18–19 DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE Death Cab for Cutie's come a long way since We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes first caught our attention, but the now-internationally renowned band still writes high-caliber pop songs that hold sway over all those fans who'll never tire of Ben Gibbard's earnest charm. Marymoor Park, concertsatmarymoor.com. $35.
22 SON VOLT There are just eight words in "Slow Hearse," the cinematic opener to Son Volt's 2006 release The Search. Is it an uneven record? Sure. Had it been boiled down to its strengths and released as an EP, would we all consider it an alt-country classic? Probably. But "Feels like driving 'round in a slow hearse" is easily enough to get you into this dusty excuse for summer. Woodland Park Zoo, zoo.org/zootunes. $22.
paxtonx.com
Gillian Welch.
Details
Related Content
More About
26 THE INDIGO GIRLS Ever wonder why the Indigo Girls play the Seattle area so often? At their May gig at the Edmonds Center for the Arts, that question was answered: Amy Ray's girlfriend lives here. Add pussy to the equation, and the veteran Girls (Ray and her more melodically gifted partner, Emily Saliers) are here, like, every third month. Thankfully for their loyal legion of folkie fans, they're as sharp as ever onstage. Woodland Park Zoo, zoo.org/zootunes. $24. SOLD OUT.
28 JONAS BROTHERS Thousands of screaming girls (and boys) will flock to see the babe-licious brothers play their infectious pop-rock tunes. If only they'd get rid of those damn purity rings... Jordin Sparks opens. Tacoma Dome, tacomadome.org. $29.50–$89.50.
31—Aug. 2 PICKATHON As the foremost Northwest roots festival of record, Portland's Pickathon always boasts a stellar lineup that stretches the boundaries of country music. It's a little spendy, but you get what you pay for: This year's headliners include folk warbler Laura Gibson, Philly alt-country outfit Dr. Dog, Blitzen Trapper, John Doe and the Sadies, and a whole passel of others. Pendarvis Farm, near Portland, pickathon.com. $70 per day/$120 all three days.
AUGUST
7–8 PHISH A simplistic view of Phish is to write them off as a prep-school descendant of the Grateful Dead, all aimless noodling and mood music for mushroom-chompers. But really, they're quite different animals. Yes, Phish plays songs that last half an hour, especially live. But the Dead's improvisational explorations are slower and more influenced by Americana; Phish's are jazzier, more adventurous, and, frankly, better. The Dead holds a distinct advantage in terms of lyrical competence, so all things considered, they fight to a draw. The Gorge Amphitheater, livenation.com/venue/the-gorge-amphitheatre-tickets. $49.50.
9–30 SEATTLE OPERA Their quadrennial production of Wagner's Ring of the Nibelungs draws fans from around the world for 18 hours (four operas) of giants, dragons, magic helmets, and dysfunctional family drama. McCaw Hall, Seattle Center, seattleopera.org. $302–$1508.
10 DEPECHE MODE Like most everyone else, you don't care what Depeche Mode has done in the past 10 years. You just want to witness the iconic '80s legends sing the hits. But brace yourselves, because the band's got a new album, Sounds of the Universe, that'll probably eat up a good chunk of their set. It's a perfectly acceptable album, but it's OK to admit that you, like everyone else, just came for "Personal Jesus." KeyArena, seattlecenter.com. $37.50–$77.50.
23 ELVIS COSTELLO "Peace, Love, and Understanding" aside, Elvis Costello (real name: Declan MacManus) is a true songwriting chameleon. The classic angry nerd whose masturbation references are so clever you don't even mind the crudeness, anything Costello touches—even that grandpappy elevator-music compilation with Burt Bacharach—turns to pure pop gold. Chateau Ste. Michelle, ste-michellewines.com/events/concerts. $40–$65.
27–30 THE MALDIVES Seattle darlings the Maldives play old-timey music that resonates with everyone from the wee bairns to your grizzled old grandpa, and this three-day celebration commemorates the release of their first full-length record on esteemed local DIY label Mt. Fuji. It's called Listen to the Thunder, and if it's anything like the Maldives' previous recordings, it'll be lauded by music critics as one of the best local releases of 2009. Tractor Tavern, tractortavern.ypguides.net. $10.
28–29 THE SUBDUED STRINGBAND JAMBOREE This homegrown roots-music festival offers a laid-back, wallet-friendly alternative to Pickathon that showcases some of the Northwest's best up-and-coming local roots, country, rockabilly, and bluegrass bands for a third of what a ticket to one day of Pickathon would run you. Deming Log Show Fairgrounds, near Bellingham, stringbandjamboree.com. $30 adv./$40 DOS.
30 AC/DC Who's got big balls? You do. Leave your skinny jeans and sense of irony at home and just rock the fuck out in Tacoma tonight. Tacoma Dome, tacomadome.org. $89.50.
SEPTEMBER
5–7 BUMBERSHOOT Seattle's biggest, baddest music and arts festival returns. While some of this year's headliners—All-American Rejects, Michael Franti, and (ugh!) Katy Perry—blow large, smelly chunks, Franz Ferdinand, Os Mutantes, De La Soul, Isobel Campbell, Mark Lanegan, and Raphael Saadiq will be worth enduring the hordes of tweenage Katy fans. Seattle Center, bumbershoot.org. Prices vary.
sbrickner@seattleweekly.com
