Hey Bellingham

Naraly
2024-12-21 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Wild Buffalo House of Music, 208 W Holly St, Bellingham, WA, 98229, United States
Nara’s infatuation with deep, heavy bass began in early 2010 in the woods of Southern Oregon where he was first introduced to the sound known as “Dubstep”.
Since then he has made it his life pursuit and has never looked back. Quickly ascending the ranks in his hometown of Eugene, OR, Nara began sharing the stage with many of the artists who inspired him, such as G Jones, Charles The First, Clozee, Buku, Gladkill, and Troyboi.
In 2015, Nara was one of the founding members of the Live Electronic Jazz group, High Step Society. This group quickly gained a foothold and has been steadily touring and playing festivals
With his solo project Naraly, he returns to his roots of deep and heavy bass. Combining the old-school sounds of Dubstep with modern West Coast Bass, he aspires to keep your brain happy and your body moving.

Happy Hour Music Monday - Lorraine & Kaeli Earle
2024-12-23 15:30 - 17:00 | FireHouse Arts & Events Center, 1314 Harris Ave., Bellingham, WA, 98225, United States
“Comfort and Joy Twas two nights before Christmas when all through the Firehouse, the creatures were stirred by the warmth and joy of music-making…” By Lorraine, Kaeli, and special surprise guests! Lorraine Earle has been a musician and teacher in Bellingham since earning her degree in piano performance at WWU, where she studied with Ford Hill and Edwin Labounty. She especially enjoys collecting songs from her travels around the world. Kaeli Earle is a bassist, cellist and vocalist currently living in Seattle, WA. A Bellingham native, she attended Berklee College of Music on full scholarship, plays bass for bands High Pulp and Triple Mood, and frequently collaborates with bands and artists in the Seattle area and beyond.
Donations will be taken to benefit CAST, a decades-long Bellingham tradition, offering homemade sandwiches to people in need throughout the year. This event is not ticketed. However, cash donations of appreciation are gladly accepted.

The Night Shift Says Goodnight
2024-12-27 20:00 | Wild Buffalo House of Music, 208 W Holly St, Bellingham, WA, 98229, United States
It’s a new year with new ideas and Whorchata presents closes 2024 with one last sultry hoorah of our beloved The Night Shift. Join us in wishing farewell to a production that’s brought Bellingham international & local talent of Burlesque, Pole, Drag, & Variety over the years in action packed awe…but don’t fret! We’ll be back from our nap sexier and more wild than ever in the future to come.

The Polish Ambassador
2024-12-28 20:00 | Wild Buffalo House of Music, 208 W Holly St, Bellingham, WA, 98229, United States
Wild Buffalo Presents

The Polish Ambassador
with Akal Dub, Random Rab
Wild Buffalo
8pm doors | 9pm show | 21+

Musician. Producer. Beatsmith. Recording artist. Composer. Dance-floor general. Label-head. A mystery man of many hats, The Polish Ambassador rocks more than just a trademark jumpsuit, authoring sublime, intentional artistic works, animated safaris in technicolor sound. At first breath, The Polish Ambassador was an experiment, David Sugalski’s sound-art passion project that came to life. An inventive, imaginary character bor Bold Keyboard shortcut Command+Bn of humble, humorous beginnings, he found his first audiences through the support of primitive digital radio stations. Today, TPA is among the premier EDM/live crossover artists in the country with millions of listeners around the world; he’s consistently in-demand at the live music-focused gatherings and boutique electronic festivals from coast to coast. Founder of independent label Jumpsuit Records, an environmentalist and early progenitor of the permaculture action movement, the world’s funkiest diplomat is here to party with a purpose.

NYE @ Old City Hall with Live Music by Baby Cakes
2024-12-31 18:30 - 21:30 | Whatcom Museum, 121 Prospect St, Bellingham, WA, WA 98225, United States
Kick off (or wrap up) your New Year’s Eve at the Whatcom Museum! Whether you’re a night owl just getting the party started or an early bird planning to turn in before midnight, swing by Old City Hall for an unforgettable evening.
Enjoy live music by BABY CAKES, a cash bar by Tito’s Handmade Vodka (with one complimentary drink ticket provided), catered light appetizers, and a free Champagne toast at 9 pm as we count down to 2025 alongside Times Square.
This is a 21+ event; please bring your ID.

