April 26

A special thanks to everyone who came out for the sold out Esperanza Spalding show at Crystal Ballroom last night, definitely a concert experience to remember.

For the final night of the 2012 SOMF we welcome two legends in their respective fields----Bettye LaVette is one of the few remaining original Soul divas from the 60's and she brings her one of a kind show to the Aladdin Theatre; Dj Shadow, who helped define modern Dj culture with his seminal 90's releases and now holds court as one of the founders of the contemporary Electronic/Dj movement, brings his world famous live show to the Wonder Ballroom. Come help us send off the 2012 festival in style...

 

April 25

This evening we welcome back the first woman of the Portland music scene, now flourishing on the edge of Jazz credibility and crossover stardom, Esperanza Spalding at the Crytsal Ballroom. This sold out show, featuring Spalding's local mentor Thara Memory and other planned special guests, is a chance for Portland to show Spalding what her works have meant, representing the city so well on the international stage.

:: Portland's Queen of Soul ::

April 24

A big thank you to the Doctor for bestowing on to Portland his singular style and soul----amazing show. Tonight we shift gears a bit towards the French/Electro wave with the long-sold out Justice show at the Roseland Theatre.

:: Dr Lonnie Smith - SOMF 2012 (Photo by Kevin Tomanka Oregon Music News) :: 

April 23

In what has become an annual ritual, Dr Lonnie Smith graces the stage tonight at Mississippi Studio for one of his now legendary SOMF sets. Tickets are going fast but there are some still available here.

:: The Doctor Dispensing his Medication ::

April 22

Tonight SOMF looks forward, to the future of Soul music. The Wonder Ballroom plays host to some of the most exciting talent coming up today--- NW native Allen Stone has taken the country by storm with his scintillating voice and heavy duty backing band, flying in for this show from his recently completed tour with Sharon Jones and Daryl Hall. Snarky Puppy's singular sound is forcing everyone from hard core Jazz/Fusion officianados to the Jam-oriented Dance crowd to sit up an take notice with their one of a kind compositions. Together, with special local guest Worth, this bill represents 21st Century Soul music at its finest and tickets for this fantastic show are still available.

:: Allen stone -- "Contact High" ::

April 21

The festival's second saturday this year includes one of the most talked about pairings on the festival. The legendary Queen of Rock n' Roll Wanda Jackson & Portland's own rising star Sallie Ford come together for a night to remember at the Roseland Theatre with special guests Larry & His Flask.

For the more worldly-inclined crowd, Delhi 2 Dublin and Dj Anjali + The Incredible Kid take over Bossanova Ballroom for a night of internationally inspired dance and sound. Last, but far from least, the Grammy-nominated Jazz guitarist Will Bernard brings his trio to the Goodfoot Lounge for a late night throw down. All three shows will have tickets still available at the door.

April 20

Tonight is one of the most eclectic nights of the festival----featuring West-African Saharan Blues Bombino at Star Theatre for an early show, the incomparably stringy Greensky Bluegrass + Pert' Near Sandstone + Big E at Roseland Theatre, Midnite holding down Roots church at Wonder Ballroom & late night electro-dance party at Refuge. Phew....going to be an amazing night. 

:: MIdnite -- Live @ NWWRF ::

April 19

Last night brought into focus what Soul'd Out is all about. Two disparate styles of music packing out two separate rooms in town, with two complely different crowds resonating with their own frequencies---truly showing us that Soul is where we can each find it.

We continue tonight with The Polyrhytmics and Lucky Brown at the beautiful Alberta Rose Theatre. If you are in need of some good vibrations in your life, you know where the Soul will be.
 

  
:: The Polyrhythmics ::

 

April 18

Tonight features the legendary Skatalites playing Goodfoot Lounge and UK electro-phenom SBTRKT taking over the Wonder Ballroom. Tickets are still available for either show, but both are expected to pack out.

:: SBTRKT -- Live @ Abbey Road ::

April 17

Night six of the festival features two unique and gifted songwriters---the bayou jazz and blues of Jon Cleary's Philthy Phew at Dante's and the whiskey-soaked ballads of The White Buffalo with special guests Boneyard Revival and Root Jack---either one (or both), perfect for a Spring Tuesday night.   

