August 23 at The Get Down in Portland was a full-on sonic brawl in the best way possible. Forty Feet Tall dropped their new album, Clean the Cage, and threw a release show that felt more like a punk-fueled fever dream than a typical gig. But before they even hit the stage, the night was already on fire.

I walked in mid-set to catch Buddy Wynkoop, and damn, what a way to start. First time seeing them, and they had the crowd fully dialed in. They’re a six-piece with serious punch: in-your-face vocals, guitar riffs that don’t quit, and a wild energy that had people moving early. It was loud, messy, and a hell of a lot of fun.

Next up were The Macks, another Portland band I hadn’t seen live before. They fit the bill perfectly—garage punk vibes with a twist of late ’60s-’70s swagger and blues. There’s something raw and psychedelic in their sound, and the vocals? High-pitched, weird, and totally captivating. They brought a different flavor to the night, but still kept the energy surging.

Then came Forty Feet Tall, and everything exploded. I saw them a couple months ago and thought they couldn’t top that show. Turns out I underestimated them. They came out swinging. Riffs sharp enough to cut glass, stage presence like a lightning strike. Their sound is hard to pin down: it echoes bands I love but refuses to be boxed in. They’re just… them.

The venue was packed wall to wall. I heard it sold-out, and yeah, no doubt. People were losing it dancing, screaming, crowd surfing like it was a war zone of joy. The energy never dipped, not once.

And the ending? Pure madness. Out of nowhere, the “muscle man” from Bicep jumped on stage and got into it with Cole. Next thing you know, a guitar gets smashed to pieces. The crowd went feral. It was loud, sweaty, chaotic, and unforgettable.

Now, they’re off tearing through Europe, and I’m jealous of every single person who gets to see them live. If you haven’t listened to Clean the Cage yet, stop reading and go fix that. This band is the real deal.