Those of us who’ve been keeping one eye on the weather forecasts this week weren’t optimistic that Bumbershoot would stay dry, but early this morning the clouds cleared over Seattle, just in time for events to kick off in the sunshine. It may not seem like a big deal, but those of us who are spending all three days at the music and arts festival weren’t looking forward to the predicted deluge.
With the sun smiling, though, some impressive crowds turned out for the opening acts, as the Seattle Center began to fill up with Saturday’s music fans, media folk, and, of course, those all-important bands. Seattle’s own Kristen Ward opened proceedings on the Starbucks Stage, in front of a crowd who were bravely sitting on the still-damp lawn, and if her set was anything to go by this should be a Bumbershoot to remember. Mixing acoustic folk sounds with some truly rockin’ guitar riffs, she produced a show that gave the festival its first little frisson of excitement.
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The party truly kicked off 45 minutes later, however, when the fuzzy Americana of Everest blasted out from the Broad Street Stage. Those who don’t know the band should be aware of the fact that they were hand-picked by Neil Young to support him on his Fall ’08 tour, and they’ve just come back from a major tour with My Morning Jacket. They may not be a household name yet, but fame and fortune are surely lurking around the corner.
Their show today demonstrated just why there’s a buzz surrounding their name, as they stomped their way through a set filled with memorable tunes, and backed with thumping bass riffs and some serious distortion. Those who have heard their debut album, Ghost Notes, may have expected them to be a guitar pop band in the vein of Chris Martin’s Coldplay, but their stage show has a decidedly heavier sound that continually threatened to burst into full-on distorted mayhem. It never quite got there, but there was certainly some major shredding along the way.
Beyond boosting their rock credentials, Everest’s short set also provided Bumbershoot ’09 with what was surely its first clap-along moment, and given the notoriously reticent Northwestern crowd that was no mean feat. Although fame may not be on their doorstep quite yet, they’re still talented enough to win over us Seattle dwellers. Let’s hope that their show bodes well for the next two and a half days – assuming that the rain stays away, of course.
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