At least for the Portland-based and live-music minded, winter is generally known as the slow season, but the flip side of that is that in an artsy city like Portland, there’s never a complete lull.
This winter, we close out 2025 with headliner shows from acts like indie pop singer-songwriter Sydney Rose, jazz fusionists MAE.SUN and Tuareg guitarist Mdou Moctar. Then in 2026, we’ll finish the season with concerts featuring rap mainstay Cardi B and eclectic violinist/vocalist Sudan Archives.
Here are some of the best concerts coming to Portland this season:
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Sydney Rose
Singing like she’s whispering in your ear, alternative/indie pop singer Sydney Rose makes tender, emotionally palpable music – from her new single, “We Hug Now,” which mines the emotional aftermath of a broken friendship, to the swelling intensity of “31.” In the spring, Rose released her “I Know What I Want” EP, and now as she embarks on a tour to match, it will be fascinating to watch the singer-songwriter command an all ages show at Holocene with her quiet and understated delivery. Let’s also hope she takes the opportunity to perform her recently released Christmastime single “The Holiday,” a melancholy yet catchy song that will appeal to anyone with low spirits this time of year.
6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, Holocene, 1001 S.E. Morrison St., all ages; $32.28-$110.42, holocene.org. Also: Vivid Seats, Stub Hub, Seat Geek.
Sol
Seattle-based rapper Sol (aka Solzilla) had some major success with his celebrated 2012 album “Yours Truly.” More than a decade later, he’s still cooking, and is gearing up to deliver an intimate show at Mississippi Studios in support of his latest full-length “It Ain’t Pretty But It’s Beautiful.” The album is overall enjoyable across its well-paced 10 tracks, but if you only have time for one song, check out album highlight (and Sol’s self-described favorite song on the project) “It Ain’t Pretty,” which features vocals from Illa J, and credits from Eugene-born producer and artist Calvin Valentine.
8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, Mississippi Studios, 3939 N. Mississippi Ave.; $20-60, mississippistudios.com. Also: Vivid Seats, Stub Hub.
Homie Fest: Winter Edition
The aptly named Homie Fest is for fanbases and supporters of not one, but several truly local and tapped-in music communities. It’s an absolute myriad of eclectic local bands – many of them experimental and disruptive to the genre boundaries – all sharing the same stage. Acts for Homie Fest: Winter Edition include DIY electronic duo Sea Moss; skronk rockers Club Deluxe; new experimental psychedelic punk group Talking Contest (powered by members and former members of epic local bands like Tender Age, Past Lives, Sunbathe, and !!!); an experimental, genre-fluid and Latin-flavored DJ set with video installation from duo Psycho Tropika; cerebral synth artist RRED CANDYY; Cosmos Dark, the new solo project of Vaughn Kimmons aka Brown Alice; and traditional South American folklore artist Josefina del Norte. There will also be visuals provided by Jon Timm.
7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, Swan Dive, 727 S.E. Grand Ave.; $20, swandiveportland.com.
Mdou Moctar
For fans of Jimi Hendrix, Van Halen or any kind of psychedelic, guitar-driven rock that gets extra trippy and discordant in a soulful way, Nigerien guitarist/singer-songwriter Mdou Moctar’s albums and live shows are always worth the hype, often verging on clichés like “mind-blowing.” His shows are typically fleshed out with a full band for his psychedelic Tuareg-informed rock songs – like a 2021 visit to Mississippi Studios in support of his album “Afrique Victime” – but this December, Mississippi sister venue Polaris Hall will host a rare stripped-down solo set from the guitar hero, who will presumably be playing material from his two most recent albums: “Funeral for Justice” and its softer, more tender version, “Tears of Injustice.”
8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, Polaris Hall, 635 N. Killingsworth Ct.; $25, polarishall.com.
Festivale Cool Nutz
Veteran Portland-based rapper, radio personality and music promoter Cool Nutz is putting on his annual Festivale Cool Nutz, bringing two nights of local rap and other hip-hop-focused art. The night one headliner is, you guessed it, the titular emcee himself, who also enlists rappers Mikey Vegaz, Maniac Lok and Northside Tego. Night two will see artists Vary, DBOI Ltd, King Wess and Bobby Barrz, along with DJ Danny Merkury and DJ Fatboy. Showgoers should also check out the Fashion Village, where you can shop pieces from Bryan Walden’s local streetwear brand Black Mannequin, plus sneakers and merch from Stackin Kickz (typically located inside Lloyd Center), and gear from Profit + Loss Lifestyle (Trap Kitchen’s brand curated by Mikey Vegaz), and lifestyle and apparel brand Jus Family PDX (the fashion arm of Cool Nutz’ hip-hop label Jus Family Records).
9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12 & Saturday Dec. 13, Alberta Street Pub, 1036 N.E. Alberta St.; $20.52, festivalecn25.eventbrite.com.
Earl Sweatshirt
Born Thebe Neruda Kgositsile, the California-based artist started out under the name Sly Tendencies, then hard-launched his career as a mischievous rapper now known as Earl Sweatshirt when he joined Tyler, the Creator’s Odd Future hip-hop collective. Though he’s not in the top two most famous stars to emerge from that collective, Earl has built a solid following that continues to carry him through his personal and artistic evolution. He’s moved on from his darker, melancholic lyrics and goth sonics demonstrated on early works like “Doris,” his critically acclaimed “I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside” and “Some Rap Songs.” On his fifth studio album, “Live Laugh Love,” released in August, he appears as a more mature, introspective, 31-year-old dad and husband, as well as a recovering addict and born-again Buddhist. As the artist embarks on the “3L Tour,” many Portland fans will see an example of a rapper aging (read: maturing) gracefully in real time, while still technically in his prime.
