Jenni Moore

The forecast for this year's Pickathon looks temperate compared to the past two scorchers, but the line-up is looking hotter than ever. Here are nine picks from the Mercury's music nerds.

There was some buzz about this several weeks ago, but it's going to be one of the pinnacle local music events of the summer, so let's make sure everyone knows about Best Day Ever , the new music festival from Portland-raised rapper-turned-mainstream-hip-hop-superstar Aminé. In contrast with Project Pabst on the city's waterfront, or Pickathon , the farm music fest we're always shouting about, the Best Day Ever festival focuses on primarily hip-hop and rap and goes down at McMenamins' Edgefield August 10-11. Headliners include hometown hero Aminé himself, superstar collaborator KAYTRANADA—who will no doubt be performing tracks from their joint album Kaytraminé— as well as Canadian instrumental band BadBadNotGood. The lineup is further solidified by indie rock / chillwave / hip-hop fusionist Toro y Moi, Atlanta emcee Karrahbooo, Chicago R&B singer-songwriter Ravyn Lanae, Aminé's tour DJ Madison LST, and Portland-based rapper 3WayHeff. There is absolutely no information on what the two-day schedule will look like, but for many fans, who cares?

However, Pickathon's live music magic prevailed; the center of the fest remains true. And everyone we sent, even everyone we spoke with, found some new group they now love.

In this column, we regard Pickathon as the climax of our Portland-area summer music season, but even as the season hits twilight mode, there are plenty of other worthy music updates to get into this month. Here comes the latest, Hear in Portland! MUST SEE: Upcoming local event(s) featuring local artist(s). Soul Festival Block Party The annual summer block party from the folks behind Black-owned cannabis dispensary Green Muse (formerly Green Hop) is now called...

From aguachile to oysters Rockefeller, Portland is a seafood town

Also on deck: Childish Gambino, Modest Mouse, André 3000 and Sabrina Carpenter.

Holy September! Summer 2024 is cooling down, and we’re still processing Live Nation’s dystopian plans for the city's Central Eastside. Increasingly prominent nonprofit MusicPortland has been fighting the decision, but developers aren’t backing down. We'll be watching the upcoming September 19 hearing on the matter very closely. In the meantime, if you just came to rock out and vibe, there's plenty of local music buzz to enjoy right now—from the return of Lose Yr Mind...

Hear in Portland music this week: • The Thesis: Femme Edition • Majik9's upbeat "Dum Ditty Dum”" • André 3000 Soon to Flute at the Schnitz

MUST SEE: Upcoming local event(s) featuring local artist(s). A Beat Happening's Final Show of 2024

MUST SEE: Upcoming local event(s) featuring local artist(s). Hungry Hungry Hip-Hop: Siah Tha Kid, YAWA, Camurai X, Listening Listener