PORTLAND, Ore.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–This August, the outdoor summer concert series PDX-Live returns to Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland for its third—and biggest ever—year. The series kicks off August 7 with Portland legends Sleater-Kinney and Australian punk sensations Amyl and the Sniffers and runs until August 21 with the iconic Seattle proto-emo innovators Sunny Day Real Estate.
“The reaction that people have had to this series has been really inspiring”
Today, True West and The Square announce the full festival lineup:
August 7 – Sleater-Kinney with Amyl and the Sniffers
August 8 & 9 – Ween
August 10 – Descendents with Dillinger Four & Mean Jeans
August 11 – The Japanese House
August 12 – Sierra Ferrell with Nick Shoulders
August 13 – Ethel Cain
August 14 – Yo La Tengo and Built to Spill (Built to Spill performing There’s Nothing Wrong With Love)
August 16 – Mt. Joy
August 17 – Waxahatchee with Woods & Toody Cole
August 18 – Alvvays with The Beths
August 20 – Elle King
August 21 – Sunny Day Real Estate (Diary 30th Anniversary Tour)
Booking for the third iteration of PDX-Live is once again helmed by True West’s Trevor Solomon, who was the lead talent buyer for MusicfestNW when that storied festival took up residence at Pioneer Courthouse Square.
“The reaction that people have had to this series has been really inspiring,” Solomon says. “This year we have a lot of larger-than-life personalities. Ween has one of the most dedicated fanbases in the world, and the band never stops trying new things. We’re similarly excited about Ethel Cain—there’s no one quite like her and we can’t wait to see the audience reaction when she takes the Pioneer Courthouse Square stage.”
The lineup this year also has a strong focus on heroes from right here in the Pacific Northwest. “That has always been important to me,” Solomon says. “Honoring the bands that influence everyone here in our backyard. It feels really good to have Portland represented with the great Sleater-Kinney, Seattle with Sunny Day Real Estate, who has been so influential, and of course we’ve got Idaho on board with Built to Spill, a band that really represents the DIY ethos and soul of the Northwest music. And of course, Portland legend Toody Cole makes an appearance at the Waxahatchee show.”
Other heavy-hitters this year include Katie Crutchfield’s beloved twang-infused indie rock songwriting project Waxahatchee, the melodic Canadian indie rockers Alvvays and the smooth and harmony-fueled Philadelphia act Mt. Joy. One of the most critically acclaimed bands of their generation, Yo La Tengo, shares the stage with Built to Spill. The atmospheric and addictive The Japanese House travels all the way from the UK for a special Sunday evening show.
And let’s not forget the punks! Descendents play their long-awaited show at The Square on August 10 with Minnesota vets Dillinger Four and Portland’s own Mean Jeans, in a performance rescheduled from last year’s festivals due to health reasons. Amyl and the Sniffers, sharing a bill with Sleater-Kinney, are fierce live performers who will travel all the way from Melbourne, Australia. Their lengthy trek is only slightly one-upped by The Beths, the fast-rising New Zealand quartet opening for Alvvays.
“With the mission to activate the heart of our City, our non-profit organization is excited to collaborate on an event that attracts tens of thousands of people to Downtown Portland,” says Courtney Posey, President of Pioneer Courthouse Square. “True West’s thoughtful curation of regional and international musicians, performing in a one-of-a-kind live music venue, makes for unforgettable summer nights in The Square.”
Tickets go on sale Friday, February 23 at 10 am (with various presales that week; fans should follow both True West and the artists on social media for presale information). You can find and purchase tickets to the whole series at PDX-LIVE.com.
ABOUT TRUE WEST:
True West is one of the leading independent concert promoters and event producers in the Pacific Northwest, producing events at Aladdin Theater, Revolution Hall, Woodland Park Zoo, as well as many other venues and event spaces throughout the Northwest.
