Concert Review: Ole 60, Cigarettes @ Sunset, Kolton Moore & the Clever Few at McMenamins Grand Lodge Forest Grove, OR
- Randy Calica
- 3 hours ago
- 6 min read
Every once in a while, you walk into a concert, look at the lineup, and say to yourself, "A few years from now, someone is going to see that lineup and be like, 'Wow, all those bands played together.'" It didn't cost a month's income to see them, and it wasn't on some huge festival grounds.
On Saturday, August 15th, in Forest Grove, OR I feel like I witnessed one of those concerts: Ole 60 with support from Kolton Moore and the Clever Few and Cigarettes @ Sunset.
Before diving too far into the music, I first have to acknowledge the venue. McMenamins Grand Lodge is one of the relatively newer music venues in the Portland area. From my research, it's only been hosting concerts regularly for about four summers. This was actually my first time there, but it definitely will not be my last.
It has something a lot of venues don't, and that's personality. With a stage nestled among the trees and a relatively flat seating area, it really gives off a cozy night-at-the-park vibe. I absolutely loved it, and it felt like how a Northwest summer should. All it was missing was a campfire and some s'mores, and basically it would have just been camping with a few thousand of your best friends.
But back to the music.
First up was Cigarettes @ Sunset. This was absolutely one of my bucket-list bands that I wanted to see this summer. However, I was fully convinced I was going to have to travel to see them. The band even mentioned on stage that this was the furthest from home they had ever played.
For those unfamiliar with Cigarettes @ Sunset, they have a sound they describe as "possum rock," and honestly, it's a very accurate description. They are part of this new country movement that blends obvious country influences with a bit of '90s grunge, similar to Ole 60, Treaty Oak Revival, Dexter and the Moonrocks, and others. However, Cigarettes @ Sunset also has a stronger folk influence, heavily featuring a violin that gives them a personality that helps separate them from others in this subgenre of country rock.
Cigarettes @ Sunset did not disappoint. I'm already making plans for next year to try to catch them a couple more times, at least once to do another fun review like this, but I also really want to see them as just another fan and lose my mind in the crowd.
One of my favorite moments of the set was when lead singer Garrett Dellinger decided he needed to help the crowd sing along. He jumped off the stage, ran around the guardrail, and headed right into the middle of the crowd to sing with the fans. With hits like "Gasoline," "My Fix," "Appalachian Raised," and my personal favorite, "Theresa," there is no shortage of opportunities to sing along.
I hate to refer to them as a new band because I know they've been touring for a couple of years already, but over the last 12 months, it feels like they've had a true breakout. If I had a vote, they'd be my pick for Best New Country Artist of 2026.
Next up was Kolton Moore and the Clever Few.
Kolton was the most traditional country artist on the bill that evening. I feel like Kolton Moore and the Clever Few are at a very interesting point in their career. On one hand, they already have a catalog of great songs, the talent, and the experience. It would not shock me if one single started getting serious commercial radio attention or ended up on the soundtrack of a hit movie or TV show.
He could easily become the next Cody Johnson or Chris Stapleton, where mainstream country suddenly claims him as one of its own and he's winning CMA awards for Best New Artist while those in the know are sitting there laughing because they're calling someone with more than ten years of experience and a deep catalog of music a newcomer.
But even if that mainstream success never arrives, he's already someone who is incredibly respected and recognized within the independent country scene.
Amazingly, this was somehow my first time seeing Kolton live.
Have you ever been standing in a crowd, listening to a band, and heard a song you absolutely love, only to completely forget it was one of theirs? That happened to me when Kolton played "Godman Blues," which really showcases the blues side of Kolton Moore and the Clever Few.
I think what I love most about Kolton is his authenticity. A lot of artists in this genre sing about a life they've probably never even seen, let alone lived. Kolton writes and sings about his actual experiences, including his love of hunting. If you follow his Instagram, you'll see he's every bit the outdoorsman in real life.
As I sat in the grass near the end of the set, taking in the night and enjoying the show, I couldn't help but notice just how much Kolton and the Clever Few seemed to enjoy playing together. But the real treat came when they covered Teddy Swims' "Lose Control." It was immediately recognizable while still sounding distinctly like them. That's what I love about the covers they choose to play. They honor the original without changing who they are in the process.
Chef's kiss.
And now it was time for Ole 60.
Bass player Colby Clark came out first to get the crowd hyped, giving us a Stone Cold Steve Austin-style beer shower before taking his place on stage. Once the band hit the stage, they tore through the first two songs, "Rose" and "Dust to Dust," with no break and no introduction. Just straight to business.
I was especially excited for this set because, in the same way Cigarettes @ Sunset became my breakout band of this summer, Ole 60 was my breakout band of last summer.
Last year, Ole 60 was the new band that seemingly came out of nowhere to grab my attention. I got to catch them midday on the smallest stage at FairWell Festival, and it was incredible to see how much they have grown in just a year, going from one of the smallest stages to headlining their own tour.
I can confidently say the big stage suits them well.
They were great last year, good enough that I've been waiting all year for the chance to see them again. But this year, they weren't just good. They were special.
They have such a strong connection with their fans. I saw a lot of the same faces in the crowd that I saw last summer, along with plenty of new ones. Fans were connecting deeply with the music and singing along to every word.
The stage lighting not only fit the band, but it also fit both the venue and the Pacific Northwest perfectly. Moments of heavy stage haze made it look like the band was emerging from a Northwest fog, while the burning orange lighting made the stage appear as though it was glowing from a forest fire.
It gave me the same feeling as some of the summer shows back home, just on a much larger scale. Even so, it still felt like a stage set up in a field and lit by a campfire.
Ole 60 definitely has a distinct country sound, but I love when they tap into their influences. Their cover of Alice in Chains' "Nutshell" is always a standout moment for me. It's not something you'd expect to hear at a country show, but somehow it fits perfectly.
Then those '90s influences collide with their country foundation and create something special, like the song they closed the night with: "Smoke & a Light."
This was the first song I ever heard from Ole 60, and last summer I didn't get to hear it because I was too busy rushing to the next stage. This time, I clicked a quick shot of the opening lines before dropping my camera to my side so I could simply get lost in the moment and sing along.
Ole 60 is one of those bands I'm incredibly excited to follow. They're still so early in their career, with only one full album and a couple of EPs to their name. I'm already counting down the days until we get more music, and I hope to catch them again next summer.
I'm sure they're fantastic in an indoor venue, but for me, the full Ole 60 experience belongs outdoors. Summer heat, open air, and a crowd under the night sky just feel like the perfect setting for their music.
This was absolutely one of the highlight shows of my summer, a night I'll think back on often.
The music was amazing, the people I met were fantastic, the venue was beautiful, and the staff was among my favorites I've encountered all summer.
If you get the chance to see any of these three bands on their own, they're well worth the price of admission. Unfortunately for all of you, this was the final night of the tour where all three bands were playing together.
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