Queen Mother New Years Eve
2024-12-31 21:00 | Wild Buffalo House of Music, 208 W Holly St, Bellingham, WA, 98229, United States
Wild Buffalo Presents

NYE with ..
Queen Mother
(Queen Tribute band)
with special guests
December 31st 2024

Stomp, clap, sing, and shout… Be a part of the show as “Queen Mother” pays tribute to Queen’s music in the space where it belongs, live on stage. Hailing from Seattle, Queen Mother harnesses the Northwest’s best talent to bring these epic songs to life, including Under Pressure, We Are the Champions, Bohemian Rhapsody, and many more. With each show they make the whole room a stage, hoping to draw out your inner “Freddie.”

Hot Damn Scandal
2025-01-03 21:00 | Wild Buffalo House of Music, 208 W Holly St, Bellingham, WA, 98229, United States
Wild Buffalo Presents

Hot Damn Scandal
with Von Wildenhaus
Friday January 3rd
Wild Buffalo
8pm doors
9pm show
21+

Bellingham’s own Hot Damn Scandal find their songs under park benches and in forgotten alleyways, on the corner of Tom Waits and Gershwin. The resulting outlaw ballads, dirty jazz, circus freakouts, shanty-rags, string band funk, lonesome heart-breakers, and whiskey bottle love songs blend together in what may be best described as ‘Cabaret Americana’: theatrical, orchestral, lyrical, and endlessly danceable.

Von Wildenhaus, hailing from the fog-drenched Pacific Northwest, is an apocalyptic avant-pop lounge act, a bizarro rock & roll band as comfortable working in American folk idioms as covering Klaus Nomi. Ben Von Wildenhaus leads a cast of shadowy conspirators in conjuring this darkly sonorous music, most notably, the spectral presence of singer Billie Bloom, who delivers ecstatic melodies with fearless and riveting devotion that have found admirers in The Quietus and Iggy Pop.

Super Smash Beats
2025-01-04 20:30 | Wild Buffalo House of Music, 208 W Holly St, Bellingham, WA, 98229, United States
Love of House presents Super Smash Beats, an electrifying night of head-to-head DJ battles at The Wild Buffalo! Known for shining a spotlight on local talent, Love of House takes a new spin with this event, inviting a diverse lineup of boundary-pushing artists ready to smash the decks with no restrictions on genre.
Prepare for an unforgettable experience as DJs go back-to-back, bringing high-energy sets across styles like House, UKG, Drum & Bass, Bass Music, Hip-Hop, Trap, and more.
Lineup:
Slayde vs. Blunthound
Fulminate vs. LANCR
Miss Kitty vs. Yugwa
Opening Set by J Dawg
Interactive Visuals:
Along with the music, enjoy live-action Super Smash Bros battles projected on the big screen, with attendees invited to grab a controller and join the action!
Come witness the ultimate musical showdown as these local artists take the stage, battling it out to see who reigns supreme. From high-octane bass drops to intricate beats, this night promises to deliver surprises, energy, and an unmatched vibe.

Don’t miss out! Grab your tickets now and join us for a night of genre-defying music and unforgettable moments.

Jazz Center of Bellingham - Cyrus Nabipoor Quartet
2025-01-08 18:30 - 20:30 | FireHouse Arts & Events Center, 1314 Harris Ave., Bellingham, WA, 98225, United States
Organizing sounds and telling stories. Cyrus Nabipoor’s unmistakable voice on the trumpet rings with honesty, warmth and lyricism. Melody reigns as Nabipoor balances focused clarity with daring exploration. Born and raised in Portland, OR, Cyrus Nabipoor began playing trumpet at age 11. He wanted to play trombone, but it wouldn’t fit on his bike. As an adolescent Cyrus was taught by Cynthia Plank and trumpeter Derek Sims. In high school he joined the Alan Jones Academy of Music.
Cyrus holds a Bachelor of Music from Loyola University New Orleans, where he graduated magna cum laude and was awarded outstanding undergraduate in both Jazz and Brass. While at Loyola, he studied with Nick Volz, Tony Dagradi and Jimbo Walsh. Cyrus also spent a very formative term at the Grieg Academy in Bergen, Norway studying with ECM legend Per Jørgensen and Martin Winter (Bergen Philharmonic). In 2015, Cyrus was awarded the International Trumpet Guild Jazz Scholarship.

