Bumbershoot Rings in its 50th Year Better than Ever

Bumbershoot is a staple of the Seattle music scene, taking place in the city’s center where countless famous groups have come to share their sound. This year was the festival’s 50th anniversary and Seattle Sonic was lucky enough to be invited to join the celebration and experience this year’s entertainment acts. While my time there only lasted through the Saturday portion of the weekend I’m excited to share my experience and thoughts on the bands that were there.

The festival takes place surrounded by iconic Seattle landmarks, and uses its status to highlight local artists all throughout the lineup. One stage faces directly towards the giant International Fountain, where festival goers were able to cool off in the fountain’s spray. Another created a picturesque scene with the famous Space Needle in its background. The atmosphere was electric, and you can tell walking around the grounds that everyone is there simply for good company and good music.

Attendees cooling off in the fountain.

The first group I would like to highlight is Seattle’s own Sweet Water. Despite being a group that started making albums together in the early 90s and hasn’t released a full length album since 2009 they did not miss a beat. Sweet Water played at the Mural main stage and really brought the energy - showing off their mix of pop and punk. The guitar solos were ripping, and the lead singer Adam Czeisler crushed his vocals. Their live presence was fantastic - you could tell even the people that didn’t know the band were jumping up and down. Their hit song Superstar off of their 2009 album Superfriends was a smash and I walked away wanting more.

Anabel Englund is a Los Angeles based DJ that also put on quite a show. Releasing singles since 2016 she really stepped onto the scene with her first album in 2020, titled Messing With Magic. Magic is a great way to describe her performance - it was entrancing and groovy, giving the crowd the chance to dance the day away while appreciating her smooth-as-honey vocals. It’s impossible to not notice her Southern California vibe and it’s an enjoyable energy to match. She’s already released two new singles so far this year and I can’t wait to see what else she has for us.

One of the most highly anticipated local acts of the day was the unapologetically badass female group Thunderpussy. This group is about as rock ‘n’ roll as it gets, feeling like the 70s rock bands everyone loved but with the added benefit of shaking off the misogyny that shrouded that era of the genre. They wail away like Led Zeppelin and the guitar fills the air like Jimi Hendrix - but there’s not a penis in sight. As you can tell from their band name it’s Thunderpussy all around.

Thunderpussy plays under the iconic Space Needle

The last band I want to highlight is one that hits close to home personally for me. Every kid that grew up in the early 2000s knows Matt and Kim, and being able to see them in person was nothing short of euphoric. They haven’t aged a bit - their childish angst and upbeat pop punk songs kept the energy around the stage at an all time high for the night. Throwing around inflatable sex dolls, showing more skin than any other artist, and interacting with the crowd. This group was made to stay on the stage, and I cannot imagine a better band to cap off my night.

Matt and Kim rocking the Mural Stage. Not pictured, hundreds of inflatables in the audience.

Overall Bumbershoot did not disappoint, and the fact it was the 50th anniversary of the festival only added to the atmosphere. The Seattle music scene has always been iconic for its Grunge influence and iconic bands like Nirvana. But being at this festival you can tell that the Seattle sound is so much bigger than that. Bands from all genres came together to put on one hell of a weekend. I plan on being back next year, and I hope to see all of you there.