Written by Brent Harper
Photo by Connor Hayes
Have you seen it yet? I’ve heard rumors it has been coming around and painting the faces of Washingtonians with warmth and color. The Cascades’ snow caps are quickly melting, the cherry blossoms are teasing our noses with sweet nectar, patios are flourishing, bears are exiting their dens, the clouds are breaking exposing the blue sky above and most importantly THE SUN IS HERE!
Congratulations Washington residents, we survived yet another dreary Fall and Winter. For the past 14 years, all of the aforementioned signs of Spring also indicate the approach of Sasquatch! Music Festival!
This festival’s roots run deep. Perched atop of a gorge with the mighty Columbia River flowing through is an amphitheater named called… well… The Gorge Amphitheatre. If you’ve never been to The Gorge, then you’re in for a treat. It is one of the most beautiful natural amphitheaters the United States has to offer and The Rolling Stone considered it to be a “Red Rocks of the Northwest” (and also ranked #3 on the list of the “Best Amphitheaters in America” according to their 2013 article which has been home to this fantastic festival since it’s inception in 2002). And this fest doesn’t necessarily tout humble beginnings. In its freshman year, it attracted The String Cheese Incident, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, and Galactic.
Well, for its 15th birthday Sasquatch is only building upon its previous performances. We’re starting the weekend with Katranada, Bonobo, Sleigh Bells, and Frank Ocean. Then on Saturday is MGMT, Mac Miller, Big G and Twenty One Pilots. And then on Sunday is Rufus Du Sol, Phantogram, and the phenomenal Chance the Rapper. Keep in mind that these are the headliners for the day and there is plenty of talent sprinkled in between these performances. And I almost forgot to mention the comedy! This year we can look forward to Fred Armisen, Sasheer Zamata, Alice Wetterlund, Sam Morril, and several more.
So shed the scarves, snow boots, and skis because it is a fine time for music, food, and sunshine. Let’s kick the season off right with a great time at The Gorge and another memorable Sasquatch! Music Festival.