Justin Townes Earle – Starbucks Stage – Saturday 4:45pm
Earle wears the burden of two of country music’s heaviest hitters in his own name: father Steve Earle and Townes Van Zandt. Sort of like Neil Young naming his kid Springsteen or Miles Davis naming his daughter Ella. Like his dad, he struggled through a period of heavy drug use, but has emerged a stronger songwriter and performer with a sound all his own. Country music loves redemption and so will you.
Bob Dylan – Mainstage – Saturday 9:00pm
As clearly old as Bob Dylan is—and, let’s face it, he looks downright sepulchral—he has somehow never become an Oldies act. Bob Dylan’s last four albums (including a strange and delightful Christmas album) were vital, new music. Now self-producing, Dylan has a stripped down sound that is as urgent as it is minimal. His live act is famously inconsistent, but how many more chances will you have to see one of the 20th century’s greatest artists? Let’s hope many more, but don’t miss him.
Jay Electronica – Fisher Green Stage – Sunday 5:45pm
With Jay-Z in late career coasting mode, Andre Benjamin in semi-retirement, and Lil Wayne in jail, the title of top MC is open for the taking. He obviously shares a name similarity with Mr. Z. Like Benjamin, Electronica is father of a child with Erykah Badu. And like Weezy he originally hails from New Orleans. But Electronica is utterly unique in his music and flow and 2009’s Exhibit C is already considering a classic of the genre. Join Jay Elect on Sunday for the concert/coronation.
Hole – Mainstage – Sunday 7:30pm
There’s no more bittersweet pair of words in Seattle than "Courtney Love." Wife of martyred rock hero Kurt Cobain. Embarrassing tabloid spectacle. Successful 1990s actress. Lesson in bad parenting. All these things and more, Courtney in many ways epitomizes the hangover to Grunge’s early 90s party. This Hole “reunion” is really just Love and an entirely new band. But for all her flaws, Love is a mesmerizing, unpredictable performer. The show is hardly guaranteed to be great, but it will certainly be memorable.
Drake – Mainstage – Monday 7:30pm
Another rising hip-hop star, Drake is known more for his gift for melody than his flow. Still, a serviceable MC who can sing and make hits is often better poised for serious stardom. Drake’s 2010 album Thank Me Later opened at number one, selling almost half a million copies in its first week (unheard of in this era of low album sales). A native of Canada, Drake is a likable, charismatic performer who tends to pursue material less dark than many of his hip hop peers. Expect plenty of teenage girls—you might find yourself screaming alongside them.
Booker T – Starbucks Stage – Monday 8:30pm
Is there any bandleader of the last 50 years as accomplished as Booker T. Jones? Booker led the remarkable Stax/Volt house band, providing a tight, raw sound for some of the 60s biggest hits. The band was so good they became stars themselves as Booker T and the MGs, one of the few instances in the rock and roll era of instrumentalists making it big. Throughout the 70s and 80s, Booker collaborated with some of the biggest singer-songwriters in the business, most famously teaming up with Willie Nelson for the classic Stardust album. A living legend, and still a master of laying down a tight groove.
Mary J. Blige – Mainstage – Monday 9:00pm
What’s the 411? R&B royalty is in town. Mary is one of the first R&B singers of the hip hop era to really inhabit the new sonic landscape of rap music, and her influence on its practitioners is tremendous. While she’s seemingly been around forever, Mary is still only 39 years old and possesses one of the best voices you are likely to hear. Come out and see the Matriarch before she hangs it up and works for Tyler Perry full time.
Made in Seattle – Mccaw Hall - Monday 5:30pm
Probably the most underrated film festival in town, maybe in the nation, is Bumbershoot’s One Reel Film Festival. Understandably overshadowed by SIFF as well as the star-studded musical lineup of Bumbershoot itself, One Reel proves time and time again to be fantastic programming of some of the world’s best short films. This local program looks to be a strong one, but there are 24 other shows of shorts as varied as "Dreamscapes," "South of the Border," "The Animated Life," and lots more. Find the program that fits your taste and dive in.
Tips:
Know the difference between standard and economy tickets. Economy tickets are a great deal, but do not give you access to the mainstage. Know who you’re there to see and buy accordingly. The “kids under 10 free” deal also does not include mainstage access—you’ll have to buy them a standard ticket.
Try something new. There are dozens of familiar acts. But why limit yourself to existing favorites? With a food court-like environment, you can easily sample a band for a song or two and depart if it’s not your style. With so much incredibly diverse music on hand, it would be criminal not to try out a new act or two.
Hydrate. If we’re lucky (cross your fingers), the weekend will be a sunny one. Walking and sitting in direct sunlight can sap the life out of you. Make sure you’re taking precautions by drinking plenty of water before and during the festival. Remember that there are plenty of indoor options (comedy, theatre, film) when you need a break from the sun. And, no, the beer garden does not count as proper hydration.
Plan a rendezvous point. Inevitably you will get separated from your friends. While cellphones make this sort of thing less inconvenient than it used to be, they aren’t foolproof. Pick out a memorable spot to meet up in case of separation.