Bumbershoot 2015: Day 2 Recap
Bumbershoot Music & Arts Festival Day 2
September 6, 2015
By Cameron Deuel; Photos by Jim Toohey and Sunny Martini
The second day at Bumbershoot 2015 kicked off with reggae hero Lee “Scratch” Perry, who came out decorated in a costume so vibrant I firmly believe he invented several new colors. When he appeared there was an incense torch in his hand that set ablaze and held above his head for the entirety of his show. It was *looks both ways* LIT. He’s a fucking legend and will live forever.
Lee Scratch Takes the Stage. Photo by Jim Toohey.
Lee Scratch Perry. Photo by Jim Toohey.
I had to see Brand New because I was 15 once and their “poetry” still rings true to that part of me. When Jesse Lacey, the band’s frontman, took the stage wearing a New York Giants beanie I felt everything come full circle. This is what a friend texted me before the show: “Have fun watching the King of Goths!” and she wasn’t wrong. Lacey was presenting himself as a Sad Boy High Priest. He and his band performed songs that are over a decade old to a stadium full of people who acted like they were still fresh while their newer songs went uncelebrated. They exist in a circle of Dante’s Inferno reserved for bards removed from time. I legitimately loved hearing “Seventy Times Seven” again and even felt severe pangs of nostalgia for people I’ll never see again.
Brand New. Photo by Sunny Martini.
Brand New. Photo by Sunny Martini.
If The Weeknd was actively trying to eff his audience, Gallant was at least buying his a drink. The LA-based vocalist ensured his set was steel grade reinforced with falsetto, which is his sweet spot. While he doesn’t have much original music at this point, he’s certainly an artist to check up on. The guy is going places.
We Were All Glad These Two Could Make It
Once again, the day ended on a high note. Kehlani, a 20 year-old artist from Oakland, was the most important act of the weekend. Her DJ, Noodles, kicked the show off with a short set to warm-up the crowd before Kehlani took the stage but, in hindsight, I don’t think it was even necessary. The way Kehlani combined slick R&B cuts with sharp choreography (ON THE STARBUCKS STAGE *AIRHORRRRN*), even including a skit about how to spot a fuckboy, was an instant success. I am not exaggerating when I say she’s our Aaliyah and was, by far, the best act of Bumbershoot. If you missed it, you made a huge mistake but I’m sure you can catch her when she starts headlining arena tours in a few years. Well done, Bumbershoot.
The Big Balloon Sign Looked Pretty Money at Night.
- Bumbershoot 2015: Day 1 photo album
- Bumbershoot 2015: Day 1 Recap
- Bumbershoot 2015: Day 2 photo album
- Bumbershoot 2015: Day 3 photo album
- Bumbershoot 2015: Day 3 recap