The Four Best Concerts to See This Weekend

Chromatics Tobias Gruber

Farnell Newton

Every first and third Friday of the month, local trumpeter Farnell Newton and friends bring the sweet, life-affirming sounds of swing, soul, and booty-shaking funk to the intimate stage of the 1905, a casual Boise haunt. Without question, this brilliant horn god and composer is a premium example of the richness and depth of our town’s jazz scene, and as displayed during his PDX Jazz Festival performances earlier this year, Newton’s chops are indisputably top-notch. If a summer night of rhythmic groove and sexy trumpet clarity is what you’re craving, this gig is just what your soul needs. (The 1905, 830 N Shaver, 8 pm, $5) BRIAN HORAY





Singer/songwriter Luther Russell didn’t need to bother with a new album. The LA-based rocker was plenty busy playing guitar in Robyn Hitchcock’s backing band and helping pen songs for dweebcore heroes Weezer. He was doing just fine, thank you very much. But from the first splash of music that kicks off his latest full-length Medium Cool (released in February by local label Fluff & Gravy Records), we should thank our lucky stars that Russell did decide to grace the world with some new tunes. It’s a power pop delight cut with self-loathing and a bruised romanticism worthy of his idols in Big Star. (Star Theater, 13 NW 6th, 9 pm, $10) BOB HAM

Pile, State Champion, Sea Moss

The allure of Pile is one of the universe’s great mysteries. “It’s a four-duded rock band,” frontman Rick Maguire told the AV Club in 2017. “That is the most boring genre.” He’s right! That is the most boring genre. But there’s something special about the Boston group, which has attracted a cult following over the past decade (even inspiring some fans to get lip tattoos). Pile’s new album Green and Gray contains many shades of longing and despair: from the smoldering metamorphosis of opening track “Firewood,” to the anxious, foot-stomping momentum of “Bruxist Grin,” to the roiling guitar riff on “The Soft Hands of Stephen Miller,” the best song on the record. Though it’s directed at Trump’s senior advisor, “Soft Hands” isn’t merely a roast; Maguire sounds like he’s trying to make sense of hatred itself, presented in the form of a “translucent lizard.” Believe the hype: Pile is (still) incredible. (Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, 9 pm, $12-15) CIARA DOLAN



Chromatics, Desire, In Mirrors

Long ago, Chromatics were a Portland band and Johnny Jewel worked for Fred Meyer. But the synth-wizard/songwriter/producer left our city behind for the snowy lands of Montreal, where he started Desire with vocalist Megan Louise and Chromatics drummer/synth player Nat Walker. Since Jewel and Walker are in both Chromatics and Desire, it makes sense to tour the dreamy, opiated disco bands together (along with In Mirrors, another of Jewel’s projects). So this is a Johnny Jewel triple bill. No complaints. My only concern is for the crying man himself, but he’s apparently only too happy to play back-to-back beats all night long. (Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell, Sat June 8, 9 pm; Sun June 9, 8 pm, sold out, all ages) SUZETTE SMITH