Follow Me to MFNW

[Jaymee R. Cuti]

Musicfest Northwest is in full swing and will be beating strong through Sunday. Below are my recommendations for Thursday and Friday. My first suggestion is to wear comfortable shoes because we're going to keep moving. I'll save you a seat!

Thursday
A night of sound blasts off at 7 p.m. when headline-quality favorites The Helio Sequence rocks Wonder Ballroom, 128 N.E. Russell St.

The Mint Chicks take the stage at 9 p.m. at Doug Fir, 830 E. Burnside St. Not chicks, incidentally, these spastic rockers are known in their New Zealand homeland as having a destructive stage presence, sometimes climbing P.A. towers, dangling from scaffolding and wielding a chain saw on stage. They relocated their bright and energetic sound to Portland two years ago with relatively little fanfare for a band that supports rockers as reputed as The White Stripes and Yeah Yeah Yeahs on tour. If I were the architect, The Mint Chicks would share a stage with Danish rock duo The Raveonettes. Tonight, The Mint Chicks open for Cymbals Eat Guitars, The Depreciation Guild and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, who play at 10 p.m., 11 p.m. and midnight, respectively.

As The Mint Chicks strike their last note, I’ll make a dash for Ash Street Saloon, 25 S.W. Ash St., to take in a local favorite. Derby, Brit pop wannabes straight from P-town, take the stage at 11. Derby appeals to anglophiles and Portlanders alike with a polished, harmonious indie sound. The Dimes take the stage at midnight.

Friday
It’s time to hit the streets again. The weekend’s just begun!

Scout Niblett, the pictured creature from another world, plays a hauntingly beautiful set at 9 p.m. at Doug Fir. A skillful combination of powerful and delicate, if you love Cat Power, give the Niblett a listen.

My own personal festival highpoint is the reunion of Sunny Day Real Estate. Learn your Northwest rock history with prophets Sunny Day Real Estate at 10 p.m. at Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside St.

If you’re looking for a sound that has not been influenced by The Decemberists, that doesn’t remind you of The Shins, get thee back to Ash Street Saloon and praise God for The New York Rifles, a gritty, sweaty band evoking ‘70s-era rock ‘n’ roll, taking the stage at 11 p.m.

Swing by Someday Lounge, 125 N.W. 5th Ave. next, to round out your night of nonstop Northwest noise. The Shaky Hands are taking their show on the road with a countrywide and European tour, supporting The Meat Puppets. Send these rootsy indie rockers off in style at midnight. Arctic Monkeys follows.

Check back for my Saturday and Sunday itinerary. Click here for the coveted wristband.