Portland, known for its vibrant music scene, is set to host an array of exciting concerts this March. From indie rock to hip-hop and everything in between, there’s something for every music lover. Whether you’re a local resident or just visiting, these 13 can’t-miss concerts are sure to make your month. Get ready to immerse yourself in the eclectic sounds of Portland’s music scene and experience the energy of live performances.
This month, SZA plays The Moda Center. Sunny Day Real Estate and August Burns Red headline the Roseland, and Weyes Blood will perform a sold-out show at the Crystal Ballroom.
March Concerts in Portland
SZA
After releasing her highly-anticipated sophomore album SOS, music icon and trendsetter SZA will embark on a long-awaited arena tour this spring. She will be joined by Grammy-nominated best new artist Omar Apollo for support. This tour will be the first time SZA performs at venues of this scale, presenting her latest album live to her fans.
Paul van Dyk, a Grammy-nominated artist, globally acclaimed DJ, and audio architect, remains a dominant force in the electronic music scene. He consistently appears at the top of every Top DJ list worldwide. His fans have affectionately nicknamed him PvD. He has achieved the rare feat of being ranked as the world’s No. 1 DJ twice by DJ Magazine’s “Top 100 DJs poll,” a distinction that only a few DJs have ever attained.
Natalie Mering, also known as Weyes Blood, creates transcendent and at times wistful folk-pop that delves into the forces that motivate, divide, and harm us. Despite grappling with uncertainty, her music flows with breathtaking subtlety and grace, buoyed by hope. Mering has described her sound as “Bob Seger meets Enya,” a comparison that proves fitting when considering the otherworldly scope and addictive melodies of her music.
Thurs. March 23 | Crystal Ballroom | Sold Out
Vance Joy
Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy, a multi-platinum and award-winning artist, has announced his return to North America for the “In Our Own Sweet Time” tour. The tour promises to be an intimate experience for fans, with a setlist comprising new songs and old favorites. “In Our Own Sweet Time” is Joy’s most creatively innovative and personal project to date. It includes his recently released track “Clarity,” which he produced and co-wrote with GRAMMY® Award-winning songwriter Joel Little (known for his work with Lorde and Taylor Swift).
Grammy Nominated band August Burns Red will be celebrating its 20th anniversary with a tour stop in Portland at Roseland Theater on March 4. Known for incorporating instrumentals like the cello and violin, August Burns Red is a different type of metalcore. They have toured extensively both nationally and internationally, and their high-energy live performances are a hallmark of their career.
Sat. March 4 | Roseland Theater | Sold Out
Parov Stelar
Parov Stelar has carved out a distinctive niche in the music world with his unmistakable blend of jazz and swing samples and electronic music. His productions appeal to both club-goers and home listeners, making him a versatile artist with broad appeal.
Sunny Day Real Estate played a significant role in the early days of the Midwest emo scene, despite not originating from the Midwest. Their debut album Diary, released in 1994 on Sub Pop Records, was met with critical acclaim. Unfortunately, shortly after recording their second album LP2, the band disbanded. The rhythm section, Mendel and Goldsmith, joined Foo Fighters, while lead vocalist and guitarist Enigk pursued a solo career. Although the band had to postpone their reunion tour’s December leg due to drummer William Goldsmith’s hand injury, they are set to return to the stage this month.
Betty Who, the Australian-American pop trailblazer, is a survivor through and through. Born Jessica Newham in Sydney, Australia, Betty is a classically trained singer, dancer, and multi-instrumentalist who has experienced practically every dimension of pop cultural visibility. After transitioning from the rigid major-label machinery to rediscovering her power as an independent artist, Betty Who is now ready to kick off her latest, most triumphant chapter on her fourth studio album, Big, which she wrote in its entirety. On Big, Betty infuses her signature pop exuberance with a newfound openness and vulnerability, resulting in her most personal work yet.
Wax Tailor, the renowned independent producer and ambassador of French electro hip hop, has announced a highly anticipated international tour in 2023, coinciding with the release of his new album “Fishing For Accidents”. The tour will kick off in North America, marking Wax Tailor’s triumphant comeback to the scene. Over the course of his 20-year career, he has collaborated with an array of acclaimed artists, including Ghostface Killah (Wu-Tang Clan), Del The Funky Homosapien (Gorillaz), Mark Lanegan, Mick Jenkins, Aloe Blacc, D-Smoke, Tricky, Sharon Jones, Lee Fields, Token, and many others.
Never Going Under, the latest album by Circa Waves, was written during the pandemic and produced by Kieran Shuddall. The album is the most comprehensive work the band has ever produced, both musically and thematically. The 11 tracks in the album take the listener through Shuddall’s entire life, from his birth to his reflection on the birth of his own child. “Northern Town” describes Shuddall’s birth on the landing of his house, while “Carry You Home” reflects on the frontman’s own child. The album’s themes extend beyond the present, looking toward the future.
Claude VonStroke, the stage name of Barclay Macbride Crenshaw, is a Los Angeles-based American house music producer who leads the charge in the current era of music collaboration. VonStroke’s unique sound is both genuine and entertaining. He has released three full-length albums, a remix album, and numerous mix and remix compilations, collaborating with iconic artists such as Bootsy Collins, Rihanna, Disclosure, and Green Velvet. He has also earned several #1 and #2 hits on Beatport.
Jordon Alexander, known as Mall Grab, operates on a dangerously high frequency, constantly evolving. In just six years, the Australian artist has risen from an exciting newcomer to a dominant force in the music scene, impossible to ignore. As a dynamic DJ with a captivating stage presence, Mall Grab’s genre-transcending sound infectiously energizes the entire crowd. He specializes in unreleased, strictly-for-the-floor MG material, causing real damage on the dance floor. You’d better arrive ready.
Boogie T, a DJ/producer hailing from the Louisiana Bayou, is set to headline the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour, bringing his bass-heavy sound to fans across the country. Boogie T’s music spans genres from 140 BPM dubstep to drum & bass and electro funk, with his signature ‘wubby’ sound infused with vocals and instruments, drawing inspiration from his Southern roots and love for funk. He’s excited to kick off 2023 with the tour, stating, “I can’t think of a better way to blast dubstep across the country with some of my best friends. This tour is going to be epic!”
