This past weekend including Hump Day (Wednesday), August 8-12, 2018 Seattle residents were treated to an incredible experience, one which is unlikely to be replicated anytime soon. It was only fitting that the common theme of this entertainment revolved around the roots of Seattle’s once underground music scene. Pearl Jam and Sub Pop Records came together with separate events to produce a weekend of entertainment that’ll go down in history as one of the greatest for the Emerald City.
Certainly those living around the city and likely those around the country are aware of Seattle’s rising homeless population, the downside to a booming corporate and startup tech industry. Taking initiative into their own hands, Pearl Jam rallied over 100 large and small local companies ranging from Amazon to Cafe Ladro for The Home Shows raising over $12million to battle King County homelessness. It’s been five years since Pearl Jam graced a local town stage and it was clear they’d been missed, selling out both shows, approximately 90,000 fans.
Charity events on this level, although rare through history, are not unheard of but it’s this massive effort of generosity coupled with Sub Pop Records’ free SPF 30 event on Saturday that ignites a sense of pride for me as a Seattleite. Sub Pop, celebrating their thirty year anniversary, threw an incredible party on Alki Beach in West Seattle with three stages providing free entertainment from 1pm-9pm with performances from many Sub Pop labels including, Mudhoney, Hot Snakes, Beach House, Shabazz Palaces and Father John Misty.
Consistently through the evening I found myself very grateful to live in a city that gave back to the residents in such a fun way.
Thank you Seattle and to the companies that call this beautiful region home.
-Peter
