Where to See Live Music Around the PNW

Music to Your Ears

There are dozens of spots to see live music along the Amtrak Cascades route—here are some of our favorites

written by Ben Salmon | illustrated by Colin Andersen

FOR LOVERS OF LIVE MUSIC, the Pacific Northwest has no shortage of must-visit destinations. Here are a few of the best spots to catch a concert across the region.

Colin Andersen

Vancouver, BC

RICKSHAW THEATRE

Centrally located between Chinatown and the Strathcona neighborhood, the Rickshaw Theatre has been an institution in the city’s cultural scene since 1971. For more than a decade, it was the North American hub of the Hong Kong-based Shaw brothers’ kung-fu movie empire, and after a period of dormancy, it reopened as a music venue in 2009. Since then, the spacious room—known for its good sightlines and vintage character—has hosted hundreds of pop, rock, heavy metal and hiphop acts, from up-and-comers to the hugely popular. (www.rickshawtheatre.com)

FORTUNE SOUND CLUB

Known for its hip art installations, its state-of-the-art sound system and its cozy layout, Fortune Sound Club is definitely one of Vancouver’s top destinations for those looking to drink and dance the night away. But in between the DJ nights, the club’s calendar of live acts features a number of inspired bookings, too, including white-hot rapper YBN Cordae, Russian punk activists Pussy Riot and avant-electro-classical artist Sudan Archives. There are lots of places in the city to see what’s now. Go to Fortune to see what’s next. (www.fortunesoundclub.com)

Vancouver's Fortune Sound Club.

Fortune Sound Club

ALSO CHECK OUT:

» Biltmore Cabaret

» Commodore Ballroom

» Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park

Washington

COLUMBIA CITY THEATER (SEATTLE)

Music courses through the bloodlines of this ex-vaudeville theater, built in 1917 about 5 miles southeast of downtown Seattle. Since then, the stately space has played host to jazz legends Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald and Seattle’s own Jimi Hendrix, among others. These days, contemporary artists of all styles take the stage here, surrounded by red velvet curtains and the venue’s beautiful exposed-brick walls. The vintage vibes don’t extend to the sound system, however—Columbia City is one of the city’s best-sounding rooms. (www.columbiacitytheater.com)

TRACTOR TAVERN (SEATTLE)

Hi Crime at Tractor Tavern.

Jake Hanson

Ballard used to be a blue-collar village of Scandinavian fishing families. Now, it’s one of the trendiest neighborhoods in one of the country’s trendiest cities. But if you wander down Ballard Avenue and duck into the Tractor Tavern, you’ll instantly feel as if time has stopped and you’ve been transported to an alternate reality where cow skulls and leather boots count as décor, and where country music and rock ‘n’ roll not only play well together, but are forever entwined. To fans of rugged American roots music, the Tractor is church. (www.tractortavern.com)

ALSO CHECK OUT:

» Benaroya Hall, Seattle

» The Showbox, Seattle

» Tacoma Dome, Tacoma

» Vera Project, Seattle

Oregon

Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland.

Jeremy Jeziorski

ARLENE SCHNITZER CONCERT HALL (PORTLAND)

Broadway, which bisects downtown Portland, was home to a number of large theaters in the mid-20th century. Now, only “The Schnitz” remains. The grand hall is home to the Oregon Symphony and is easily spotted, thanks to its bright “Portland” sign that towers over the intersection of Broadway and Main Street. Make no mistake: The Schnitz is not some outdated museum piece. It hosts scores of events each year, including films, dance performances, conferences and concerts of all styles. (www.portland5.com/arleneschnitzer-concert-hall)

DOUG FIR LOUNGE (PORTLAND)

Nestled in the heart of Portland’s hip East Burnside area, this rustic-chic bar hosts a wide variety of bands in its often chilly basement, where the walls are lined with the massive milled logs that give the place its name. The sound down here is almost excellent, which makes the music particularly enjoyable, whether it’s being made by a popular local band or a fast-rising indie artist. (Bonus tip: Arrive early and eat in the restaurant upstairs. The meatloaf is excellent.) (www.dougfirlounge.com)

METZ at Doug Fir Lounge.

