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Welcome to the Northwest Folklife Festival 2018 schedule!
Indie Roots [clear filter]
Friday, May 25
 

12:50pm PDT

Saint September
American Roots, Strings, Harmonies
Performers
SS

Saint September

While Shannon and Chris were brought together through bluegrass, the music they make doesn’t quite fit the form. Exploring the history of the genre drew them to the harmonies and soulful songwriting of a number of brother duos popular in the era of the birth of bluegrass. The songs... Read More →

Friday May 25, 2018 12:50pm - 1:20pm PDT
Fisher Green Stage: Sponsored by KBCS 91.3FM 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance, New Roots Showcase

1:00pm PDT

Terror/Cactus
Psychedelic Electro Cumbia
Performers
T

Terror/Cactus

Terror/Cactus is a Seattle-based group with members from Argentina, Colombia, and the United States. The masked trio combines Cumbia and other traditional Latin American rhythms with psychedelic guitars, hypnotic beats, and lush soundscapes.

Friday May 25, 2018 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
KEXP Gathering Space: Sponsored by KEXP 90.3FM 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance

1:30pm PDT

Right As Rain
Harmony Singing Folkgrass Band
Performers
RA

Right As Rain

3 women front this Seattle based stringband performing originals and covers with 3 part harmonies. Folk, Bluegrass, Americana

Friday May 25, 2018 1:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
Fisher Green Stage: Sponsored by KBCS 91.3FM 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance, New Roots Showcase

2:00pm PDT

The Fentons
Alt./Roots Country
Performers
TF

The Fentons

The Fentons are a Seattle band who play rockin' roots country inspired by the Flying Burrito Bros., Neil Young, Hank Williams Sr., early Eagles and The Everly Bros. Featuring longtime local musicians, The Fentons bring a bunch of fun, a little twang, a ton of harmonies, and a whole... Read More →

Friday May 25, 2018 2:00pm - 2:35pm PDT
Fountain Lawn Stage: Sponsored by Western WA Toyota Dealers 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance, Kickin' Up Dust Showcase

2:10pm PDT

The Amber Lanterns
Northwestern Fireside Folk
Performers
TA

The Amber Lanterns

The Amber Lanterns are a group of musicians from the Snoqualmie Valley of Washington State. Playing a range of original and traditional tunes, the band's main goal is to illicit the darker side of folk music and to create space for a unique folk tradition specific to the Pacific Northwest... Read More →

Friday May 25, 2018 2:10pm - 2:40pm PDT
Fisher Green Stage: Sponsored by KBCS 91.3FM 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance, New Roots Showcase

2:50pm PDT

The Hasslers
Hard-hitting Montana Folk Rock!
Performers
TH

The Hasslers

The Hasslers are an Americana group from Missoula,Montana now based out of Seattle. Since 2012, they've become known in the Northwest for their high-energy performances, intricate instrumental arrangements, and catchy, powerful lyrics and melodies. The group has become a staple of... Read More →

Friday May 25, 2018 2:50pm - 3:25pm PDT
Fountain Lawn Stage: Sponsored by Western WA Toyota Dealers 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance, Kickin' Up Dust Showcase

6:00pm PDT

The Sons of Rainier
Alt-folk Slow Dance
Performers
TS

The Sons of Rainier

Seattle's favorite slow dance sensation, the Sons of Rainier are crafting songs for widows, hobos, and breakfast burritos, melting wax hearts and the occasional face, putting a smooch on your lips and a sway in your hips, all with the surgical precision of a wine drunk poet at 4 am... Read More →

Friday May 25, 2018 6:00pm - 6:30pm PDT
Fountain Lawn Stage: Sponsored by Western WA Toyota Dealers 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance, American Standard Time Show

6:45pm PDT

HYWAYS
Psychedelic County Space Rock
Performers
H

HYWAYS

New Seattle project led by singer songwriter Mike Giacolino featuring members of Rose Windows, Sera Cahoone and Son Volt. HYWAYS deputy album seamlessly mixes country and psychedelia with folk and acid rock

Friday May 25, 2018 6:45pm - 7:15pm PDT
Fountain Lawn Stage: Sponsored by Western WA Toyota Dealers 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance, American Standard Time Show

7:30pm PDT

The Crying Shame
Post-War Garage Folk
Performers
TC

The Crying Shame

The Crying Shame began as a duo over 15 years ago and has grown to include drums, electric guitar, violin, bass and additional vocals. We strive to bring a high energy sound with original and interesting lyrics to any stage we step onto. With songs that range from rock-n-roll to punk... Read More →

