Say She She Bring Soulful Sunshine to Project Pabst 2025

In a weekend stacked with talent, few acts captured the spirit of Project Pabst in Portland quite like Say She She. Taking the stage in the warmth of the afternoon, the soulful trio and their razor-sharp band filled the air with grooves so rich and inviting they felt like a collective exhale. For a festival known for eclectic programming, this set felt like the perfect balance of funk, soul, and unabashed joy.

The moment they launched into their first tune, the crowd locked in. Say She She’s voices blended into a warm, cosmic harmony, creating the kind of sound that feels both classic and refreshingly new. Each phrase carried a silky smoothness, yet the energy pulsed with undeniable vitality. Backed by a tight rhythm section and guitar licks that could turn any sidewalk into a dance floor, the performance wasn’t just heard—it was felt.

Project Pabst’s stage design leaned into the retro-futuristic aesthetic that complemented the band perfectly. Splashes of color and sharp angles gave off a vibe that was at once sleek and playful, providing the ideal canvas for a performance rooted in groove but elevated by spirit. As the band’s set unfolded, it felt less like a typical festival slot and more like a shared community moment. People weren’t just swaying or nodding along—they were grinning, moving, losing themselves in the pocket of the music.

Daytime festival slots can be tricky, but Say She She thrived in the sunlight. Their energy radiated outward, creating a kind of feedback loop with the audience: the more they grooved, the more the crowd danced, and the more the crowd danced, the deeper the band leaned in. At times, it felt like a block party disguised as a festival set—uplifting, communal, impossible not to love.

It’s rare to see a band balance precision and playfulness so effortlessly. Each groove was airtight, every vocal harmony perfectly stacked, yet the performance never felt too polished or distant. There was a looseness, a warmth, that reminded you that this was music meant to be lived in, not just admired.

By the time they closed their set, it was clear to everyone in attendance: Say She She aren’t just a band to stumble upon—they’re a band you plan your day around. Their soul-drenched funk sound doesn’t just lift spirits, it reminds you why festivals like Project Pabst exist in the first place: to bring people together, to let music carry you somewhere brighter, and to leave you smiling long after the amps have gone quiet.

At Project Pabst, Say She She weren’t just a highlight—they were a revelation. This is a group you want to catch again and again, because they don’t just play songs. They create moments.