Seattle finally found its blue sky, just in time for Bumbershoot:
Kris Orlowski was described as a troubadour, but when I saw the cello, violin, drums, guitar, etc. –I was hooked.
Wagons hark from Australia–by way of the deep southern USA. I created the genre “nerdish country” just for them.
I had the good fortune to see and photograph The Dave Matthews Band at The Gorge on Sunday night. The amphitheatre was packed for 3 days with the largest and most enthusiastic crowd that I had ever seen there.
Dave and the boys eased onto the stage in their laid-back style and the crowd was ready. They had been waiting all day in the hot sun for a show that they had seem hundreds of times before. You see, this crowd is different. Fans travel from all over the country for an event, not just a concert. A Dave Matthews show is more of a force of nature. It’s organic, like a ground swell of harmony and togetherness. It all sounds very 1960s and it should. There was a vibe and a pungent smell in the air that I hadn’t experienced since Pink Floyd and U2 years before.
This was my first Dave Matthews Band show and it won’t be my last. I had more fun at this show than ever before at the Gorge. If you get the same privilege, stay for the 3 day “Festival”. You will be transported to a different time and place.
Band: Dave Mathews Band
Photographer: John Rudolph
Mavis Staples sings gospel and rhythm and blues, and this year she won a Grammy award for her album, You Are Not Alone. Little Dragon is a band from Sweden who just released their third album. Each act performed at Bumbershoot on Friday, and we’ve got pix from Kirk Stauffer to prove it.
Mavis Staples
Little Dragon
If you were lucky enough to be at Bumbershoot on Saturday you may have caught sets by Valient Thorr and Shabazz Palaces. Check out some exquisite shots from Kirk Stauffer, who caught some wonder heavy metal hair action in these shots of Valient Thorr, and just the wicked hotness of Shabazz Palaces:
Valient Thorr
Shabazz Palaces
The superb Shelby Earl played at day one of Bumbershoot 2011 for an EMP Level 3 Stage audience. I can’t say how pleased I am that Kirk Stauffer has produced these shots of Earl and her band, which includes Hannalee’s Mike Notter and Anna-Lisa Carlson. Earl’s debut album Burn the Boats is out now.
