Photos by Bang Ho
The Moody Theater didn’t stand a chance against the thick, psychedelic heat Portugal. The Man brought to the heart of Austin on December 12, 2025. The night kicked off with a heavy video montage about losing community in the digital age before the band tore straight into a relentless eight-song run from their new record, SHISH. John Gourley stood center stage, mostly hidden under a hat and behind his guitar, while the room vibrated under the weight of “Denali” and the distorted grit of “Pittman Ralliers.” The time they hit the title track “Shish,” the mix locked in and the psych-rock vibe. In a bold move that had some casual fans scratching their heads, they completely skipped their monster hit “Feel It Still,” proving they aren’t here to be a jukebox for the radio crowd. Instead, they rewarded the die-hards with deep cuts like “Got It All (This Can’t Be Living Now)” and a weird, fuzzy version of “Creep in a T-Shirt.” By the time they closed the encore with “Father Gun,” the room felt less like a corporate theater and more like a basement DIY show that got way too big for its boots. A middle finger to the mainstream that proves PTM is still the weirdest and one of the most vital rock bands on the road.
