Another year is coming to a close, which means it is time to reflect on what’s happened during the past 12 months. And while I’m no longer deep in the trenches, reporting on the local music scene like I once was, that doesn’t mean I’m not paying attention.
A whole lot happened in 2018 and this is by no means a definitive listing of all the big stories of the year. I’m sure I missed quite a bit of noteworthy news (like I said, I’m no longer in the trenches), but here, in no particular order, are some of the bigger stories that caught my attention.
Sub Pop turns 30
Seattle’s little big label that could, Sub Pop, celebrated 30 years of going out of business in 2018 and the celebrations were grand. For starters, KEXP counted up Sub Pop’s catalog and played a song from every Sub Pop release. Every. Single. Release.
The label also threw itself a free birthday bash in the form of a festival in West Seattle that featured Beach House, Father John Misty, Shabazz Palaces, Mudhoney and a whole bunch of other Sub Pop acts new and old. There was a free concert at the Mural Amphitheater the night before the festival headlined by the Afghan Whigs, a comedy showcase featuring the cast of Bob’s Burgers (which wasn’t free) and many other festivities. There was even a book written about the label’s history that came out this year.
So happy birthday Sub Pop! Here’s to hoping you keep going out of business for many more years to come.
Dave Meinert’s alleged sexual assaults exposed
In July KUOW broke the story of several women accusing one-time local nightlife kingpin Dave Meinert of sexual assault. In total 11 women accused Meinert of acts of sexual misconduct, including rape, and two of those women filed police reports.
And while Meinert was never formally charged with a crime, the repercussions of the allegations were felt in the local music community. He once was a serious behind-the-scenes player in the community. He managed bands like Blue Scholars, Presidents of the USA and the Lumineers. He owned multiple restaurants and bars in Capital Hill and Queen Anne including The 5 Point, the Comet and Lost Lake (the former two bought out his ownership since the news of the allegations surfaced). And for several years he produced Capitol Hill Block Party.
The average music fan or clubgoer in Seattle may not know Meinert by name but chances are they’re either visited one of his establishments, attended Block Party when he produced it or might even own a few albums by bands Meinert formerly managed.
Bumbershoot’s transition year
Bumbershoot had a bit of a rough year this year thanks to high ticket prices and a lineup that catered to more youthful attendees. The festival was headlined by J Cole, the Chainsmokers, SZA and Fleet Foxes and by all accounts the headliners and acts lower down on the bill delivered excellent sets.
Despite the youth-grabbing headliners, the festival noticeably lacked the big-name legacy artists it was once known for bringing to town as well as acts that appealed to Gen Xers, and there was not a very big showcase of local talent, which is also something the festival has been known for. Also missing were known names from the jazz, world music, folk and country genres.
This, coupled with higher ticket prices ($130 for a single-day pass the day of the festival), led to noticeably smaller crowds and whispers of very poor attendance numbers, making 2018 a bit of a transition year for the Pacific Northwest’s largest music and arts festival.
For the record, I noticed the smaller crowds as well, and I did greatly enjoy the one day of Bumbershoot I was able to attend. Hopefully 2019 will be a better year with a more diverse lineup and lower ticket prices.
Sasquatch! says farewell
Bumbershoot wasn’t the only music festival that had some troubles this year. Organizers for Sasquatch!, the annual Memorial Day weekend destination festival at the Gorge which had reportedly suffered from low attendance over the past few years, announced the festival will not be happening next year.
“I will no longer be producing the festival, nor will it take place in 2019,” Sasquatch! founder Adam Zacks said in a statement. The festival was known for Zacks’ keen eye for talent when it came to booking festivals and its bills often featured big-name artists who were relative unknowns when they played Sasquatch!
As for what’s next for Zacks, he’s been connected to Capitol Hill Block Party and will reportedly be working on that festival’s lineup in some capacity.
The Showbox is saved (for now)
In July news broke that a group of developers from Vancouver, B.C. filed planned to build over the site of The Showbox and replace the storied venue with a 44-story tower.
The proposal was met with strong objections by members of the local music community, concertgoers and even the Seattle City Council. This resulted in the venue being saved from demolition for now but there are still several legal hurdles in the way of keeping the Showbox around.
As it stands now there will be a court hearing next year to determine whether the city council acted illegally when it fast-tracked a decision that prevented the developer from moving ahead with its plans.
Pearl Jam has a huge year
Pearl Jam had one of the biggest years of its storied career in 2018 and in the process managed to do a lot of good for the local community. The band’s two sold-out concerts at Safeco Field, called The Home Shows, raised more than $10 million for homelessness causes in Seattle and King County.
Brandi Carlile has a huge year too
Another local artist who had a massive year was Brandi Carlile.
The Ravensdale native released her sixth studio record, “By the Way, I Forgive You,” in February. The record was nominated for three Americana Music Awards, including Album of the Year, and it recently received a whopping six Grammy nominations. Three of those six nominations are for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Album of the Year.
Also in 2018 she recorded a charity single with Sam Smith, performed at Safeco Field with Pearl Jam during The Home Shows, released a video starring Elisabeth Moss and announced her first headlining concert at the Gorge, which is scheduled for June 1, 2019.
