Bumbershoot is one of the longest-running independent festivals in the world. Initially born back in 1971, the festival ran for forty eight straight years until 2019, taking a brief hiatus from 2019-2023. In 2023, Third Stone and New Rising Sun announced that they would be re-launching Bumbershoot. New Rising Sun (NRS), a team of concert promoters and visual arts producers, obtained rights to produce Bumbershoot in partnership with Seattle Center. Third Stone’s mission is “to foster an inclusive and sustainable Pacific Northwest arts economy through youth education and community-driven programming.”
This year’s festival returns to Seattle Center over Labor Day weekend, taking place on Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31.
Music is the main appeal of a festival like Bumbershoot, but it’s certainly not the only appeal. There’s a variety of art exhibits and installations, local cuisine, breweries and wineries to check out.
This year’s lineup boasts performances from artists across the genre board: indie, pop, electronic, soul, and more, including headline sets from Weezer, Aurora, Car Seat Headrest, Janelle Monáe, Bright Eyes, and Sylvan Esso, offering a diverse array of performances that cater to all music fans.
Like all of our festival coverage, we focus on spotlighting the artists on the lineup aside from the headliners, with hopes that our readers and/or attendees can leave Staged Haze finding someone new to enjoy.
Check out our picks below.
In chronological order:
Madison McFerrin, 12:55-1:25pm, Mountain Stage
Madison McFerrin is busy. In April of this year, she debuted on NPR’s Tiny Desk series, released her sophomore album, SCORPIO in June 2025, and became one of only three artists to be featured on Tyler, The Creator’s DON’T TAP THE GLASS just a month later. She’ll kick off her fall headlining tour at the end of September, hitting major North American cities like LA, Chicago, and Brooklyn—which is destined to be a moving performance: her paternal grandfather, Robert Keith McFerrin Sr., was the first Black man to ever sing at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Oh, and her father is THE Bobby McFerrin: jazz vocalist, classical conductor, and the only person to ever release an acapella song to hit Number 1 in the United States.
So it’s safe to say that McFerrin was destined to become a star: but her catalog and stage presence speaks for itself. McFerrin’s music speaks on heavy topics like racism and slavery (to name a few), and blends pop, R&B, soul, and jazz with self-harmonizing and some points, a cappella—perhaps a nod to her father? If you’re looking for a laidback set with ethereal vocals and a true, raw portrayal of authentic talent, look no further than Madison McFerrin. – Kristin
hey, Nothing, 3:30-4pm, Mural Stage
hey, nothing is a fast-rising, Atlanta-based duo made of Tyler Mabry and Harlow Phillips. This emo-folk band creates vulnerable, deep-cut songs with their intense lyricism and acoustic sounds. They have a bittersweet take on growing up too fast in life, and they bring an entertaining yet comforting energy to their live shows. They recently kicked off their most recent tour with a single, “Black Bear”. The duo continues to be an impressive young act, both being in their early 20’s. With sold-out headline shows, viral singles, and performances at Kilby Block Party, Lollapalooza, and Austin City Limits festivals, they’ve certainly earned their flowers. – Jan
Indigo De Souza, 3:50-4:35pm, Fountain Stage
Fresh off the release of her newest album, Precipice, (and likely my favorite she’s created thus far), indie darling Indigo De Souza is kicking off her latest batch of tour dates with a performance at Bumbershoot, followed by shows across North America this October before performing at Pitchfork Paris and Pitchfork London in November.
Indigo, who’s released four full-length albums and collaborated with heavy hitting producers like Brad Cook (Bon Iver, Waxahatchee) and most recently, Elliott Kozel, (SZA, Yves Tumor), has been praised throughout her career for her straightforward approach writing about deep topics like personal growth, toxic relationships, and anxiety—to name a few. She’s also moved through a variety of genres like indie, alternative rock, and full on pop with her latest release, continuously pushing the envelope on her artistry without losing what makes her unique.
I’ve only had a chance to see Indigo once, but considering that Precipice is probably my favorite album of hers, I would certainly jump at the chance to see her live again (Indigo, if you’re reading this, please announce a show in LA soon). – Kristin
Scowl, 4:30-5:15pm, Mural Stage
Scowl is a Santa Cruz-based hardcore band formed in 2019, fronted by vocalist Kat Moss alongside guitarist Mike Bifolco, bassist Bailey Lupo, and drummer Cole Gilbert. Known for their venomous sound, intense imagery, and explosive live shows, they’ve become a force in the hardcore scene. Having shared stages with Circle Jerks, Touché Amoré, and Limp Bizkit, and performing at Coachella, Reading & Leeds, and Sick New World.
Their recent album, Are We All Angels, expands their hardcore roots with more dynamic experimentation, previewed by singles like “Special,” “Not Hell, Not Heaven,” and “Tonight (I’m Afraid).” Fiery, cathartic, and unpredictable, Scowl have established themselves as one of the most exciting hardcore bands of their generation with an ever-expanding style. If you’re looking for a punk band to mosh, this is the stage to be at! – Jan
Tank And the Bangas, 7-7:45pm, Mural Stage
There’s a glow that surrounds Tank and the Bangas, and if you’re heading to Bumbershoot on Saturday, their set is going to feel like a soulful celebration through and through. Their NPR Tiny Desk concert is easily one of my all-time favorites—it’s spontaneous, joyous, and full of that genuine New Orleans funk and soul energy that spills right into your bones. Watching Tarriona “Tank” Ball spark off her bandmates with ease and poetic flair makes you feel like you’re part of something both powerful and playful.