 

:: The White Buffalo -- Ballad of a Deadman ::
 

 

April 16

With a fairly quite Monday, underground powerhouse Slaughterhouse at Star Theatre being the only show, we look ahead to the long week ahead of fantastic music. Tomorrow night sees White Buffalo at Star Theatre and New Orleans legend Jon Cleary's Philthy Phew to Dante's with special guests Mac Potts' Killer Krewe---check out Oregon Music News' preview of the Cleary show here.
 

:: Jon Cleary ::

 

April 15

Soul'd Out rolls along with two more great shows tonight. One of the rising young guns of the resurgent LA Hip Hop scene Dom Kennedy holds it down for an all ages show at Peter's Room, while Skerik's Bandalabra bring their singular blend of funk/punk/jazz to the friendly confines of Dante's Sinferno for an early show with special guests The Satin Chaps----and anyone who remembers the legendarily rowdy Sinferno shows of SOMF past, with live burlesque and freaks galore, know this installment is not to be missed.

 

:: Skerik's Bandalabra -- Live @ Goodfoot ::

 

April 14

Night Three of SOMF 2012 is here, featuring another night apiece for Portland Cello Project at Doug Fir & Curtis Salgado at Jimmy Mak's. Also on the docket is Afro-Beat/Electro-funk connossieurs Afromassive with special guests Tapwater at Goodfoot Lounge---which will be streaming live with video at AudioGlobe.

 

April 13

First off, a big thanks to everyone that came out to celebrate SOMF 2012's opening night at Keller Auditorium with a performance by Maze that will go down in the annals of Portland music history. Simply amazing.

On to night two, and a wide range of four different shows across town. Pierced Arrows sludge it out at Star Theatre, Tea Leaf Green rock out at Mississippi Studios, the Portland Cello Project begin their two day run at Doug Fir & NW legend Curtis Salgado begins his two night run at Jimmy Mak's as part of his release party for his brand new album "Soul Shot".

:: Curtis Salgado -- "Nobody but You" ::

 

April 12

And so it begins.....the 2012 Soul'd Out Music Festival kicks off tonight with Maze feat. Frankie Beverly & special guests Ronnie Laws and Marlon McClain at the Keller Auditorium and, later in the evening, BoomBox & Lynx take over Dante's. We hope you're ready Portland-----Soul'd Out is upon us.

 

:: "Joy & Pain" -- Live in New Orleans ::
 

April 11

It is our unfortunate duty to relay the message that the inimitable Liv Warfield will not be joining us on April 19 at the Alberta Rose Theatre, as she was summoned by the Purple One. We'll forgive her.
But no fear! The Polyrhythmics continue on, fully capable of rocking out the Alberta Rose on their own---not to mention special guest Lucky Brown.

:: Feelin' Lucky ::

 

April 9

In case you are not yet aware, the legendary "best kept secret in the industry" Maze featuring Frankie Beverly will play Portland for the first time ever as part of the 2012 Soul'd Out Music Festival, with very special guest Ronnie Laws.
It is truly an honor to bring forward these timeless musicians for a night of music that most thought would never happen in this town. Tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime show are still available in all three price categories here.

:: Interview with Frankie Beverly ::

 

April 6

One of the most exciting sets of the upcoming festival will no doubt be occupied by Snarky Puppy, opening for Allen Stone at Wonder Ballroom on April 22. With their brand new live dvd/album "groundUp" just being released, people are starting to take notice as a new force emerges in the Soul music world. Tickets for this show, which also include Worth as special guest opener, are still available here.

:: "Thing of Gold" ::

April 4

For the later crowd on April 20, we've added a show at the premier late-night venue in town. Starkey, Ill Gates, Gladkill, Roomate, Subterranian & Mr Wu are taking over The Refuge for a big night of electro-inspired debauchery----with tickets are available here.

