By: Evan Sarantinos ’16
It’s that time of year when summer music fests start revealing their lineups, and what better music festival is there to attend than Seattle’s very own Bumbershoot! This August/September marks Bumbershoot’s 43rd annual fest and it is safe to say that the lineup is on point. With headliners like The Head and the Heart, Wu-Tang Clan, The Replacements, this fest has every genre you want to hear during your Labor Day Weekend.
Bumbershoot 2014, as usual, offers an abundance of local music acts within the lineup. Seattle indie rock group, Pickwick will be playing the fest with their classic North Western musical style. Seattle’s local rapper, Sam Lachow, will also be performing and is sure to draw a large high school based audience. This year’s lineup also includes the hip-hop phenomenon, J. Cole, the classic rock tunes of Elvis Costello, and everything in between. From modern alternative acts like Foster the People and Neon Trees to critically acclaimed rappers like Danny Brown and Schoolboy Q, it is clear that Bumbershoot prizes diversity in music. No wonder Bumbershoot draws such a wide variety of audiences every year.
Although it’s easy to check out the headlining names and base your Bumbershoot experience off Mainstage performances, this year’s lineup offers some noteworthy, low profile musical acts. Bellingham’s Manatee Commune will take the stage performing his electronic instrumentals and his airy melodies as an EMP 2014 Sound Off finalist. The combination of Manatee Commune’s dreamy music and the visual effects of the EMP’s Sky Church will have you in a an unreal trance throughout the entire show. Indie rocker, Mac Demarco, will also being playing the fest. Commonly referred to as the “Goofball Prince of Indie Rock,” Mac will not only capture you with his catchy guitar melodies, but will have you in tears of laughter by the end of the performance.
This year’s Bumbershoot lineup encourages festivalgoers to step out of their musical comfort zone and attend some acts they have never heard of before. Bumbershoot takes place from August 30th to September 1st at Seattle Center. Tickets are on sale now at bumbershoot.org.