Festival Review: Bellingham Exit
Review from Bellingham Exit
Written by Joe Raubvogel
Bellingham, a town steeped in a profound appreciation for the arts, has long been a haven for creative expression, whether it's through music, visual arts, or comedy. The emergence of the Bellingham Exit festival had me thrilled, as it is deemed to potentially be a marker of a significant milestone in the city's cultural landscape that offers a platform for the convergence of the many diverse artistic talents within the lively backdrop of downtown Bellingham. My expectations were certainly met, as Bellingham Exit kicked off its first year with a bang and proved to be a remarkable celebration of the city's vibrant music scene. As I immersed myself in its various acts, it became evident that the festival's blend of local and global artists was a testament to how truly rich the Bellingham music scene is. Despite being its first year, the festival offered a fantastic lineup that featured both local and global talents. The festival's musical variety was showcased, ranging from eccentric rap groups like Deltron 3030 and The Pharcyde to local alt-rock talents like Harbor Day and Cat Valley. This musical variety along with the inclusion of a performance from drag star Monét X Change and stand-up from Joe Pera, it seemed like the festival had a little something for everyone. Despite its modest scale, Bellingham Exit showcased its potential to grow into a prominent musical event, which will likely draw enthusiasts from across Washington and beyond.
My first day at the festival kicked off with the iconic boundary-pushing 90s rap group The Pharcyde, whom I personally was immensely excited to witness. As they came onto the stage with instant energy, charisma, and chemistry, I was quick to realize how you can absolutely tell how much effortless talent they ensue, and how much they deeply care about the craft of hip-hop. Despite the absence of one of their key members, their performance still shined with 30 years of experience clearly resonating throughout their set. Experiencing this energy along with their classic instrumentals, specifically those produced by J Dilla, was truly an exceptional thing to experience live.
Photo by Ian Lewis
Unfortunately, due to some conflicting events in Seattle, I had to miss both the Thursday and Friday shows (booo!). Fast forwarding to Saturday, the electronic indie group Shimmertraps took over The Shakedown stage early in the evening to perform an electrifying show. Their fusion of psychedelia, house, and funk, along with their use of live bass and guitar, which isn’t typical for live performances in their genre, left a lasting impression, drawing parallels to the sounds of Toro y Moi and Kaytranada. Their many groovy instrumentals were irresistible to dance along to, and their frequent transitions from beat to beat kept their performance entirely engaging. The way in which they incorporated elements of funk with house was seamless, evoking a vibrant and hypnotic ambiance.
Transitioning to the entrancing melodies of Orion's Belt, the audience was captivated by the band's minimalist yet captivating approach. The emphasis on sparse, laid-back compositions, punctuated by short but spellbinding guitar solos, added an introspective layer to their performance which was reminiscent of the immersive characteristics of Tame Impala's sound.
Moving to the Culture Café, the small intimate environment set the stage for rapper Blksknn’s chilled-out, lyric-focused hip-hop. Blksknn’s lyrical prowess along with his charisma was accentuated by the intimate nature of the venue making his stage presence very engaging. This stage presence being complemented by a live on-stage painting session of his upcoming album cover added to the immersion and memorability of his performance.
Amidst the energy and charisma, Chrvns took the stage, igniting the room with infectious energy and lively interactions. His ability to engage the audience and infuse every moment with enthusiasm continued to solidify his status as an exceptional performer, leaving the crowd energized and captivated.
Photo by Ian Lewis
Later, at the Blue Room, I witnessed the infectious rhythms and passionate vocals of Instant Crush. Their dynamic alt-rock and punk-inspired sound, accompanied by powerful guitar solos, exuded a contagious energy that resonated with the audience.
The festival culminated with the legendary Deltron 3030, another rap group I was highly anticipating experiencing, as their innovative and boundary-pushing hip-hop would truly be a unique and unforgettable experience. The group's dynamic energy and masterful musicianship resonated throughout their set as they performed many of their classic songs from their cult-classic debut album. Their set ended with Del performing his verses from his iconic collaboration with the Gorillaz, “Clint Eastwood,” which certainly ended the festival on a very high note.
Photo by Ian Lewis
With the first year of Bellingham Exit being a fantastic experience, I am excited to see the festival grow in upcoming years. I hope that an up-scale festival like this can eventually evolve into a cultural landmark that showcases the best of what Bellingham’s local music scene has to offer.