Friday May 25, 2018 7:30pm - 8:05pm PDT
Fountain Lawn Stage: Sponsored by Western WA Toyota Dealers 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance, American Standard Time Show

8:20pm PDT

GravelRoad
Heavy Hill Country Blues
Performers
G

GravelRoad

GravelRoad is a Seattle band that blends the trance of North Mississippi Hill Country blues with the fuzz and power of heavy rock and roll. GravelRoad’s mix of driving rhythms and heavy guitar sounds range from minute-long fits of angst to slow and methodical psychedelic tracks... Read More →

Friday May 25, 2018 8:20pm - 8:55pm PDT
Fountain Lawn Stage: Sponsored by Western WA Toyota Dealers 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance, American Standard Time Show
 
Saturday, May 26
 

1:00pm PDT

Jason McCue
Alternative Folk Songwriter
Performers
JM

Jason McCue

Jason McCue is a Seattle-based alternative folk artist. He is the winner of the 2017 Sound Off competition, and released his full length album PANGAEA in March 2018.

Saturday May 26, 2018 1:00pm - 1:35pm PDT
Folklife Café 321 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98109
  Music Performance, Conversations with American Standard Time

1:00pm PDT

Astro King Phoenix
Cosmic Soul Psych Rap
Performers
AK

Astro King Phoenix

Astro King Phoenix, or just simply AKP, is a Seattle-based multi-faceted artist notable for his mix of soul and psych rap. These two different sounds come together to form a cosmic sound and still have a bumping result. After working closely with local talents, AKP has worked tirelessly... Read More →

Saturday May 26, 2018 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
KEXP Gathering Space: Sponsored by KEXP 90.3FM 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance

1:45pm PDT

Tiffany Wilson
Your Seattle Soul Ambassador
Performers
TW

Tiffany Wilson

Tiffany Wilson is a true musical artist and songwriter whose voice speaks to something real and soulful. Not content with writing only standard love songs, her latest album "#SeeSharp" also speaks of inner and outer change, politics, and vision of a brighter future.As a solo artist... Read More →

Saturday May 26, 2018 1:45pm - 2:15pm PDT
Folklife Café 321 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98109
  Music Performance, Conversations with American Standard Time

2:00pm PDT

Five Letter Word
Harmony-driven Folk Trio
Performers
FL

Five Letter Word

Mix three singer-songwriters, several stringed instruments, tight harmonies, and a variety of percussive techniques, and you get Five Letter Word. Made up of Leigh Jones (vocals, guitar, percussion), Clara Baker (vocals, fiddle, guitar), and Audra Nemir (vocals, bass), this Portland-based... Read More →

Saturday May 26, 2018 2:00pm - 2:35pm PDT
Vera Project/Gallery Sponsored by CityArts 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance, Folk Redefined Show

2:50pm PDT

Strong Sun Moon
Multi-genre Experimental World Fusion
Performers
SS

Strong Sun Moon

Strong Sun Moon is a multi-genre experimental ensemble from Seattle influenced by Latin rhythms, Americana, Blues and World music. The group transcends genre boundaries with complex ancient rhythms, piercing 21st century lyrics, and a blend of musical styles from three continents... Read More →

Saturday May 26, 2018 2:50pm - 3:20pm PDT
Vera Project/Gallery Sponsored by CityArts 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance, Folk Redefined Show

3:35pm PDT

Lili St Anne
Groove-based Powerhouse Folk Rock
Performers
LS

Lili St Anne

With lyrical melodies and unexpected syncopation, the intimate songwriting and soulfully enticing vocals of Lili St Anne envelope you in an ethereal world permeated by strains of neo-soul, 1940s jazz, appalachian folk, and human howls. Their music lives in a curious juxtaposition... Read More →

Saturday May 26, 2018 3:35pm - 4:10pm PDT
Vera Project/Gallery Sponsored by CityArts 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance, Folk Redefined Show

4:25pm PDT

Gabriel Wolfchild & the Northern Light
Emotive, Theatrical, Electrified Stardust
Performers
GW

Gabriel Wolfchild & the Northern Light

Gabriel Wolfchild & The Northern Light is a Seattle-based cinematic Folk Rock music group. Using 6 voices, horns, poetic lyrics, and gravity defying electric guitar sounds, they have a feeling that meshes new Fleet Foxes-style folk with classic Pink Floyd-ish rock. In 2017 they released... Read More →