And yes, they do have something new to share. Their spoken-word infused album The Heart, The Mind, The Soul dropped in August 2024 and even earned them a Grammy for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album in 2025. It’s a captivating blend of flowing poetry, rich vocals, and deep soul that perfectly sets the stage for a live performance that is equal parts heart and mind. Their music always feels like a joyous ride, but this release adds an extra layer of reflection and intimacy. Their Saturday performance at Bumbershoot is one you’ll want to soak up—vibrant, poetic, and utterly unforgettable. – Jesse
Vika & The Velvets, 1:25-1:55pm, Mural Stage
Spokane-based indie rock group, Vika & the Velvets, blends classic rock with blues, jazz, and soulful, Amy Winehouse-esque vocals to create a nostalgic yet fresh sound. Inspired by her upbringing, her brother’s piano, and a jazz-filled upbringing after being adopted from Russia, VIKA crafts music that bridges past and future.
With over four million Spotify streams and standout performances at Treefort and The Festival at Sandpoint, she’s known for her sultry live presence and introspective, groovy style. Her recent work, an 11-track album, Like a Spade, expands her vintage sound with country influences, offering a vulnerable homage to luck, love, and self-discovery, solidifying her as a rising, genre-defying voice in indie rock. Definitely a must-see hidden gem that will be performing at Bumbershoot! – Jan
Bebe Stockwell, 1:50-2:20pm, Fountain Stage
Singer, songwriter, and overall heartstrings tugger Bebe Stockwell has the recipe for making a great musician. She learned how to play piano and guitar at the ripe age of six-years-old, writing songs by herself and eventually attending Berklee College of Music’s 5-week summer program at the age of 15. There’s a haunting presence to her voice: it’s deep, strong, and unique: with a range that can rival the Adeles of the world with a raspy quality that pairs interestingly with the folksy influences in her music.
Stockwell, who’s set to tour with Jeremy Zucker this fall, just released her debut project, Driving Backwards, this past May, and has a strong social media following, with 275k followers on TikTok, six million likes across her videos, and a performance with Stephen Sanchez that’s approaching 20 million views on the platform. If you’re up to date with the indie darlings of the industry and haven’t heard of Bebe Stockwell, now’s your chance. – Kristin
The Linda Lindas, 2:50-3:20pm, Fountain Stage
Get ready because The Linda Lindas are bringing their electrifying brand of riot grrrl punk to Bumbershoot this Labor Day weekend at the Seattle Center, and you absolutely don’t want to miss it. This Los Angeles-based teen quartet—sisters Lucia and Mila de la Garza, their cousin Eloise Wong, and guitarist Bela Salazar—first went viral with their anthem “Racist, Sexist Boy” back in 2021, and they’ve been unstoppable ever since. Their debut album Growing Up captured all the urgency and charm of teenage angst, and their latest record No Obligation shows just how much sharper and more confident they’ve become, with songs that are loud, fun, and full of heart.
They’ve earned the love of legends like Paramore and David Byrne, and I get it—I saw them last year when they opened for the Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense screening at Kings Theatre and they completely lit up the room. They’re one of those bands that make you feel like you’re watching the future of rock right in front of you. I wish I could be there this weekend, because their set at Bumbershoot is going to be one of the most fun and high-energy moments of the whole festival. – Jesse
Avery Cochrane, 3:25-3:55pm, Vera Stage
22-year-old singer/songwriter Avery Cochrane has been teasing her newest single on TikTok, “Shapeshifting On A Saturday Night,” since April of this year. In July, she posted a video referencing an anonymous influencer who quoted her $5k to use the song in the video (Cochrane turned it down). Since its official release, the song has racked up over half a million streams on Spotify, making it the most streamed song of her discography thus far. Guess she didn’t need to pay that person $5k after all!
Next weekend, she’ll be debuting at Bumbershoot: a festival she has grown up attending as a Seattle Native. One of my favorite things about Bumbershoot is their mission to feature local artists on their lineup year after year, and this year, it’s Avery Cochrane’s turn to reap the benefits. She’s been releasing music since 2021, performing locally around Seattle and partnering with an impressive array of producers, including Lowell Reynolds (a Grammy nominated recording and mixing engineer and producer whose credits include collaborations with Ed Sheeran, Queen, and Shania Twain, to name a few), and most recently, Pete Nappi on “Shapeshifting,” (Jonas Brothers, FLETCHER, Jon Bellion, etc).
Cochrane clearly knows how to promote her music and pick the right producers, so it’s safe to say her performance will meet—or exceed—these standards. If you’re a fan of pop music and are headed to Bumbershoot next weekend, definitely check Cochrane out. – Kristin
Tennis, 3:50-4:35pm, Fountain Stage
Tennis, the beloved husband-and-wife indie pop duo of Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley, is closing their 15-year project with grace. Known for blending 1950s pop melancholy and 1970s soft rock, often inspired by sailing trips, Tennis built a career of self-produced, genre-shifting records, from their 2010 debut Cape Dory to 2023’s Pollen to their final album, Face Down in the Garden (April 25, 2025), serves as a final fanfare, followed by a summer farewell tour and a release of early demos (Neutral Poetry, May 2025).
Though the band is ending, Moore and Riley emphasize that their marriage continues. This hiatus allows them to explore new creative projects and rediscover their relationship beyond the band that has defined them since their early twenties. Their final album, filled with emotional tracks like “Weight of Desire” and “12 Blown Tires,” captures both the hardships of touring and the deep bond that fueled their music. Don’t miss out on catching them and saying goodbye at their farewell party at Bumbershoot. – Jan
Check out all of Staged Haze’s festival coverage HERE.
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