CIRCUS BRASS | MarchFourth
w/ The Night Caps
Sat. May 2
9 p.m.
$13/adv., $15/door
Music Farm
Forming on March 4, 2003, MarchFourth is a 17-strong troupe of dancers, stilt walkers, acrobats, and musicians, including five percussionists, seven horns, a bass, guitar, and vocalists. The act is a mix of sound and spectacle, with a catalogue of songs that mingle between Afro-beat, Euro-gypsy brass, Latin, big band, funk, jazz, and rock. Performing over 100 shows every year, Portland-based MarchFourth travels as far as the Netherlands, Germany, and France. And though the band’s live show is an experience, their music stands on its own, with songs getting picked up by Disney (2013’s Monster’s University used the track “Gospel” in the closing credits) and New Belgium Brewing Company (the jazzy Katrina ode “9th Ward Calling” can be heard in a Fat Tire ad). Between the elaborate costumes, brassy sounds, and energetic dance, MarchFourth’s Fat Tuesday-inspired Cirque du Soleil-esque extravaganza is a scene to behold for sure. -“Kelly Rae Smith SATURDAY
EXPERIMENTAL R&B | Ava Luna
w/ ET Anderson, Dear Blanca, and Bologna Eyes
Mon. May 4
8:30 p.m.
$6
The Royal American
Ava Luna began making her own postmodern, off-kilter brand of indie rock nearly 10 years ago. Post-punk and no wave avant-garde sensibilities exist uncomfortably close next to neo-soul and doo-wop. Sometimes airy synths and grooves are whispered or even lightly spoken over. In other moments, the band lunges forth with distorted climaxes and maniacal howls with a compulsion towards abrasiveness. Given that spastic elasticity, though, Ava Luna has gradually developed into a serious and engaging band. The recently released Infinite House, the group’s third LP, continues their evolution toward a relatively more stable sound aided by the talents of back-up/occasional lead singers Felicia Douglas and Becca Kaufman. The two are able to deliver adept harmonies or sauntering solo turns alongside frontman Carlos Hernandez, a leader who provides the kind of dynamic presence needed to keep these tunes from falling apart. The other half of the equation is the MVP rhythm section, bassist Ethan Bassford and drummer Julian Fader, both of whom are essential for the sudden halts and shifts from funk groove to noise rock that seem ever-imminent. While it’s tough to imagine a band this self-definedly weird and experimental breaking through to a larger audience, there’s an undeniable infectiousness and dance-friendly vibe that shines through. Weirder things have happened. -“Kyle Petersen MONDAY
CLASSIC ROCK | Don Felder
w/ The Doobie Brothers
Sun. May 3
7:30 p.m.
$24-$76
Family Circle Stadium
The Big Lebowski may have ripped on The Eagles quite a lot, but you have to admit that former member Don Felder is one of the best guitarists in rock history. Forced out of his decades-long job after daring to question the profit-sharing split amongst his former bandmates, Felder has made himself a summer home by touring on classic-rock package tours. While that may be somewhat lucrative, it doesn’t exactly open you up to the casual fan reevaluating your career. Felder was always considered by many to be the secret weapon on the songwriting side of The Eagles. And now that he no longer has to fight with four other guys for his turn at the mic, it’s clear how strong of a vocalist Felder really is. He’s made strides in his solo career to prove it, with several tracks getting picked up by motion pictures, including “Heavy Metal (Takin’ a Ride)” from 1981’s Heavy Metal. The vocals that Don Henley attempted to suppress for all of those years are stronger than ever, and this time you don’t even have to wince through Timothy B. Schmit’s singing to get to them. -“Isaac Weeks SUNDAY
IGGY POP TRIBUTE | Raw Power
w/ Shipwrecked Losers
Sat. May 2
8 p.m.
$5
Tin Roof
If you’ve always dreamed of hearing “I Wanna Be Your Dog” live, now’s your chance. While Iggy Pop in the (emaciated) flesh won’t grace the Tin Roof this weekend, a shirtless Wayne Crash Andrews sure will. Andrews, along with guitarist Andy Social, keyboardist Donna Myte, bassist Sean 007 Rooney, and drummer Paisley Violets, make up Raw Power, an energetic Iggy Pop tribute act out of Detroit. “The idea for doing the tribute came from me constantly being told that I look like Iggy Pop whenever I took my shirt off in my previous band,” Andrews says. Named after The Stooges’ final album, Raw Power came together two years ago as Lust for Life, but a transformation in the band lineup eventually led to a definitive name change. The band covers Pop’s solo stuff, along with classic Stooges tracks you’ll want to scream along to. Andrews says, “Our goal is to bring Iggy’s entire musical career to wider audiences so they can appreciate what a true innovator he has been in modern music.” -“Kelly Rae Smith SATURDAY
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