Portland blues-rock band Sleeper Wave live at Hōkū Events on Madison.
Sleeper Wave are playing Hoku Events on Madison on Sunday, October 12. They're a Portland blues-rock band fronted by two teen musicians: Cameron Kirkman, 17, on guitar and vocals, and Jonah Bradbury, 15, on keyboards. Their sound blends classic blues, soulful folk and high-energy rock.
They've put in some serious work over the last few years. In 2025, they won the Cascade Blues Association's Youth Journey to Memphis Competition and represented Portland at the International Blues Challenge on Beale Street. After that, they became the first youth-led band nominated for a Muddy Award. They've played the Waterfront Blues Festival, the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival and the historic Alberta Rose Theatre.
These days, they're also hosting the CBA's youth showcase alongside Curtis Salgado and Dave Fleschner. That's the same competition that sends one Pacific Northwest act to Memphis each year, so they're now on the other side of the one they won themselves.
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The show is at Hoku Events on Madison, 1125 SE Madison St, and it's free, though donations to the CBA Youth travel fund are welcome. It starts at 4 PM.
