June 4, 2025

PDX Live - Explosions in the Sky

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Michael James uses his pedal board, exchanges picks and strums along for his performance with Explosions in the Sky in Portland on Aug. 11, 2023. The band uses three guitars, percussion, keyboard and synthesizers, but sometimes James switches to use a bass guitar like he is here.
*Caden Perry / OPB*

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Munaf Rayani uses the microphone for the only time it will be used in Explosions in the Sky's instrumental set. "This is the first time we've performed in three and a half years," Rayani said as he introduced the performance.
*Caden Perry / OPB*

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Mark Smith (left), Michael James (center) and Jay Demko bring together their guitars for an epic harmony. Explosions in the Sky implements a host of instruments to create unique "cathartic mini-symphonies," they say.
*Caden Perry / OPB*

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Mark Smith (left), Michael James (center) and Munaf Rayani (right) all strum passionately. Explosion in the Sky's album "The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place" is full of long musical buildups that crash into tremendous peaks of guitars and percussion.
*Caden Perry / OPB*

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As Explosions in the Sky reaches a musical crescendo, a fan jumps up and yells out for the band.
*Caden Perry / OPB*

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Chris Hrasky (left) and Jay Demko (right) slow down in a quieter moment during Explosion in the Sky's performance.
*Caden Perry / OPB*

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Drummer Chris Hrasky of Explosions in the Sky closes his eyes while starting a new tempo. Hrasky is one of the original band members and has been with Explosions in the Sky since their debut in 2000.
*Caden Perry / OPB*

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Explosions in the Sky performs their album "The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place" for the PDX Live concert series. The album is completely instrumental and was played start to finish for the PDX Live audience.
*Caden Perry / OPB*

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Pioneer Courthouse Square full of concertgoers for the PDX Live concert series. The PDX Live series continues until Aug. 24, 2023.
*Caden Perry / OPB*

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