Playlist: Sasquatch Music Festival (May 24-26)The kickoff to the season is the Sasquatch Music Festival, which year after year, gets the most best tasting/less filling lineup in the country. Doesn't get the press that Coachella gets, but the lineup is top notch, and it's hard to beat watching your favorite band with Grand Canyon Jr. (the Gorge) as a backdrop. Bands like R.E.M., Modest Mouse, The Cure and Death Cab For Cutie are great decoys for the real entertainment on a second stage. That's where you can see acts like Destroyer, Stephen Malkmus, Battles, Okkervil River in a slightly more intimate setting.
Must See: Fleet Foxes
Playlist: Sub Pop 20th Anniversary Festival (July 12-13)
The initial lineup was just announced this week, but rumors of a Green River reunion have been circulating since the fall. Not only do we get a GR reunion, but also reuniting for the event are Red Red Meat, Fluid, Seaweed and Beachwood Sparks. (What, no Tad?) The rest of the lineup is filled with current roster acts like Wolf Parade, Iron & Wine, Fleet Foxes and Flight of the Conchords, but no sight of the crossover successes - The Shins and Band of Horses. Portland's Sub Pop contingent is missing as well -- perhaps Hazel, Pond and The Spinanes can get their act together in time for the event?
Must see: Green River (duh?)
Website: SP20 Details
Playlist: Pemberton Music Festival (July 25-27)
This is a first for the Whistler area and I for one was surprised to see the local residents approve the festival. With a camping set-up and acts like Black Mountain, Jay-Z, Tom Petty, My Morning Jacket (see full lineup) it's a good thing Canada is much looser with their Marijuana laws. They even have a family section for camping, which presumably won't have the same cannibas fog surrounding it.
Must see: Sam Roberts Band (when in Canada...)
Website: Pemberton Festival
Playlist: Capitol Hill Block Party (July 25-26)
Occurring at the same time as Pemberton, CHBP has grown leaps and bounds throughout the years, but finally seems to have settled on a size, as this year resembles the last couple in size and strength (manageable and 'like bull', respectively). Vampire Weekends' got a busy, uh... weekend playing both CHBP and Pemberton fests. Other highlights for this neighborhood party include The Hold Steady, Kimya Dawson and Jay Reatard.
Must see: Jay Reatard!
Website: The Stranger's CHBP site
Playlist: Bumbershoot (August 30–September 1)
The annual labor day weekend arts extravaganza is always the bohemoth lying in wait... the giant straw that breaks your festival going back. I believe I've attended now every year since 1987, which makes my attendance this year of drinking age (21 years!) The beer gardens better watch out! A preview lineup has been announced featuring Beck, Neko Case, M. Ward, Dan Deacon and Wreckless Eric (!) among many others. It's too early to say how it's going to look, though, as there's a lot of time for plenty of surprise announcements to come. We'll of course be monitoring the situation.
Must see: Man Man (just added)
Website: Bumbershoot.org
So, who wants to fly to the Seattle area for the summer now?
