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<\/a>The stages for Bumbershoot are nestled amongst the setting for the 1962 Seattle World\u2019s Fair, which is still mostly intact. This setting makes for a\u00a0 very unique festival experience.<\/p>\n
Bumbershoot is marketed to all ages and the overall vibe is very independent and grassroots, a reflection of One Reel Press, the non-profit company that has run the festival since 1980.<\/p>\n
Because of this, it\u2019s become known as the place to see some of the world\u2019s hottest bands, a lot of them homegrown.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs much as we aim to present nationally and internationally known acts, having the focus on Seattle and the northwest area is very important to us,\u201d says Porter. \u201cOften I think if the festival was run by a larger entity, that sensitivity might not be there. We want people to feel like, \u2018You\u2019re in Seattle, you\u2019re having a Seattle happening,\u2019 and we\u2019re really lucky to live in a city where music is a real big deal, and a lot of diverse music, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Most know Seattle as the \u201990\u2019s hotbed of grunge rock, but in recent years the Pacific Northwest has finally been recognized as an eclectic music and arts community, featuring a vibrant hip-hop scene.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne could say that hip-hop is the biggest explosion right now in the area, thanks to Macklemore and others,\u201d explains Porter, \u201cbut it\u2019s constantly evolving like any good music and arts scene should.\u201d<\/p>\n
Festivals have become the go-to touring itinerary for a lot of musicians, especially during the summer months, and festivals like Bumbershoot give them an opportunity to share the stage with an eclectic mix of artists.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love playing festivals,\u201d says American singer\/songwriter and Bumbershoot act ZZ Ward, who also played Sasquatch Festival this year. \u201cIt\u2019s always very exciting to come to festivals like this and really feel the love of music.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite working on the festival year-round and comparing his job to \u201cjuggling while putting together a jigsaw puzzle,\u201d Porter shares Ward\u2019s sentiment, but from the other side of the stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a huge love for this festival,\u201d says Porter. \u201cI love how creative we can be with it, and we\u2019re so lucky to live in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, where people are very savvy about music and art. That allows us to stretch the possibilities more than other festivals can. It\u2019s a huge party we\u2019re putting on, to say the least, and I love it.\u201d<\/p>\n