Mike Mathieu: Indetrustible
2025-01-09 19:30 - 20:45 | FireHouse Arts & Events Center, 1314 Harris Ave., Bellingham, WA, 98225, United States
Bellingham local Mike Mathieu brings his brilliant mix of comedy and commentary to another hour of can’t-miss entertainment. AI is coming for his job. His baby won’t let him sleep. And society is dying from a severe lack of trust. Time for a laugh!
Mike wowed audiences for years as one half of the Cody Rivers Show and is now developing a unique voice in stand-up comedy: honest, humble, silly, sincere, charming, biting, bizarre, and delightful. His last show at the Firehouse sold out, so get your tickets early! Cost: $15 General Admission. Purchase advance tickets here: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6494696

Bear Grillz
2025-01-11 20:30 | Wild Buffalo House of Music, 208 W Holly St, Bellingham, WA, 98229, United States
White Rabbit Group Presents

Bear Grillz
with Pacific Rem, Wooki Goldberg, Bear Bass
Saturday, January 11th
Wild Buffalo
8pm doors | 8:30pm show | 21+

Since revealing himself on the Jerry Springer show back in 2016, Bear Grillz has gone above and beyond his bear persona. In 2019, he released his debut album, Demons, through Dim Mak. Featuring collaborations with Jared Watson and David Foral from Dirty Heads, Sullivan King and Kabaka Pyramid, the groundbreaking 12-track album established Bear Grillz as a producer willing to take big sonic risks, showcasing a musical cohesion of dubstep, future-bass, bass house, hip hop and reggae. Bear Grillz refined his sound even further in 2020 through a pair of back to back EPs, Reanimated and Ground Zero. In a print review of Reanimated, DJ Mag gave the work a flawless 10/10 rating, noting that the release is “technically almost perfect.” Bear Grillz’s carefully designed soundscapes and high energy concerts have made the Colorado-based musician one of the most in-demand performers in the dance music scene. He has sold out shows across 14 countries and rocked major festivals around the globe, including Electric Zoo, Lost Lands, EDC Orlando and HARD Summer. Last year he co- headlined the massive Global Dub Festival at Red Rocks alongside Adventure Club. When he’s not on tour, Bear Grillz can be seen keeping it local in his hometown, where he’s becoming a frequent special guest performer at Denver Nuggets NBA games.

Shook Twins & Glitterfox
2025-01-23 20:00 | Wild Buffalo House of Music, 208 W Holly St, Bellingham, WA, 98229, United States
Wild Buffalo Presents

Shook Twins & Glitterfox
special guests
Wild Buffalo
8pm doors | 9pm show | 21+

Shook Twins Bio

It just happened.
Perhaps, it could be attributed to cosmic design, good old-fashioned magic, or the unspoken, yet understood bond all twins share. One day back in 2007, identical twin sisters Katelyn Shook [vocals, guitar] and Laurie Shook [banjo, vocals] found themselves writing, recording, and performing as Shook Twins. To their recollection, the pair never hatched a plan or even properly discussed it.
Hundreds of shows, four albums and 2 EPs later, the duo continue to tread this path.
“Neither of us remember a time where we planned things out, it all unfolded naturally,” affirms Katelyn. “We simply started to play out and call ourselves Shook Twins, because that’s simply who we are.”
“We never set specific goals either,” adds Laurie. “We talk about our hopes and dreams, but we’ve just let everything grow organically with the band. We’ll see what happens next.”
Since their 2008 debut You Can Have The Rest, Shook Twins have conjured up dreamy folk with ghostly traces of Americana tradition uplifted by transcendently hummable melodies and lilting cinematic instrumentation. Along the way, legendary New York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman, USA Today, Langhorne Slim, Mason Jennings, and more fell under their spell and publicly professed adoration.
Simultaneously, they’ve graced legendary stages such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre with Gregory Alan Isakov and Ani DiFranco in addition to sharing bills with The Lumineers, The Head and the Heart, Sarah Jarosz, The Wood Brothers, and many others. Not to mention, they’ve carved a home for themselves after playing Northwest String Summit and Oregon County Fair over ten times each as well as appearing at High Sierra Music Festival, Lightning In A Bottle, Bumbershoot, Hulaween, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Electric Forest, Summer Camp Music Festival, and beyond. During 2012, the band welcomed multi-instrumentalist and “everything dude” Niko Slice on guitar, mandolin, and bass. Rounding out the sound (and the family) further, keyboardist and bassist Aber Miller joined the fold in 2018. Additionally, they welcome a rotating quiver of dynamic drummers, namely Alex Radakovich, Darren Garvey, and Simon Lucas.
“We essentially morph into different settings,” observes Katelyn. “We can be a mellow duo, folk-rock club band, or weird late-night band. We love this sense of musical diversity.”
Honing their vision like never before yet again, the group reached a critical and creative high watermark with 2019’s Some Good Lives. The standout “Stay Wild” generated nearly 4 million total streams. In addition to praise from Glide Magazine, Relix, and more, Paste praised, “Shook Twins have real sonic versatility,” while Atwood Magazine hailed it as “a record of musical and emotional maturity that goes beyond in nearly every aspect of the word.” Popmatters put it best, “‘Some Good Lives’ is as affirming as it is magical.”
After a quiet 2020, Shook Twins take another step forward in 2021, writing their next chapter. As always, each album, song, and show services a higher calling for the group.
“For us, music is a way to give back,” states Laurie. “It’s wonderful when our songs help someone through something. At each show, we have an offering to give. It’s our way to hopefully bring joy to people.”
“When we play, it’s a night for everyone to escape,” Katelyn concurs. “We all need that as humans—maybe now more than ever.”
Whether or not they plan to, Shook Twins foster a lasting bond with listeners worldwide as familiar and familial as their own.
“When you listen to us, we want you to remember how to feel more comfortable in your own skin,” they agree. “That goes beyond the show. We hope you walk away feeling more like yourself, because we’re fully ourselves on stage. We’re not shy. We have a sense of humor. We don’t ever take ourselves too seriously. We have fun up there. That’s our message through the music.”
Glitterfox Bio

