Rising stars will perform July 19 as part of zoo's summer concert series
They've been billed as "a modern-day version of Tina Turner stroking the microphone in a spangled mini-dress while fronting the RollingStones" — and if that description sounds a bit over the top, well, it's definitely in the right ballpark. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals bring their high-energy rock 'n' roll to Portland Thursday, July 19, as part of the Oregon Zoo's summer concert series presented by RegenceBlueCross BlueShield of Oregon with support from U.S. Bank and your local Toyota dealers.
With fiery, soulful vocals and a blistering, blues-based rock attack, Potter and the Nocturnals have been steadily winning fans since 2002 and now seem poised for breakout success. USA Today recently hailed Potter as "the best female rock singer in the country" and The New York Times pronounced the group's new album, "The Lion the Beast the Beat," their "best by far": "By turns it's eerie, skittish, bruising and panting."
Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys co-wrote three songs for the record, including the first single,"Never Go Back." Other recent collaborations — with artists as diverse as Willie Nelson and the Flaming Lips — have added to the group's buzz. Last year, Potter took a short break from rock 'n' roll to duet with country crooner Kenny Chesney on his platinum-selling song "You and Tequila," which hit No. 3 on Billboard's country charts, crossed over into the mainstream Top 40, and earned a pair of Grammy nominations.
Opening the July 19 zoo concert is Oregon native ZZ Ward. Raised in Roseburg, Ore., Ward blends back-porch blues and hip-hop with a soulful voice and high-energy beats.
Tickets for Grace Potter and the Nocturnals are $22 and can be purchased at the zoo during normal operating hours. Tickets can also be purchased (with service charge) at all Ticketmaster ticket centers, online at Ticketmaster.com and by phone at 800-745-3000. Purchase of a concert ticket allows entry into the zoo after 4 p.m; the concert begins at 7 p.m.
The zoo concert series will be showcasing a variety of world-renowned artists through September — from reggae superstar Ziggy Marley to blues legend Buddy Guy to hometown heroes Pink Martini — before finishing in mid-September with a performance by classic-rock favorites Chicago. Other notables this year include the Head and the Heart, Melissa Etheridge, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Supertramp's Roger Hodgson and Rosanne Cash.
In 1979, the Oregon Zoo became the first in America to host a summer concert series. Now, the series is one of the top outdoor events in the Northwest, and is the region's longest continuously running outdoor series.
Oregon Zoo Summer Concerts is presented by Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon with support from U.S. Bank and your local Toyota dealers, and media support from The Oregonian.