October — or “Rocktober — is just around the corner. This fall various acts, ranging from the Foo Fighters to Tyler, the Creator, are visiting Eugene and Portland. Grab some tickets to see Emerald staffers most anticipated fall shows.
Morrissey at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017 at 8:30 p.m.
In the ‘80s, Morrissey became famous as a lead vocalist for the now-legendary alternative rock group The Smiths. Over the course of four albums, the English singer — born Steven Patrick Morrissey — set the blueprint for almost every moody and melancholic vocalist working in pop music. The Smiths disbanded in ‘87, but Morrissey has since remained relevant. He continues to sell out shows, playing for huge crowds of adoring fans.
Morrissey will begin his North American tour in Portland on Halloween at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. This tour is in support of his new album, “Low In High School,” set to be released on Nov. 17. Fans can expect to hear a set of songs ranging from all over his solo career, hopefully with a few Smiths tracks thrown in. But make sure to have a backup plan. The singer has cancelled or postponed over 100 shows within the last five years.
Foo Fighters at Matthew Knight Arena, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.
Just a year after the suicide of Nirvana lead singer and cultural icon Kurt Cobain shocked the music world, the band’s drummer Dave Grohl released a self-recorded 12-song album with no promotion. Grohl, now playing guitar and singing lead vocals, called the project the Foo Fighters. The record quickly made its way to the top of the charts as Grohl recruited bandmates to join him on a nationwide tour. Without knowing it, the drummer-turned-frontman had created what would prove to be one of the most commercially dominant rock bands of all time.
Over two decades later, the Foo Fighters have released 7 platinum albums, completed countless world tours, won 11 Grammys and carried the rock genre through its darkest years to date. As the band’s popularity grew, so did their audiences. For the last 15 years, the Foo’s have almost exclusively played at stadiums, making Matthew Knight Arena the perfect venue to see the band perform.
Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile (and the Sea Lice) at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Friday, Oct. 20, 2017 at 8 p.m.
On Oct. 20, Australian indie-rock songwriter Courtney Barnett joins forces with The War on Drugs’ Kurt Vile at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland. The two musicians came together months ago to write an album called “Lotta Sea Lice” and are touring in support of the album.
With an all-star band featuring Sleater-Kinney’s Janet Weiss and a slew of other great musicians, the show’s bound to be special. The set list will cover the two’s recent collaboration as well as their own work. “Lotta Sea Lices” singles “Over Everything” and “Continental Breakfast” ramble in a poetic way — commenting on everything from the songwriting process to “intercontinental friendships” like Vile’s and Barnett’s. Feeling “Over Everything”? This show might just cheer you up. For more information on the dynamic duo’s visit to Portland, see: www.portland5.com/arlene-schnitzer-concert-hall.
Tyler, The Creator at McDonald Theater, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017 at 9 p.m.
Six years ago, eccentric L.A.-based hip-hop artist Tyler, the Creator sold-out shows using his shockingly far-out persona and his group of radical groupmates. Absurdly exuberant personalities and violent mosh pits were commonplace at his concerts; no other actions fit with his fuck-it-all music style of half a decade ago.
But that was then. In July, Tyler released one of the strongest albums of 2017 in “Flower Boy.” The album— his most melodic work as of yet — features great hip-hop grooves, beautiful, Neptunes-esque synth lines and personal lyrics that go against the persona he built in earlier work. More calm and level-headed, Tyler, the Creator has re-emerged as a mature artist that now allows himself to be absorbed by the eloquent sound that he produces himself.
The album’s tour should feature a less intense atmosphere and instead focus more on the album’s inherent joy. But the classic Tyler mosh pit set to the tune of “Radicals” isn’t entirely out of question. Because of the success of “Flower Boy,” now may be the best time since 2011 to see the cultural icon.
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox at the Hult Center, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.
Ever wonder what Lorde’s “Royals” might sound like if it was performed as a ballad by a sad clown? Or how you could envision yourself in a ‘20s-era speakeasy while listening to “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore? After seeing Postmodern Jukebox at the end of fall term, these possibilities won’t seem so strange. Bandleader and pianist Scott Bradlee and his revolving cast of musicians take hit pop songs and reimagine them into jazzy, bluesy, sometimes completely unrecognizable numbers. Over the last decade, the New York-based group has been prolifically posting their videos on Youtube, and creatively bringing pop music lovers and haters alike under a single umbrella of appreciation. Tickets range from $33 to $43 depending on the section you choose, but you will certainly get your money’s worth.
The post Emerald Recommends: Fall Concerts 2017 appeared first on Emerald Media.