The Portland band Glitterfox has released five singles in just six months under their new record label Kill Rock Stars, with two more singles arriving this spring. The band’s been growing steadily since “Drive” came out in August 2023, with their indie rock cocktail that deftly balances nostalgia-fueled anthems with Southern shine. The four-piece band’s songwriters and frontpersons, married couple Solange Igoa and Andrea Walker, have always channeled their personal struggles as well as experiences as queer, neurodivergent individuals into their songwriting. Bassist Eric Stalker and drummer Blaine Heinonen bring a love of Americana, grunge, and dance music into the mix. All of these influences can be heard on the band’s latest singles, produced by Chris Funk of The Decemberists, and in their spirited live shows as they prepare for their full-length album debut in 2025.

Bellingham Symphony Orchestra: Rising Up
2025-01-26 15:00 | Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N Commercial St,, Bellingham, WA, WA 98225, United States
Guest Conductor David A. Rahbee leads our first concert of the new year, exploring the relationship between Haydn and Ravel with BSO Concertmaster Dawn Posey and the rest of the orchestra.
Program (subject to change): Franz Joseph Haydn | Il Mondo Della Luna “The World on the Moon” ‍Chevalier de Saint-Georges | Violin Concerto in A major, Op. 5, No. 2 ‍Maurice Ravel | Menuet sur le nom d’Haydn ‍Franz Joseph Haydn | Symphony No. 104 “London”
“It is the melody which is the charm of music, and it is that which is most difficult to produce. The invention of a fine melody is a work of genius.” – Franz Joseph Haydn

Punk Rock Karaoke, Para Amore (Paramore Cover Band) Karaoke, pop punk
2025-01-28 19:00 | Shakedown, 1212 N State Street, Bellingham, WA, 98225, United States
Doors Open 7pm, Karaoke 7:15, Music at 9pm
Minimum age: 21 and over

The Motet
2025-01-30 20:30 | Wild Buffalo House of Music, 208 W Holly St, Bellingham, WA, 98229, United States
Wild Buffalo Presents

The Motet
with special guests
Thursday, January 30th
Wild Buffalo
7:30pm doors | 8:30pm show | 21+

Formed over two decades ago, the funk six-piece The Motet have learned to work as an interlocking unit, with each member bolstering one another towards the best creative output. This symbiosis has led to a unique style and cohesive musical chemistry, as seen in the band’s immaculate live performances and seamless blend of funk, soul, jazz, and rock. With a fervent fanbase in tow, The Motet have sold out shows across the nation, performed six headlining slots at Red Rocks and sets at festivals such as Bonnaroo, Bottlerock, Electric Forest, Bumbershoot, Summer Camp, and High Sierra.

But even after their 20+ years of accolades and recognition, the legendary outfit – composed of Dave Watts (drums), Joey Porter (keys), Garrett Sayers (bass), Drew Sayers (keys and saxophone), Ryan Jalbert (guitar), and new singer Sarah Clarke – are still exploring new sonic ideas and finding new ways to showcase each other’s skill sets.

The band released All Day in 2023 – an eclectic instrumental voyage threaded by the infectious grooves and immaculate, layered arrangements that The Motet have become known for.

Now with vocal powerhouse Sarah Clarke in tow, the band continues their journey with their highly anticipated 10th studio album Love Time, out November 15, 2024.

