Portland has a world-class live music scene. As a halfway point along the West Coast, many mainstream acts find enthusiastic audiences in Portland. The scene leans towards rock/folk/americana, but many genres are represented across the city. Most venues are easy to access on public transit, and many are within a couple of miles of the conference venue. I invite folks with an interest in live music to consider getting out to a show.
300 Music Venues
Music Portland has identified 300 live music venues in the Portland Metro. They range from intimate rooms to large arenas.
Some of my favorite venues are:
- Crystal Ballroom - Featuring a sprung dance floor and vintage vibe. Every show I've seen here has sounded amazing.
- Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall - A gorgeous and sophisticated space for live entertainment.
- Roseland - Not far from the conference center and oozing atmosphere.
- Moda - Nose bleed cheap seats great for sport (we've paid $10 to see the Blazers), but for a good live music experience it's worth it to pay a bit more to be tier 2 or lower.
- Edgefield - A very cool spot for outdoor music. It's a small trek from Portland but offers free parking.
For more information about venues see Travel Portland.
Latest Events
Here are the best sources for information about upcoming live music: