Corinne Whiting Uncategorized

Culture Dose: Countdown to Pickathon

Pickathon by John Keel

Not-to-be-missed music on an Oregon farm.

Summer has begun to accelerate at lightning speed, and we suddenly feel that it’s prime time to soak up every sun-kissed moment of the season. If you’re with us, we’d love to strongly urge you—music lovers in particular—to make a really smart move to further enhance your summer. If you don’t yet have plans for next weekend (August 5-7); grab tickets to Pickathon before they’re gone. This gem of a gathering will forever raise your festival-going bar, and that’s not a promise we make lightly.

Pickathon by Miri Stebivka
Pickathon by Miri Stebivka

(If you can’t make Pickathon, skip to the bottom of this post for a couple upcoming Seattle-based shows that we highly recommend, too!)

Pickathon, which takes place on Pendarvis Farm just outside Portland every August, sets itself apart from other music festivals in countless ways. The core mission has always been simple: “To present a diverse and contemporary snapshot of the best in music.”

So what makes this fest so special, separating it from the (mainstream) rest? The event purposely maintains a low crowd density, offers beautifully-designed grounds (80 acres of woods in appropriately named Happy Valley, Oregon), creates six enchanting performance spaces (think wood stages blending effortlessly into the tranquil environment and intimate barns draped with twinkle lights), recruits the finest food and drink vendors (locally-sourced and reasonably- priced fare), distributes free and abundant water, eliminates plastic and maintains a passionate focus on doing away with festival hassles in general (delightfully refreshing, alfresco shower stalls, we’re looking at you).

Pickathon by Inger Klekacz
Pickathon by Inger Klekacz

Aside from an impressive lineup of bands and solo acts (listed below), this year’s DJ schedule enlivens the scene, too. Families adore—and greatly appreciate—the kid-friendly aspects of this all-inclusive event that deems itself “equal parts Summer Camp, Music Festival and Family Reunion (without the green bean casserole).” Another new addition this year: the Curation Series, an awesome concept that means stylized brunch and dinner events shared with select musicians.

And most importantly, as always, Pickathon organizers have managed to assemble an awesome lineup of big names (Jeff Tweedy, Wolf Parade, Beach House) and yet-to-be-discovered stars. Based on past experience, we’re curious to hear every single act who’s agreed to be a part of this magic-tinged extravaganza that celebrates all of our favorite things—talent, community and sleeping under the stars.

Pickathon by Tim LaBarge
Pickathon by Tim LaBarge

The 2016 lineup features: Jeff Tweedy, Wolf Parade, Beach House, Mac DeMarco, Yo La Tengo, Ty Segall & The Muggers, Black Mountain, The Oh Hellos, King Sunny Ade, Thao & The Get Down Stay Down, Patrick Watson, Thee Oh Sees, Alvvays, The James Hunter Six, Ibeyi, Fruit Bats, Dan Deacon, Julia Holter, Cas McCombs, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Protomartyr, Joseph, Yemen Blues, La Luz, Kevin Morby, Cory Henry, Ultimate Painting, Daniel Norgren, Boulevards, Mount Moriah, The Deslondes, Golden Rules, Tennyson, Moon Duo, Margo Price, Futurebirds, C.W. Stoneking, Ezra Furman, Adia Victoria, Vhöl, The Cairo Gang, Lindi Ortega, Open Mike Eagle, My Bubba, 10 String Symphony, Palehound, Kacy & Clayton, Foghorn Stringband, The Easy Leaves, The Wild Reeds, Sir Richard Bishop, I Draw Slow, The Woolen Men, Promised Land Sound, Town Mountain, Myke Bogan, Blossom, Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms, Chanti Darling

Pickathon by John Keel
Pickathon by John Keel

Other upcoming Seattle shows you won’t want to miss include: