Blue Scholars / Wednesday, October 20
Stefano Giovannini
Cat Power: feline fantasy.
Steve Gullick
Foals and snake.
Related Content
More About
As far as Seattle hip-hop is concerned, headlining the Paramount has been untouchable, a final frontier waiting to be conquered. But now, thanks to City Arts Fest, there could be no better way to celebrate the achievement than this show: town rap-renaissance frontrunners Blue Scholars on a bill filled with many of the town's finest (supplemented by lone out-of-towner Brother Ali, of Rhymesayers fame). Joined by Macklemore, who writes and delivers some of the most fun and goddamn moving hip-hop I've ever heard, as well as P Smoov's electronic vibes in the form of Fresh Espresso and the slick energy of Mash Hall, the showcase is primed to be a triumphant moment for Seattle's burgeoning scene. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., 877-STG-4TIX. 6:30 p.m. $25 or with City Arts Fest wristband, cityartsfest.com. All ages. NICK FELDMAN
Matt Costa / Wednesday, October 20
In contrast to his previous career moves—such as signing to fellow laid-back singer/songwriter Jack Johnson's label—former aspiring skater Matt Costa took a big risk with last month's Mobile Chateau. This time around, Costa's self-produced '60s sound is a direct throwback to the Byrds, Bob Lind, and Sgt. Pepper's–era Beatles. It's a major improvement on the schizophrenia of his past work, which aimed to emulate all his influences at once. And while his early pop gems will surely stay in his back pocket, the quickly maturing Costa proves he's come a long way. With Threes and Nines. El Corazon, 109 Eastlake Ave. E, 381-3094. 9 p.m. $15 adv./$17 DOS. All ages. BRYDEN MCGRATH
Gogol Bordello / Wednesday, October 20
It's nearly impossible to listen to Gogol Bordello without thinking of Eugene Hütz's hilarious character in Everything is Illuminated, especially considering how the band blew up after Hütz's film debut, but the miscreant musicians have been serving up gypsy punk for well over a decade, long before Illuminated aimed a big spotlight on Hütz's crusty, amazingly talented band. Gogol Bordello builds on a foundation of Romanian gypsy music, but the band's latest, this year's Trans-Continental Hustle, takes some musical cues from Hütz's new home, São Paulo, Brazil. Whatever musical hats they're trying on, Gogol Bordello is a punk-rock band first and foremost, one whose purpose is equally divided between making fun music and spreading one very important and timely message: No human being is illegal. Showbox SoDo, 1700 First Ave. S., 628-3151. 7 p.m. $29 adv./$31 DOS, or with City Arts Fest wristband, cityartsfest.com. All ages. SARA BRICKNER
JP, Chrissie, & the Fairground Boys / Wednesday, October 20
First, they won't be playing any Pretenders songs. Chrissie Hynde will instead perform with JP Jones, the Welsh cutie with whom she recorded Fidelity, an album about their not-quite love affair across a 28-year age gap. "I found my perfect lover, but he'll never share my bed," she sings, not wasting any time complaining that this generally isn't a problem when the genders are reversed. The songwriting ranges from the really damn good ("Your Fairground") to the embarrassing ("Courage"), but Chrissie makes it all work with her sexy growling, whining, and cooing. Personally I think JP is nuts not to dive for that brass in her pocket. With Amy Correia, Cobirds Unite. Showbox at the Market, 1426 First Ave., 628-3151. 8 p.m. $25 adv./$30 DOS. DAVID STOESZ
Cat Power / Thursday, October 21
Chan Marshall, aka Cat Power, hasn't released anything new since 2008's Dark End of the Street covers EP; her most recent record of originals was 2006's The Greatest; and her website hasn't been updated for two years. Yet she's one of the most anticipated participants in this year's City Arts Fest—a testament to her artistic prestige and staying power. Records like You Are Free have stood the test of time, mainly because Marshall's smoky, searing, oh-so-alluring voice is in fact timeless and ever-appealing. She's spent the year putting in some time as a representative for the Department of Education's children's-literacy campaign, as well as writing for her new LP. There's no release date or any other concrete details, but tonight she'll be backed by a full band, and it seems likely that fans will hear some new material. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave., 625-1900. 7 p.m. $33 or with City Arts Fest wristband, cityartsfest.com. All ages. ERIN K. THOMPSON
Golden Blondes / Thursday, October 21
Joseph P. Markiewicz (ex-Lillydale) is a true renaissance man, but one blessedly free of the clichéd tones of self-importance that descriptor implies in a contemporary context. A fixture on the Ballard scene, he is a fashionable old soul, known for his sartorial sensibilities and fondness for all things vintage. He's also a deeply gifted songwriter with a graceful sense of how to slowly build a pop song in grandiose fashion, but without gilding the lily beyond recognition. His newest project, a dirty-pop-rock trio christened Golden Blondes, is a slightly grittier, dance party–driving affair that includes Micah Simler of Shim on bass and former Lillydale drummer David Lopez. With Naked Feel Goods, Mostly Dimes, Charles Leo Gebhardt IV. Comet Tavern, 922 E. Pike St., 323-9853. 9 p.m. $7. HANNAH LEVIN
Blitzen Trapper / Friday, October 22
