Performing Wednesday through Sunday local and world musicians to play at venues across Portland
Performers like Big Freedia will be featured at MusicfestNW in Portland. (Photo courtesy of Dan Winters)
By Will Lyons Staff Writer lyons14@up.edu
Call the cops for noise complaints because MusicfestNW is taking the stage for its 11th year in Portland this week.
Featuring over 190 artists from around the world and many local musicians, MFNW began Wednesday night and will run through Sunday at 21 of Portland's popular music venues.
Indie rock groups Iron and Wine, Explosions in the Sky and Band of Horses are the festival's headliners and will play outdoors at Pioneer Square Courthouse at 7:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Although indie rock is the predominant genre of MusicfestNW, electronic, alternative and hip-hop artists will also take the stage throughout the weekend. Electronic music fans will want to look out for STRFKR, MSTRCRFT, Little Dragon, Yacht and Mad Rad while alternative fans will be interested in the smooth singing Sharon Van Etten, The Horrors and Phantogram.
Even if you missed last nights' performers, there's still plenty of time to enjoy MFNW.
Festival-goers can buy a $70 General Admission wristband allowing entrance to any show. Tickets for individual bands start at $16 at the door or at musicfestnw.com (check online to see if the shows are sold out first). All individual tickets and wristbands can be picked up at various venue willcalls throughout Portland. Also, make sure to check eligibility for each performer before buying tickets. Only nine venues (including Pioneer Square Courthouse, Crystal Ballroom, and the Roseland) will be hosting all ages shows.
KEXP, a Seattle radio station, is putting on a series of free all ages shows at the Doug Fir with performances by Little Dragon, Blind Pilot, The Horrors, Rhett Miller and Explosions in the Sky. Another venue Dr. Martins will host Typhoon, Ted Leo and Dam Funk.
If you make it to Jackpot Records early on Friday or Saturday, Nike will be handing out exclusive free passes to Brand New and MSTRCRFT at the Wonder Ballroom.
After three years of attending MFNW, senior and KDUP general manager Sal Liotta has realized that the multiple stages provide MFNW with its charm as well as its killer flaw: too much good music.
"If you're going to a lot of shows, the wristband is worth it," Liotta said. "It is hard to get a full use out of it though because so many bands play at the same time."
Many UP students are just opting to buy tickets for just their favorite artists.
"I'm going to see Big Freedia," junior Nick Duble said. "It was a ridiculous show when I saw him open for Major Lazer, and he's just an amazing performer."
"I love Macklemore," sophomore Rachel Reddick said. "The song ‘Hold Your Head Up' reminds me that whatever struggles and heartaches I might be facing I've just got to keep my head up and ‘keep my eyes on the prize.'"
With 11 years under its belt, Portland's largest live music festival reminds many that music doesn't have to come from iTunes.
"There's a strange connection you feel with strangers when you share the same live experience," Liotta said. "You can't get that on an album."
