Seattle’s iconic Bumbershoot Festival kicked off on Saturday with nearly 100 artists spread across three stages, making the grounds feel like a nonstop playground of music and art. While the big names of the night Car Seat Headrest and Weezer drew in the headliner crowds, the real magic of the day was in discovering the local indie acts and up-and-coming artists that gave the festival its soul.

I started the afternoon at the main stage with Great Grandpa, a fuzzy grunge-tinged indie band straight out of Seattle. Their sound was both nostalgic and refreshing, the perfect way to set the tone for the day.

Next up was Kyle Dion, who brought a wave of R&B and soul to the festival. His performance was upbeat, infectious, and had the crowd fully engaged—an energetic contrast to the grungey opener.

From there, things took a turn into the unexpected with Foot Ox, an experimental folk band from Portland, Oregon. Their set was delightfully offbeat, the kind of performance that sticks with you because of its sheer uniqueness.

I caught Hey, Nothing, who brought an intimate, indie-pop sweetness that contrasted beautifully with the heavier acts before them. Their set had an honesty and warmth that really stuck with me.

Seattle’s own Two Minute Hate followed, blasting the stage with noisy, experimental rock that turned up the intensity. It was raw, it was loud, and it demanded attention.

I made it back to the main stage just in time for Indigo De Souza, who delivered a heartfelt and dreamy performance that resonated beautifully with the crowd.

One of the highlights of my day was catching Scowl. I had seen them a month and a half ago in Portland, and getting to experience their chaotic, high-energy set again so soon felt like an absolute gift. They tore through their songs with grit and fire, easily one of the most fun performances of the day.

One of the standout moments of the afternoon was catching Say She She, a disco-soul trio whose lush harmonies and groovy energy had the entire audience moving. Their set was full of charm and felt like pure sunshine cutting through the Seattle clouds.

The energy only ramped up from there with Zookraught, a Seattle rock band that absolutely blew me away. Playing to a packed, shoulder-to-shoulder crowd on one of the smaller indoor stages, they had the room in the palm of their hands. Their set was raunchy unfiltered synergy, unmatched spirit, and the kind of performance that makes you a fan for life. Honestly, they were probably my favorite discovery of the day, and I can’t wait to see where they go next.

At that point, I was committed to holding my spot indoors, the stage kept hitting capacity, and I didn’t want to risk missing the next acts. Up next was Coffin Break, a Seattle metal-punk band formed back in 1987. Their set was heavy, gritty, and a reminder of the city’s long, proud punk lineage.

Closing out my night was Biblioteka, another Seattle gem whose garage rock glam vibes were pure fun. Their music had the whole room moving, ending my Day 1 on a high note.

From start to finish, Saturday at Bumbershoot was a whirlwind of sound that was equal parts reminiscent, futuristic, and galvanic. While the headliners drew the spotlight, it was the local bands and smaller stage performances that stole my heart. Day 1 was everything I hoped for and more, and if it’s any indication, the rest of the weekend is going to be unforgettable.