*pictured: Shannon Entropy

Going to shows can be stimulating in a social sense. Almost too stimulating, really. There's loud music, drunk people and long bathroom lines, all to be absorbed as the constant hum of numerous conversations drums on in the background. Tonight, though, there's an opportunity to enjoy the best of social show interactions while engaging in some collaborative visual and mental stimulation.

The inaugural Noggin Fest has arrived, mixing interesting art, research and music. Part benefit for NWNoggin, an educational art and neuroscience outreach group, and part birthday celebration for Shannon Entropy member Jesse Hamlin, Noggin Fest features research presentations from Katie Wallin-Miller PhD on the irrational economic behavior of rodents, Binyam Nardos PhD on racially based facial processing and Larry Sherman PhD on repairing damaged brains with stem cells and sugar. There will be art from all sorts artists and photographers, including Heather Hanson, Taylor Southern, Kanani Miyamoto, Showdeer and more, plus musical performances from Shannon Entropy, King Who and Cambrian Explosion. 

Noggin Fest is a 21 and over event, though minors are allowed if accompanied by an adult. It's guaranteed to be an incredibly interesting and interactive experience and for just a $12 ticket price, that's not bad at all.

 In just its second year, MOGO Fest is beginning to make a name for itself in Portland's fairly large market of music festivals big and small. For the next two days, cleverly curated shows will be taking place around town spanning genres from jazz to psych and indie rock, so we'll be picking out a couple shows at the top of our list. Be sure to check out ALL of MOGO Fest's happenings over at their website, since there's something for everyone!

Our first choice is curated by Rola Music, who has taken care of booking all the indie and pop styles for the fest. Soulful r&b psych will be coming from our readers' poll winners for Best of 2017 The Fur Coats. This is their second to last show before they leave on their European tour, so they'll be sharing some new songs as they prep for the road.

Playing with them is the dreamy sludgepop of KING WHO (formally Us Lights), fit with brooding synths and layered soundscapes that help the mind escape. Along with the high energy heaviness of Enjoy Things and this show is surely something to enjoy.

This 21+ show starts at 9pm at Alberta Street Pub, with tickets running $7 a piece.

Dishing out insatiable classic pop for the last five or so years, New Move go about their creative exhibition employing hints of glam, indie rock and lurid doo wop. Their new album, Back in the Habit, drops today and it features a variety of local artists, including Illmaculate, King Who, Radiation City and more. For the track we're sharing today, we're focusing on this banger with Chanti Darling and Ripley Snell on the mic.

"The City Life" has an interesting beat from Cameron Spies on keys, Jesse Bettis on guitar and bass, and a soulful vocal melody from Chanti Darling that lasts throughout the track, playing with some very silkily delivered bars from Snell. Everything about it is just delightful, and worthy of many repeated plays.

New Move are having a release show for Back in the Habit tonight at Mississippi Studios along with some sets from Y La Bamba and Hustle & Drone. Minden, Boone Howard and the Domestics will all be making guest appearances as well.

 As if the last couple weeks haven't been enough of a clusterfuck in the way of music festivals, tomorrow brings yet another to add to the list of attendance. This time around, it's a collaboration between three bar venues downtown and Lagunitas Brewing.

PAC NW Fest features 15 bands spread out across Dante's, Ash Street Saloon and Kelly's Olympian, all in one Saturday night. 

Catch what is sure to be a rowdy final performance from Foxy Lemon's drummer Zach Boggis as they headline the bill at Kelly's Olympian. Supporting them will be Bubble Cats, the Hoons, Keeper Keeper and Internal State. That side room at Kelly's is sure to reach capacity.

Over at Dante's, you'll find Seattle's Moon Darling, Willow House, Arlo Indigo and Just Lions opening up for King Who, the new moniker for the trippy synth pop group Us Lights.

Dark pop rock lovers Skull Diver will be closing out the night at Ash Street Saloon with their psychedelic visuals and ethereal vocals. Febian Perez's post-Bike Thief project Eclisse will also take the stage, along with Rader, Young Hunter and Salo Panto.

All shows start at 7 p.m. Wristbands for all three venues are available for $12 adv, $15 door with single show tickets being $8. Wristbands can be picked up tomorrow at Ash Street Saloon only. Purchase wristbands here. Enjoy!