With summer quickly approaching, many are starting to make fun plans with friends and family to enjoy the warmer weather. Portland is a fairly big city, meaning it hosts plenty of music related events such as concerts and festivals. From the lively Moda Center sports arena to the historic McMenamins Crystal Ballroom, Portland is full of opportunities to go out and enjoy a show. However, sometimes it can be hard to find all the concerts you wish to attend, so here are some concerts to mark down on your calendar to enjoy this summer!
The Moda Center is the second largest concert venue in Portland, and it’s holding several big concerts this summer. Popular artists and bands such as Olivia Rodrgio, Kid Cudi, Twenty One Pilots, Journey, and more are on the list. Olivia Rodrigo is coming to Portland on Saturday, Aug. 10 for her GUTS world tour, with special guest opener PinkPantheress. Sofi Bishop, a sophomore at Franklin, says, “From the clips I’ve seen the tour looks really cool! I love her style and the choreography is great!” Bishop also adds, “I think Olivia is doing very well and I’m excited to see where she goes next in her career.”
While Providence Park is known to many as solely a soccer stadium, it’s opening as a concert venue for the first time ever this summer! The only summer concert scheduled so far is the Foo Fighters on Aug.19, and Green Day will be playing in the fall, on Sept. 25. This venue holds 25,218 people for soccer games, but will be able to seat about 30,000 people for concerts, shares The Oregonian. That’s about 10,000 more than the Moda Center, making Providence Park the largest concert venue in the Portland area. According to The Oregonian, Providence Park will be working with Live Nation, who will put on full stadium shows at the venue. In addition, the Timbers may work with independent promoters for smaller concerts.
Another exciting event is the Waterfront Blues Festival, a popular music festival in Portland which started in 1988, this summer marking its 37th year. It takes place at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, featuring beautiful views of the Willamette River. According to Christina Fuller, co-owner and director of The Waterfront Blues Festival, it’s Downtown Portland’s largest and longest running music festival. This captivating four-day summer event hosts legendary performers as well as brand new artists, and includes many genres such as blues, soul, rock, bluegrass, Americana, funk, folk, and R&B. This way, there is something for everyone at the festival.
“I always look forward to seeing so many new faces experience this genre of music,” says Fuller. The festival features more than 100 performances on four stages across eight acres of downtown Portland’s beautiful waterfront. Fuller adds that there’s also a huge dance floor dedicated to families, as well as a marketplace of local vendors. This year, the festival is happening July 4-7, and according to Fuller, they host Oregon’s largest fireworks show, featuring beautiful views of the Willamette River. In 2023, they had more than 45,000 attendees. “We’re proud to be an entirely independently owned, operated, and ticketed music festival that welcomes a diverse and multigenerational audience for a four-day celebration of world-class music, local art, and strengthening community,” says Fuller. Over the years, The Waterfront Blues Festival has raised over $10 million to support local community organizations, and this year there are two benefiting charitable partners. The first one is Meals on Wheels People, a company that delivers meals to individuals who need them. The second is The Jeremy Wilson Foundation Musician Health & Service Program, who provide emergency financial assistance and help improve the overall well-being of musicians, industry workers, and their families during times of medical crisis.
“The Waterfront Blues Festival will continue to be a vital part of rebuilding Downtown Portland’s economy and reputation,” states Fuller. “This festival brings people from all over the world to Portland!” This summer, if you’re looking for fun things to do, make sure to check out these exciting concerts and music events in Portland! They are a great chance to connect with people and enjoy the incredible atmosphere of live music.