8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside St., all ages; $51.75-$68 crystalballroompdx.com. Also: Vivid Seats, Stub Hub, Seat Geek.
MAE.SUN w/ Greaterkind
Having won the Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz International Saxophone Competition before graduating high school, Portland-raised multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and composer Hailey Niswanger studied jazz at Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship, and now creates and releases musical compositions under the name MAE.SUN. Inspired by her experiences and travels as a professional musician, her music is rooted in mantras and positive vibes, as she speaks through emotive saxophones, clarinets, flutes, piano and vocals. Watch a clip of her slaying a free-wielding sax solo from a previous show at Mississippi Studios (playing her 2024 single “Worthy,” from “Vol. 3: Reverence”) or a video of her playing “Be Love, Be Peace” (from 2017’s “Vol. 1: Inter-be”) at Portland jazz club The 1905 from a year ago. Niswanger has collaborated with members from the show’s opening act, Portland-based instrumental jazz fusion trio Greaterkind.
8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, Mississippi Studios, 3939 N. Mississippi Ave.; $20, mississippistudios.com. Also: Vivid Seats, Stub Hub, Seat Geek.
Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony
It’s always a good time to celebrate the lives and legacies of some of our greatest living icons and artists – especially while they’re still here! Making for an absolutely delightful Valentine’s day date, the Oregon Symphony is dedicating two nights to pay homage to the songbook of singular country singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. The night promises renditions of favorites like “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You.”
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway Ave., all ages; $44-$104, portland5.com. Also: Vivid Seats, Stub Hub, Seat Geek.
Cardi B
In case you’ve been living under a rock, Cardi B became a certified household name after the success of her 2017 hit “Bodak Yellow,” for which she became the first female rapper to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2019, for her massive debut, “Invasion of Privacy,” Cardi also became the first ever solo female artist to win the Grammy award for Best Rap Album. Since then, her catalog has only grown. This fall, she dropped her second studio album “Am I the Drama?” which includes the uncuffed, unabashed new single “Outside.” While this is only her second proper full-length, her time away was spent doing more than just growing her family. She also made a couple of major hit singles that have smartly appeared on this album, including “WAP,” and “Up,” giving her an insane amount of hits to perform while on her Little Miss Drama Tour, which will make a stop at the Moda Center this February, marking her first headlining performance in Portland.
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, Moda Center, 1 N. Center St., all ages; $71.80 and up rosequarter.com. Also: Vivid Seats, Stub Hub, Seat Geek.
The Joy Formidable
It’s hard not to get wrapped up in the invigorating rhythms, simple vocals and emotive cinematic sonics that drive The Joy Formidable’s songs. For the last 15 years or so, the indie rock group has held our attention with its impressive stadium-size shoegaze and rock music. At their upcoming show at The Old Church, fans can expect to hear popular tracks like “Austere,” “Whirring” and “Endtapes,” which got lots of attention after being placed in “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Pt. 1.” The band will also likely play highlights from their most recent album, 2022’s “Into the Blue,” like the dynamic “Interval.”
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, The Old Church, 1422 S.W. 11th Ave., all ages; $36-41 tocportland.org.
Candlelight: Best of Bridgerton Strings
Who says enjoying lights is only a Christmas thing? Showgoers can bask in the simplicity of enjoying string quartet Listeso play melodies from Shondaland’s “Bridgerton” series (streaming on Netflix) while surrounded by the soft glow of candlelight. Since the long-awaited season four of “Bridgerton” drops on Jan. 29, and part two premieres on Feb. 26, this show, part of the Candlelight strings series at The Old Church, will be the perfect opportunity for diehards to completely nerd out around the release. There is no strict dress code for this occasion, but attendees are encouraged to dress in their finest Bridgerton-inspired attire.
6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, The Old Church, 1422 S.W. 11th Ave., $42-$62 tocportland.org.
Federale
If you’re someone who likes to lean into the gloomy vibes, Portland-based rock band Federale is one of the most fitting local bands to go see in the winter time. The six-piece band tends to lean into that feeling, pulling lots of their inspiration from ‘60s and ‘70s European soundtracks, particularly old Italian films that fall into the Spaghetti Western and giallo genres.
8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, Mississippi Studios, 3939 N. Mississippi Ave.; $15, mississippistudios.com. Also: Stub Hub.
Sudan Archives
From Sudan Archives’ impressive self-titled debut EP and 2019 studio debut “Athena,” to 2022’s breakout album “Natural Brown Prom Queen,” Ohio-raised vocalist/violinist Brittney Parks has become known for excelling at blending various instruments with electronic elements into a gorgeous and highly digestible sound that’s all her own. On her latest, “THE BPM,” which dropped via Stones Throw Records this fall, Parks continues her tradition of quality control while mining breakups, rebounds and beyond, culminating in a confessional, largely dance floor-ready album that the snobs over at Pitchfork designated “Best New Music.”
8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, Revolution Hall, 1300 S.E. Stark St., all ages; $38.11-$126.61 revolutionhall.com. Also: Vivid Seats and Stub Hub.
Cat Power
Alternative/indie folk rock singer-songwriter Cat Power is a veteran at this point, and her wide range of influences including folk, funk, blues, punk and soul make her appeal to the ears of a variety of listeners. Her new tour celebrates two decades since her seventh studio album, “The Greatest.” Cat Power will be playing two nights at Revolution Hall, the first of which has already sold out.
8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 and 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, Revolution Hall, 1300 S.E. Stark St., all ages; $62.23, revolutionhall.com. Also: Vivid Seats, Stub Hub, Seat Geek.