I don't know about you, but I can't stand seeing Facebook memories pop up on my feed...
...except for anything having to do with local music - whether it's from a festival, a gallery of photos, or a behind-the-scenes look at Band in Seattle.
Sometimes I forget that the reason I got this job was because I was already talking about music on the internet, and was capable of talking to a camera (shout out to our old editor who had the difficult task of keying out me with green hair in front of a green screen). That was seven years ago, and here we are in the middle of season 9. Since then, we've featured over 100 artists - some that have shot to stardom, some that have remained local strongholds, and some that have come and gone.
While I wouldn't say we're in a post Covid world by any means, there is a different feeling in the air now that the entire entertainment industry was put on pause for 2+ years. Festivals are re-envigorated, bands are excited to come play here again, and I don't know if it's just me but locals - from Bellingham to Tacoma - are making some really really good music right now. People were stuck inside for 2 years, and for many - using music to cope with the overwhelming loneliness and existential dread. And now, now that we're able to exist just a little more comfortably, festivals are back and they are strong.
We had Fisherman's Village Fest in Everett and Folklife in May. We have Capitol Hill Block Party and Timber Fest in July coming up, and Day In Day Out hits their third year in August. Thing! Fest comes to Port Townsend at the end of August, which I have yet to attend but I hear it's wonderful. But, I know I can trust Adam Zacks to put on a killer festival; he did it with the Sasquatch Festival for years. We have Freakout Fest in Ballard coming in the Fall, and Bumbershoot is back, and that's not even all of them.
I learned to love Seattle music at these festivals, and it's been the best outlet for not only my own listening, but discovering artists to have play on our show for years. Looking up things online, watching videos and listening to music is one thing - but there really is nothing like seeing a band live.
- Abby Williamson
