seattle
saturday 13
Sub Pop's Silver Jubilee
Sub Pop Records were the first to coin the Seattle sound, signing bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden and Mudhoney before they were plaid-clad and MTV trendy. Since SubPopproduced its first platinum record—Nirvana's Blech—the label's name has become synonymous with supporting authentic independent artists. The label wil celebrate its 25th anniversary with a lineup of performances as good, if not better, than most on the festival circuit this year, including Built to Spill, Mudhoney, J Mascis, Greg Dulli, Shabazz Palaces, Shearwater, Father John Misty, Pissed Jeans, The Baptist Generals, King Tuff and Chad VanGaalen, 10 am. Showbox at the Market. Free.
tuesday 16
More Than Honey
For years Albert Einstein has been quoted as saying, "If the bees disappeared off the face of the earth, man would only have four years left to live." While the quote was falsely attributed to give it an air of authority (why you so tricky, the Internet?), after some investigation, qualified entomologists have proved that (fake) Einstein pretty close to right. This documentary, not narrated by Einstein, is about beekeeping, culture, physiology, colony collapse disorder, and everything else that is awesome about and wrong with the world of bees. Various times. Varsity Theater. $7.
thursday 18
The Postal Service
When singer and songwriter Ben Gibbard assembled the super group of Jimmy Tamborello (of Dntel and Headset) and Jenny Lewis (Rilo Kiley) in 2003, he created a sound that even folks who hate his sappier work with Death Cab for Cutie could get on board with. The Postal Service was one of the first groups to popularize the melding of indie sensibilities and digital instrumentation. Now an extremely popular technique (see Owl City, Kings of Convenience and other electro-indie groups), Postal Service started the trend. The band's only full-length release, Give Up, one of Sub Pops, three platinum records, has been rereleased for its 10th anniversary along with a handful of new songs. 7 pm. Key Arena. $57+.
portland
thursday 18
Portugal the Man
This evergreen band resurfaces every few years with an album that has one or two great tracks and a handful of OK ones. But its last album, 2013's Evil Friends, is a departure; excellent start to finish, the band's best since 2006, Waiter: You Vultures, with a modern Beatles-like sound, tinny guitar, psychedelic riffs and PTM's signature reverb-heavy, falsetto vocals. 9 pm. Crystal Ballroom. $21.
