0 SRG Bumbershoot 2009 Recommendations

Bumbershoot is next weekend already! I can't believe Labor Day weekend has come so soon. Seattle's long running arts and music festival is always guaranteed to have something for everyone including a multitude of great bands. The only downside to the weekend long event is that it comes at the end of August and usually signals the end of our Summer in Seattle, quite bittersweet. Of course it'll stay warm for another month but it's usually one of the last outdoor concerts in the area, thus one of the last times to watch live music, sip on a frosty beer and soak up some sun rays all at the same time. In preparation for the weekend, and a means of sorting through the long list of musical acts descending on Seattle Center I'd like to give my recommendations on whom to check out.

Death Bells by Soulsavers with Mark Lanegan

This year my wife and I have decided to forgo the first two days or at least the first day in order to spend some quality time together doing something different. For my money this years festival is totally lacking in proper headlining acts (which hasn't been all that uncommon in past years as Bumbershoot usually attempts to increase their attendance by booking mainstream pop/rock acts), and compared to last years ridiculous trifecta of mainstage headliners (Beck/Band of Horses, Stone Temple Pilots/The Black Keys, Death Cab/Superchunk) it's just plain underwhelming as Sheryl Crow, and Jason Mraz close the show Saturday and Sunday. Monday is much stronger with the pride of Issaquah, WA Modest Mouse, as headliner. This doesn't mean that there is a lack of other awesome bands playing throughout the weekend.

Gunpowder by Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears

Saturday's highlights include Past Lives, Akimbo, The Whore Moans, Elvis Perkins, and The Long Winters. Sunday is better with Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Mt St. Helens Vietnam Band, No Age, Dave Alvin, and The Helio Sequence. Monday is by far the strongest day in my opinion, highlighted by Mark Lanegan with the Soulsavers, 3 Inches of Blood, The Cave Singers, Dead Confederate, and Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears being worth the price of admission.

Battles And Brotherhood by 3 Inches of Blood

Summer Light by The Cave Singers

Of course there is also a ton of other stuff to do besides music at Bumbershoot. If nothing else show up and check out the awesome concert posters at FLATSTOCK 22, where amazing screen print concert poster artists sell their creations. I buy one or two every year, and have my house walls lined with framed awesomeness. You can also check out a bunch of great comedians like Patton Oswalt, chow on fair food, and enjoy the many entertaining buskers who perform all over the grounds. I love the vibe and freedom of festivals especially ones that take place in the shadow of the Space Needle. I hope to see you there, and if you spot me running around say hello. Below is my full recommended schedule pieced together at Bumbershoot.org. Cheers!!

Get full line-up here and Flatstock 22 info here.