Cold Sludge, Serous Talk, Cat Positive Indie, rock, surprisingly experimental
2025-01-30 21:00 | Shakedown, 1212 N State Street, Bellingham, WA, 98225, United States
Starts: January 30, 2025
Time: Doors Open 8:30 pm | Show Time: 9;00 pm
Admission: $12 advance, $15 day of show
Email: info@shakedownbellingham.com

Elephant Stone, The Asteroid No. 4, STAHV Indie rock, psych
2025-01-31 21:00 | Shakedown, 1212 N State Street, Bellingham, WA, 98225, United States
Starts: January 31, 2025
Time: Doors Open 8:30 pm | Music 9:00 pm
Admission: $15 advance, $20 day of show
Location: The Shakedown
1212 N State St., Bellingham, WA 98225
Email: info@shakedownbellingham.com

With a remarkable journey spanning 15 years, Elephant Stone has established itself as a vanguard in the psych-pop universe. Under the inspired leadership of Rishi Dhir, the band has ceaselessly pushed the boundaries of musical storytelling. Fueled by Dhir’s initial forays into music and elevated by his virtuosity on the sitar, Elephant Stone’s compositions transcend mere melodies; they serve as profound meditations on loss, rebirth, and existential wonder.
Their 2009 Polaris Music Prize long-listed debut, “The Seven Seas,” was influenced by Dhir’s spiritual travels in India. In 2010, “The Glass Box” EP showcased power pop vibes echoing Big Star. Their 2013 self-titled album brought psychedelic rock to the fore. “The Three Poisons” (2014) took a darker turn, influenced by Buddhist teachings. 2016 saw the synth-infused “Ship of Fools,” while “Hollow” (2020) depicted a world on edge. Their 2022 GAMIQ-winning French EP “Le Voyage de M. Lonely dans la Lune” mirrored our own pandemic-era reality. In 2024, “Back Into the Dream” offered a fantastical voyage through ethereal dreamscapes and introspective quests, further evolving their sound and narrative depth.
In celebration of their journey, the band is releasing a 15th anniversary deluxe edition of their debut album “The Seven Seas,” rekindling the magic that first captivated audiences.
Praise from international critics and collaborations with industry giants such as Beck and The Brian Jonestown Massacre have affirmed Elephant Stone’s standing as a unique powerhouse in musical creativity and emotional depth. Echoing this sentiment, Dhir insightfully remarks, “As long as there’s Rishi, there’s Elephant Stone.” Embark on an enthralling journey with them, where celestial visions and grounded realities converge in a captivating harmony.
The Asteroid No.4 is an American shoegaze, dream pop and psychedelic band based in Northern California. Originally formed in Philadelphia in the late 1990s, the A4 have remained an active studio and live act, and are considered to be stalwarts of the modern “psych”genre. Known for their prolific discography of reverb-drenched recordings and guitar driven, liquid-projected live performances, the band is often categorized as “neo-psychedelic” or “shoegaze”. Happily accepting their often made comparisons to acts like Ride, Spacemen 3 or “Paisley Underground’s”, The Rain Parade; the band have evolved into a sound all their own. In the spring of 2022, the Asteroid No.4 released their 11th full length LP, “Tones of the Sparrow” on London label specializing in “nugaze” acts, Club AC30. European and US tours followed including support slots for Slowdive and The Ocean Blue. In January of 2024 a new 5-song EP was released on Chris Robinson’s (The Black Crowes) label, Silver Arrow Records. The last year consisted of US tours supporting The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Black Crowes, Beachwood Sparks, and the Ocean Blue followed by a September ‘24 release of their 12th full length record titled “Several Shapes of Solar Flares” (Little Cloud/Club AC30).

Atomic Blondie, We Bite (Burien, WA), Green Daze Blondie, Green Day, and Misfits tribute
2025-02-01 21:00 | Shakedown, 1212 N State Street, Bellingham, WA, 98225, United States
Starts: February 01, 2025
Time: Doors Open 8:30 pm | Music 9:00 pm
Admission: $12 advance, $15 day of show
Location: The Shakedown
1212 N State St., Bellingham, WA 98225
Email: info@shakedownbellingham.com

Help, Kit Major, Stetson Heat Seeker Noise punk, pop, garage
2025-02-03 20:00 | Shakedown, 1212 N State Street, Bellingham, WA, 98225, United States
Starts: February 3, 2025
Time: Doors Open 7:30 pm | Show Time: 8:00 pm
Location: The Shakedown
1212 N State St., Bellingham, WA 98225
Email: info@shakedownbellingham.com

