Each time I take a visit back home to Ohio, it seems like I discover more and more differences between Ohio and Seattle. There are many cultural, geographical, and certainly many political differences. Many Seattleites have not heard of Skyline Chili, euchre, snipe hunting and the game cornhole. And even if they have heard of these things, they probably don’t really have a good grasp of them. Well, maybe the term cornhole, but that’s another story for another day.
Ohioans aren’t usually up to speed on HOV lanes, life without humidity, Pho or Bumbershoot. Seattle folks might be surprised to know that they host one of the best kept secrets in the Pacific Northwest in Bumbershoot. In fact, up until a few years ago, I had never heard of it either, and until I moved to Seattle, I just figured it was another big music festival.
On a recent trip to Ohio, I got tired of explaining what Bumbershoot was, so I switched to the same tactic I often use to explain Darfur to people: “Just Google It. ” But it also occurred to me that I probably can’t describe what the festival is like very well because I’ve never been to it. I’ve had many conversations about it the past nine months that I’ve been living here in Seattle. I’m aware that like most festivals, there will probably be over-priced food and drinks, more music than I’ll have time to hear and if Seattle holds true to its traffic problems, it will probably be over-crowded. At two different outdoor events here I’ve seen an older hippie who looks just like the current Tommy Chong who dances around to the music dressed in, well, a dress and twirling colorful scarves around. I’ve been told to expect him and about thirty of his buddies.
The music line-up is incredible with such acts as The Shins, Wu Tang Clan, Crowded House, Fergie, Kings of Leon, Sean Paul, Joss Stone, Panic! At the Disco, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Andrew Bird, Ted Leo and The Pharmacists, and Menomena. Tons of locals like The Cops, Tiny Vipers, The Saturday Knights, and The Blakes will fill the stages as well over three days for as little as $60 total for those who jumped on the deals early. Comedy, art and lord only knows what else will be in store as well. Personally, I can’t wait to see Joss Stone and Rodrigo y Gabriela.
Be sure to check back in with Randomville often this weekend for concert reviews, photos, and perhaps some interviews.
Rather than continue to blab on more about a festival I’m not too familiar with, I decided the best thing to do would be to go out and ask experienced locals what this thing is really all about. And the results:
“I expect it to be a typical Washington Musical Festival, during which nothing is ‘negative’ necessarily; it's just ‘Washington.’ The things I expect are all things for which I am prepared for: sunburns (bring sunscreen), headaches (bring aspirin), and inopportune times of hunger and thirst (bring Naglene/water container and power bars and/or fruit). I also expect to get lost (maybe by accident or maybe on purpose!) at least once and therefore will bring a cell phone in order to locate my friends again. I also expect that someone will be sent outside the festival for more booze before the big shows start later in the evening. And it won't be me! I'll be curled up asleep somewhere under a much coveted shady tree.
I look forward to seeing live music I would never get to experience any other time during the year. I like seeing the multigenerational (i.e., the oldies and the kiddies) dancing at the folk and jazz stages, absolutely unself-conscious and quick to pull in any innocent bystanders who look like they need to have more fun. Togetherness. No worries. Just have fun and dance.”
Nicole- Seattle, WA
“You can definitely expect a ton of rad bands, thousands of people all walking in opposite directions, and the pervasive smell of fried food! Feel it!”
”If it is sunny, it'll be crowded, and there are many mixes of different types of people of all ages. Shows on the main stages get backed up in waiting lines hours before the show. I've always had a great time, and I love the many different types of music. They have something for everyone and it's great to hear all the local bands.”
Michelle- Redmond, WA
”A great time with tons of people. Bumbershoot is an excellent festival to learn about new upcoming bands and enjoy the bands you already love. The atmosphere of the entire weekend is so chill. In general, I just love music festivals. Particularly what I like about Bumbershoot is that for the size of the space, there is so much going on from art vendors to concerts. They pack all the goods in!”
Sara- Seattle, WA
“There is always so much going on at Bumbershoot. I'd expect it to be really fun chaos and hopefully a really energetic, dancing crowd! I think it's so successful, well run and full of local and out of town talent. I haven't been in a long time but I look forward to being a part of it this year. It's unreal to me. I never thought in my wildest dreams that we would be part of this festival.”
“Bumbershoot is an outstanding multicultural event for the whole family to explore and be exposed to. It’s an unprecedented variety of music and diversity of culture, squeezed into the span of a weekend, with so much to see, hear and taste that no one can possibly experience all of it. It is an essential Seattle experience, a gateway to the creative current of the World.”
Dennis- Seattle, WA
“The best thing about Bumbershoot is that you can sample many different bands in the same day. The crowds are a bit crazy, so after years of Bumbershooting, my system is to choose a few bands in a two-hour period. See those two and any other stages I pass by. Then I go out of the festival for eats and beverages and then return again for another hour or so. This keeps you from having “Bumberburnout Syndrome.
Make sure to take sunscreen, sunglasses and carry water (lines can be long for food and bevs), and a hat is also a very good idea. If you want to get into the main stage big shows at night, make sure you get your wristband by around noon if you can.
Special Secret Tip - If it looks like rain, don't hesitate. The very best B-Shoot days (in my humble opinion) are the ones where there is a touch of drizzle and clouds and the crowds are down. And remember, only tourists use umbrellas.”
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