Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I did not often get a change to experience live music outdoors. I am conditioned to sitting in a school gym or auditorium, and although there really is not much to see, positioning myself so to have a continuous view of the performers. This past summer at Bumbershoot offered me a chance to experience music in an arena that I feel unfamiliar with. I got a taste of being a music fan, instead of going with a critiquing mindset.
The morning I left for the festival, I was particularly excited to see a musician I was already a big fan of. Tyrone Wells is from the Seattle area and sings a style of folk pop with lyrics about real life for average people. His music is very easy to relate to, as he writes and sings about what is important and challenges him. The venue was set like a picnic concert. Everyone from the age of a few months to many years older than that sat relaxing and enjoying music, lyrics, and message.
Getting the opportunity to listen to his music live in that specific environment brought a new nuance to the music. It became so personal. Like if you sat in a room with someone giving a speech or presentation that was about an issue they truly cared about. It was connecting and reassuring. For one of the few times in life, I sat on the grass (blocking my view of the stage) and enjoyed the music in the summer air.
Photos by Joseph Lambet, From the concert
I love Bumbershoot, and this past year it was especially great. I love being able to just sit on the grass with friends (I think I was next to you when Tyrone was on, yeah?) and listen to great music. Ever since hearing one of his songs on the TV show “One Tree Hill” I’ve been a fan. I agree that this experience was much more personal, aren’t we’re lucky!