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Going to Bumbershoot? Check out these acts

by Patrick MacDonald
The Seattle Times

 

Bumbershoot began as a local arts festival in the early 1970s but has morphed into a mostly rock festival over the last decade or so, resulting in bigger crowds (and higher ticket prices).

This year, with Beck, Death Cab for Cutie, Stone Temple Pilots, Band of Horses, Jakob Dylan and others, including many local favorites, it's more of a rock festival than ever. Here's my personal Bumbershoot plan, the acts I don't want to miss:

 

Saturday

Neko Case. Born in Virginia but now based in Tacoma, she's a gifted Americana/country/folk singer-guitarist with bracing original tunes and well-chosen covers from the likes of Bob Dylan, Randy Newman and Hank Williams. (1 p.m. Mainstage).

 

Lucinda Williams. A gritty, poetic, moving singer-songwriter-guitarist whose songs have country and folk roots but are informed by rock and blues. Her unique voice perfectly conveys the wise, wry, sometimes bittersweet subject matter of her lyrics. (2:45 p.m. Mainstage).

Band of Horses. They used to be ours, having formed in Seattle in 2004, but their fine harmonies and quality musicianship have taken them into the mainstream -- via their recordings on SubPop -- and we don't see them much around here anymore. So this show will be something of a homecoming. (7:30 p.m. Mainstage).

 

Beck. One of the stars of this year's Bumbershoot, even though his latest album, "Modern Guilt," is somewhat of a disappointment, especially in comparison to his great "Mellow Gold" and "Odelay" albums of the 1990s. He remains, however, one of rock's true originals, creating fascinating soundscapes for his weird, spacey lyrics. (9:15 p.m. Mainstage).

 

Sunday

The Lonely H. The young, ambitious, hard-driving Port Angeles band has an impressive album on the Shout Factory label, "Twelve Angry Months," which showcases its songwriting talent and musical variety. Sure to be a rousing eye-opener. (12:30 p.m. Sky Church).

 

Keyshia Cole. An ultra-cool vocalist with a sensuous singing style, glamorous look and the current No. 1 R&B/hip-hop single, "Heaven Sent." She's working on her third album, due out later this year. (2 p.m. Mainstage).

 

T.I. One of the hottest and best rappers of the moment with songs that range from uplifting and inspiring ("No Matter What") to down and dirty ("Whatever You Like") to self-deprecating and funny ("Swing Your Rag"). He's got style and swagger to spare. (3:15 p.m. Mainstage).

 

Jakob Dylan. He may be Bob's son, but he's always had his own style, as again demonstrated on his new solo album, "Seeing Things." It's mellower, more thoughtful and more mature than his previous releases, just his voice and guitar, without his band. As for the songwriting -- Dad would be proud. (7 p.m. Starbucks Stage).

 

The Saturday Knights. For some real fun, do not miss these talented, funny guys from the South End whose clever raps, mixed with elements of punk rock and classic funk, will have you dancing and laughing. Made up of MCs Barfly and Tilson and DJ Spencer, they'll feature songs from their new album, "Mingle." (7:45 p.m. Fisher Green Stage).

 

Stone Temple Pilots. With the return of singer Scott Weiland, who quit Velvet Revolver in March, the original lineup is together again for the first time in six years, and has been touring since April, playing its hits like "Plush" and "Interstate Love Song." This is the last show of the current tour, so they'll probably pull out all the stops. (9:15 p.m. Mainstage).

 

Monday

Sondre Lerche. A baby-face singer-songwriter from Norway, Lerche (pronounced LERka) has a breezy, charming, Beatlesque style, with some songs showing the easy-rhyming influence of Burt Bacharach. He's also a talented guitarist. (8:30 p.m. Wells Fargo Stage).

 

Death Cab for Cutie. What better Mainstage closer than Seattle's own Death Cab, featuring moody, intellectual front man Ben Gibbard? They're local heroes with an international following. Their songs can be dark and haunting, especially those from their latest album, "Narrow Stairs." But somehow all that gloom translates into good times when they're onstage. (9:15 p.m. Mainstage).

 

* Patrick MacDonald is the music critic for The Seattle Times.

 

If you go

WHAT: Bumbershoot: Seattle's Music & Arts Festival. This annual nonprofit event is held at Seattle Center every Labor Day weekend.

FESTIVAL INFO: 206-281-7788 or www.bumbershoot.org.

HOURS: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

HOW MUCH: Tickets cost $40 per day or $100 for a three-day pass, available at Ticketmaster locations, 509-453-7139 or www.ticketmaster.com. (Tickets without a service fee are available at most Western Washington Starbucks stores.)

DISCOUNTS: At the two Bumbershoot gates only (Mercer Street between Intiman Theatre and the Exhibition Hall, and at EMP/SFM), you can purchase $15 tickets for ages 6-10 accompanied by a paying adult, 65 and older and patrons with permanent disabilities (ID required), for day-of sales only. Ages 5 and younger are free.

MAINSTAGE TICKETS: Entry to evening Mainstage shows requires a free pass available while supplies last from information booths inside the festival grounds (one pass per person).

COMEDY PASS: New this year is the comedy pass, which operates just like tickets for the Mainstage. Comedy passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of show at the Comedy Pass Distribution booth, at the northwest corner of the Center House. One comedy pass per person per ticket per day.

GETTING THERE: Public transportation is recommended. Catch the Monorail at Westlake Center downtown (www.seattlemonorail.com), or take the Metro bus (www.transit.metrokc.gov or 206-553-3000). The Bumbershoot Bicycle Corral is on Fifth Avenue and Thomas Street between EMP/SFM and the Space Needle. Bring a lock!

MORE INFO: For more transportation options and parking information, visit www.seattlecenter.com or call 206-233-3989.

-- Seattle Times

 

Sound Off! at Experience Music Project

Seattle's Experience Music Project is seeking entries for the eighth annual Sound Off!, an underage battle of the bands for performers who play rock, hip-hop, electronic, pop or any other kind of music. All participants must be 21 or younger as of March 7, 2009.

The winner gets stage time at the 2009 Bumbershoot festival.

To enter, mail the application -- which can be downloaded at www.empsfm.org/soundoff -- and a non-returnable CD with original music to: EMP/SFM, Attn: Sound Off!, 330 Sixth Avenue North, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98109. The deadline is Nov. 10.

Twelve semifinalists will be chosen to perform live on Feb. 14, Feb. 21 or Feb. 28. The bands will be narrowed down to three for a live musical battle in the Sky Church at EMP on March 7, 2009.

Past Sound Off! competitors include Schoolyard Heroes, Idiot Pilot, Mon Frere, The Lonely H, Dyme Def, The Lonely Forest and Natalie Portman's Shaved Head.

This year's winner, New Faces, were recently signed by Loveless Records. The Port Townsend trio plays Saturday at Bumbershoot.

 

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