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07/12/2024

OMN at Project Pabst 2024: Artists to Watch

By TOBIAS WISNER //  Kicking off Oregon Music News’s coverage of Project Pabst - set to take place later this month on July 27th and 28th

Summer is in full effect in Portland, whether residents like it or not. These kinds of sweltering days call for afternoons at the river, a morning stroll through Laurelhurst Park before the heat gets too oppressive, a slushie on a bar patio, or if you think like me - a big, gigantic music festival in the heart of our city.

That’s right, after a hiatus of about 7 years, Project Pabst festival is making a return to the Waterfront on the 27th and 28th.

Since the beer giant’s first PDX-based-soirees from 2014 to 2017, the city has been hungry for an event that unites us in the name of good music - under a banner of the famous (or infamous) Pabst Blue Ribbon lager that flows through Portland’s veins and bars, practically infiltrating our water supply. 

To say I’m excited would literally be the understatement of the year. In honor of the festival’s asteroid-like impact on our history and my current summer plans - I’m running down my favorite names on the lineup you should be talking about. More coverage will be featuring photography and graphics from dear friend and concert-photographer Samantha Klopp of Endless Noise Photos.

Saturday:

Billy Idol

Coming out of the gate with a heavy-hitter, the legendary Billy freakin’ Idol is set to headline Saturday night. The ‘80s rocker is easily one of my most anticipated artists of the festival. Losing my mind to “Rebel Yell” and “White Wedding” sounds like something I’ll remember for the rest of my life, and you probably will too. Get to this show if you have any sense about you.

T-Pain

Seeing T-Pain at this festival will be some of the best inner-child-healing work you can possibly do if you were in middle or high school from 2007 to, well, even now. The auto-tune-as-an-instrument pioneer’s inevitably crazy and nostalgic set is a must go for me, and I can’t wait to drop it low to “Buy You a Drank,” “Bartender,” or a rendition of his ubiquitous collab with rapper Flo Rida - “Low.” If you’ve seen any viral modern performances from T-Pain, you’ll know he’s not above a Black Sabbath cover either.

Violent Femmes

This band is also a must catch. Their self-titled debut in 1983 is on my list of essential albums of the early ‘80s, and if I can be vulnerable for a moment, “Add It Up” off that very record is one of my favorite karaoke songs to do. With iconic Folk Punk jams to their name, this set will surely be a great one to rock out to some acoustic bass solos.

STRFKR 

This pick in the lineup makes me really appreciate the festival’s tailoring to Portlanders who will be there. These guys are legends in this city, and their Indie rock jams like “Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second”, “Open Your Eyes,” are sure to rock the crowd, plus “Golden Light” if they want to slow it down, and honor those that remember seeing STRFKR at house shows and local venues.

Shannon & The Clams

Another homage to those grown in the Portland music scene, Shannon & The Clams is also a must catch for me. I really enjoyed their last album - a beautifully sad record as the lead singer probes feelings surrounding the sudden death of a bandmate and fiance - and their classic sound coupled with Shannon’s distinct vocals are always a recipe for a good time in my book.

Sunday:

Big Thief

This headlining set on Sunday is, and I cannot stress this enough, one I will not be missing for the world. Their 2022 masterwork Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You was one of my personal favorite releases that year, and their 2023 single “Vampire Empire” made President Obama’s summer playlist as well as mine. Given that lead singer Adrienne Lenker released a solo album this year to more critical acclaim, this is sure to be an interesting set, and I’m really hoping they play “Simulation Swarm.”

Denzel Curry

Another big Hip Hop act in a city that’s in sore need of more elite rappers coming through - Denzel’s set is going to be essential to my Sunday. Last time I caught him was at Outside Lands in San Francisco in 2019, and the way he had the crowd jumping was something I’ll never forget. He’s an artist that transcended his “underrated” status into one of the best doing it right now, and I’m looking forward to a possible playing of any track off his 2018 album TA13OO.

Jeff Rosenstock

Mr. Rosenstock is also a must catch for me. His 2023 album HELLMODE was my number one album last year - a no-skip LP featuring amazing Garage Pop Punk tracks that probe feelings surrounding the end of a relationship, like “WILL U STILL U,” “LIKED YOU BETTER,” “DOUBT,” and “3 SUMMERS.” Any of these tracks will have me headed directly for the mosh-pit, and if you appreciate some good Rock and Roll with amazing stage presence, give this set a visit.

Soccer Mommy

Another sure-to-hit artist for me will be Soccer Mommy. An act I’ve been following since my college days with songs like “Cool” and “Your Dog,” and her 2020 album color theory was one of my favorites of the pandemic-era. A great Indie Rock/Pop artist injected with plenty of grrrl power, catch this on Sunday if you can.

Local Honorable Mentions

Part of Project Pabst’s charm, mentioned above, is its commitment to promoting local acts that have roots in the Portland DIY scene. Alien Boy is one of these artists that I’d like to give an honorable mention to. 

Known for the intimacy of their sets and music, I’m interested to see how their math-ish, Shoegaze-y sound translates into a festival setting. They will surely be one of the acts I catch early in the day.

La Luz also hails out of the PNW in Seattle, a close sister and continued example of promoting local talent for local festivals - definitely an act to catch as well if you’re looking for more great music to bask in.

Stay tuned for more coverage of Project Pabst 2024 courtesy of OMN and Endless Noise. 

See you there.

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