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Musician Maya Folick performs at record studio-turned-concert venue Mississippi Studios in North Portland.
Credit: Tojo Andrianariva (tojofotos.com)

Music

Portland’s musical offerings are diverse as the city itself, with options including indie rock, jazz, classical, pop and more.

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Musician Maya Folick performs at record studio-turned-concert venue Mississippi Studios in North Portland.
Credit: Tojo Andrianariva (tojofotos.com)

Home to indie darlings and internationally acclaimed artists alike (think Pink Martini, Esperanza Spalding, The Decemberists, The Shins and Elliot Smith), Portland is a haven for music lovers. Visitors can explore the city’s dozens of live music venues or take the stage themselves at one of Portland’s many open mic nights. Read on for our guide to the city’s thriving music scene, then head to our events calendar to discover upcoming music events in Portland.

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Music Events in Portland

Portland overflows year-round with live shows, festivals and music-centered things to do.

Father John Misty performing at Waterfront Park in 2017.

Music Festivals in and Near Portland

Looking for a tuneful way to enjoy your time in Portland? Get your tickets now for these exciting annual celebrations.

Sundown at EcoTrust in the Pearl District

Summer Concert Round-Up

Portlanders' pent-up desire for sun may explain our skill at making the most of summer's long days and warm nights with outdoor concerts.

Chamber Music Northwest’s Summer Festival

Chamber Music Northwest’s annual summer festival combines high-caliber classical music with a laid-back atmosphere.

Folk musicians perform on unique stages at Pickathon.

Pickathon Music Festival

Every August since 1999, Pickathon draws diverse musical performers to celebrate music and the outdoors at the lush Pendarvis Farm just outside of Portland.

Jim Pepper\'s saxophone at the National Museum of the American Indian.

The Jim Pepper Native Arts Festival

Portland saxophonist Jim Pepper's "Witchi Tai To" is the only song based upon a Native American chant to break into the Top 40.

Catch live performances all week long during Portland\'s annual Jazz Festival, which draws musicians from around the city and the world together.

Portland Jazz Festival

The Portland Jazz Festival returns every February with a stellar series of concerts and events celebrating Black History Month.

The Waterfront Blues Festival draws crowds every Fourth of July weekend.

Portland’s Waterfront Blues Festival

Every Fourth of July weekend, the Waterfront Blues Festival takes over downtown Portland’s Waterfront Park.

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Erykah Badu headlined the 2018 Soul\'d Out Festival.

Soul’d Out Music Festival

Whether you’re a lifelong soul fan or hunting for your new favorite band, Portland’s annual Soul’d Out Music Festival delivers.

Passerby enjoy an impromptu Piano Push Play concert on the East Burnside instrument.

Piano Push Play Brings Music to the People

Piano Push Play invites local artists to transform old, donated pianos into whimsical works of art which are distributed across the city.

Michael Franti & Spearhead at Edgefield in 2013.

Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn

With acts that have ranged from Al Green to ZZ Top, McMenamins Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn are an annual rite of summer and the hottest ticket in town.

Oregon Zoo Summer Concerts

Musicians and fans alike flock to concerts at the Oregon Zoo each summer to enjoy live music, sunshine and friends.

Classical Music in Portland

Portland's opera, symphony and other companies offer an ongoing lineup of inspiring performances, from timeless works to modern interpretations.

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5 to try

Live Music Venues

These five venues showcase some of the best live music in each of the city's five quadrants.

  • Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

    This grand Italian rococo theater is a historic building and performing arts center whose Broadway marquee is crowned by a 65-foot-high “Portland” sign illuminated with 6,000 lights.

  • Mississippi Studios & Bar Bar

    Located in Portland’s historic Mississippi District, Mississippi Studios and Bar Bar is an acclaimed former Baptist church turned recording studio turned music venue (and home of great burgers).

  • Wonder Ballroom

    The wooden floors and cozy quarters of this 1914 restored building offer an intimate setting for a variety of artists, ranging from metal and hardcore to indie, pop and beyond.

  • McMenamins Crystal Ballroom

    See shows of every genre at this historic venue, which boasts vaulted ceilings, grand chandeliers and a famous “floating” dance floor. Downstairs, Lola’s Room hosts smaller shows while Ringlers Pub serves McMenamins ales and pub fare.

  • Doug Fir Restaurant, Bar & Lounge

    East Burnside’s iconic Doug Fir is known for live shows in the lounge downstairs, hearty brunch and generous dinner plates enjoyed in the mid-century meets log-cabin dining room.

Free Live Music and Comedy in Portland

Discover a new favorite comic or musician at Portland's free concerts and comedy nights, scattered across the city and scheduled throughout the week.

Strike a chord

Local Musicians

Check out these up-and-coming musicians making a name for themselves in Portland.

Retro-futurist R&B group Chanti Darling was once declared Portland\'s best new band.

The New Class of the Portland R&B Scene

A new generation of artists is attracting more light to the Portland R&B scene than ever before.

Portland hip-hop artist Dodgr performs.

The Portland Hip-Hop Scene

Take a deep dive into the past, present and future of Portland's hip-hop scene with our expert guide to the best performers, showcases, stores and more.

Black Belt Eagle Scout performs at Bunk Bar in 2018. Photo by Ashley Anderson.

Meet Queer Indigenous Musician, Black Belt Eagle Scout

Portland artist Katherine Paul draws inspiration from the riot grrrl movement, Nirvana and her Swinomish roots.

Niche Live Music Venues in Portland

These hidden gems are havens for jazz, punk, bluegrass, funk and more.

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Upcoming Music Picks

Editor's Pick
Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn
Ongoing

Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn

McMenamins Edgefield Prices Vary

With acts that have ranged from Al Green to ZZ Top, McMenamins Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn are an annual rite of summer and the hottest ticket in town.

Editor's Pick
Music
Editor's Pick
Chamber Music Northwest Summer Festival
July 1–25, 2021

Chamber Music Northwest Summer Festival

Reed College

Chamber Music Northwest’s annual summer festival combines high-caliber classical music with a laid-back atmosphere.

Editor's Pick
Festivals
Music
Summer
Editor's Pick
Waterfront Blues Festival
July 2–5, 2021

Waterfront Blues Festival

Zidell Yards

Every Fourth of July weekend, the Waterfront Blues Festival takes over downtown Portland’s Waterfront Park.

Editor's Pick
Festivals
Music
Summer
Canceled
Vanport Jazz Festival
Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021

Vanport Jazz Festival

Colwood Golf Course $75-$175

The Vanport Jazz Festival is scheduled to return Aug. 7, 2021. See website for details. The Vanport Jazz Festival honors the city of Vanport and the voices who formed Portland’s jazz community. Near the site of the historic 1948 flood, the event transforms Colwood Golf Course into a cultural revival, welcoming nationally renowned artists and…

Canceled
Cultural Communities
Festival
Music
Canceled
Portland Folk Festival
Jan. 14–16, 2022

Portland Folk Festival

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom $25 – $40

After taking 2021 off, the Portland Folk Festival is coming back strong in 2022 with not two, but THREE days of an all-ages celebration of Folk and American music at the historic Crystal Ballroom. Visit the event website for the latest lineup!

Canceled
Festival
Music
Editor's Pick
RX Fest
Feb. 11–13, 2022

RX Fest

Various Locations $10 and up

​Music is medicine. RX Fest is a multi-venue, multi-day festival is a large-scale benefit for organizations vital to our community, all centrally located in downtown Portland at Star Theater, Dante’s, Kelly’s Olympian and Valentine’s.

Editor's Pick
Festival
Music
Nightlife