See The Stranger‘s complete guide to Bumbershoot.
Once the only major arts and culture festival in the city, Bumbershoot is now one of many mass gatherings in our neck of the woods. Though it has musical rivals in Sasquatch! and the Capitol Hill Block Party, and there are strong contenders in both the food (Bite of Seattle) and multidisciplinary art exhibit (Folklife, Seattle Art Fair, and Out of Sight) games, this (sometimes) sunny three-day music and arts fair distinguishes itself from the festival pack by bringing all these forms together under one needle.
The 46th annual Bumbershoot lineup is full of acts worthy of filling your schedule, at and below the headliner level. You already know to go see Anderson .Paak, Fetty Wap, Tame Impala—and locally, Erik Blood, DoNormaal, and Chastity Belt. Here’s a short list of artists with whom you may not be so familiar but who are worth your time.