Saturday May 26, 2018 4:25pm - 5:00pm PDT
Vera Project/Gallery Sponsored by CityArts 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance, Folk Redefined Show

5:00pm PDT

The New Rituals
Vancouver Dream Pop
Performers
TN

The New Rituals

Vancouver Dream Pop

Saturday May 26, 2018 5:00pm - 5:45pm PDT
KEXP Gathering Space: Sponsored by KEXP 90.3FM 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance
 
Sunday, May 27
 

12:30pm PDT

Squirrel Butter
Americana with Charmaine Slaven & Charlie Beck
Performers
SB

Squirrel Butter

Squirrel Butter, husband and wife duo of Charlie Beck & Charmaine Slaven, started performing together after meeting at a music festival in 2005. Sharing a deep love of traditional music, they explore the genres of old-time, early bluegrass, blues, country, & cajun while adding their... Read More →

Sunday May 27, 2018 12:30pm - 1:00pm PDT
Fisher Green Stage: Sponsored by KBCS 91.3FM 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance, KBCS 91.3 FM Presents

1:00pm PDT

Sax G
Children of the Sun.
Performers
SG

Sax G

I started rhyming when I was homeless in 2008. My friends, who made beats, rarely had beats for me because they gave them all to Nacho lol. So I started making my own beats in 2010. Now we're here.

Sunday May 27, 2018 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
KEXP Gathering Space: Sponsored by KEXP 90.3FM 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance

1:10pm PDT

Whitney Monge
Alternative Soul Artist
Performers
WM

Whitney Monge

Alternative soul artist, Whitney Mongé, was once known for being the “Best Busker in Seattle”. Her music has since transcended to a national level supporting acts, Ziggy Marley, Allen Stone, KT Tunstall, Patrick Sweany and Mayor Hawthorne. Catching the attention of the masses... Read More →

Sunday May 27, 2018 1:10pm - 1:40pm PDT
Fisher Green Stage: Sponsored by KBCS 91.3FM 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance, KBCS 91.3 FM Presents

1:50pm PDT

Naomi Wachira
Afro-Folk Singer/Songwriter
Performers
NW

Naomi Wachira

Seattle singer-songwriter Naomi Wachira was born in Kenya and grew up singing gospel music in a choir of family and friends. Inspired by the music of Tracy Chapman and Miriam Makeba, Wachira saw the potential for song to make the world a better place and set out to create music that... Read More →

Sunday May 27, 2018 1:50pm - 2:20pm PDT
Fisher Green Stage: Sponsored by KBCS 91.3FM 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance, KBCS 91.3 FM Presents

2:50pm PDT

J.R. Rhodes
Singer/Songwriter
Performers
JR

J.R. Rhodes

Singer-songwriter J.R. Rhodes believes that music heals and that love is real. From her first open-mic performances at the O.K. Hotel, Seattle, to her latest album I Am, these beliefs in the transformative power of song are distilled into gems of quiet intensity that traverse blues... Read More →

Sunday May 27, 2018 2:50pm - 3:20pm PDT
Folklife Café 321 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98109
  Music Performance, Kinfolk: Stories in Song

3:25pm PDT

Tomo Nakayama
Northwest Indie Folk Singer-songwriter
Performers
TN

Tomo Nakayama

Named "Best Folk Act 2017" by Seattle Weekly, Tomo Nakayama has consistently created music that is complex, nuanced, and emotionally compelling. He is a former Artist in Residence at Town Hall, and his decade of work both as a solo artist and as frontman in his chamber-pop band Grand... Read More →

Sunday May 27, 2018 3:25pm - 3:55pm PDT
Folklife Café 321 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98109
  Music Performance, Kinfolk: Stories in Song

3:30pm PDT

Elke Robitaille Band
Canadiana-Americana Indie Folk Revival
Performers
ER

Elke Robitaille Band

Growing up in an isolated, coastal town of British Columbia, Canada, Elke Robitaille spent her formative years playing guitar and writing songs inspired by the dreams she had of exploring the world beyond her small town. At 18, with guitar in hand, she boarded a southbound train headed... Read More →

Sunday May 27, 2018 3:30pm - 4:05pm PDT
Fountain Lawn Stage: Sponsored by Western WA Toyota Dealers 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance, Women of the West Showcase

