Live from the Annex Sidewalk Bar: Matthew Waddell

Matthew Waddell plays the Annex Sidewalk Bar on Saturday, October 17, from 5 PM to 7 PM. It's part of the Live from the Annex Sidewalk Bar series, so if you've been around the Crystal Hotel lately, you know the drill: live music on the sidewalk, open to anyone who wants to stop by.

For those who haven't spent much time there, the Annex Sidewalk Bar is the outdoor space at the Crystal Hotel, located at 303 SW 12th Ave in downtown Portland. It's a spot that works just as well for a quick drink as it does for catching a set, and having the music out on the sidewalk gives it a different energy than a typical indoor gig. You don't have to commit your whole night to it—you can just drift in and out.

This particular afternoon, the bill is simple: Matthew Waddell. He's the sole feature of the set, so you'll get a full stretch of his music without any opening acts to work through first. It's a straightforward, one-name lineup, which makes it easy to know exactly what you're signing up for.

Since it's a free show and all ages are welcome, it's a low-stakes way to spend a Saturday afternoon. You can bring the kids or just drop in on your way to something else. It runs from 5 PM to 7 PM, right in that window between the workday and the evening, so it fits easily into a weekend plan. The Annex Sidewalk Bar is at the Crystal Hotel, 303 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97205.