Bob Dylan headlines 40th annual Bumbershoot festival

Legendary is one way to describe this year's Bumbershoot music and arts festival, because legendary is precisely what Bob Dylan, one of this year's headliners, embodies.

The 40th annual music festival will take place September 4 to 6 at the Seattle Center and will include performances from Neko Case, The Decemberists, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, and Ra Ra Riot, among others.

"This year for our 40th Festival, we're excited to have artists that span more than four decades of phenomenal music," said Chris Porter, programming director for One Reel's Festival Division, in the press release of the lineup.

Other mainstage acts include Weezer, Hole, Rise Against, Mary J. Blige, J. Cole, and a yet to be announced special guest. Indie favorites Atlas Sound, David Bazan, Surfer Blood and Greg Laswell will also perform at the smaller venues, and local acts from Seattle and the northwest including Horse Feathers, Hey Marseilles, Fresh Espresso, Visqueen and Fences will also be performing. The cross-genre talent is sure to please anyone who attends.

New format changes will be in place this year in honor of the 40th anniversary of the festival, including one show per day on the mainstage with three headlining performers. Ticketing changes include the addition of the Bumbershoot Standard Ticket, which grants holders access to mainstage performances, as well as the addition of the Bumbershoot Economy Ticket, which grants access to everything but the mainstage performances. There will also be a new stage in Seattle Center's
Center Square.

In addition to the five outdoor music stages, there will also be comedy, visual and performing arts, a film festival and crafts, including hands-on activities, dance, theater, comedy acts, literary arts, visual arts and vendors. The wide range of activities at Bumbershoot even includes a "Youngershoot" area for kids.

As a testament to its diversity, the name "Bumbershoot" means umbrella as it encompasses many arts and performers.

Standard tickets are on sale for $40, and economy tickets are on sale for $22.

Olivia may be reached at ojohnson@su-spectator.com