Bumbershoot 2009- Sunday, September 6, 2009

Started with The Black Whales. As in all my Bumbershoot, the song choice will be linked to a video. My choice for the Black Whales is Young Blood.

I have a pet peeve in watching bands, and singer Alex Robert was a big offender. He kept his eyes closed during the entire performance. You can not connect with an audience when you have your eyes closed. The performance is internal, and you lose us. For this reason, here is my photo of Alex tuning his guitar because nothing else is compelling.
Alex Robert

Davey Brozowski

Then it was off to the main stage for our first main stage show. I HATE the main stage because they have no video screens at all. It's ridiculous because you can't see anything unless you get up really close and you are basically taking your life into your own hands at that point. Bumbershoot, GET SOME GIANT VIDEO SCREENS!
Anyways, off to see the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, who I adore. My favourite song is Zero which you can watch here.
Karen O

What's not to love. They were amazing. A highlight for sure. Also more giant confetti cannons which seem to be the new thing right now.

After an awesome Happy Hour at Twist (love the pomegranate ribs) it was off to Michael Franti and Spearhead. Say Hey is supposedly a hit although I don't know anyone else who knows it. I love it to death, but Sonia and Glen were not too impressed.

Michael Franti

Michael Franti and Jason Mraz

Last stop of the day was to see The Helio Sequence. My favourite song is Keep Your Eyes Ahead.

Brandon Summers with Benjamin Weikel

Bumbershoot 2009- Saturday Night, September 6, 2009

So after nice Mexican dinner complete with beer flavoured water, we began our evening. As before, I've added a link to the videos wherever possible.

I've loved World Party forever, so Glen was pretty surprized when I said I could take them or leave them. On our way to the EMP Sky church, we happened by the Fisher Stage where World Party was beginning my favourite song, Message In A Box. Needless to say. I got all excited, and ran to the front of the stage.
Karl Wallinger

He was simply accompanied by another guitarist and a fiddler

David Duffy and John Turnbull

We still managed to catch Kay Kay And His Weathered Underground. Check out Momma here. The EMP/SFM Sky Church is probably my favourite venue at Bumbershoot. The gorgeous lighting compliments the great sound that the space has

Kirk Huffman

Kay Kay And His Weathered Underground

We still managed to catch about half of The Long Winters set. Watch Fire Island, AK here.

John Roderick

Bumbershoot 2009- Saturday Day September 5, 2009

Another busy Bumbershoot. Lots to see and do. Songs will be linked to a video when possible.

We started our weekend with Natalie Portman's Shaved Head. A crazy, fun Seattle band. Best song? Check out Sophisticated Side Ponytail.
Luke Smith

Claire England

Shaun Libman

Amazing live. So much energy. Great fun songs. Great start to the weekend.

Second up. Low vs Diamond. Best song? Don't Forget Sister.
Lucas Field

Anthony Polcino

They were good enough, but who I was really waiting for was Matt and Kim.
Best video? Lesson's Learned which features them stripping down in New York's Time Square. Best SONG however, has to go to the incredibly catchy Yea Yeah which I couldn't stop singing all weekend.
Matt Johnson & Kim Schifino

Matt and Kim

Another really fun energetic set which featured lots of glitter explosions and crowd surfing including a go by Kim.

Doves-May 21, 2009 at The Commodore Ballroom

Winter Olympic 2010 news. Pounding from the Doves, The Last Broadcast is being used by the 2010 Winter Olympics in commercials, Watch it here.
Jimi Goodwin

After four long years, the Doves are finally back with a new album, Kingdom Of Rust. I've been a huge fan since 2000 when Lost Souls was released and they were the new "it" band and "Catch The Sun" is still one of my all time favourite songs.

Jetstream, from the new album, opened the show which was unusual. Unusual because Jez isn't the main singer, that Jetstream is biggest departure from the "Doves" sound, and that apparently Jez was recovering from laryngitis. It turned out to be a good choice as he sounded great and the heavy bass/electronic beat got the crowd moving.
Jez Williams

Jimi Goodwin sounded great as usual. He has the most amazing voice and the fact that he can pull it off live has always been a joy for me. He also looks great so the time off has been good for him. 10:03 from the new album was also particularly great. I love they way it builds into an almost completely different song.

The last time I saw them was in 2005. One of the things that moved me was the fact that they had the most inspiring multimedia show with trippy video and a stunning light show. Not so much this time. Blame technical problems? It was clear during the stage setup that they were planning on using a visuals on the stage based on the projected message that was on the screen on the stage, however this did not happen. Also, the stage seemed bathed in darkness except for the lights which eminated from behindy Andy's drum kit.
Andy Williams

My only other comment on the show are that they didn't play Catch The Sun....AGAIN!

Opening the show was Wild Light from New Hampshire. I have almost nothing good to say about them based entirely on Co-leader Timothy Kyle's pants.
Jordan Alexander (got the stove pipes just right)

Yes, they have a great song. It's "California On My Mind" and you should check it out here but seriously, I could not get past the pants. Who would tell him he looked good in those really monstrous tight white stove pipes. At one point, a crowd member yelled "Nice Pants" to which Tim replied "Always about the pants. Thank you, I'm going to assume it's sincere." It wasn't. When I'm horribly distracted and appalled by your pants, enough to waste a paragraph on them, I urge you to discard them forever and let me concentrate on your music.
Seth Pitman

(Notice no photos of offensive pants. I have standards as to where I aim my lens.)