“Our love letter to Northwest artists, to the distinct and eclectic sound of our region, and to discovering new music every day.”
2017 marks the first ever Upsteam Music Fest + Summit here in Seattle, WA. The lineup, which was just released on Thursday, February 23rd, features an abundance of artists from all over the Pacific Northwest. Described to be a “walkable mixtape,” Upstream will be the first festival of its kind here in Seattle. There will be over 25 intimate stages, along with over 200 PNW-grown artists. We at KXSU could not be more thrilled to see what this festival will entail, and we’ve compiled a list of some of the artists we’re looking forward to seeing.
Snarky Puppy: Seattle was last graced by jazz and funk fusion collective Snarky Puppy in November 2015, and I have been waiting for them to return ever since. They are simply iconic. Their 2016 release, Culcha Vulcha, was recently awarded a Grammy for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, and so was 2015 release, Sylva. The epitome of contemporary jazz, their funkalicious beats, and insane changes will bring together music theorists and pure listeners alike. Truly a must-see. -Maria King
Neu Yeuth: Fresh-faced electro-pop duo, Neu Yeuth, is a must-see for me. The first time I saw their live set was at an EPOCH Show at Bad Jimmy’s Brewery, where they captured my attention with their slick synth-based sounds. Brace yourselves for their set, because you’ll be shocked to find out they only just started playing together about two years ago, when they met over Craiglist. Truly iconic, am I right? Don’t miss it! -April Jingco
Parisalexa: Parisalexa is a force to be reckoned with. This 18-years-young queen is known for her ability to loop all of her music, making all of her music organically with her voice, with the exception of the occasional piano or guitar. Girl crush, baby; girl crush. -April Jingco
Gypsy Temple: Cameron Lavi-Jones fronts the up-and-coming alt-rock band Gypsy Temple, guaranteed to provide a mind-blowing set every time you see them. Though they may be young in age, their sound carries a distinguished maturity, mirroring local influences such as Soundgarden and Foo Fighters. GT takes the genre to a whole new level, incorporating a cello and alto sax in the core group. And you won’t want to miss the appearance of their specially-used brass section, The Horny Tones. You’ll know exactly what I mean when you see it. -Priscilla Gamit
En Canto: En Canto joins world and pop music together with a samba flare using woodwinds, percussion, and an accordion. This female-led seven-piece fills a room with sparkle and grace, combining all inspirations to create an energetic and eclectic sound. The celebration of Brazilian music will surely keep everyone on their feet, moving and grooving all down the streets of Seattle. -Priscilla Gamit
Travis Thompson: I think I may be in love with “The Unofficial Mayor of White Center.” Travis Thompson has been killing the game, taking advantage of his Reddit fame and running with it. His 2016 project, Ambaum, has put him on the radar worldwide, and there’s seriously no stopping him now. Thompson’s “real-talk” lyrics, combined with an off-the-wall performance, is an experience you won’t want to miss. -Priscilla Gamit
I personally was very excited to read the lineup for the very first Upstream Music Festival. I feel like this event will showcase plenty of deserving local artists, such as Maiah Manser, SassyBlack, and Iska Dhaaf, whose talents will certainly shine on a platform like this. The wide range of genres present at this festival will also allow for all sides of the musical spectrum to be tended to. The keynote speakers should also be interesting. Especially Macklemore. -Jason McCue (Because he couldn’t decide on one, honestly.)
Thunderpussy, Iska Dhaaf, The Grizzled Mighty, The Spider Ferns, Tangerine, etc. This lineup is refreshing my stunning memories of 2016’s Capitol Hill Block Party. All the creative souls in Seattle will gather in Pioneer Square, covering everything from indie rock to hip-hop; from electronic to punk; from jazz to metal. The Upstream Music Festival is really going to display the highest level of musical diversity and power that we have in the city. -Melvin Yuen (Because he couldn’t decide on one, either!)
Get ready, because we’re only going upstream from here!
Upstream Music Fest + Summit will take place on May 11th, 12th, and 13th in Pioneer Square. Get your passes here.
KXSU EXECUTIVE + EDITORIAL STAFF | Upstream, here we come!