Buckman

Forging a muscular sound out of contrasting sonic vistas that include pop hooks, theatrical melodies, jazz-influenced chord voicings, rock rhythms, and sludgy guitars, Slothrust ("sloth-rust") offer a unique spin on the angsty sounds of the '90s. Led by singer/songwriter/guitarist Leah Wellbaum, the group's label debut, 2014's Of Course You Do, included a track that was adopted as the theme song to the FX series You're the Worst. They continued to build and expand their sound with ambitious albums like The Pact and 2021's Parallel Timeline as well as the unpredictable EPs I Promise (2023) and Wildcard (2025).

Plini brings the An Unnameable Desire North American Tour to Revolution Hall in Portland, joined by Night Verses and Portraits. The Australian instrumental progressive guitarist, composer, and producer is known worldwide for fluid playing, cinematic writing, and a boundary-blurring take on modern instrumental music. His third full-length, An Unnameable Desire, explores heavier and more experimental ideas while keeping the spacious, melodic touch at the heart of his work, and the set mixes new material with favorites from across his catalog. Night Verses, the Fullerton trio of Aric Improta, Nick DePirro, and Reilly Herrera, is recognized for high-intensity performances and inventive songwriting. Early releases like Out Of The Sky introduced a fusion of prog, alt metal, post rock, and ambient electronic elements, and the instrumental album From The Gallery Of Sleep earned wide acclaim. Their latest, Every Sound Has a Color in the Valley of Night, extends that trajectory, bolstered by millions of streams and consistent praise. Portraits rounds out the bill with progressive instrumental sounds. The project features Joshua De LaVictoria and Joseph Anidjar, known online for virtuosic guitar work and endorsements from Abasi Concepts, Iconic Guitars, and Neural DSP. Based between Southern California and Montreal, they wrote, produced, and recorded their debut album BuyHigh over 2021 and 2022, released it in July, and have since drawn attention for distinctive aesthetics and composition. This event is open to all ages.

For over two decades, Railroad Earth has captivated audiences with gleefully unpredictable live shows and eloquent and elevated studio output. The group introduced its signature sound on 2001’s The Black Bear Sessions. Between selling out hallowed venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, CO, they’ve been responsible for launching signature festivals Hangtown Music Festival in Placerville, CA and Hillberry: The Harvest Moon Festival in Eureka Springs, AR. Sought after by legends, the John Denver Estate tapped them to put lyrics penned by the late John Denver to music on the 2019 vinyl EP, Railroad Earth: The John Denver Letters. Beyond tallying tens of millions of streams, the collective has earned widespread critical acclaim from David Fricke of Rolling Stone, American Songwriter, Glide Magazine, and NPR, who assured, “Well-versed in rambling around, as you might expect from a band named after a Jack Kerouac poem, the New Jersey-built jam-grass engine Railroad Earth has let no moss grow under its rustic wheels.”

Cardinal Bloom is an indie rock band from Salt Lake City, Utah, one of the birth places of the modern Indie Rock genre. Pairing introspective lyrics with energetic, hook-driven arrangements, they've carved out a sound that is both engaging and nostalgic. In 2024, they released their debut full-length album The Only Place I've Ever Known, solidifying their signature style. With ongoing touring and new releases, Cardinal Bloom continues to stand out within the contemporary indie rock scene.

It all started with John Candy. Some 31 years after the comedian’s death, Jim Ward was watching a documentary about him, and in it Macaulay Culkin—who had starred in a number of films with the late actor—said something that really stuck with the musician. So much so, in fact, that, after months of pondering and overthinking what Sparta’s sixth full-length album would be named, Ward decided that those very words—“cut a silhouette”—should be the title.

“He said that when he met John Candy, he just entered your brain and cut a silhouette,” says Ward. “Like, he just left an impression is the way I see it. And when I heard him say that, I was like ‘Oh! That’s what I want this record to be.’ I want it to leave an impression. At this point in my career, that's what I yearn for. I'm working so hard to make something meaningful to me, and I really want people to get a chance to feel it as well.”

Of course, Ward’s 30-plus year career in music has already cut plenty of silhouettes, first as a vital member of pioneering post-hardcore outfit At The Drive-In, then as the frontman of Sparta. The latter released their first album, Wiretap Scars, in 2002, second record Porcelain in 2004, and third LP, Threes, in 2006. Due to a couple of hiatuses, a fourth album, Trust The River, didn’t arrive until 2020, followed two years later by a self-titled fifth album. But there have also been a handful of solo releases, a collaborative album with poet Bobby Byrd, and an LP and an EP by Sleepercar, Ward’s alternative country project, not to mention successful anniversary tours celebrating those first two Sparta albums. It all adds up to a legacy—and yes, that’s the correct word to use—that has been leaving an indelible impression on people for a long time now.

Since their inception in 1996, Drive-By Truckers have carved out a unique niche in the music scene with their raw, unflinching storytelling, heavy-hitting guitar riffs, and blend of Alternative and Southern rock. Founded by Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley, Drive-By Truckers have released 14 studio albums and played more than 2,500 shows over the last three decades. Notable members include long-time drummer Brad Morgan and current members Jay Gonzalez and Matt Patton, who have helped define the band’s evolving sound.

The band’s work has often reflected the state of American society, particularly through their celebrated trilogy of albums — American Band (ATO, 2016), The Unraveling (ATO, 2020), and The New OK (ATO, 2020) — which marked a bold foray into politically charged and topical songwriting, earning acclaim for its insightful commentary and fearless expression.

In 2022, they released Welcome 2 Club XIII (ATO), an introspective look back at their early days and the realities of adult life and parenting. The band continued revisiting key moments from their past with The Complete Dirty South in 2023 and the deluxe reissue of Southern Rock Opera in 2024, followed by a reissue of American Band that reaffirmed the album’s ongoing cultural resonance. The deep-dive into their own legacy continues with the release of Definitive Decoration Day in November 2025, a comprehensive and expanded edition of their beloved 2003 album that first solidified them as one of America’s great rock storytellers.

As they continue to push boundaries and explore new musical territories, Drive-By Truckers remain a vital and dynamic force in rock music — celebrated for their powerful narratives, unflinching honesty, and unwavering dedication to their craft.

WAAX returns to the US this May with the Angel's Mess Album Tour, a ferocious new chapter for the Aussie rock powerhouse. Led by the bombastic single "Hands," a twisted crowd-participation anthem that transforms pain into power, this is WAAX at their most raw, unapologetic, and cathartic. Expect sweat-soaked intensity, unrelenting energy, and the kind of high-octane performance that's cemented WAAX as one of the most essential up-and-coming live acts.

Babehoven is the Hudson, NY based project of singer-songwriter Maya Bon and collaborator Ryan Albert. Since 2017, the band has carved out a sound that blends melodic indie and folk rock with an occasional nod towards country. Bon serves as the project’s principal songwriter and lyricist, while Albert, a multi-instrumentalist and producer, further shapes the sonic world around her songs. Together, they’ve built a body of work that feels both intimate and expansive.

Blackwater Holylight, Trigger Object

Blackwater Holylight, Trigger Object