How do you know summer is slowly coming to an end? Perhaps the crazy weather the Pacific Northwest encountered just a few weeks ago? Or maybe seeing people walk around with scarves and combat boots? Perhaps. But nothing tells you that summer is coming to an end and school is commencing right around the corner more than knowing the Bumbershoot Festival is finally here.
In it’s 44th year, and always held during Labor Day weekend, the international music and arts festival took place in Seattle from September 5th – 7th. The festival included a variety of music, comedy, dance, film and theatre acts which were spread around the premises of Seattle Centre. To cover 90 shows over 5 stages had your girl running around, I'm glad I wore my nikes!
Jhene Aiko Saturday September 5th, Memorial Stadium
Although a thunderstorm brewed minutes before she was about to hit the stage, the rain set the mood for her perfectly. Covered bleachers were available on both sides of Memorial Stadium but the huge crowd of teens still waited in the centre under the pouring rain. I don't blame them – Jhene has been on my bucket list since I first heard her feature on Drake's track “July”. After a 15 minute delay she started her set. “My Mine” was my favourite and she even jumped off the stage to greet her fans who stood patiently in the rain.
Flying Lotus
Saturday September 5th, Key Arena
With his stage in Key Arena, it allowed Flying Lotus to put on an incredible lazer show as he spinned. Every visual was precise to his music. The set up of the media stage was pretty lousy – it was put behind the sound and visual stage so I didn't get to capture a lot of his performance. I didn't stay very long anyway – I needed to head back at Memorial Stadium, the first day headliner was about to start.
The Weeknd
Saturday September 5th, Memorial Stadium
I've seen him more than a handful of times and the last was at FVDED in the Park. This meeting was no different, he brought in a huge crowd – both stands and the floor pit was packed chanting along his sultry music. What was different was his live performance of “Can't Feel My Face”, which he didn't perform at the last festival. He also performed “Often” – another favourite of mine. You can see the crowd jumping and waving their hands to the beat.
Chance the Rapper
Saturday September 5th, Key Arena
The final performer of the opening day. As The Weeknd finished up his set at Memorial Stadium, I started making my way back to Key Arena and was almost trampled by the herd of teenagers running the opposite way. Come to find out, they had moved the entrance to Key Arena around the corner and it was announced that the arena was close to getting packed. Once inside, I was in shocked of how full the arena was. The crowd rapped along with Chance but again, due to the unfortunate set up – I wasn't able to capture how hyped the crowd was while he was on stage.
Despite a an exhausting day, drenched from the thunderstorm, missed out on seeing some comedy acts, I was able to check three more artists off that I've never seen live before. All in all it was great day at Bumbershoot and I'm looking forward to next year.
