Stop Missing Shows

The Paper Kites in Portland

914 users on tonedeaf are tracking The Paper Kites

Never miss another The Paper Kites show near Portland.

The Paper Kites
McMenamins Crystal Ballroom — Portland, OR
Tickets+CalendarText Friend

About The Paper Kites

The Paper Kites are an Australian indie folk band that emerged from Melbourne in the early 2010s, building a devoted following through meticulous songwriting and layered instrumentation. Their breakthrough came with 2012's "Bloom," a sprawling seven-minute track that showcases their ability to build emotional momentum without relying on conventional pop structures. The band—led by Sam Bentley's understated vocals and guitar work—treats songs like architectural projects, adding strings, woodwinds, and subtle rhythmic shifts until what started as a whisper becomes something immersive. Their albums "Twelvefour" and "On the Train Ride Home" established them as craftspeople more interested in texture than flash. They've maintained a steady presence in indie folk circles, occasionally breaking through to wider audiences, particularly in streaming contexts where their patient, detailed approach tends to reward repeated listening. Fans appreciate them for the opposite of hype: they're a band that sounds better the more you pay attention.

Shows are quiet, attentive affairs. Audiences lean in rather than shout. The band's precision translates well to stages—every string arrangement and timing shift lands. Crowds tend to be respectfully devoted rather than rowdy, and the overall vibe is contemplative. Good venue for actually hearing what they're doing.

Known for Bloom, Twelvefour, Electric Worry, Reckless Love, Don't

The Paper Kites + Portland

The Paper Kites have always felt at home in Portland. Their last visit in March 2024 at Wonder Ballroom was a reminder of why—18 songs that moved between the quiet corners of their catalog and the moments that made people actually listen. They opened with 'Between the Houses' and let the room settle into their particular brand of introspection, the kind that builds through 'Till the Flame Turns Blue' and 'Green Valleys.' The set wandered through deep cuts like 'June's Stolen Car' and 'Without Your Love,' songs that reward the people who've been paying attention. 'Electric Indigo' closed things out, the kind of ending that makes you want to sit with what you just heard rather than rush toward the door.

The Paper Kites in Portland News

Live Music in Portland

Portland's indie folk scene has always had room for artists who take their time—who aren't afraid of quiet moments or lyrics that require actual thinking. The Paper Kites fit that sensibility. The city's venues have become reliable stops for Australian indie acts who prioritize atmosphere and songwriting over spectacle, a tradition that extends from the smaller rooms all the way up to mid-sized halls like Wonder Ballroom. It's the kind of place where a band playing 'Paint' and 'Darkness at My Door' feels less like a concert and more like a conversation.

Portland road trip to see The Paper Kites?

Stay in the Pearl District or Nob Hill for walkability and the kind of quiet that lets you recover between shows. Eat at Canard, where the charcuterie and wine list are thoughtfully curated—it's the kind of place that respects both food and your time. Spend the afternoon at Powell's Books, the massive independent that justifies its reputation. Walk through Forest Park if the weather cooperates. Portland's best element is how it refuses to take itself too seriously while maintaining actual standards. That's worth the trip.

Stop missing shows.

tonedeaf. reads your music library and emails you when artists you actually listen to have shows near Portland. No app. No ads. No noise.

Sign Up Free