Help is a noise punk/hardcore band from Portland, Oregon, formed by seasoned musicians from the local scene. The lineup includes Ryan Neighbors (guitar/vocals), formerly of Portugal. The Man; Boone Howard (bass/vocals), known for his solo work and time with The We Shared Milk; and Bim Ditson (drums), from the indie rock band And And And.
The world of Kit Major is a sonic wonderland of whooshing guitar and punk rock attitude. Kit Major, an LA-based singer-songwriter, delivers a captivating blend of sonic experiences. Her upbringing in Chicago, Tokyo, and Beijing, immersed in the sounds of The Ramones, Green Day, David Bowie, and Britney Spears, has influenced her music. Since her 2018 debut with “Strawberry Milkshake,” Kit’s songs reflect her journey through love, joy, sadness, and self-discovery, conveyed through catchy hooks and vivid visuals. Her 2023 double single release, “Break Up Again/I Wish U Didn’t Hate Me So Much” showcases her versatile style, ranging from sparkling brit pop to grunge alt rock. With influences like Sonic Youth, Oasis, Fountains of Wayne, and The Pretenders, Kit Major’s storytelling and genre-blending rock set her apart in a unique niche.

Dear Evan Hansen
2025-02-04 19:00 | Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N Commercial St,, Bellingham, WA, WA 98225, United States
Declared “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history” by the Washington Post, Dear Evan Hansen is the first musical to take a groundbreaking look — from the point of view of both the parents and young people — at our complex, interconnected, and social media-filled lives.
Evan Hansen is a high school student who always feels like he’s on the outside looking in. He finally gets what so many of us are searching for — the chance to fit in. What follows is a poignant, funny, and powerful musical about how even though high school can be hard, we can find each other — and ourselves — along the way.

Lightnin' Luke (Bridge City Sinners), Coleman Williams, Serafima and the Shakedowns Blues, punk, folk
2025-02-07 21:00 | Shakedown, 1212 N State Street, Bellingham, WA, 98225, United States
Starts: February 7, 2025
Time: Doors Open 8:30 pm |Show Time: 9:00 pm
Location: The Shakedown
1212 N State St., Bellingham, WA 98225
Email: info@shakedownbellingham.com

International Guitar Night: 25th Anniversary
2025-02-08 19:30 | Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N Commercial St,, Bellingham, WA, WA 98225, United States
For International Guitar Night’s (IGN) 25th annual tour, Brian Gore has assembled a lineup of exciting new guitarists making their U.S. debut to join one of IGN’s all-time favorites. Lulo Reinhardt, the grand-nephew of legendary Django Reinhardt, plays Latin Swing music, a combination of Romani Swing with Latin rhythms. Alexandra Whittingham is a dynamic classical guitarist with a repertoire ranging from the classics to contemporary composers. Niwel Tsumbu has kept his unique Congolese percussive style alive over the past 25 years while living in Ireland. Soenke Meinen is a leading contemporary fingerstyle guitarist, mixing the incredible dexterity of his high-speed compositions with sensitive ballads.

Monstress, Serial Hawk (SEA), Mycon (Mukilteo) Heavy, doom, metal
2025-02-08 21:00 | Shakedown, 1212 N State Street, Bellingham, WA, 98225, United States
Starts: February 8, 2025
Time: Doors Open 8:30 pm | Show Time: 9:00 pm
Location: The Shakedown
1212 N State St., Bellingham, WA 98225
Email: info@shakedownbellingham.com

“When Serial Hawk started playing, I almost lost my mind! Their music is loud, swirling and hypnotic with hammering riffs, an impeccable rhythm section and vocals that go perfectly with their pummeling wall of psychedelic sound.“ — CVLT NATION
Pulling influences from YOB, Conan, Horn of the Rhino. and many others. Mycon is group consisted of doom sludgy heaviness and ambience and aims to set a stage of a dynamic adventure into a world of sonic soundscapes. from crushing riffs to the cleanest of passages and everything inbetween.

Love Island Pole Dance Show & DJ Dance Party
2025-02-14 20:30 | Shakedown, 1212 N State Street, Bellingham, WA, 98225, United States
Starts: February 14, 2025
Time: Doors Open 7:30 pm | Show Time: 8:30 pm
Location: The Shakedown
1212 N State St., Bellingham, WA 98225
Email: info@shakedownbellingham.com

Matt Dusk: The Best is Yet to Come!
2025-02-15 19:30 | Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N Commercial St,, Bellingham, WA, WA 98225, United States
Matt Dusk, one of Canada’s most beloved male vocalists, has forged a remarkable music career that has resulted in 14 critically acclaimed studio albums with over one million albums sold worldwide. Don’t miss out on Dusk’s stunning tribute to one of the greatest inspirations of all time, the legendary Tony Bennett, exclusively on the MBT Main Stage.
With over 70 years of entertaining audiences, Bennett has become an American icon, earning 19 Grammy Awards, two Emmy Awards, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy. The Best Is Yet To Come showcases Dusk’s remarkable vocal range and talent, bringing to life the essence of Bennett’s style and honoring his legacy with classic songs such as “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” “The Way You Look Tonight,” and “The Good Life.”
The evening will also feature a few classics from Ol’ Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra! Get ready for a night of toe-tapping fun with Dusk as he puts his own unique spin on the timeless tunes.

