portland
saturday 2
The Malt Ball
A summit for two things that Portland does better than just about any other city on the planet, craft beer and kick-ass music. Check out some of P-town's favorite bands including Radiation City, The Caleb Klauder Country Band, And And And, Sons of Huns, Old Light, Wooden Indian Burial Ground, Divers and Street Nights while sipping one of the 17 breweries' finest ales. 2 p.m. Wonder Ballroom.
seattle
friday 1
Lewis Black
I get the feeling that if you were to sit in the front row of Lewis Black's stand-up set, you might end up covered in the comedian's spittle. That is how passionately Black delivers his most offensive ranting and social commentary. His act feels like the first two hours of an angst-filled mental breakdown. Every time he peaks in anger about political nonsense, he has what can only be described as a borderline stroke resulting in true hilarity. 8 p.m. Paramount Theater.
monday 4
Sasquatch! Launch Party
Sasquatch! 2012 was the biggest mushroom-munching, acid-dropping, drunken-camping, indie-jamming festival the George has ever seen. Headlining acts included Jack White, Bon Iver and Beck, and the four-day festival was sold out weeks before bands took to the stage. Be the first to know the full 2013 lineup, and see some great music for FREE. The lineup announcement party features performances from indie veterans Built to Spill, seasoned R&B artist Cody ChesnuTT, along with a tantalizing "special surprise guest." 8 p.m. Neptune Theater.
monday 4
Ben Folds Five and Nataly Dawn
Ben Folds has been around the block a few times. After four marriages, bands and solo projects, a stint as a judge on NBC's a capella singing program "The Voice", musical collaborations with William Shatner, Regina Spektor and "Weird Al" Yankovic, and throwing his drum kit into Lake Osceola, Folds is jaded in all the right ways to make passionate, honest music. A masterful pianist, Folds can convey anything from the heaviness of abortion in the song "Brick" to humorous rage in the break-up jam "Song for the Dumped" in which he proclaims, "I want my money back, you bitch/ and don't forget/ to give me back my black T-shirt." 7 p.m. Showbox Theater.
