Q:
What is a "Bieber"?
A: The latest iteration of a peculiar
American rite of generational passage that serves up one relatively
palatable teen idol to grab the hearts of our adolescents without
angering the blood or spurring radical sentiments. They tend to be
slight of figure and possessed of a lingering adenoidal quality.
Q:
Who is Justin Bieber specifically, though?
A: Just 18 years of age and blessed with
an appealing though limited high vocal register, Stratford, Ontarioâs,
favorite son rose to prominence through the mentorship of Usher, whose
bubblegum R&B informed Bieberâs 2010 debut full-length, My World
2.0. Proper follow-up Believe arrived earlier this year to even greater
sales. Forbes Magazine named Bieber the third most powerful celebrity
alive.
Q:
How deserved is this bounty?
A: Whether accident of timing or no, he
rode the ascension of social media with unrivaled success by nabbing 27
million or so Twitter followers and filling a YouTube channel with
faux-homemade videos prior to album release. As well, heâs growing
nicely into his looksâhe best resembles a cherubic Margaux Hemingwayâand
heâs somehow steered clear of all trace of scandal.
Q:
Is Bieber a musician?
A: More or less. While lazier critics
hoped Believeâs first single, âBoyfriend,â would be the first tentative
step into darker waters (a la Justin Timberlakeâs âCry Me a Riverâ), the
album features an insistent core of overpowering guests (Drake,
Ludacris, Nicki Minaj), dully professional studio wizardry and
referencing of kings of pop past. If nothing else, future wedding DJs
should be guaranteed a few embarrassment-free floor-fillers.
Q:
On a scale of David Cassidy to Jacko, how dearly should we worry over Bieber?
A: Much depends upon the hair, of
courseâeven the fiercest Belieber wonât long endure the thinning of that
tousled mopâbut, as these things go, he seems eminently prepared. Heâs
also finally indulging his powers as tastemaker: The Bieber team
recently signed South Korean super-meme Psy (âGangnam Styleâ) and paved
the way for tour opener Carly Rae Jepsen to unfurl nonpareil summer jam
âCall Me Maybe.â
Q:
Oh, I know that one! "Hey, I just met you, and this is craaaaaaazy!"
A:
Precisely.
SEE IT: Justin Bieber plays the Rose Garden, 1 N Center Court, on Monday, Oct. 8. Sold out.
Headout Picks
THURSDAY OCT. 4
GRIZZLY BEAR
[MUSIC] What began as a bedroom recording
project for singer Ed Droste has evolved into one of the most
compelling bands of its era. Shields, Grizzly Bearâs fourth album, finds the group continuing to map its own, resplendent cosmos. Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay St., 248-4335. 8 pm. $36.25 advance, $39.50 day of show. All ages.
ARJ BARKER
[COMEDY] In addition to making the late-night rounds and appearing as skeevy pawn-shop clerk Dave on Flight of the Conchords, the stand-up comedian hosts a Flash series about his cat Poopy. Yup, Poopy. Helium Comedy Club, 1510 SE 9th Ave., 888-643-8669. 8 pm Thursday, 7:30 and 10 pm Friday-Saturday, Oct. 4-6. $15-$27. 21+.
FRIDAY OCT. 5
STREETCAR MOBILE MUSIC FEST
[MUSIC] Finally, someone figured out a
useful application for the streetcar: as a venue for a music festival!
For four hours, legit Portland artistsâincluding Sun Angle, Jeffrey
Jerusalem and Cloudy Octoberâwill set up on every streetcar between the
Rose Quarter and OMSI. Multiple locations. 6 pm. Free with streetcar ticket, streetcarmobilemusicfest.org.
THAT HOPEY CHANGEY THING
[THEATER] This Richard Nelson work, set
on Election Day 2010, is the first in a planned cycle of four plays
about the Apple family, a clan of devoted Democrats exploring the
shifting currents of politics and relationships. Winningstad Theatre,
Portland Center for the Performing Arts, 1111 SW Broadway, 248-4335.
7:30 pm Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 pm Sundays through Oct. 28.
$22.25-$41.25.
THE LOST BOYS LIVE
[THEATER] A stage adaptation of the
greatest teen vampire film ever made. This could either be amazing or
painful. Weâre pulling for the former. Ethos/Interstate Firehouse
Cultural Center, 5340 N Interstate Ave., 283-8467. 8 pm
Fridays-Saturdays and select Thursdays through Nov. 3. $18.
SATURDAY OCT. 6
PORTLAND FRESH-HOPS FESTIVAL
[BEER] Fresh-hops festival season is in
full bloom. This one is at Oaks Park, with local breweries pouring
fresh-hopped beer and free root beer for the kiddies. Oaks Park, Southeast Spokane Street and Oaks Park Way, 233-5777. Noon-8 pm. $13.50-$20.
WAXX-A-THON
[GROOMING] Urban Waxx is celebrating five
years of removing unsightly body hair with a 24-hour Waxx-a-thon. Beer,
wine and Voodoo Doughnuts will be available as you get that Brazilian
youâve always wanted just in time for winter-coat season. Urban Waxx, 1036 NW 18th Ave., 219-9299. 9 am.
WWeek 2015