Seattle was asking for it when they named the music and arts festival “Bumbershoot.” I mean, it means umbrella, so it’s almost inevitable that there will be at least one drop of rain at one point during the weekend.
Thankfully today, Saturday, it only rained for about 15 minutes. But even the rain could not stop the upbeat feel of Bumbershoot on this day.
Saturday’s main stage lineup included Katy Perry, the All-American Rejects and Sheryl Crow, probably the three most popular artists of the festival. So naturally, the Seattle Center was loaded with everyone from tweeny boppers with their parents coming to see Katy Perry or the All-American Rejects to middle-aged moms there to see Sheryl Crow. Quite the wide spectrum for one day.
I only caught Katy Perry on the main stage, mainly because my sister wanted to see her, but surprisingly, I was much more entertained than I thought I would be. Perry rocked a one-piece with a butt tutu, even in the seemingly gloomy weather, and jumped around the stage just about as much as the huge crowd of teenage girls right in front. But what stood out most to me was how good her voice sounded today. I’ve only seen her sing live on MTV award shows and other such things, and her voice has always been a little off, not quite powerful enough to carry a huge venue, but today was to
tally different. Even with the jumping around the stage, Perry sang her ass off. At one point, Perry mentioned her music idols – Queen, and broke out into a fun cover of “Don’t Stop Me Now.” I’m pretty sure none of the 13-year-olds knew any words to the song, but it made me smile, and oddly enough, made me think of the scene at the end of “Shaun of the Dead” when Shaun and the other survivors smack a zombie into submission to the beat of the jukebox with pool cues. That song, in itself, was worth missing seeing Maria Bamford’s kooky comedy stylings at Comedy Stage North at the exact same time.
After I left the main stage, my sister and I took a little hiatu
s before heading over to the Broad Street Stage to see Seattle electro dance-punk band Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head. And I must say, it’s pretty much the greatest band name I’ve heard in a very long time. My sister had never listened to any of their stuff, but it didn’t matter. The five young Seattle natives and their ridiculously infectious songs turned the entire lawn into a dance party. Since they’ve only released one album, the crowd easily knew the words to all the songs – especially the short ditty “Sophisticated Side Ponytail,” a minute-and-a-half cheer of constant – “do you like my ponytail? I do, I do! My sideways ponytail? It’s true, it’s true!” It’s so eighties, yet not outdated in the slightest – with references to Shamu, tilt-a-whirls, the use of the word “bomb,” and steel drums. The eighties have had their second coming – and Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head are the leaders of that revolution. Another of their songs centered around sexy hair – “Beard Lust,” which vocalist and various percussionist Shaun Libman declared the first song they ever wrote, right around the corner, while attending The Center School in their teens. Departing from the harmonies of the other songs, “Beard Lust” featured lots of rapping. 
Shaun, Luke, David, Claire and Liam were by far the most at home at Bumbershoot, which carried into their performance – causing the entire crowd to dance like maniacs. From any other band – “Iceage Babeland” and “Confections” would cause people to stand with their mouths ajar with confusion, but the campyness of the songs fit perfectly with the youthful vibe of Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head. I loved it. And to top it all off, during their final song, Shaun busted out a wine bottle filled with glitter to pour all over the crowd. The whole set was so much glittery deliciousness that it made you forget that you haven’t eaten in 10 hours.
Hey, who needs food when you’ve got a sweaty dance party to enjoy?
Speaking of food – apparently everyone during Matt & Kim’s set was starving, since the crowd kept throwing tortillas up on stage.
“I don’t know who told you guys, but tacos are my favorite food. So this is perfect,” keyboardist Matt said in some fashion or another. “Really, all sandwiches.”
So naturally, someone threw a wrapped sandwich up on stage by the time they were finished. 
There is only one word to describe Matt & Kim – well, an adjective and a noun – relentlessly happy. I assure you, if you ever see them play, you will never see another band smile more. Kim didn’t stop grinning, I don’t think once. Someone was always making her laugh as she ferociously beat on her small drum kit while her husband Matt rocked out on his keyboard as if he were playing a double-necked axe. Their joy was contagious, even with just the two of them alone in the middle of the Broad Street Stage. And one could not find a more humble band. Numerous times, Matt spouted off thank you and “you guys rock” and other terms of gratitude that I can’t seem to remember. About halfway through their set – that’s when the rain slowly started. As the rain reached a pour, Matt started the opening riffs of one of their biggest hits “Daylight” to give the weather a little hint of what was yet to come. Five minutes later, they did the same thing again, and lo and behold, the rain stopped. The power of Matt & Kim’s music and the crowd’s equal enthusiasm stopped Seattle rain. Now that takes some strength. 
The fact that we were on a huge lawn didn’t make any difference in the intimacy of the performance. Afterward, I felt like I could walk up to Matt or Kim and start up a conversation with them. They made the crowd feel like we were all friends, which Kim took even further when she jumped onto the lawn to crowd surf with the rest of us. I haven’t had that much fun at a show since…well, 3 hours earlier when I saw Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head, but that’s a testament to how Bumbershoot, along with other festivals, work. They bring people together to have fun and enjoy music that they love.
I got all of that out of one day at Bumbershoot, and I still have two days left. Goodness, I’m excited for what’s to come.
Written by: Abby Williamson
