Under the iconic Seattle Space Needle, a symphony of anticipation permeates the summer night. The crowd, drawn from across the West Coast, gathers as the evening air cools. The festival grounds awaken in a mesmerizing glow, casting an otherworldly spell. Here, the headliners transcend mere artists; they weave emotions into the audience, conjuring a surreal magic. Together, they set souls ablaze, forging a unique community within the heart of Seattle.
Day In Day Out in back in the City
My fellow “writer in crime” Kareena Naik and I set out to capture the essence of this festival’s magic. We hit the grounds to chat with attendees and learn more about their unique Day In Day Out experiences.
What do you think it is about festivals that keep you coming back?
“Definitely the art and the community. You can be anybody and everybody. You get to see live music and even if you don’t know the artist, it’s a chance to learn new stuff, give yourself ideas, even for your own inspiration!”
Family of bass player (Henry Dillon), Surfcurse
Amidst the vibrant atmosphere of the Day In Day Out festival, we had the pleasure of speaking with some dedicated festival-goers who had journeyed all the way from NYC to show their support for Surfcurse! They were struck by the festival’s captivating mix of attendees across various age groups, which fostered a remarkable sense of unity among people from diverse backgrounds. Their experience was a poignant reminder that music festivals are not only about fervently supporting your favorite artists, but also about drawing inspiration from the infectious energy and enthusiasm of fellow attendees.
What advice would you give to first-time festival goers?
“Honestly I would just say, don’t take it too seriously. Try to get a good spot obviously, but something I’ve been learning myself is just to have fun. Don’t be super self-conscious. Dance if you want to! It’s cheesy but it took me until I was 21 to learn.”
Bridget & Noah <3
Coming from Bellevue, this festival-loving couple had an unforgettable time at Day In Day Out. Initially introduced to the event by fellow festival-goers, they experienced firsthand the sense of community that festivals create through word-of-mouth recommendations. What started as a relatively unfamiliar gathering evolved into a transformative journey, where they discovered and embraced new artists. Their festival experience was characterized by a commitment to hydration and a front-row presence, illustrating their dedication as fans who immersed themselves fully in the music and atmosphere.
Seattle’s history of music is long and winded. It’s the city that has produced artists whose reputation precedes them. From Nirvana to Jimi Hendrix. Sir Mix-A-Lot to Macklemore. Name-dropping is an easy thing to do when you’re from Seattle.
Lately, however, it seems like people are asking if it’s time to call time of death on this city’s music scene. We don’t believe it is. Music is embedded in the framework of Seattle. You just need to step into a bar, a cafe, someone’s living room, and you can feel it. This is a city that loves music. As a student from UW, I promise you need to look no further than a house show. The only reason that 40-ish people are crammed into someone’s backyard, listening to a guitar breaking through someone’s crappy borrowed speaker is that we’re all there for the same reason. To find connection through music. Seattle’s citizens bond through the shared experience of discovering their new favorite song. Something about a rainy city that can look gloomy and romantic all at once breathes creativity. We felt it at the festival. With strangers holding onto each other during a sad song or jumping when a beat kicks up, it’s the idea that no matter how different we all are, in this moment we are experiencing the same thing. Bianca and I felt it this weekend, what it’s like to be in a city that loves its noise. We felt a connection on this lawn, with the Space Needle looming above us, watching over our crowd in our beloved city.
