Tired of Bumbershoot talk? Me too. Nevertheless, here are my highlights:

Saturday:
Three or four songs into their set, the Saturday Knights stopped and chastised the crowd for not dancing with a, “You’re all standing around like it’s a fucking Amber alert or something.” Which certainly seemed to confuse everyone further, but I liked it.

Sweet Eric Lashes, guitar solo-ing it up from his wheelchair.

Menomena, you are dead to me, now that I have seen you with a saxophone. I am very, very serious about my loathing for post-1980’s saxophones. Not even the fact that you brought along a full choir–a full choir with whistling and trumpet-playing members–can fix this.

I love Grand Archives more and more each time I see them [mb]. Watching them in the EMP Skychurch, with the light show shining through Matt Brooke’s beard, did nothing to diminish this.

Sunday:

Flatstock, Flatstock, Flatstock. Also, “Claimin’ Space,” BLVD’s show in the NW Rooms. It made me wish that BLVD had a whole block worth of space in Belltown to show things.

“Huh. Eddie Argos has just jumped into the crowd. I wonder if he’ll make it back out? And if he doesn’t, will the rest of Art Brut just keep playing the end of this song over and over again for the next hour?”

Andrew Bird, virtuoso whistler. He seemed a little nervous, his stage banter lost in mumbles, but there is no arguing that there is no one else like him.

Monday:

It was my birthday, and yet somehow no one covered any songs in my name. Must remember to remedy this next year.

Aside from an inspired interview by my 9-year-old friend Joshua Lindenmayer (and a very gracious and charming Spencer Moody), Beneath the Underdog made my whole day better by staging a deadpan reading of anonymous internet sex room chats.

Such enthusiastic tamborining! Both the Blakes and Tokyo Police Club really brought it on the tamborine. And holy sneak attack by the Frames, who surprised me with their rock violinist, and may have been my biggest Bumbershoot surprise.

I’m pretty sure that Fleet Foxes are going to be one of the best bands happening in Seattle this fall, and I’m excited to hear the album that they’re working on.

Now let’s share, Seattle: What were your favorite parts?

Related posts:

1. bumbershoot highlights : monday
2. Bumbershoot Reminder
3. bumbershoot : saturday photos
4. PSA: bumbershoot ticket prices
5. plan ahead: buy bumbershoot tickets today