Sleater-Kinney and John Gourley from Portugal. The Man Celebrate Portland at Rolling Stone and Sonesta International Hotels Event

The Pacific Northwests influence on contemporary rock was front and center during the final stop of Rolling Stone and Sonesta International Hotels 2025 Musicians on Musicians tour, held Thursday night in Portland, Oregon. In a cozy 10th-floor ballroom at the Royal Sonesta Portland Downtown, fans and Sonesta Travel Pass members gathered for an evening of music and conversation.

Sleater-Kinney and John Gourley of Portugal. The Man joined Rolling Stone senior music editor and Nashville Now podcast host Joseph Hudak for an intimate discussion before performing live. Guests enjoyed themed drinks like the Riot Grrrl Refresher and Feel It Still mocktail while sharing stories about music, travel, and their favorite Portland experiences.

Onstage, Sleater-Kinneys Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein reflected on Portlands vibrant creative community, emphasizing the citys role in shaping music across the Pacific Northwest. Brownstein highlighted the importance of connection and community: Its about being with people, not just online, but physically. Community fuels creativity, compassion, and hope. Thats what Portland embodies.

Tucker attributed some of Portlands musical inspiration to its rainy climate. When its not sunny, you spend more time inside reflecting. Thats when the guitar comes out and the music flows, she said. Gourley, who moved from Alaska to Portland in the early 2000s, shared his appreciation for the collaborative spirit of local musicians, likening it to the supportive energy of the Riot Grrrl movement.

When Hudak brought up Portlandia, Brownsteins satirical series about the city, Gourley joked about its accuracy: All my Portland friends said, Its not like that. And it is like that, prompting laughter from the audience.

The evening continued with Gourley and his wife, Zoe Manville, performing an acoustic set featuring songs from Portugal. The Mans latest album Shish and teasing a new track. Sleater-Kinney followed with a duo set highlighting their career-spanning catalog, including the 1996 title track Call the Doctor, offering fans a rare, intimate experience with the legendary group.

The event celebrated dedicated music enthusiasts and Sonesta Travel Pass members, showcasing the type of unique experiences only Rolling Stone and Sonesta International Hotels can create. With 2026 on the horizon, music lovers can look forward to more live events in some of Americas most iconic cities.

Author: Logan Reeves