THROUGH THE LENS: Bumbershoot & Appaloosa Festivals Revel in Roots Once Again

This week’s column focuses on two festivals, Bumbershoot and Appaloosa Music Festival. While at opposite ends of the country, both are held on Labor Day weekend.

Appaloosa is hosted by the band Scythian, which formed in 2002 after brothers Alexander and Danylo Fedoryka left Catholic seminary. The fest began in 2015 in Front Royal, Virginia. With the Shenandoah River to the west and north and the Appalachian Trail to the east, the town has a picturesque setting that few festivals can match. Offering only two performance stages and another dedicated to workshops, it’s intimate in its scope.

Bumbershoot, meanwhile, is located within the grounds of the Seattle Center in downtown Seattle, Washington. With five music stages and six “districts” that feature other arts such as animation, comedy, and fashion, Bumbershoot is an encompassing event that packs quite an end-of-summer wallop. 

We are fortunate to have had column regulars Rob Laughter at Appaloosa and Peter Dervin at Bumbershoot. Here are their respective reports and, as always, fabulous one-of-a-kind photos in the gallery.

Appaloosa Music Festival 2024 by Rob Laughter 

Since my first visit to Appaloosa in 2018, I’ve watched this small but vibrant festival grow. This year was the best yet.

Nestled in the Shenandoah Valley, the festival feels like a family reunion, both the one I brought with me and the community that gathers each year to celebrate roots music. By day, there is a warm, welcoming vibe. As a father of three girls, I cannot rave enough about the fest’s family-friendly atmosphere. The kids area, featuring inflatables, face painting, and other activities, was a huge hit with my daughters and provided their mom and me a much needed respite. 

By night, crowds move to the rail for the evening headliners, pumping up the energy in a safe and fun environment. However, unlike larger, sprawling festivals, Appaloosa has just two stages, a smaller footprint and an affable scale lead to more personal connections, whether you’re chatting with a fellow fan or artists after their sets.

As always, Scythian’s high-energy closing set was an unforgettable, adrenaline-peddling blend of Celtic rock and Americana that echoed off of the ridge behind the festival grounds. But, Appaloosa is also known as the place where you discover the next big thing, and this year’s line-up delivered. JigJam, nominated for this year’s IBMA Momentum Band Award, riled the crowds with what they describe as foot-stomping, high-energy badassery. Shadowgrass brought a healthy dose of traditional bluegrass. Kat Higgins, who has written songs for Kenny Chesney and Carrie Underwood, captivated the crowd with poignant, soulful vocals in both covers and original songs.

Workshops were also a highlight. Irish folk trio The Gothard Sisters led a dance workshop. There were also fiddle and accordion workshops, which gave fans of all ages a chance to learn from the pros. These hands-on experiences add another layer to the festival, making it more than just a series of concerts, but also a place to learn, grow, and engage with the music on a deeper level.

Bumbershoot 2024 by Peter Dervin 

Bumbershoot has always been an exploration of music I haven’t heard or seen before. This year’s lineup surely presented an excellent opportunity for this. NAVVI started off things with a spacey electronic vibe in her ethereal vocals. Flesh Produce presented a verbal assault that was wild. Parisalexa gave a stellar performance of her soulful rhythm and blues.

TK & The Holy Know-Nothings brought their Americana country sound for a rousing set. Chastity Belt, a long-time local favorite, pounded out some indie rock, while Montréal based Japanese psych-rock band TEKE::TEKE floored everyone with their spectacular visual and sonic energy.

Insofar as the familiar artists are concerned, Hurray for the Riff Raff played a wonderful set of acoustic music. Lee Fields gave an inspirational performance in the golden sunshine of the day. Andrew Bird and Madison Cunningham presented their interpretation of the classic Buckingham Nicks album to the utter delight of their fans.

Kim Gordon, known for her work in Sonic Youth, put on a driving, pulsating performance that had everyone wanting more and more. Kurt Vile & The Violators brought their fuzzed out rockin’ blues that simply rocked. Closing out my Bumbershoot was the amazing Courtney Barnett, one of those musicians who always blows me away with her pulsing waves of energy.

Click on any photo below to view the gallery as a full-size slideshow.