Bumbershoot is this weekend and summer feels like it’s gone by in a blink. Luckily the sun has been lingering around to make the upcoming festivities a great opportunity to soak up ample sun and all the dope Bumbershoot headliners. Sprawling the Seattle Center that was originally made for the World’s Fair in 1962, the festival we now know and love found its home there less than a decade later. Bumbershoot has become a staple of the city as it’s nearly entering its 50th anniversary, and people come from all over to partake in the good times.
This festival holds a special place in my heart because it’s around the same time as my birthday, and my parents used to treat me with tickets as my present. Growing up going to this festival it always had a little bit of everything music-wise. You could always find the perfect blend of pop, hip-hop, EDM, rock, indie-rock, emo, metal, you name it. As the years have gone on, they’ve been able to maintain a solid line-up of big headliners alongside acts that are local to the PNW.
There’s an insane amount of talent bubbling as of late around Seattle and Washington overall, and this year’s bill reflects that. A new wave of young talent is taking over the state and you’d be crazy not to tune in. Along with my favorite Bumbershoot headliners, I’ll also clue you
Bumbershoot Headliners Of Interest
Tyler, The Creator
Of all the Bumbershoot headliners, this one is obvious. Tyler is on fire lately with the release of his Igor album that organically beat out DJ Khalid’s album for number one. I’ve been a fan of Tyler since the Odd Future days and his growth as an artist, actor, television host, and overall entertainment industry mastermind has been wild to watch. He’s truly found his own unique sound and path to make it to the top.
H.E.R.
Enigmatic singer/songwriter Gabriella Wilson was originally a singing prodigy that rose to fame performing on Radio Disney’s Next Big Thing in 2009. Fast forward to her debuting some of the craziest/inventive R&B and soul-inspired music arguably ever made, all while hiding her true identity. Within the last couple years she’s made her identity public, and has been steadily rising due to her thoughtful, resonate, and emotional music that will truly make you feel. Definitely a performance you don’t want to miss.
Bryce Vine
Bryce Vine is just a smooth dude, and you can’t disagree with me. He blew up from his hit single “Drew Barrymore” that features some ultra slick baritone vocal work. He recently went on a headlining tour that brought on Ambaum’s finest, Travis Thompson. Bryce Vince’s performance is undoubtedly going to get you cutting multiple rugs.
Carly Rae Jepsen
I literally dare you to stand there and tell me you’ve never gotten down to at least one smash hit by Carly Rae Jepsen. With her shimmering pop
Summer Walker
R&B and soul music have arguably come back into the mainstream spotlight in a way they haven’t since the late 90s and early 2000s. Female vocalists have been rising to accommodate the world’s need for beautiful singing. Summer Walker is one of the prominent voices rising out of this wave that lets the music speak for itself. Like H.E.R., Summer Walker keeps a low profile and lets it all come out in the music. Sultry, sexy, mesmerizing, intelligent, and heartfelt are all qualities I’d attach to Summer Walker’s music.
Rezz
This may be a residual feeling from recently attending Shambhala Music Festival for my second year in a row, but I want to feel the bass. Rezz is a female superstar in the EDM world for her heavy cuts that make your whole body vibrate. This artist will never let you down if you want to vibe out to crazy lasers and lights while bass music entrances you into a flurry of dance. Not to mention she’s the only big EDM name on the bill out of all the Bumbershoot headliners.
Pink Sweat$
If you haven’t seen a pattern—I like R&B. When I went down to Austin, TX for SXSW one of the first artists that immediately stood out to me was Philly’s Pink Sweat$. His first EP came with just him and an electric guitar and very minimal percussion and was hauntingly beautiful. I was able to even have a brief conversation with him after his performance that leads me to believe he’ll have more of a full sound for Bumbershoot. Tune in to Pink Sweat$ ASAP because he’s going to take over the world with his enchanting vocal stylings.
Local Talent Performing
This year’s Bumbershoot bill features some serious local heat. Sol is a Seattle legend that needs to be on bills like Block Party and Bumbershoot or else I don’t know what’s happening to our city. Manatee Commune is a young guy from Bellingham, WA that makes the most insane, face-melting, rich EDM music that will take you into another dimension of vibes. Laza has essentially become famous this year as she inked deals with Warner music, as well as put out a bevy of slapping singles featuring all sorts of rising local talent.
Baja Boy is a bubbling surf-rock inspired group out of Tacoma that has been putting in undeniably huge amounts of work to get them to where they are now. I///U is the group of genre-bending youngsters that took first place at Seattle’s Soundoff! Battle of the Bands competition this year that won them this slot. And finally, over half of the DJ’s performing at the USC Events Silent Disco are all local, so don’t forget to stop over and see what that’s all about.
