See The Stranger‘s complete guide to Bumbershoot.
Chastity Belt
Fri, 6:40 pm, KEXP
If Quentin Tarantino were to put any band playing at this year’s Bumbershoot on one of his soundtracks, it would be Chastity Belt. Something about the way the formerly-of-Walla-Walla four-piece’s reverby rock music clashes with singer/guitarist Julia Shapiro’s wordy and, frankly, bummer lyrics recalls the best parts of Pulp Fiction. Listening to a Chastity Belt album feels like being the smartest person at a very unpleasant party and making the best of it with witty gags and, if all else fails, a little violence.
Father John Misty
Fri, 6:50 pm, Main Stage
Father John Misty is the most high-profile artist featured on this list. Also, he’s no longer a Seattle resident. So why mention him? First, because he made his mark as the drummer in locals Fleet Foxes after spending many years in town releasing solo albums as J. Tillman. Second, and more important, he’s just so damn good. He plays a lovesick lothario with a strange sense of humor and a huge heart. His music occupies a blissful territory between folk, rock, and pop previously occupied by Eagles and Fleetwood Mac. And he’s one of the best live performers at this or any other festival.