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Slide Show: 10 Years of PDX Pop Now!

Arts & CultureWeb Exclusives
Author: Portland Monthly
8 min.read
1
The PDX-POP listserv was mostly for posting “my amp’s busted” or “I saw this amazing show.” Then in 2003, we started a thread noting that Portland bands were selling out shows around the country but playing to just six friends here. Thirty people showed
The PDX-POP listserv was mostly for posting “my amp’s busted” or “I saw this amazing show.” Then in 2003, we started a thread noting that Portland bands were selling out shows around the country but playing to just six friends here. Thirty people showed
2
The PDX-POP listserv was mostly for posting “my amp’s busted” or “I saw this amazing show.” Then in 2003, we started a thread noting that Portland bands were selling out shows around the country but playing to just six friends here. Thirty people showed
The PDX-POP listserv was mostly for posting “my amp’s busted” or “I saw this amazing show.” Then in 2003, we started a thread noting that Portland bands were selling out shows around the country but playing to just six friends here. Thirty people showed
3Get Hustle on the Roturre stage in 2010
The first year was at the space that is now Branx/Rotture—at that point it was Meow Meow, an important all ages venue. We were some of the first shows there, so we were painting the walls for the venue and building a stage. It was exhilarating and disorg
The first year was at the space that is now Branx/Rotture—at that point it was Meow Meow, an important all ages venue. We were some of the first shows there, so we were painting the walls for the venue and building a stage. It was exhilarating and disorg
4Get Hustle on the Roturre stage in 2010
The first year was at the space that is now Branx/Rotture—at that point it was Meow Meow, an important all ages venue. We were some of the first shows there, so we were painting the walls for the venue and building a stage. It was exhilarating and disorg
The first year was at the space that is now Branx/Rotture—at that point it was Meow Meow, an important all ages venue. We were some of the first shows there, so we were painting the walls for the venue and building a stage. It was exhilarating and disorg
5Nurses in 2009
In the 2009 festival, Nurses was playing inside Rotture. It was at capacity, disgustingly hot, and everyone was jumping into each other in a mosh-pitty environment because it was an amazing set. When it ended, everybody walked outside into the summer nig
In the 2009 festival, Nurses was playing inside Rotture. It was at capacity, disgustingly hot, and everyone was jumping into each other in a mosh-pitty environment because it was an amazing set. When it ended, everybody walked outside into the summer nig
6Nurses in 2009
In the 2009 festival, Nurses was playing inside Rotture. It was at capacity, disgustingly hot, and everyone was jumping into each other in a mosh-pitty environment because it was an amazing set. When it ended, everybody walked outside into the summer nig
In the 2009 festival, Nurses was playing inside Rotture. It was at capacity, disgustingly hot, and everyone was jumping into each other in a mosh-pitty environment because it was an amazing set. When it ended, everybody walked outside into the summer nig
7Two days worth of compilation submissions
When the selection committee votes on the songs on the compilation, they don’t know who the performers are—they just have a bunch of songs to listen to. And in 2008, everyone voted Y La Bamba as their favorite, and that brought a whole lot of attention t
When the selection committee votes on the songs on the compilation, they don’t know who the performers are—they just have a bunch of songs to listen to. And in 2008, everyone voted Y La Bamba as their favorite, and that brought a whole lot of attention t
8Two days worth of compilation submissions
When the selection committee votes on the songs on the compilation, they don’t know who the performers are—they just have a bunch of songs to listen to. And in 2008, everyone voted Y La Bamba as their favorite, and that brought a whole lot of attention t
When the selection committee votes on the songs on the compilation, they don’t know who the performers are—they just have a bunch of songs to listen to. And in 2008, everyone voted Y La Bamba as their favorite, and that brought a whole lot of attention t
9Ages and Ages in 2010
I was in Pocatello, Idaho, working at KISU back in 2006. Even then, anything emanating from Portland had a bit of a cache. The fact that bands who are just starting out can be on a compilation alongside the Decemberists and the Shins is a big deal. It pu
I was in Pocatello, Idaho, working at KISU back in 2006. Even then, anything emanating from Portland had a bit of a cache. The fact that bands who are just starting out can be on a compilation alongside the Decemberists and the Shins is a big deal. It pu
10Ages and Ages in 2010
I was in Pocatello, Idaho, working at KISU back in 2006. Even then, anything emanating from Portland had a bit of a cache. The fact that bands who are just starting out can be on a compilation alongside the Decemberists and the Shins is a big deal. It pu
I was in Pocatello, Idaho, working at KISU back in 2006. Even then, anything emanating from Portland had a bit of a cache. The fact that bands who are just starting out can be on a compilation alongside the Decemberists and the Shins is a big deal. It pu
11Liv Warfield in 2008