Lizzie No, with guests Folk, singer-songwriter, americana
2025-02-19 20:00 | Shakedown, 1212 N State Street, Bellingham, WA, 98225, United States
Starts: February 19, 2025
Time: Doors Open 7:30 pm | Show Time: 8:00 pm
Location: The Shakedown
1212 N State St., Bellingham, WA 98225
Email: info@shakedownbellingham.com

Lizzie No’s music is a captivating blend of folk, rock, and indie elements, marked by her expressive vocals, intricate guitar work, and unexpected harp playing. On her new album Halfsies, No fuses the personal and political with a patchwork of influences that include everything from roadworn rock to orchestral tension, creating a sound that is at once chaotic and haunting. Tracks like “Lagunita” pulse with jagged guitar lines and frenetic beats, while songs like “Annie Oakley” echo with a raw, spiritual energy, inviting listeners to inhabit the immersive world she has created.
Collaborations with artists like Grammy-winner Allison Russell and members of the Attacca Quartet enrich the album’s sonic landscape, infusing it with a dynamic tension that reflects the urgency of No’s themes. Her music feels both timeless and timely, drawing comparisons to artists like Lucinda Williams while also pushing boundaries with its layered, genre-defying approach. The result is a sound that is expansive and reflective, filled with the energy of a journey toward both personal liberation and communal belonging.

An Evening with Lyle Lovett and his Acoustic Group
2025-02-20 19:30 | Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N Commercial St,, Bellingham, WA, WA 98225, United States
A singer, composer and actor, Lyle Lovett has broadened the definition of American music in a career that spans 14 albums. Coupled with his gift for storytelling, the Texas-based musician fuses elements of country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel and blues in a convention-defying manner that breaks down barriers.
Lovett’s live performances show not only the breadth of this Texas legend’s deep talents, but also the diversity of his influences, making him one of the most compelling and captivating musicians in popular music.

Bellingham Chamber Music Society at the Hotel Leo
2025-02-23 15:00 - 17:00 | The Hotel Leo, 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA, WA 98225, United States
Join us as we bring to life the rarely heard string trio by Myriam Hyde and a world premiere for flute and guitar by Iranian composer Golfam Kayam. Also on the program is Brazilian composer Alexandre Schubert’s Cidad das Aguas for flute and guitar and the sublime Clarinet Quintet by Mozart.
Doors open at 2:30pm. Come early and enjoy a drink or our signature cocktail, the Costanze Spritz from Amendment 21’s cash bar.

Shadowhouse (Portland), The Glow (Seattle), Vance Latta Goth, Darkwave, Synthpop
2025-02-23 20:00 | Shakedown, 1212 N State Street, Bellingham, WA, 98225, United States
Starts: February 23, 2025
Time: Doors Open 7:30 pm | Show Time: 8:00 pm
Location: The Shakedown
1212 N State St., Bellingham, WA 98225
Email: info@shakedownbellingham.com

Among the earlier bands to emerge in what’s become a vibrant and world-renowned post-punk scene in Portland OR, Shadowhouse, founded and spearheaded by mainstay Shane McCauley, has specialized from the beginning in a nostalgic, yearning brand of post-punk that ranges from the damaged heroic to the hauntingly personal. Heading into their eighth year and on the precipice of a new stage of their career, Shadowhouse delivers the second incoming LP Forsaken Forgotten. While still remaining true to their working class, punk rock roots, this new incarnation of the band is set to take their sound beyond previous horizons. The fiery potential that has informed their work up to this point is poised to blow up anew heading into 2022.
Taking a template roughly carved by the Chameleons and reshaping it in their own image, Shadowhouse has remained true to their vision despite personnel shake-ups that would have poleaxed lesser bands. Operating now as a five-piece – Shane McCauley and Carl Simpson on guitar, Tapani ‘Taps’ Sernesky on bass, Noel Silhan on keys and Thomas Michael on drums – the Shadowhouse foundation has only grown stronger. Previous tours have traversed the States, Europe and Russia, sharing stages with Mode Moderne, The Mob, Eleven Pond, Trisomie 21, Gitane Demond Quartet, Ash Code, Geometric Vision, Melting Walkmen, Horror Vacui, Masquerade and many others. They’ve also participated in various festivals such as Return to the Bat Cave in Poland, Verboden in Canada and Out in the Shadows in Portland.

