What the hell is up Bumbershoot? How are you gonna schedule three of hip-hop’s biggest names against an indie kid’s wet dream? How are you gonna make someone choose between the triumverate of J.Cole, Drake, and Mary J. Blidge and the trifecta of Japandroids, Surfer Blood, and the Thermals? What, you think a KUBE listener can’t be a KEXP devotee and vice versa?
The first unfair choice of the day came when Victor Shade went on the State Farm stage at the same time as Sol over at Free Yr Radio’s Toyota stage. Victor Shade won out, mostly due to tweets from MC/frontman RA Scion and buzz throughout the week promising an unforgettable performance. It more or less lived up to the hype, with Scion donning a full out Vision costume (the group of Scion and producer MTK is based on Marvel Comics’ Avenger) of green spandex body suit, yellow cape, and gold underwear. Scion looked ridiculous but pulled it off because his flow stood out even more than his get-up. Dude spit metal lungies with precision and bombast. Other than the costume, the rest of the performance didn’t stand out as much. The b-boys from the Flying Sneakers Cru danced their tails off but did not always have a whole lot to do onstage; with more work and choreographing a Victor Shade performance could be something really unique and memorable. I ducked over to catch the last 2 songs of Sol’s set, the first a brand new cut (late note 9/8: “Need Your Love” feat. Ray Dalton, album out in January) and the finale “Dear Friends.” The UW product is a charmer for sure, and had obviously won over the small but enthusiastic crowd; hey Bumbershoot, another thing, get this kid a bigger stage next year yaheard?
Briefly checked out bluegrass big timers Trampled by Turtles before hitting the Center Square stage. Bluegrass isn’t really my thing, mostly because during college I had too many Idaho kids change the music at parties from my rap to some Deliverance shit (I guess lippers taste better with fiddle instead of 808s) but if done right it’s great to see live: good energy and undeniable musicianship. The boys from Duluth, Minnesota impressed in what I saw, but I had to get over to the Center Square for Athens garage rockers the Whigs. The trio has been receiving some national attention, including a recent performance on Leno. Before getting in line for more local hip-hop over at the EMP Sky Church I ran into the Center House to use the bathroom. In the corridor I found dolled-up teenage girls straightening their hair and getting ready for Drake’s set in 3 hours. That’s preparation.
I prepared for Helladope by standing my hair on end as well, but with a diabolic concoction of Coke Zero, Rich and Rare, and 5 Hour Energy. The EMP Sky Church was packed for their 3:30 set, a pleasant surprise considering the duo of Tay Sean and Jerm aren’t as well known as other local acts. Undeservedly so, as their brand of Organized Noize-influenced space rap is one of the best things going in the 6. With live backing provided by Boomzilla, the show had the potential to be a revelation, something people would be talking about for years as Helladope’s coming out party. Maybe my expectations were too high but it was a decent set, and that was it. They ran through tracks from Return to Planet Rock, giving the crowd “hip-hop in its underground pure form.” The boys from Cloud Nice, Mikey Nice and Jarv Dee, joined Tay and Jerm for most of their set, and singer Isabella du Graf came on for a couple tracks after the 4 MCs ran through “Take Me There.” From where I was standing the low end sounds, particularly coming from the keys, were way too high and drowned out the rappers. They performed all the highlights from their album (“We Come in Peace,” “This is My Planet,” “Out Here Doin’ It,” etc.) and had decent chemistry with their guests, but the set was rather flat, especially due to the crowd’s lukewarm response; they didn’t know much about Helladope. I will say though, whenever they perform “Just So You Know” everyone in the building is compelled to get funky, and Monday’s set was no exception, with the track getting the warmest reception of the afternoon.
After a brief stop at Dick’s (and make sure y’all vote for a location in West Seattle) the main stage finally beckoned for the first time all weekend. We should’ve sold our tickets and downgraded to the economy passes like on the other days. Memorial Stadium isn’t the best place to see a show, it rained the whole time, and the highly-touted J.Cole and the one all the 14 year old girls gotta look pretty for, Drake, were just lame. No pictures for this one either as the bands apparently would not allow cameras with removable lenses or something, so that had to be checked at the door. I arrived just as the first signee to Jay-Z’s new label was getting into his mentor’s “Dead Presidents II.” Cole apologized frequently for his voice, which he blamed on being sick, but it didn’t really sound that bad. His uncharismatic performance was, as was his characterization of Asian people. Drake came on to lots of screams and swore a lot, noticeable only because it seemed strangely forced and unnatural, and ran through his hits and features. His set was built for the arena setting, with a backing band providing wailing guitars and other bullshit, and Drake bullshitting more bullshit about “Free Weezy” and serenading a girl he brought onstage who said she was 18 (I call bullshit) after warning her, “You’re bound to get kissed on, sucked on, licked on, whatever.” After a half-assed Jimi Hendrix acknowledgement and what was supposed to be a super funky “Miss Me” that in execution just sounded like more bullshit, I’d had enough of the mainstage.
It was time to actually get funky, no bullshit. Living legend Booker T. was putting on a real show over at the Starbucks stage, much to the delight of people my parents’ age in their goretex passing joints. Hearing “Green Onions” performed live by its creator was almost the highlight of the day, second only to his cover of “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay,” which he helped write and played keys on. Like I said, legendary. After that I took a quick gander at Portland’s the Thermals, who I’ve seen bunches of times before. They have a new album out, you should listen to that, it’s good. Bumbershoot ended with more legends, the English Beat. The 2 toners entreated the crowd to make some noise for “bumperfest,” but other than that cheerfully ran through their ska/punk/reggae fusions with no hiccups. The lead singer goofily jabbered at the crowd, noting that the night’s weather reminded him of hometown Birmingham where it “rains 13 and a half months out of the year.”
After that, it was time to get the hell out of Seattle Center. A long weekend of live music for sure, but not a whole lot that blew me away. Plenty to remember though, such as Grynch’s 206 block party, Jahyaire’s coming out party(s), and Jay Electronica’s affinity for choke sex. Bumbershoot, we’ll see ya next year – but next time, don’t force me to make scheduling choices like that again please.