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Chris Young

A journalist and editor, Chris graduated from the University of Oregon and has worked in local, community-focused media and publications for 15 years. He founded Vortex Music Magazine, a quarterly print publication that covered Portland's vibrant music scene, in 2014. He's since moved to Bend where you can find him going to concerts, hiking, biking and trying to keep up with his kids.

chris@bendsource.com
Posted inMusic

The Decemberists Go Back to Where It Began

Back with a new record — the band’s first in six years — and back at Hayden Homes Amphitheater, co-headlining with The Head And The Heart July 12
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Anyone who’s followed the loquacious, decades-long career of The Decemberists knows singer-songwriter Colin Meloy is a wordsmith. Sometimes fanciful, sometimes dark, often epic and steeped in lore, the beloved baroque pop rockers frequently weave intricate stories of blue-collar industrial types (mariners, chimney sweeps, train operators) alongside political statements on conceptually dense albums. Crafting sonic novellas, […]

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House of Sutiki Is Helping Build Bend’s Dance Music Scene

Local DJs and promoters are booking bigger names alongside regional talent to play Bend, including San Francisco’s Justin Martin
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Back in the day, Danny Fry’s friends gave him the not-so-uncommon nickname Danimals. The longtime DJ, booker and event promoter has embraced the moniker, playing gigs as Mr. Danimals for the past few years. Fry has been organizing events around the world for two decades, throwing parties with international talent from Italy, Singapore, Paris and […]

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The Bands That Brew Beers, and the Brewers Who Rock Alongside Them

Ten local bands collaborated with 10 brewers to create “beers that taste like their music” and they’ll showcase their creations at the inaugural Bend Bands & Brewers Bash
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It’s no secret that the Northwest grows great hops and Oregon is blessed with a variety of incredible brewers. There are some “30 breweries in and around Bend,” according to local tourism agency Visit Bend, and while it has been recently reported that the craft brew industry is in decline, it should come as no […]

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Big Ponderoo: Sisters’ Low-Key Music Festival

From local bluegrass four-piece Rock Ridge to the legendary country rockers Silverada (formerly Mike and the Moonpies), take the weekend trip for a small-town fest full of big energy
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It’s here, returning for round two: Big Ponderoo! From the folks who’ve brought Central Oregon the Sisters Folk Festival for more than a quarter of a century comes an early summer offering of bluegrass, folk, Americana and hard-charging country rock over the weekend of June 29 and 30 at Sisters’ centrally located Village Green Park, […]

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Take a Plunge at Suttle Lake to Kick Off the Summer Concert Season

Join singersongwriter Bart Budwig in welcoming summer to the Cascades as he opens The Suttle Lodge’s annual concert series on June 17
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A year ago, Bart Budwig was exactly where he wanted to be: ripping off his clothes, running down the big lawn and jumping into the refreshing waters of Suttle Lake in the middle of a set with his band. In fact, that glorious scene of rose-tinted, summertime euphoria represents his two favorite things in life. “Playing […]

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A Truly Family-Friendly Festival

The community-minded vibe at 4 Peaks Music Festival offers something for the whole family, from Kidlandia to national touring acts, alongside local faves
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Bend is a city practically built for families. Every day, there are tons of families taking advantage of Central Oregon’s parks, trails and breweries with kid-friendly outdoor spaces. It seems as though dogs may be the only family member that could possibly outnumber kids in Bend. It only makes sense then that 4 Peaks Music […]

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Uniting Central Oregon’s Music Industry

Have questions about the amorphous nature of the music biz? Join Central Oregon Music Network’s free, all-ages mixer
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If you’re reading this, you likely live in Central Oregon. So it’s not news to you that Bend is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. Based on U.S. Census Bureau population data from 2017 to 2022, Bend ranks at number 59—that’s out of “344 of the largest cities [that were analyzed in a […]

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Lives Changed, On Stage and Off

Portugal. The Man’s community-first approach has changed lives — and now it’s time to reciprocate the effort
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It’s not like Portugal. The Man has a stated mission to change lives. In fact, the band’s bio on Instagram declares: “Almost as good as PANTERA.” That seems more on brand for a pop rock act that loves to shred, currently soundtracks Taco Bell commercials, and clearly doesn’t take itself too seriously. Sure, any band […]

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Finding Fellership

The wandering country singer Willy Tea Taylor’s latest effort is his most sonically robust offering yet without sacrificing any of his detail-rich storytelling
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Willy Tea Taylor’s flight from Nashville was delayed. It’s now 8pm and we’re talking on the phone as his dad drives him from the Sacramento airport to his home in Oakdale, California. He’s playing a wedding in Yosemite before spending the rest of the next month crisscrossing these United States, followed by an extensive UK […]

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Summer Guide 2024

From world-famous headliners to local bands, this list covers all things music from end of May through September in Central Oregon
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Who’s ready for a summer filled with sun and fun and plenty of live music? We are — so much so that we put together this entire guide of concerts, parties, festivals and so much more to get your planning started. Let our 2024 Summer Guide get you all planned out! Keep this guide handy […]

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