4:20pm PDT

Joy Mills Band
Soulful Country and Roots
Performers
JM

Joy Mills Band

Since forming in 2011, this Seattle 5-piece brings together roots music, lyrical ballads and soulful country songs, all set against the backdrop of the Pacific Northwest. They've released four albums, have toured nationally and to Europe several times. "Seattle’s liveliest country-flavored... Read More →

Sunday May 27, 2018 4:20pm - 4:55pm PDT
Fountain Lawn Stage: Sponsored by Western WA Toyota Dealers 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance, Women of the West Showcase

5:00pm PDT

Kung Foo Grip
Hip Hop Thrill Ride.
Performers
KF

Kung Foo Grip

Hip Hop's fraternal twins, Eff Is H (left) & Greg Scott (right) are Seattle's answer to musical evolution. Classic yet relevant… foolish yet intellectual, artistically KFG is the best of both worlds. Just like the Northwest is know for it's microbreweries, these 2 craftsmen are... Read More →

Sunday May 27, 2018 5:00pm - 5:45pm PDT
KEXP Gathering Space: Sponsored by KEXP 90.3FM 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance

5:10pm PDT

Annie Ford Band
Music of Hidden Doorways
Performers
AF

Annie Ford Band

The Annie Ford Band is a timeless blend of tough and tender songwriting. Showcasing talented and nuanced players on pedal steel, bass, sax, piano, drums and violin they mix compelling story-telling with dark Appalachian roots and modern genres like rock n roll, jazz, and dark country... Read More →

Sunday May 27, 2018 5:10pm - 5:45pm PDT
Fountain Lawn Stage: Sponsored by Western WA Toyota Dealers 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance, Women of the West Showcase

7:30pm PDT

Handsome and Gretyl
Upbeat Indie Folk Duo
Performers
HA

Handsome and Gretyl

Handsome and Gretyl have created an earthy folk feel crossed with an imaginative jaunt of pop, a sweet and tangy piece of wild berry pie. The husband and wife duo has toured across both the US and Canada, released 4 albums, and have millions of streams of Spotify. This duo draws from... Read More →

Sunday May 27, 2018 7:30pm - 8:05pm PDT
Back Porch Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance, Hardy Harmony Showcase

8:20pm PDT

Fox and Bones
Folk Pop with Soul
Performers
FA

Fox and Bones

Fox and Bones is a folk collaboration between Portland songwriters Sarah Vitort and Scott Gilmore. The internationally touring duo combines lush harmonies and a complex, heartwarming lyrical landscape with soft-spoken yet rich musical accompaniment. They’ve been called "addictive... Read More →

Sunday May 27, 2018 8:20pm - 9:00pm PDT
Back Porch Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance, Hardy Harmony Showcase
 
Monday, May 28
 

1:00pm PDT

The Pazific
Latin Pop Surf Sounds
Performers
TP

The Pazific

The Pazific is a musical collective led by Seattle-based duo Alex and Jefferson Rose. Their debut release, The Fusión EP, is a wave of Seattle sound, blending the spirit of the West Coast with inspiration from around the world. With songs in English and Spanish, The Pazific’s Latin... Read More →

Monday May 28, 2018 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
KEXP Gathering Space: Sponsored by KEXP 90.3FM 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance

5:00pm PDT

Amy Denio and Friends
World soul!
Performers
AD

Amy Denio and Friends

Seattle's Avant Goddess Amy Denio is a composer, improviser, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist with a 4 octage range who has produced more than 50 recordings with groups worldwide. Strongly influenced by 'world soul', (Balkan/Latin/Americana) her performances are spellbinding. She was... Read More →

Monday May 28, 2018 5:00pm - 5:45pm PDT
KEXP Gathering Space: Sponsored by KEXP 90.3FM 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109
  Music Performance
 
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    • Armory Court Stage
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    Bagley Wright Theatre Sponsored by KUOW
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    Discovery Zone Stage: Sponsored by Parentmap
    Exhibition Hall Sponsored by Seattle Globalist
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    Fountain Lawn Stage: Sponsored by Western WA Toyota Dealers
    KEXP Gathering Space: Sponsored by KEXP 90.3FM
    McCaw Hall
    McCaw Promenade
    Mural Amphitheater: Sponsored by Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
    Narrative and Cultural Cuisine Stage: Sponsored by Uber Eats
    Open-Air Dance Stage
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    SIFF Film Center
    Theatre 4 - Dance Workshops
    Trad Stage
    Vera Project/Gallery Sponsored by CityArts