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Last Night of the 2014 Soul'd Out Music Festival

Well, its hard to believe but here we are. We have reached the last night of SOMF '14 and we are going out in style.

First off, for tonight's early show, we have a band that have simply blown up the last few weeks---St. Paul & The Broken Bones has gone from relative obscurity to national recognition in 2014; and with their classic full-band soul sound and charming front man, they seemed destined for bigger and better things even yet. They will be at Wonder Ballroom with the lovely Liz Vice, with doors at 7pm and show at 8pm.

Also tonight, The Hood Internet will be at Holocene, along with the great Pictorials. Meanwhile Youngblood Brass Band bring their brass band, hip-hop and funk mashup to Mississippi Studios, alongside special guests Fly Moon Royalty, for the festival's closing show, with doors at 8:30pm and music until late.

If you've been waiting for an excuse to come join us for a show, or want to come help us shut down this year's festival with a bang, we look forward to seeing you out tonight!

:: St Paul & The Broken Bones - tour documentary ::

Final Saturday of the Festival

For our final Saturday of the festival, we thought why not once again run the gamut of styles and offerings? Lets do it.

Fruition have developed a rabid NW following with their Southern-Rock fueled Bluegrass stylings, and their crowd will be out in full force tonight at the Wonder Ballroom. Grammy-nominated Jazz-guitarist Will Bernard brings his most recent side project incantation Pleasure Drones to the intimate confines of The Goodfoot. Alberta Rose and Siren Nation team up with the festival for a Bilie Holiday tribute show entitled Lady Sings the Blues, featuring a bunch of local luminaries, at the Alberta Rose Theater.

And, finally, last but certainly not least---The Ruler, Slick Rick himself, will be at the Alhambra Theater with special guest Risky Star for what will be a definite highlight of the entire festival. There are a few tickets left for Slick Rick's first Portland appearance in years, but this show is going to sell out and is simply not to be missed. Onward!

:: Slick Rick - "Street Talkin'" ::

Festival's 2nd Friday is Here

We hope you were able to join us last night, as we covered a lot of ground in the six shows around town. From Soul to Jazz to Rock, there was something for everyone....which is exactly what SOMF is all about.

Tonight we have two very distinct shows featuring some incredible young talent. First off, at Star Theater, the British-born Daley has ridden the wave of neo-soul coming out of his homeland the last few years to international recognition and collaborations with the likes of Pharell, David Banner & Estelle. Our other offering tonight is a very special co-presentation with Portland's college radio station KPSU and their KPSU Kruise on the Portland Spirit. Come dance with us on the Willamette River to the fresh soul sounds of Magic Mouth, as well as Orquestra Pacifico Tropical---there are only a few tickets left and the boat boards at 6pm sharp!

:: Magic Mouth - "Swampy Seconds" ::

Rolling Into 2nd Weekend

As we cruise right into weekend number two, lets take a moment to reflect on last night and what may be the early contender for ths year's most dance-friendly night. Both venues were overflowing with people getting down. Thanks to everyone who made it out.

On to tonight, which is the busiest night of the entire festival this year. Two monsters of contemporary Soul, Lalah Hathaway and Ruben Studdard, will be at Crystal Ballroom; English Electronic pioneers The Orb will be at Star Theater; Black Label Society are throwing down at Roseland Theater; Bay-area Blues giant Joe Louis Walker will be at Jimmy Mak's; a massive Reggae triple-bill featuring Natural Vibrations, Ras Attitude & Indubious will be at all ages venue Hawthorne Theater; Michael Moore Quartet is being co-presented with the PDX Jazz Festival at Mission Theater; and, finally, local myth turned into legend Ural Thomas & The Pain will be throwing a soul shakedown party tonight at the Doug Fir.

Phew....so many options to choose from. We know you'll choose wisely.

:: Ural Thomas -- "Pain is the Name of Your Game" ::

And On the 7th Day...

...there was little rest to be had. But who needs sleep when we have another amazing night in store for you all? First up, we have a loaded and wide-ranging bill, featuring Caravan Palace, one of the most exciting acts on the whole lineup. With their signature stylings of "Electro Swing" they get any room they occupy up and dancing. Bombino has appeared on SOMF lineups in the past and has quickly become one of our favorite acts every time he takes the stage with his Tuareg blues. Medium Troy Orchestra have developed a sizable following in the Pacific Northwest with their live electronic-infused instrumentation----all on one massive bill at the Roseland Theater, with tickets still available here.

Meanwhile, later on in the night, the mighty Questlove will be holding court at Alhmabra Theater, with special guests Moon Hooch opening the show. There are a few tickets remaining for that one, but it will sell out very soon. Which show will we see you at? If you answered "both," then you are more right than you know.

:: The always dapper Caravan Palace ::

Day 6

The sixth night of the Soul'd Out Music Festival sees another night of wide ranging musical excellence. Diana Krall brings her inimtable Jazz vocals to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, while local chanteuse Jeni Wren joins forces with Brownish Black for our first ever Portland Soul Revue at the Doug Fir--tickets for both shows are still available. Meanwhile, Tuareg mystics Tinariwen are at the Aladdin Theater for a completely sold out appearance that we are looking forward to as one of the highlights of the whole festival. So whatever your flavor, we have you covered tonight!

:: Tinariwen ::

Fifth Day of Soul'd Out

Tonight we can take a little bit of a breather, with just one show on deck for tonight. Blues guitar legend Guitar Shorty has been on the scene for going on five decades, having played with Ray Charles and Sam Cooke, as well as mentoring the one and only Jimi Hendrix along the way. Tonight he brings his signature style to the intimate confines of Mississippi Studios for what will surely be a show to remember.

:: Guitar Shorty ::

Day Four

And on the fourth day we said, let there be music from the motherland. Although tonight sees the final performance of the Pink Martini + Oregon Symphony 3-night run at the Schnitzer, we are truly excited about the Mail-born singer/songwriter/actress Fatoumata Diawara playing at the Star Theater, as presented alongside with our good friends Beloved Presents. For a town known for its diverse musical palette, Portland does not get nearly as much great contemporary African music as we'd like to see--so tonight we are especially looking forward to sharing with you all this beautiful music.

:: Fatoumata Diawara - "Bakonoba" ::

Day 3 Commences

Our first Saturday of this year's festival sees a who's who of local talent. Night two of the Pink Martini residency with the Oregon Symphony at Schnitzer continues, while Sallie Ford headlines the PDX Magazine's issue release party at the Star Theater. Local hip-hop luminary Illmaculate is at Alhambra Theater, headlining his first show back in Portland since the now infamous incident involving the Portland police at the Blue Monk--with numerous special guests planned, a night definitely not to be missed.

:: Illmaculate - "Lost Our Soul" ::

Day Two of the Festival

A big thanks to all those who came out to fill all four venues last night on the opening night of the festival! What a way to kick things off.

Now as we head into the first weekend, we have some amazing music planned for you tonight. Pink Martini and the Oregon Symphony kick off their 3-day residency at the beaufitul Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Legendary Jazz-Fusion guitarist John Scofield and his Überjam band, with special guests Skerik's Bandalabra, are going to take over the Star Theater tonight. Meanwhile, across the river, Odesza bring their NW-infused electronic stylings to the Holocene for a show that has been sold out for weeks. Welcome to day two!

:: Pink Martini ::

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