Taylor Swift is an absolutely heart-stopping singer and performer. She’s also a heartbreaking beauty, so all these aspects make her an ideal entertainer to photograph. Swift also writes her own material, including my favorite songs of hers, “You Belong With Me” and “Mine.” There’s no way you could not love her music. Photographer Kirk Stauffer made the trip to Tacoma to cover Swift’s show at the Tacoma Dome, and I have to say these photos turned out beyond exquisitely. – Dagmar, Editor
Photographer Simon Krane attended all 3 days of Bumbershoot, and I am so happy to display some of his very fine photos beginning with shots of Vetiver, Witchburn Pentagram, and Valient Thorr.
Vetiver
Witchburn
Pentagram
Valient Thorr
I had the pleasure of shooting Meiko’s set at the Showbox Market last Sunday during a quick break while covering Bumbershoot. As I was processing these it occurred to me that I’ve covered her more than any performer – nine times in nearly three years – and thought it would be fun to add a photo from each of the prior shows at the end of this post. Why so many times? I think it’s a combination of her frequent stops in Seattle, my enjoyment of her music, and she’s a simply great performer to photograph. Without further ado – The Meiko Chronicles.
September, 2011
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Ah Curtains For You, you are exquisite. As of course are Charles Bradley and Warpaint. Photographer Nicky Andrews pounced on these acts at Bumbershoot with her mad photo skills. Thank you Nicky. Oh, and don’t miss Curtains For You during Reverb Festival in Seattle on October 8th!
Curtains For You
Charles Bradley
Warpaint
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Bumbershoot 2011 was an experiment of sorts. In recent years the festival has tried to balance a mix of superstar headlining acts with engaging, exciting mid-tier talent and up-and-coming local acts. This year, for the first time in a long while, One Reel didn’t bank on superstar power to sell tickets. They tried to flesh the lineup out with quality mid-tier performers and the metric ton of musical talent that resides in the Pacific Northwest. For the most part they succeeded.
Another huge difference this year was the rearranged festival grounds, the new venues and the venues and stages that are no more. They changed the orientation of the entrances and exits. Out was the Broad Street Stage and mainstage at Memorial Stadium. In are the EMP Level 3 Stage and mainstage inside Key Arena. Also returning from hiatus were the Fountain Lawn Stage and indoor stage in the Exhibition Hall. The headlining comedy acts were also moved to the Intiman Theatre.
As is always the case with Bumbershoot there was just too much to see to stay in any one place for too long. Throughout the weekend I caught bits and pieces of sets, only a few full sets and missed many sets I was hoping to see.
Charles Bradley – photo by Nicky Andrews
Saturday I arrived a little late and already missed Yuni in Taxco and Brite Futures. The first act I caught was the Presidents of the United States of America in KeyArena. As an introduction, Red from 107.7 The End said “Isn’t this one of the only times you’re bummed to be inside at Bumbershoot?” She, of course, was referring to the perfect weather outside, sunny, not a cloud in the sky. It took those lunatics in the Presidents about .001 milliseconds to brighten up the darkened KeyArena with their heavily caffeinated pop-punk assault. Chris, Andrew and Jason were feather pluckin’ insane as they tore through a set of favorites including “Kitty,” “Lump,” “Back Porch” and “Volcano.”