MusicfestNW Announces 2015 Lineup

Well, here it is: Your MusicfestNW lineup.

I know, I know: "The festival's changed, man." But while it's definitely downsized, there's still a ton to like about what's coming to Waterfront Park in August. Modest Mouse, Beirut, Foster the People and Belle and Sebastian are the big names, but as usual, the true highlights are in the undercard: Danny Brown, Battles, Lady Lamb, Beat Connection, Strand of Oaks and a slate of local acts including Lost Lander, Pure Bathing Culture, Alialujah Choir and Divers.

There's plenty of notable extramusical stuff, too, of course—food carts, an air conditioned chill-out dome and, yeah, there'll be free water this year—which we've visualized, along with the other pertinent info we've got right now, here. But let's talk about the music. Below, you'll find the full lineup, and below that, my personal list of reasons to be excited. And if you don't need any convincing, go here to swoop up early bird tickets, while they last.

Friday, Aug. 21: 

Foster The People
Misterwives
Milo Greene
Lost Lander

Saturday, Aug. 22: 

Beirut
Belle and Sebastian
Twin Shadow
Battles
Title Fight
Cayucas
Talk In Tongues
Sales
Alialujah Choir

Sunday, Aug. 23: 

Modest Mouse
The Tallest Man On Earth
Danny Brown
The Helio Sequence
Lady Lamb
Strand Of Oaks
Pure Bathing Culture
Divers
Beat Connection

MATTHEW SINGER'S REASONS TO BE EXCITED FOR MFNW 2015

Modest Mouse

It's friggin' Modest Mouse, touring on its first album in eight years. If you're not excited, Portland law states you must leave town and never return.

Beirut

Zach Condon's worldly folk crew has been teasing new music since last year, so expect to hear some fresh bouzouki jams under the stars. 

Belle and Sebastian

The lovably fey Glaswegians sold out the Roseland just a few weeks ago. If you didn't get tickets, now's your chance for redemption!

Foster The People

Admit it: "Pumped Up Kicks" has been in your head since 2010. Seeing these pop pretty-boys play it live might finally exorcise the parasite.

Twin Shadow

George Lewis Jr. is the next (or current?) M83, mining romantic '80s nostalgia with panache. He's this year's Future Islands—the act everyone will be talking about afterward. 

The Helio Sequence

Even if you've seen them a bajillion times over the years, Beaverton's prodigal sons have a groovy new album coming, with an eponymous title suggesting a career reboot.

Danny Brown

He's as punk as rappers come, equally adept at introspection as hedonism, and raps in the voice of a particularly aggrieved Pokemon character. Muscle your way to front if you can.

Battles

Instrumental prog rock isn't supposed to be fun, but in the hands of this experimental supergroup—featuring members of Helmet and Don Caballero—it's damn near bubblegum.  

Lady Lamb

Splitting the difference between St. Vincent and Courtney Barnett, Aly Spaltro writes wry songs that shift in unpredictable directions but always detonate at the right time.

Strand Of Oaks

Imagine if My Morning Jacket never became a jam band, still wrote emotionally devastating songs and were spearheaded by a dude who looks like a Sons of Anarchy extra. 

Divers

Divers has been Portland's best band for four years, but only now is the city at large finding out. Need a reason to believe in rock'n'roll again? Then plan on getting to the waterfront early. 

WWeek 2015