Bumbershoot: Day 1 Review
This year was our first for attending Bumbershoot. We caught many great bands and met a lot of wonderful people from various news/blog sites. Over the course of the 3 days we probably walked well over a few miles each day and none was as busy as the first day, September 1.
We spent the night before and even the morning prior to the festival trying to plan out which acts we wanted to catch and where each stage was according to the map provided on the Bumbershoot website. Luckily for us, KEXP was putting on “secret shows” for live broadcast where they showcased various acts from the 3 day weekend and for our schedule it worked perfectly that we could catch an act there instead of missing something else later on in the day.
Our first show for the day was Annie Clark aka St. Vincent. We found the KEXP Music Lounge just as she was finishing up her sound check. Quickly snagged a couple of seats up front and awaited the beginningof the first live KEXP broadcast for the weekend. After catching her last tour with her and a full band I was excited to see her solo set. She was just as energetic and put on a spectacular show playing around four songs for the broadcast.
Next up on our list of bands to catch was Jason Molina’s Magnolia Electric Co. I’ve caught this band a number of times over the last few years and each time is a treat. With the release of their Sojourner Box Set last month, there are actually working names to a lot of the miscellaneous tracks the band fills their shows with. We got there just after their set began and were able to catch them playing to a mostly seated crowd on the lawn. Molina said during the set that it was too early for them to be playing in the day. Very true for a band better suited for a dingy local bar somewhere off the nations vast highways.
Magnolia Electric Co. Website | Myspace
Having to leave the Magnolia Electric Co. set early to catch The Shins, we were dropped into the middle of the center standing area of the Main Stage Arena from the press entrance. The Shins started with a couple of new songs from their latest release, and then went right into all of the hits from their debut album. Standing in the center of the floor of Seattle’s Memorial Stadium was pretty intimidating seeing how many fans were packing the bleachers that day. We didn’t last long in the heat and crowd that day and were soon off to the next KEXP Music Lounge show.
Bert Jansch played an amazing set for KEXP listeners that afternoon before his appearance later that day on the Wells Fargo Stage. He played some of his own classics as well as some amazing renditions of traditional Irish folk songs to a packed room.
The Avett Brothers played to a packed crowd at the Starbucks Stage with their blend of country, blue grass, grunge, and even calyspo.
The Avett Brothers Website | Myspace
After the Avett Brothers got a very late start on their set (I think they went on around 5:10 instead of their 4:45 schedules time), I had to run across the Seattle Center to the Wells Fargo Stage to try and catch local CA artist Alela Diane. She played a beautiful set accompanied by a 2nd guitar. If you’re at all a fan of women singer/songwritters who have a bit more depth to their lyrics and musical compositions then please check out her latest release “The Pirate’s Gospel”.
Gorgol Bordello was the next act on the KEXP Music Lounge list that we wanted to catch. They put on an amazing acoustic set for the packed listening room. As energetic as their usual live show, they revealed for the first time some new tunes as well as some they’ve never played in the USA before.
Gorgol Bordello Website
Local Northwest band Menomena played to one of the largest crowds I saw that day. Just for Bumbershoot, the band brought with them a “choir” made up of friends as part of their backing band.
Up next on the Sound Transit Stage was Aqueduct. I’d heard a lot of recommendations to check this band out and for one reason or another I’d either skipped over them and didn’t give them a chance. Man was I wrong, the band put on an amazing set full of energy and is definitely worth checking out if you get a chance.
We caught Tiny Vipers in August back in San Francisco[video/audio] and decided to check them out again at the EMP Sky Church Stage. Jesy played two unreleased songs and the rest of her set on probably the best stage in the entire festival. Don’t forget to catch Tiny Vipers opening for Jose Gonzalez here in the Bay Area.
- Monday, October 8, 2007 Great American Music Hall, San Francisco CA
- Tuesday, October 9, 2007 Great American Music Hall, San Francisco CA
Tiny Vipers Myspace
Grand Archives was the last band to take the stage at the EMP Sky Church that evening and gave a lot of us previews of what to expect from this band. Amid mixed reviews, the ex-members of Carissa’s Wierd, are certainly still continuing in that vein of lo-fi pop songs. The set was good, however, I think it’ll be interesting to see how this band develops over time. I would personally like to see them evolve a little more past whats comfortable for them or take a risk with their music. Certainly worth checking out and forming your own opinions on.
Gran Archives Website | Myspace
Devotchka finished off the evening on the Sound Transit Stage and put on a remarkable show. This was my first time seeing them live and they didnt disappoint. A very energetic and fun band to catch. It was the perfect setting to the end of the day catching this group play underneath the Space Needle.
Devotchka never disappoint. I am just as in love with them as I am with Menomena…