Bumbershoot Day 3: Monday, September 6th Seattle Center
Today was a little wet and cold. However I love that in Seattle, the rain doesn’t scare off the music fans. Everyone just stood out in the cold rain and watched live music all the way into the night. My converses were wet, my North Face was soaked, I know I am going to get a cold I can feel it coming on. Nevertheless, it was worth it.
Day 3 started a bit later for us. My dad lives outside of Seattle and I do not get to see him much so I really wanted to be able to at least say hi for an hour or so. We met for a yummy breakfast; it was great to see him and my stepmom.
The first band we caught today was The Whigs at the Center Square Stage and they were the perfect band to get the day going. I haven’t heard of them before and was really blown away by how rockin’ and cool they were. I had to stay and listen too as many songs as I could from this Georgia band.
After the Whigs we caught a few raps from Helladope, which was the first rap group I saw at Bumbershoot this year. They drew in a large crowd and it was cool to see the vast group of people singing along and bopping around. After a few from Helladope it was off to see the Meat Puppets, which are just a part of music history in my iTunes. I thought they sounded great. It was funny, when they started the sound was so loud it made the raindrops bounce right off the umbrella in front of me.
Matt caught a song from Baroness and I went into to check out the very fabulous hip-pop duo THEESatisfaction. I couldn’t get over the mix on the vocals and raps these two girls had. They sounded great, looked cool, and I loved their pants. I was digging them a lot so I stayed for a few more while Matt when to check out the Moondoggies who he said sounded fabulous.
From the Moondoogies to the throw your heart into it rock duo Japandriods, it was a busy busy afternoon. We saw them at Sasquatch and were blown away. Today wasn’t any different. They told the crowd to forget the rain and to just have fun, kids did exactly what they said. Not to mention they looked like complete badasses in the rain on stage wearing no jackets just rockin’ out. If you are in Spokane don’t miss them this Thursday at the A-Club with Belt of Vapor.
I had to see what Lisa Dank was all about and one artist came to mind, Lady Gaga. I would say she is the closest artist I have seen to Lady Gaga. I loved her hair, outfits, DJ, backup dancers, backup singers, everything about it. It was wild and super fantastic. Bit of a change to go from Lisa to Anvil though, I mean I came out and Anvil was screaming 6,6,6. Loved the little kids in the front row singing along to every song.
A lot of duo’s today, THEESatisfaction, Japandriods, now Jenny & Johnny. The stage was packed as we heard a few songs. I was lucky to be able to see them, they looked adorable and like they were excited to be at Bumbershoot. Surfer Blood, was not a duo. They were young kids who sounded stellar and were another surprise for me. I didn’t know tons about them, maybe a song or two, and they are a great live band. I loved everything about them from the vocals to the music to their clothes.
After Surfer Blood we rushed to see the legend Booker T. and it was great to see everyone dance to “Green Onions.” He is such a talented musician and a great live performer. It was the perfect way to boogy our way out of the Starbucks Stage for the final time this year.
Last but not least was the Thermals. Their new album was due out tomorrow so they were super excited to play us some new songs; but they didn’t leave out the jams by any means. We heard “Here’s Your Future,” “Returning to the Fold,” “We Were Sick,” “It’s Trivia,” “I don’t Believe You,” and many more! “I don’t believe you,” is actually one of our jams off the new album; which is called “Personal Life,” and as they told us “is about well their Personal Life”. The Thermals brought up how it rained last year when they played Capitol Hill Block Party and then they asked the crowd if we liked watching the Thermals in the rain. I do I do! It was a killer energetic kick your ass way to end Bumbershoot 2010. Can’t wait to see them again when they drop by Spokane in a few weeks!
I wish there were more days at Bumbershoot 2010! It is so hard to cover the music alone and I would of loved to see the comedy, arts, theater side of it. Still can’t get over how big the even it is! A lot going on that appeals to all ages and types, even kids and animals! I would go to Bumbershoot 2010 again, just with like an umbrella and better tennis shoes. Seattle is lucky to have such a cool event right in the center of the city.
Photos Courtesy of Matt Auclair.