 

April 2

We are proud to have legendary Portland lo-fi heavyweight Pierced Arrows jumping on the bill, playing Star Theatre on April 13. Tickets are on sale here.

March 30

Just when you thought Soul'd Out couldn't get any bigger (or longer), we go and add another day and two huge additions to the festival. On April 26 the seminal tastemaker Dj Shadow takes over the Wonder Ballroom & the incomparable Bettye LaVette will set the Aladdin on fire with a legendary live performances that has helped to define what Soul music is over the decades. Not a bad way to wrap up SOMF 2012...

 

:: Bettye LaVette -- "Let Me Down Easy" ::

March 27

For the Jazz heads another great addition to the lineup has been announced. In conjunction with PDX Jaz Festival, SOMF'12 presents Bridge Quartet & special guest Devin Phillips performing "Crossing Into the Monkapshere" a tribute to the legendary Thelonious Monk at Mission Theatre on April 19, with tickets available here.

:: "A Face Like Yours" :: 

March 25

Already a legend on his home continent, Bombino lit up the stage in his NW debut last Fall. We are very pleased to welcome back this Cumbancha Discovery Label member and rising World music star for his much anticipated return to Portland as part of SOMF 2012.

:: Live -- Agadez, Niger ::

March 22

Portland Cello Project are bringing the world of Classical music to the masses. With equal part legit, high-end orchestral chops and contemporary flavor, PCP has quickly turned heads across the country with their take on everything from Brahms to Pantera. We are very pleased to present their two night run at the Doug Fir, including a special early All Ages show.

:: PCP :: 
 

March 20

Esperanza Spalding's new album "Radio Music Society" was released today and the big promo push included a performance on Letterman last night. Tickets for her Crystal Ballroom concert on April 25 are moving quickly and will sell out, so grab yours before they are gone.

:: "Radio Song" ::

 

March 18

NW Soul maestro Allen Stone just had a big week down in Austin, playing numerous gigs across a very busy week to widespread and unanimous praise. Its becoming clear he and his group are no flash in the pan----and the future of Soul is in good hands. Check his live performance of "Satisfaction" down in Austin...

 

 

March 14

Skerik's Bandalabra is the latest act to join the festival, occupying the now legendary Sinferno at Dante's night on April 15. With special local guests The Satin Chaps, this will be another can't-miss night of music with the Sinferno cast of characters. Tickets 

:: Skerik's Bling :: 

 

March 11

Just announced! Singer-songwriter White Buffalo is the next addition to this year's lineup, with the recently renovated and rejuvenated Star Theatre serving as the ideal backdrop for his lonesome ballads & whiskey soaked stomps. Tickets are up and now on sale, available here. 

:: The White Buffalo -- "Wish It Were True" ::

 

March 8

As Portland's most talked about local star, it was only a matter of time before Liv Warfield was added to Soul'd Out Music Festival 2012. With that, we are proud to announce the Liv Warfield Xperience at Alberta Rose Theatre on April 19 with very special guests, & soul heavyweight in their own reagrd, The Polyrhythmics. Tickets are up and on sale for this sure to be packed show.

 

:: Local legend Liv Warfield ::

March 4

Another artist has joined the already chalk full lineup at the Roseland Theatre for a big 4/20 throwdown---Sugarcane's Big E will take the stage, alongside Pert' Near Sandstone & Greensky Bluegrass for what will be a memorable night of ol' timey music. Tickets can be found here.

:: Pert' Near Sandstone - Live on A Prairie Home Companion ::

February 29

Local act Worth has been added to the already sizzling bill of Allen Stone + Snarky Puppy at The Wonder Ballroom on April 22. Tickets are on sale here and moving fast for this hot show, featuring some of the best young Soul acts touring the States today.

 

February 22

The initial lineup has been announced! Go to the artist page to check out the full rundown and stay tuned, as there are many more artists to come.

 

:: SOMF welcomes the incomparable Esperanza Spalding back to Portland ::

 

 

February 14

Dates for the 2012 Soul'd Out Music Festival have been released-----April 12-25 across the best music venues in Portland, Oregon. Lineup and more info coming soon...