you’re there for all those yummy arena rock anthems and the radio staples – but the classy Brits sneaked in three off the new album and added (for some reason) a cover song in a solid 17 song set that lasted just more than 90 minutes. … Continue reading Concert Review: Def Leppard Never Gets Old

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Concert Review: Boston Gives Portland a Little Peace of Mind

Drew

With all that’s happening in the world today, it’s nice to just sit back, watch the pros and take a chance on rock ‘n’ roll. Boston brought their 40th Anniversary tour to Portland, OR on Saturday to a lively and robust crowd at the Moda Center, setup in the smaller Theater of the Clouds amphitheater format, tackling all the fan favorites in a well-polished and consummate performance extending nearly two hours and 22 songs. Tom Scholz, who is more or less Boston at this stage being the remaining founding member, ripped through classic song after classic song and a whole … Continue reading Concert Review: Boston Gives Portland a Little Peace of Mind

Concert Reviews

Concert Review: Lit Reignites the Flame in Washington

Drew

Where have you been Lit? It’s been years, almost decades even, since the Southern California punk pop band stepped foot in the Pacific Northwest and they finally did somewhere off the coast of Washington. Actually, Lit performed at a sizeable, yet eccentric, bar on Thursday inside the Clearwater Casino in Suquamish, WA that technically is right off the Port Orchard waters west of Seattle. The one-off concert came on the heels of Lit’s sold-out and venue closing performance at the House of Blues in Anaheim, CA last week. So for those who waded through a forest of evergreen trees the … Continue reading Concert Review: Lit Reignites the Flame in Washington