A Summer of Music in Seattle

Bumbershoot Music Festival, 2015. Photo: Timothy Hiatt (Getty).

It goes without saying, Seattle’s musical bona fides are indisputable. From the heydays of Nirvana, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains nearly 30 years ago to the more recent rise of Macklemore, the vibe and energy of the music scene continues to rattle the hearts and minds of the city and entire nation. Locals and visitors to The Emerald City are continuously treated to festivities that showcase the best of the local and international music scene.

Here are five events you should be attending during 2016’s summer of music in Seattle: 

Capitol Hill Block Party: July 22-24

The Capitol Hill Block Party is a 3-day music and arts festival that takes over six city blocks for 3 days and showcases over 100 local and national artists. Top billing this year goes to Odesza, Chvrches, Washed Out, and the newly reformed Crystal Castles, making this one music party you don’t want to miss! Go here for the full schedule.

Concerts at the Mural: Every Friday in August

Radio station KEXP and Seattle Center present Concerts at the Mural, a series of eclectic concerts featuring some of KEXP’s favorite artists. Concerts are free and set to happen every Friday in the month of August. The series brings live music to the Mural Amphitheatre stage for end-of-the-week entertainment, go here for full schedule.

Zoo Tunes: June 30-August 24

another season of outdoor concerts returns with BECU ZooTunes presented by Carter Subaru, presenting live music performances against one of Seattle’s most beautiful outdoor backdrops: Woodland Park Zoo’s picturesque North Meadow. Including notable throwback bands like The B-52s and Weird Al Yankovic, these events are sure to be fun for all the old farts and their children. Go here for full schedule.

Out To Lunch Concert Series: July 7-Sept 2

Organized in conjunction with Seattle’s Office of Arts & Culture along with several sponsoring brands (Amazon, Delta), the Out To Lunch Series has packed July and August with free musical performances taking place at a myriad of locations across the city. With musical performances from Noon to 1:30, featuring acts ranging from Garage Rock to Americana to Jazz, make sure to take a lunch break or two to catch a show. Go here for the full schedule. 

Bumbershoot: Sept 2 – 4

Now in its 46th year,  Bumbershoot is one of he biggest and best-loved contemporary festivals in North America, and undoubtedly one of Seattle’s largest cultural touchstones. Each year, thousands of people across the country flock to Seattle to attend the acclaimed festival, and for good reason! This year’s extensive line-up is headlined by hometown heroes Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, along with Death Cab For Cutie, Tame Impala, and 100s more. Go here for the full schedule.