In addition to Aminé, who will play his second sold-out show tonight at the Roseland, here's what else is happening right as the year comes to a close.
Travis Scott
The last time I attended a Travis Scott show, in 2017 at the Memorial Coliseum, he surprised the crowd by bringing Drake out on stage for a hyper-lit performance of "Portland," and that was easily the best part of the performance. The rest of the experience aged me. I struggled among a sea of 19-year-old women (and their drunk boyfriends) who were inadequately dressed for the weather. But Scott's latest project has made me want to give his live show a second chance, especially since this time he's upgraded to the infinitely better Moda Center. At 17 tracks long, Scott's latest solo album Astroworld took his vibey, melodic rap to the next level. The album highlight for me even though it's too short is "Skeletons," produced by Tame Impala. With songs like album opener "Stargazing," single "Sicko Mode," and the harmonica-laced "Stop Trying to Be God," featuring none other than Stevie Wonder (as well as James Blake, Kid Cudi, and Philip Bailey), it's honestly hard to pick a favorite. (Sat, Dec 22, Moda Center, 1 N Center Ct. $26-167, all ages)
Mic Check: Last of a Dying Breed, KayelaJ, Destro Destructo, Cee Goods
The quarterly hip-hop showcase Mic Check always makes for a good excuse to enjoy the cozy interior of the White Eagle. KayelaJ and Destro Destructo will both play sets, and Cee Goods will do a beat set. But perhaps most notably, this December's installment will feature a new duo: Last of Dying Breed, which comprises Mic Crenshaw and Micah Fletcher, a poet/spokenword artist and a survivor of 2017's hate crime stabbing on the MAX. (Thurs Dec 27, 8 pm, White Eagle, 836 N Russell, $8)
Portland New Years Showcase: Danny Sky, Astral OG, Sxlxmxn, Epp
This show, presented by EYRST and Burn Money Music, is marketed as a NYE showcase even though it isn't on New Year's Eve, and that's okay because it's a really good lineup. Danny Sky has a fun energy when performing live, and his ode to cannabis "THX" is one of my favorite releases of 2018. In addition to rappers Astral G and Epp, the lineup also includes Sxlxmxn, one of Portland's more prominent beatmakers. He recently put out a remix to Epp's song "Come My Way." (Fri Dec 28, No Vacancy Lounge, 235 SW 1st, $10)
NYE 2019: RC $pitta, YoungShirtMayne, KayelaJ, CEG, Covi., Verbz
This year's New Year's celebration will be DJ'd and hosted by Verbz (of the Thesis monthly hip-hop show) and will feature performances from Portland rappers RC Spitta, KayelaJ, YoungShirtMayne and Covi. There will be drink specials from Bacardi, and a champagne toast no doubt. Unlike the vast majority of the shows and parties happening on NYE, this one is F-R-E-E, which has been enough to get me to Kelly's for the New Year in the past. (Mon Dec 31, 9 pm, Kelly's Olympian, 426 SW Washington, FREE; w/DJ Kensho of LSP in the bar)
Holocene NYE: Take Back the Future w/Fountaine, Ca$h Only, VNPRT, Sonwell
Fountaine is a natural comedian and a great dancer, so he'll be a great headliner for this "Take Back the Future"-themed NYE dance party, and reason enough to go. Fountaine recently put his forthcoming album on the back burner but has been performing, doing DJ sets, and hosting around town lately. The NYE lineup also includes DJs like VNPRT, Ca$h Only, and the evening's host, Carlos the Rollerblader. (Mon Dec 31, 8 pm, Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison, $20)
