New Shows: Sufjan Stevens, Mumford & Sons, Grinderman, Caribou

Sufjan Stevens

A Sufjan Stevens show is meant to be attended by attentive music fans, which makes this Schnitz appearance noteworthy. It will be completely different than his last show at the bar, I mean the Crystal Ballroom.

It's too bad he has not continued his 50 state project. The album about Oregon was rumored to be next up. He probably realized he would lose, because people don't like songs about incest, (which rules out most of the south), or being bored to tears (which rules out the Dakatos and Wyoming).

For the struggling musicians out there, come up with a similar concept in which you guarantee your fans over 20 albums. Then if you make it big, you can say it was a joke. I'm working on an album dedicated to the letter X, with 25 additional albums to come. Most of the influence cums from movie reviews. This particular idea is already copyrighted by the way.

Arlene Schnitzer, Portland
Friday, October 29th, 2010
$27.50 - $35

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Mumford & Sons

They sold out the Aladdin four months ago, which is no small feat for an up and coming band. With their popularity rising by the day, it would be wise to get your tickets early. Thank me later.

Crystal Ballroom
Friday, October 22nd, 2010
$20

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Grinderman

Nick Cave's side project. Grinderman live shows have been extremely rare, so this is a must see for Cave fans.

Sorry, no Portland show (Muthafuck!)

King Cat Theater, Seattle
Saturday, November 27th, 2010
$25
Tickets on sale Saturday, August 21st at 10:00 a.m.

Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC
Friday, November 26th, 2010
$40.60 (CA)
Tickets on sale Saturday, August 21st at 10:00 a.m.

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Caribou

One of the nicest people in the industry. The last time I saw him, he sat on the edge of the stage for 20 minutes after the show, meeting fans, taking pictures, bullshitting. He didn't leave until most of the crowd had left, willing to meet every fan wanting to stick around.

He has a pretty cool light show which is projected through the band usually onto the back of the stage, rather than projected over the band on a screen. He tours with a band, and plays drums in about half the songs in addition to the full-time drummer. Two drummers never sucks.

This is a tough show to skip for $14, especially since they aren't playing at the Hawthorne Theater. It's rough playing the same night as the Black Keys though.

Wonder Ballroom, Portland
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
$14