Three Imaginary Girls

Seattle's Indie-Pop Press – Music Reviews, Film Reviews, and Big Fun

{This is part two of a three-part preview of this year’s not-to-be-missed acts at Bumbershoot by Imaginary Victoria — bounce back to see part one here!}

Flatstock {all weekend, Fisher Pavillion}

We told you all about it in our Saturday preview: Flatstock is not to be missed. Check it.

As you peruse around the middle day of this year's Bumbershoot, the early afternoon presents a ton of options depending on what your particular bag is, how hung over you are from Saturday, and what kind of mood you're in. Kristin Hersch will be at the Bagley Wright theater at 12:15, Kasey Anderson on the Starbucks stage at 12:30, The Lonely Forest on the Main stage at 1:30, Mad Rad takes Fisher Green at 2:15… not to mention Broken Social Scene on the Main stage at 3 and a slew of amazing acts running all weekend in KEXP's secret lounge. Regardless of your fancy, though, there are a few things we think you should make the time to catch during the second part of the day:

{Jessica Lea Mayfield / by Victoria VanBruinisse}

Jessica Lea Mayfield {5:45p, Starbucks stage}
No doubt you've read Ms. Mayfield's praises here before — from our swooning joy at her releases a few years back {gems like "Care Less About You" and "Kiss Me Again"} to the fresh, grown-up sound of "Our Hearts Are Wrong," we simply can not get enough of what Jessica and her bandmates have to dish up. We were fortunate enough to catch her last time through town at the Tractor, and we'll be stoked to see a sweet pre-sundown set at the Starbucks stage. Join us in the front row! One of the top picks of Sunday, for sure.

Warpaint {6:45p, Fountain Lawn stage}
"Undertow" has literally made it onto every mix we've made from the day it hit our inboxes (up to and including one just last week). Warpaint knows how to bring it in a big way — just listen up {to the video above} and tell us you'd even consider missing them after knowing they can do how they do. Sweeping, ethereal all-girl vocals fused with big, dirty, jangly guitars and lines that all but stop you in your tracks? We're in.

Dan Savage & Terry Miller: It Gets Better {7:00p, Words and Ideas stage}
Here's a blurb from ItGetsBetter.org, who speak the don't-give-up gospel far more eloquently than we ever could:

Growing up isn’t easy. Many young people face daily tormenting and bullying, leading them to feel like they have nowhere to turn. This is especially true for LGBT kids and teens, who often hide their sexuality for fear of bullying. Without other openly gay adults and mentors in their lives, they can't imagine what their future may hold. In many instances, gay and lesbian adolescents are taunted — even tortured — simply for being themselves.

While many of these teens couldn’t see a positive future for themselves, we can. The It Gets Better Project was created to show young LGBT people the levels of happiness, potential, and positivity their lives will reach – if they can just get through their teen years. The It Gets Better Project wants to remind teenagers in the LGBT community that they are not alone — and it WILL get better.

We're fortunate enough to have all that it-gets-better-ness happening up close and personal, so if you're in the mood for inspiration, go show some face over at the Words and Ideas stage at 7p.

More options for the day — along with a full customize-able schedule, lineup, and ticket information — can be found at Bumbershoot.org. Remember, an organzied (and hydrated) festival-goer is a happy festival-goer!

We'll see you at Seattle Center!