The Dirty Nil
2025-02-25 20:30 | Wild Buffalo House of Music, 208 W Holly St, Bellingham, WA, 98229, United States
Wild Buffalo Presents

The Dirty Nil
with Grumpster, Bug Bath
Tuesday, February 25th
Wild Buffalo
7pm doors | 8pm show | 21+

If there’s one rule people should follow when approaching the Dirty Nil, it’s this: Never tell them how to rock ‘n’ roll. Ontario’s Juno Award-winning trio is a finely tuned rock machine that is at its best when the members are pursuing their penchant for thrashy riffs, bashed out drums, and levels-to-the-max volume. And on their fourth album, Free Rein to Passions, the band followed their instincts down to the note to produce their most authentic work to date.

The Nil’s back-to-basics approach was a direct reaction to their previous record, 2021’s Fuck Art, a creative process that brought too many industry people whispering in the band’s ears, telling them how to polish and tweak their songs to fit on the radio or streaming playlists or whatever other arbitrary whims the modern music machine demands. “There were all these expectations and pressures, people telling us to try this or that,” says frontman Luke Bentham. “We’re by no means the biggest band in the world, but in our ecosystem it became hard to try to make all these people happy. We were given challenges, and I think we met them, but getting to that place, it made me realize: ‘If we go any further in this direction, then I don’t know what we’re doing anymore.’ It had gotten to a point where the creation wasn’t very fun.”

In order to incinerate their apparatus, they had to destroy it completely. So as soon as Fuck Art was in the can, the Nil got back to having fun and doing what they love. They jammed away in their practice space for weeks, not overthinking anything or taking any external input. They didn’t sweat the small details or fret over transitions and arrangements. Less second guessing, more reckless abandon. It’s the same approach to rock they’ve taken since they were kids. “We had the best time pulling these songs together. It made me feel like a teenager in my parents’ basement again,” Bentham says. What came out was the appropriately titled Free Rein to Passions, a palate cleanser for the Dirty Nil, and a reminder for them to stick to the fundamentals of rock and stay true to themselves. “What was it LCD Soundsystem said about trading in guitars for turntables and synthesizers?” Bentham laughs. “I’d say that’s unlikely for us.”
Their youthful rock-worship approach is immediately apparent on the album’s opener “Celebration,” which cuts in via a chugging metal riff, a subtle ode to one of the Nil’s influences, Power Trip’s late frontman Riley Gale. From there, the band indulges their loudest, gnarliest inclinations, making casual nods to their more chaotic favorites, including everything from the Jesus Lizard to the Blood Brothers. And on the album’s catchiest single, “Nicer Guy,” the Nil reminds listeners that they also still wield the power to stitch a perfect, infectious pop hook into their rock fabric.

Free Rein to Passions keeps things simple lyrically as well, and doesn’t get bogged down with overly complicated messaging. Nothing overwrought, nothing didactic. Just songs about working
soul-sucking jobs, shredding on guitar, and striving to be a kinder person. “The only real central theme of the album is an acknowledgment of the crazy circumstances that we all occupy at this point in time, and being nice,” Bentham stresses. “It’s about being nice to everyone around you, and enjoying your silly little life and not getting too smashed down by prevailing negativity in the air.”

The Nil again recruited longtime collaborative producer John Goodmanson to capture their sound at Jukasa Media on Ontario’s Six Nations Reserve. They also brought in new blood with bassist Sam Tomlinson, a friend and fellow product of the Dundas scene. “In some ways it feels like going back to our roots in Dundas, and Sam knows what that’s like,” adds drummer Kyle Fisher. “He’s cut from the same cloth as Luke and I.” That hometown feeling was the inspiration for the song “Blowin’ Up Things in the Woods,” an ode to the simple joys of fireworks, explosions, and pyrotechnic annihilation.

Staring into the abyss of entertainment serfdom, the trio spat on it. They smashed the chalice of poison brought to their lips, grinding the shards under their heels. A rock and roll band is part religion, part small business and part pirate ship. Sabres were wielded and planks were walked for The Dirty Nil to bring Free Rein to Passions into this world. It was a battle well worth fighting.
