Bumbershoot 2009- Monday Day September 7, 2009

It rained. It poured. But for our troubles we made the front page of the Seattle Weekly's coverage!

First up was my most anticipated show, Visqueen. I love them so much. Check out their video for Crush On The Radio, although my favourite song is actually Vaxxine. It came as a huge disappointment to me when they played their new album in it's entirety with neither of songs I wanted to hear.
Rachel Flotard

Cristina Bautista

Tom Cummings

We went for one of our endless free Starbucks coffee's and still managed to catch The Minus 5. I'd seem them before when R.E.M. played a secret show with them. Peter Buck still plays with the band, which was cool to see. I'm going to link to a live performance of Lies Of The Living Dead because the song is a cool as the title.
Scott McCaughey

Peter Buck

Delhi 2 Dublin was an unexpected stop. As we were passing through the grounds, we were seduced by the sounds of Bangra music and had to stop. This is a truly a multicultural group with world wide influences, and you need to check this video out to see what I'm talking about.
Sanjay Seran

Delhi 2 Dublin

Ravi Binning

Next it was the Black Eyed Peas. This was for Sonia, so I braved life and limb to get up close.
Fergie

will.i.am

Taboo

Last for the day was Akron/Family. I was really looking forward to them and expected a dozen people on stage, but was surprized to see just two guys. Check out Ed Is A Portal.
Seth Olinsky

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.