Thomas Teal

SAM BOND’S GARAGE (EUGENE)

Eugene’s a distinctive town, and few places embody it quite like this cozy corner bar in the funky Whiteaker district. For twenty-five years, Sam Bond’s has been an excellent place to get some grub, down a pint or two, and settle in for that evening’s entertainment, whether it’s a touring rock band, a bluegrass pickin’ session or the Sunday afternoon Irish jam. It’s open to anyone, because at Sam Bond’s, everyone’s welcome. That’s why Esquire called this place the “family room of one of the weirdest neighborhoods in America.” (www.sambonds.com)

ALSO CHECK OUT:

» Oregon Zoo’s Summer Concerts, Portland

» Mississippi Studios, Portland

» Horning’s Hideout, North Plains

» WOW Hall, Eugene

Plus: Can't-Miss Music Festivals

BASS COAST AND SHAMBHALA (BRITISH COLUMBIA)

Southwestern Canada is home to not one but two world-class electronic music festivals, but you’ll have to venture out of Vancouver to get to them. It’s worth it. Located along the Coldwater River near Merritt, BC, Bass Coast Music and Art Festival is an independently owned and thoughtfully curated gathering of cutting-edge beatmakers from across the globe. Founded and operated by two women, the event draws a throng of folks looking to dance among trees lit by striking neon art installations. (www.basscoast.ca)

And 280ish miles to the east, on a working ranch near the small town of Salmo, the Shambhala Music Festival has taken place every year since 1998. What started off as a modest party now attracts a slate of wellknown international artists who come to the festival to rock six unique stages for five days and nights of life-affirming beats, bass and bliss. (www.shambhalamusicfestival.com)

Also check out: Vancouver International Jazz Festival, a vibrant event dedicated to celebrating jazz and also stretching the genre’s boundaries. (www.coastaljazz.ca)

CAPITOL HILL BLOCK PARTY (WASHINGTON)

Music festivals come in all shapes and sizes, and there are plenty that offer beautiful scenery or a chance to escape the daily grind. But there’s something particularly invigorating about an urban festival, where most of the stages are inside existing nightclubs and all of a city’s wonders and warts are on display. Certainly, a strong lineup full of carefully curated pop, hip-hop, rock and electronic acts is part of the appeal that has grown this event from an actual block party into a full-fledged music festival over the past twenty years. But just as cool is the opportunity to hang out in one of Seattle’s most vibrant neighborhoods—Capitol Hill—for three steamy summer nights of wall-to-wall fun. (www.capitolhillblockparty.com)

Also check out: Summer Meltdown in Darrington, a family-owned fest and jam-band fan’s delight surrounded by forests and mountain views. (www.summermeltdownfest.com)

PICKATHON (OREGON)

Far and wide, Pickathon is considered one of the best music festival experiences not just in the Northwest, but in America. There are many reasons for that, including the excellent food (provided by some top-notch Portland food carts), the commitment to sustainability (there is no single-use plastic at Pickathon), and the family vibe (kids under 12 get in free, and there is robust programming for them each day). But if you love music, the main reason you must make a pilgrimage to Pendarvis Farm is the chance to see an incredible range of artists in a stunning, wooded setting. From psychedelic jazz in a horse barn to a pasture full of Nigerian pop to Swedish punk-rock spilling off a stage made of branches, Pickathon is an adventurous listener’s dream. (www.pickathon.com)

Also check out: Sisters Folk Festival in Sisters, where blues, bluegrass and beyond takes over one of Oregon’s most charming small towns. (www.sistersfolkfestival.org)

The Rickshaw Theatre in Vancouver has tons of vintage character.

Rickshaw Theatre