PDX Pop provides a place for artists to really play with no expectations and no rules. That was the most free I’ve ever been. If I could’ve, I would’ve played all night. I don’t know who taped our performance of “Gimme Shelter,” but Prince was looking fo
PDX Pop provides a place for artists to really play with no expectations and no rules. That was the most free I’ve ever been. If I could’ve, I would’ve played all night. I don’t know who taped our performance of “Gimme Shelter,” but Prince was looking fo
12Liv Warfield in 2008
PDX Pop provides a place for artists to really play with no expectations and no rules. That was the most free I’ve ever been. If I could’ve, I would’ve played all night. I don’t know who taped our performance of “Gimme Shelter,” but Prince was looking fo
PDX Pop provides a place for artists to really play with no expectations and no rules. That was the most free I’ve ever been. If I could’ve, I would’ve played all night. I don’t know who taped our performance of “Gimme Shelter,” but Prince was looking fo
13Shy Girls on the road
I had released an EP of songs in late 2011 on the Internet, and [artistic director] Chris Cantino found it and asked if I played live. I didn’t have a band, so I took that as the initiative to put one together. We were nervous, but it was huge for us. En
I had released an EP of songs in late 2011 on the Internet, and [artistic director] Chris Cantino found it and asked if I played live. I didn’t have a band, so I took that as the initiative to put one together. We were nervous, but it was huge for us. En
14Shy Girls on the road
I had released an EP of songs in late 2011 on the Internet, and [artistic director] Chris Cantino found it and asked if I played live. I didn’t have a band, so I took that as the initiative to put one together. We were nervous, but it was huge for us. En
I had released an EP of songs in late 2011 on the Internet, and [artistic director] Chris Cantino found it and asked if I played live. I didn’t have a band, so I took that as the initiative to put one together. We were nervous, but it was huge for us. En
15
I didn't have a lot of social skills when I was young, so going to shows and meeting people who are interested in music is how I came out of my shell. To be part of an organization that gives kids a place to see music, which is really hard to do in Portl
I didn’t have a lot of social skills when I was young, so going to shows and meeting people who are interested in music is how I came out of my shell. To be part of an organization that gives kids a place to see music, which is really hard to do in Portl
16
I didn't have a lot of social skills when I was young, so going to shows and meeting people who are interested in music is how I came out of my shell. To be part of an organization that gives kids a place to see music, which is really hard to do in Portl
I didn’t have a lot of social skills when I was young, so going to shows and meeting people who are interested in music is how I came out of my shell. To be part of an organization that gives kids a place to see music, which is really hard to do in Portl
17
When we got involved in 2008, the economy was not in a place where people right out of college had the opportunity to do things that really made a difference in the world. This was an open door that allowed us to make a difference while doing other jobs
When we got involved in 2008, the economy was not in a place where people right out of college had the opportunity to do things that really made a difference in the world. This was an open door that allowed us to make a difference while doing other jobs
18
When we got involved in 2008, the economy was not in a place where people right out of college had the opportunity to do things that really made a difference in the world. This was an open door that allowed us to make a difference while doing other jobs
When we got involved in 2008, the economy was not in a place where people right out of college had the opportunity to do things that really made a difference in the world. This was an open door that allowed us to make a difference while doing other jobs
19Alela Diane at Parkrose Middle School in 2007
In 2007, PDX Pop launched its outreach efforts at Parkrose Middle School on 118th and Shaver, where I was a teacher. I’d heard how many of my students were bored over the summer, and how they’d seen no live music of any kind, least of all local music. So
In 2007, PDX Pop launched its outreach efforts at Parkrose Middle School on 118th and Shaver, where I was a teacher. I’d heard how many of my students were bored over the summer, and how they’d seen no live music of any kind, least of all local music. So
20Alela Diane at Parkrose Middle School in 2007
In 2007, PDX Pop launched its outreach efforts at Parkrose Middle School on 118th and Shaver, where I was a teacher. I’d heard how many of my students were bored over the summer, and how they’d seen no live music of any kind, least of all local music. So
In 2007, PDX Pop launched its outreach efforts at Parkrose Middle School on 118th and Shaver, where I was a teacher. I’d heard how many of my students were bored over the summer, and how they’d seen no live music of any kind, least of all local music. So
21Bicycle parking outside Refuge in 2011
In 2010, we felt like we reached our capacity with how the festival was being run. We were out behind Rotture on the street, the stage setup wasn't very professional, and it felt like we were just bursting of the seams. We got a new logistics coordinator
