Concert Review: Portland Punk in the Park

I pride myself on being very eclectic when it comes to my music taste. I'm a music fan plain and simple I love it all. But there is just something about punk rock music that has my heart every time I am at a punk show I just feel like I am home.

Portland Punk in the Park reminded me so much of why I love punk. It's more than just music; it's a lifestyle and it's a community. It was so amazing to see people from all walks of life and all ages enjoying the event and mingling with each other. It was so amazing seeing people helping one another out on more than one occasion. I saw people inside the venue sharing extra tickets they had with people who were standing outside just trying the share the love of good music. I enjoyed listening to fans telling stories about how they were at the first Addicts show in the states to parents talking about how it's their kids first concert. For an event that half music half brew fest my hats off to Brew Ha Ha Productions for organizing a truly family friendly event.

The day started out with a local taste of Portland's own Distorted Times. Who were fresh off filming their new music video the night before. They tore it up and they really never disappoint. They were the perfect band to represent the local punk scene and to kick the day off.

Next up were Niis (pronounced Nice) a female fronted hardcore punk band from LA. This was one of the most pleasant surprises of the day, they were the only band I was not familiar with heading into the day but they put on such a show they left a long-lasting impression. Such amazing energy it was so hard to fight the urge to drop my camera and head to the pit. Niis created a fan out of me. Truly a band I think you have to experience live to fully appreciate but a band I can't wait to see again.

Next up were Swingin Utters. Bringing their classic California punk style to the show. This is the point of the day the crowd size and energy really started to pick up. The Portland scene really loves the old school punk. Almost 40 years into their careers and I don't think they have missed a beat.

Mustard Plug was up next bringing just a whole new energy to the crowd. All the ska kids dressed so fly which considering how hot it was very impressive. Lots of fans prioritizing fashion over function. Honestly, I feel like the Mustard plug set was just not long enough it was so fun. dancing around and just good vibes. I wish it didn't have to end, but with a short 10 song set they really brought the energy, and they played the hits. Brain on Ska will never not be fun. But all good things have to come to an end. Mustard Plug ended their set with the Beer song which seemed so fitting for a beer themed punk show.

7 Seconds were the next band to the stage.7 Seconds had a cool vibe somehow despite the growing crowd this set felt intimate. Kevin Seconds really made this feel personal. This was my first break in the day where I took a chance to step back, put the camera away and just sit back and listen not just to the music but to the message. This was a set I didn't expect to appreciate as much as I did.

The Addicts were a late addition replacing Propagandhi. It took about 30 seconds for any disappointment I had about missing Propagandhi quickly went away. The Addicts were amazing. Words will never be able to do this set justice. All i can say is if you ever get a chance to check them out do it. On top of the music just being amazing and the show was an absolute delight. But one of the biggest things that stood out was how fan friendly they were. After their set ended, they made their way to hang out and meet fans at the merch booth and I later ran into them just walking through the crowd. There may have been other bands who did this but not that I saw. So, this really stuck out in my mind. If there was one thing that Punk in the Park was missing it would have been more band and fan interaction. But this is really splitting hairs because the whole day was just a great experience.

Screeching Weasel were up next. This was another just classic punk set. It's so fun to be able to see the bands that were so influential in the punk space. You ask any of your favorite Punk bands who influenced them, and I would say 4 out of 5 bands would mention The Screeching Weasel was another set that I had to just sit back and enjoy. When they closed with "Cool Kids“, I totally geeked out a little as this is a song that has been on probably every punk playlist i have made in the last 20 years.

The Interrupters took the stage next and absolutely tore the house down. Such a high-energy crowd-pleasing set. Filled with hits. It was impossible to not sing and dance. I felt like this might have been the biggest crowd of the night. Any other night this would have been a worthy show closer. But Punk in the Park had on final act.

Last to the stage one of the most iconic punk bands of all time. The Descendents. With the sun setting on a beautiful Portland day. The Descendents put on a punk rock master class. A set list of over 30 songs the old punks reminded us all why they are punk rock royalty.

Punk in the Park was really a well-organized show that felt so inclusive and had something for every punk fan young and old. The Punk scene in Portland is alive and well. Denver you are up next for Punk in the Park get your tickets today and thank me later. You will not be disappointed.