Local Portland Bands and Musicians

Music is an important part of the cultural fabric in Portland. From such bands as the Dandy Warhols to groups like the Shins, Portland is known for not only providing residents with great live music, but also helping to inform the music scene across the country and abroad.

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For live music, you can see top acts in any part of the city. If you are downtown, try the Crystal Ballroom. This renovated venue is one of the city’s top places to see national touring acts. For dance music or DJ nights, downtown Portland also offers the Fez Ballroom which is known for retro dance nights and late night parties.

In north Portland, try the Wonder Ballroom. Their line-up generally runs the gamut from popular local acts to even international touring acts. Nearby restaurants like Toro Bravo help to make this venue a popular one for an all-around fun night out on the town.

Also in north Portland, the Alberta Rose Theater is a popular music venue for local bands. See a group before they hit the big time in this intimate restored theater. It is located in the Alberta Arts District, making it perfect if you are visiting or live in this creative Portland neighborhood.

Another important aspect of the city’s music scene is its record stores. For record hunting on the cheap, try 99 Cent Records in north Portland. Located along Martin Luther King Boulevard, the store has a rotating mix of both classic and rare records. With a focus on vinyl 45s, it can be a perfect place to find that one hit song from when you were growing.

For Portland’s most revered record store, Mississippi Records seems to have it all. The store is both a record store and a record label, pressing small runs of hard-to-find music. With affordable prices and a knowledge staff, even a record novice can fill out their collection with one trip. A good thing to remember, however, is that store only takes cash. A trip to nearby ATM is advised before visiting this business in the bustling Mississippi Avenue shopping district.