Bumbershoot 2015 Lineup Announcement

Bumbershoot 2015 Announcement Photo by John Lill

Bumbershoot may come at the tail end of the summer festival calendar, but Seattleites enjoying a fine spring day tuned in en masse via TV, radio, and social media to learn which bands would be playing the 45-year old festival (now run by AEG) this Labor Day Weekend. The lineup announcement was made from the Skyline Level of the Space Needle after Seattle Mayor Ed Murray raised the Bumbershoot flag at the Needle’s top, and completed via an adorably hilarious video:

The lineup showcases a wide range national artists from pop sensation Ellie Goulding to 90’s riot grrrls Babes In Toyland, the ingenious Ben Harper to aging, influential punks Social Distortion. Of course, Bumbershoot’s particular strength is in how it mixes these larger names with local favorites like Hey Marseilles, The Grizzled Mighty, and proto-grunge icons The Melvins. Sound Off! winners, One Above Below None were on hand for the lineup announcement. By wining the competition, the young hiphop group secured their place to shine at the festival. Pair this extensive lineup with a sunny long weekend at the end of the summer before the weather starts to tank and you have the grand prospect of an amazing weekend of music very close to home, both figuratively and literally. As Mayor Murray stated, Bumbershoot is a “world class arts celebration.” Excitement will continue to mount as the event’s comedy and film celebrations become more fleshed out as the date approaches.