Show Review: NIIS @ Lollipop Shoppe — October 29, 2025 (Portland, OR)

NIIS rolled into Portland from California for the final stop of their tour, bringing all their gritty, feral punk energy to our beloved Lollipop Shoppe and wow, what a way to end it. There’s something magical about seeing a band like NIIS in a small, intimate venue, where the walls shake, the crowd sweats, and nothing exists outside that room for 45 glorious minutes. It felt like a gift to witness them up close.

For anyone unfamiliar, NIIS is part of the new wave of West Coast punk bands carving out space with snarling riffs, hardcore adrenaline, and a raw, chaotic edge reminiscent of OG LA punk, but with their own razor-sharp identity. Frontwoman Mimi brings a force that feels larger than life, delivering aggressive, angsty vocals from a tiny frame with unbelievable power. Her stage presence is unmatched: the kind of performer who commands every inch of the room like it's built for her.

The crowd quickly packed in shoulder-to-shoulder, vibrating with anticipation, and NIIS wasted no time detonating into their set. At one point, Mimi climbed onto the bar mid-song, screaming lyrics into the abyss like a punk-rock banshee, and the room absolutely lost it. The night ended with one final surge, Mimi throwing herself into the crowd for a triumphant last surf, the perfect closing to a tour finale.

Opening the night was Keddies Resort, another incredible Portland act. It was my first time seeing them and instantly — new favorite alert. Their sound, energy, and presence set the tone from the first note, hyping the crowd and priming the room for the chaos to come. I’m already looking forward to catching their next performance.

Next up, Forty Feet Tall, fresh off their European tour, kept the momentum exploding forward. They’re impossibly tight, powerful, and they never miss. Every time they play, they prove why they’re one of the most electric rock bands in Portland — pure adrenaline onstage and razor-sharp execution.

Portland shows are always special, but this one? Pure punk bliss — sweat, chaos, crowd surfing, and a room full of people who live for nights like this. Here’s to more wild, tiny-room magic. Until next time. 🖤