Music

Alaska’s Portugal. The Man gets star-studded crowd dancing at American Music Awards

Portugal. The Man, the rock band with roots in Wasilla, performed its mega-hit “Feel It Still” on national television at the American Music Awards on Sunday in Los Angeles.

It was the band's first-ever performance at the annual awards show.

Portugal. The Man, now based in Portland, Oregon, opened Sunday night with a backdrop that read: "No computers up here, just live instruments." When the performance ended, another message appeared: "Meet us at Wilshire Blvd after the show, drinks on us."

3357 Wilshire #ptmxamas #amas

A post shared by Lords Of Portland (@portugaltheman) on

Billboard called Portugal. The Man's performance one of the 10 best moments of the show.

[Portugal. The Man singer tends his Alaska roots]

"Feel It Still" has remained on the Billboard Hot 100 for 21 weeks, peaking at No. 4. It soared to No. 1 on Billboard's Adult Alternative chart earlier this year.

Time magazine described "Feel It Still" in a recent article as a "platinum-certified alt-rock mega-hit." Lead singer John Gourley, a Wasilla High dropout, "cobbled together 'Feel It Still' on a whim" in 45 minutes, the magazine reported.

[Guitar hero: Eric Howk of Portugal. The Man is a rock star with a cause]

Did you miss the award show? You can watch the Portugal. The Man's full performance here.

Tegan Hanlon

Tegan Hanlon was a reporter for the Anchorage Daily News between 2013 and 2019. She now reports for Alaska Public Media.

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