Join the Beygency On the Run at Safeco Field
Who: If you’re not already part of the Beyhive, you will be buzzing after America’s favored powerhouse couple takes over Safeco Field this week. Millennials grew up alongside Beyonce Knowles in her Destiny’s Child saga, and worshiped Jay-Z because it really was a Hard Knock Life for us. We adored Jay Z when he erupted the Tacoma Dome with Kanye in 2011, and fans from around the Northwest are expected to flood Seattle to see Queen Bey and Mr. Carter
Who: Allen Stone was a wonderful sight for the eyes and ears at last year’s Bumbershoot Festival, and I am delighted he has returned to Seattle to dazzle the Eastside at the beautiful Chateau Ste Michelle. Allen Stone has not quite attained the level of national praise he deserves, but I’d put money on his rise to the top of the charts in upcoming months with his new Capitol record deal, and Forbes Magazine mention for best musicians under 30. In the mix of young artists, Stone brings a unique flavor of neo-soul and R&B to the table, and a truly mesmerizing voice wise beyond his years. While most 80’s babies grew up listening to TLC and New Kids on
Watch the Stars Align With Hiphop Violinist Lindsey Stirling at the Paramount
Who: Dubstep ballerina. Classically trained violinist. Mormon comedian. All of these traits encompass the talented Lindsey Stirling, and combined are the very reason she has become the sensation she is today. Stirling’s stardom began when she was voted off America’s Got Talent back in 2010, where she was told the world has no place for a poppy dancing violinist. Stirling has since squashed that statement, and entered a realm of music all her own, combining big electro beats and womp womps we tend to associate in dubstep with the soothing classical violin. It’s not everyday a girl from a little town in Arizona sells out shows all over the
It’s About Time To Experience Young The Giant at the Showbox
Who: When the Jakes got together at their Orange County high school destined to emerge as one of 2009’s best new indie artists, their strengths grew to be as diverse as their backgrounds (Indian, Persian French-Canadian, and British). The Jake’s initial name is an acronym for each members’ first name, and thankfully after a successful summer performance at South by Southwest, and some face time on MTV, they announced they were done with abbreviations and resurfaced as Young the Giant – and young and giant they were. They began writing music together in their teens filled with excitement and ambition, and in their early 20’s as they began
Even the Sun Will Burn at Neumos
Who: Inspired by Sufi poetry, expanding the idea of limitations, and an obsession with the preoccupation of writing, Iska Dhaaf duo Benjamin Verdoes and Nathan Quiroga have been tirelessly creating inspiring tracks for the release of their debut album Even the Sun Will Burn, and have emerged as the IT band to discover in Seattle in 2014. Iska Dhaaf (loosely translated from the Somali words for Let it Go, which Verdoes speaks fluently) is a merging of two distinct characters, with Quiroga on
Be Young & Wild This Valentine’s Day with John Butler Trio
Who: The first time I saw John Butler perform, he changed the way I experience live music. Butler put on a free concert outside the CUB at Washington State University. It was a cold evening, and not nearly enough people climbed the hill to see the Australian powerhouse, but those who did were rewarded with an intimate, emotional performance. John Butler is one of few people who can captivate an audience with a five minute acoustic prelude without a single person feeling like they need lyrics. He caressed his guitar with the longest finger nails I’d ever seen, and delighted the crowd
Don’t Panic – Sweat Out Your Fever at the Showbox 
Who: It has been nearly a decade since their first album shattered any rules or guidelines layed out for a band trying to create a successful breakthrough, and Panic! At the Disco has since showed the world their capabilities of pushing creativity to new heights. A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out oozed their natural gift for experimental instrumentation and it wasn’t long before these boys from Las Vegas were being
A Raunchy Christmas Adventure at the Triple Door
Who: If you’re looking for a sweet cookie cutter performing arts experience this season, well this one just isn’t for you. Classic ballet and burlesque legend Lily Verlaine pairs up with jack of all trades musician/performer Jasper McCann for an anything but traditional rendition of the Nutcracker. Land of the Sweets: The Burlesque Nutcracker is in its 8th season at the Triple Door, and will satisfy newcomers and delight returning patrons as this year has some surprise twists and turns, with an all star cast from
Get Shameless with Lissie at the Crocodile
Who: The first time I saw Lissie perform was at Bumbershoot this summer and I was instructed to deck out of Alt-J just a skoch early so as NOT to miss the throaty blonde cover Kid Cudi’s Pursuit of Happiness. Lissie did not disappoint, engaging the crowd with that fierce glass gargling voice and I’m sure I’m not the first to say her live set would give Stevie Nicks a run for her money. Elisabeth “Lissie”
Who: Born and raised in Chicago, IL Wasalu Muhammad, better known as Lupe Fiasco, always struggled with the tug of war he associated with the Food and Liquor marts close to home; the food symbolizing his inner peace with family and friends, and the liquor… well he’s tried to control the liquor. Lupe Fiasco is an artist through and through, never relying on anyone’s opinion to deter his
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