Over Labor Day weekend, musicians, artists, and massive numbers of fans flocked

Over Labor Day weekend, musicians, artists, and massive numbers of fans flocked to Seattle Center for Bumbershoot 2008. Here’s a glimpse of the festival in its entirety; check out photos and read reviews, then follow the links back to the original posts.Published on September 4, 2008

Monday at Bumbershoot: Death Cab, The Offspring, Old 97s: A skater launches off the Rockstar Energy Drink vert ramp, set up on the fountain lawn.

Bumbershoot: Three-Sentence Review of Band of Horses: Seeing Band of Horses live was a great reminder that an engaging performance doesn’t have to be fast or high-energy. They sounded really, really on, like everything just seemed to fall into place, and the general crowd consensus seemed to be Whoa… these guys are good. And, even though I can’t quite say it’s my style, I have to mention the mid-set marriage proposal aE” she said yes!

Seattle People: Bumbershoot Edition: The Bumbershoot Festival drew crowds of all sorts to the Seattle Center over Labor Day Weekend.

Bumbershoot: Three-Sentence Review of Neko Case: Neko Case hasn’t put out anything new since Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, but the impatient got a sneak peek at a few songs from Neko Case’s next record, which is slated to come out in March. Though the set list leaned toward the soulful ballad, Neko sang with the same soulful concentratrion of all her live performances, belting out challenging numbers like Star Witness and John the Baptist with her face turned upward in defiance of all my childhood choir teachers’ best advice. If only she’d humor those of us who dug her bluegrassier days and sing Guided By Wire, or Hex once in a while…not that I’m complaining, because of all the times I’ve seen Neko sing live, she’s never been anything less than astounding.

Sunday at Bumbershoot: Stone Temple Pilots, The Black Keys, T.I.: Australia’s Strange Fruit.

Bumbershoot Fans of the Day: Saturday: Jules McEvoy is a member of the Juggling Jollies, the guys you’ll see around the festival grounds throwing swords around.

Bumbershoot: Three-Sentence Review of Brother Ali: After starting my day with T.I. I felt primed to end my day with some hip-hop, but what I saw from Brother Ali was so great it barely seemed like the same art: if it’s a question of pure hip hop skill, flow and lyricism, he’ll always be up at the top without a doubt. Plenty of bands and artists say thanks to their fans, but as a man who hasn’t always had the easiest time it’s easy to see and feel that Ali really means it. It wasn’t all serious though aE” there were hands in the air, sick beatboxes, and jokes like When you clap in the air, try to do it on time you white motherfuckers!

Bumbershoot: Three-Sentence Review of Anti-Flag: Fans at Anti-Flag’s Exhibition Hall set were almost as amped as the band.

Bumbershoot: Three-Sentence Review of Death Cab for Cutie: Between the fantastic lighting and and perfect melody, Death Cab for Cutie’s set was utter and complete ecstasy. After leaving 20 minutes early I was almost worried there would be no encore, but never fear: they closed out with a four song run of Title and Registration, No Sunlight, Tiny Vessels and Transatlanticism, and the fireworks raining down from the scaffolding made it a near-religious experience. Part of me wishes I’d seen Death Cab on a smaller stage in the not-so-long-ago era of The Crocodile, but the other half of me knows they deserve the glitz and giant mainstage bill… and there’s no band I’d rather see to close out Bumbershoot ’08.

Bumbershoot Fans of the Day: Sunday: And this guy aE” whose name I couldn’t catch because he literally just didn’t ever stop dancing aE” was loving the drum circle just past the Center House. You got rhythm?

Bumbershoot: Three-Sentence Review of the Black Keys: Dan Auerbach plays the rhythm, the lead and the baseline all at the same time. I had never really thought about this until a buddy was surprised to see that the Black Keys comprise only two members. Hearing it is one thing, but to see Auerbach do it live was pretty damn cool. These guys throw an amazing rock show and honestly, after day number two, IaE™ll say it: Theirs was my favorite set. I donaE™t think itaE™ll be topped. The boys from Akron keep it too filthy.

Bumbershoot Fans of the Day: Sunday: This couple aE” whose names I didn’t get for the sake of leaving the moment uninterrupted aE” were completely precious during Jakob Dylan’s set at the Starbucks Stage. Aww…

Bumbershoot: Three-Sentence Review of the Stone Temple Pilots: STP was a half hour late, but it was worth it. Scott WeilandaE™s still got it, still a ridiculous rock star. These guys are ages removed from the flannel-coated 90s but their set inspired nostalgia amongst everyone who accompanied me to the show. On this first reunion tour, they stuck to the hits aE“ material mostly from Purple and Core but that doesnaE™t mean the set was devoid of innovation, WeilandaE™s the only singer IaE™ve seen who uses a bullhorn on top of a microphone for distortion. Pretty dope.

The Offspring at Bumbershoot: Some Things Never Change: Dexter Holland’s voice is still among the most recognizable in the business. Noodles still loves porn. And the kids aE” many who don’t know radio without Smash, The Offspring’s/Independent music’s biggest record ever aE” still go ape-shit for Come Out and Play (Keep ‘EM Separated).

Bumbershoot Fans of the Day: Sunday: Julia, center aE” age 16, was my Bumbershoot Sunday top pick for Fan of the Day. I caught up with her waiting for Brother Ali at the Exhibition Hall Stage, and she’d been around long enough to make it front and center aE” which is dedication in and of itself. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard someone scream that loud before. There are tons of underage at Bumbershoot, but if they’re like her I’d say they’ve earned a place.