In 2010, we felt like we reached our capacity with how the festival was being run. We were out behind Rotture on the street, the stage setup wasn’t very professional, and it felt like we were just bursting of the seams. We got a new logistics coordinator
22Bicycle parking outside Refuge in 2011
In 2010, we felt like we reached our capacity with how the festival was being run. We were out behind Rotture on the street, the stage setup wasn't very professional, and it felt like we were just bursting of the seams. We got a new logistics coordinator
In 2010, we felt like we reached our capacity with how the festival was being run. We were out behind Rotture on the street, the stage setup wasn’t very professional, and it felt like we were just bursting of the seams. We got a new logistics coordinator
23Menomena in 2009
I go to a lot of shows, but it’s been a place where I’ve seen tons of things for the very first time. I think that’s where I saw Menomena the first time, Brainstorm, AU. That’s a pretty awesome opportunity if you’re a fan of music. I think you take the c
I go to a lot of shows, but it’s been a place where I’ve seen tons of things for the very first time. I think that’s where I saw Menomena the first time, Brainstorm, AU. That’s a pretty awesome opportunity if you’re a fan of music. I think you take the c
24Menomena in 2009
I go to a lot of shows, but it’s been a place where I’ve seen tons of things for the very first time. I think that’s where I saw Menomena the first time, Brainstorm, AU. That’s a pretty awesome opportunity if you’re a fan of music. I think you take the c
I go to a lot of shows, but it’s been a place where I’ve seen tons of things for the very first time. I think that’s where I saw Menomena the first time, Brainstorm, AU. That’s a pretty awesome opportunity if you’re a fan of music. I think you take the c
25The audience for Menomena in 2009
The most amazing thing is something is being created that can carry on without any of the original founders. That’s something I would’ve doubted as I sat down with the people at the Lucky Lab 10 years ago. And it’s a really positive event. People frequen
The most amazing thing is something is being created that can carry on without any of the original founders. That’s something I would’ve doubted as I sat down with the people at the Lucky Lab 10 years ago. And it’s a really positive event. People frequen
26The audience for Menomena in 2009
The most amazing thing is something is being created that can carry on without any of the original founders. That’s something I would’ve doubted as I sat down with the people at the Lucky Lab 10 years ago. And it’s a really positive event. People frequen
The most amazing thing is something is being created that can carry on without any of the original founders. That’s something I would’ve doubted as I sat down with the people at the Lucky Lab 10 years ago. And it’s a really positive event. People frequen
27Y La Bamba at one of PDX Pop's City Hall showcases in 2009
I think that PDX Pop is the charger, the battery—all this really good positive energetic collaborations with people who really believe in music. Portland is what it is because something called PDX Pop hosts bands who want to start out and feel good that
I think that PDX Pop is the charger, the battery—all this really good positive energetic collaborations with people who really believe in music. Portland is what it is because something called PDX Pop hosts bands who want to start out and feel good that
28Y La Bamba at one of PDX Pop's City Hall showcases in 2009
I think that PDX Pop is the charger, the battery—all this really good positive energetic collaborations with people who really believe in music. Portland is what it is because something called PDX Pop hosts bands who want to start out and feel good that
I think that PDX Pop is the charger, the battery—all this really good positive energetic collaborations with people who really believe in music. Portland is what it is because something called PDX Pop hosts bands who want to start out and feel good that
29White Fang in 2008
We like to think the Portland music scene is amazing, and it is amazing. But I’ve never heard of another festival that features the range of bands that this does, does it for free, and is all ages. I think it’s completely unique.—Jeremy Peterson, OPBMu
We like to think the Portland music scene is amazing, and it is amazing. But I’ve never heard of another festival that features the range of bands that this does, does it for free, and is all ages. I think it’s completely unique.
—Jeremy Peterson, OPBMu
30White Fang in 2008
We like to think the Portland music scene is amazing, and it is amazing. But I’ve never heard of another festival that features the range of bands that this does, does it for free, and is all ages. I think it’s completely unique.—Jeremy Peterson, OPBMu
We like to think the Portland music scene is amazing, and it is amazing. But I’ve never heard of another festival that features the range of bands that this does, does it for free, and is all ages. I think it’s completely unique.
—Jeremy Peterson, OPBMu

Every summer for the past nine years, PDX Pop Now! has sonically saturated a July or August weekend with Portland bands. Some are big names, others have never played live before; some pluck banjos, others thrash guitars or tap laptops. At 480 acts and counting, the festival offers an annual snapshot of Portland’s ever-shifting music scene, while the concomitant compilation has become the city’s unofficial musical archive. Read our full story here.




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