Don’t Miss Downtown Sounds, Bellingham’s Hottest Summer Attraction
Who else is excited for Bellingham’s Downtown Sounds coming up? Four weeks, multiple bands, lots of beer, and plenty of good vibes make this free summer concert series a favorite for many Bellingham locals. The fun takes place in downtown Bellingham every year, which, conveniently, is where you can find our Bellingham dispensary.
August 3, 2021
Downtown Sounds concerts have a knack for uniting Bellingham residents through the power of music and community. After over a year of staying inside and avoiding crowds, this sort of event is a must-attend for many people looking to rejoin the social scene in a fun, pressure-free manner.
Each week in August, a local favorite will bring the energy to the City of Subdued Excitement. This year we’ve got a great mix of ‘80s new wave, funk, soul, jazz, and Americana to look forward to each week. Go through the list and pick the most interesting events for you, or just make a plan to come to each event for a guaranteed good time!
This year’s concert schedule consists of weekly events every Wednesday: August 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th.
Let’s take a closer look at what this year’s Downtown Sounds is all about!
Downtown Sounds COVID Policies
Downtown Sounds is an outdoor event that takes place across multiple blocks in Bellingham. Since physical distancing and capacity limitation restrictions were lifted at the end of June, there is no current mask mandate for the event for vaccinated people. However, face coverings are required for any attendees who are not vaccinated. We recommend bringing a face mask when shopping at our Piece of Mind Cannabis Bellingham Dispensary, as well.
The organizers still recommend all attendees bring a mask, though. This is because surrounding businesses may have different mask policies. If you need to stop inside or make a purchase somewhere, it’s a good idea to have a mask just in case the businesses require it.
2021 Downtown Sounds Lineup
The 2021 Downtown Sounds Lineup consists of:
August 4: Nite Wave with Analog Brass
August 11: Eldridge Gravy & the Court Supreme with Minds Eye
August 18: High Step Society with Stephanie Anne Johnson & The Hidogs
August 25: The Dusty 45s with Nuages
The beer garden will open at 5:30 pm each night, with music starting at 6 pm. Expect the event to finish up around 9 pm each night.
Wondering which weeks you should attend? We think it’s worth catching them all, but if you have to choose, let’s dive deeper into each performer.
August 4th: Nite Wave
If you are looking to dance, don’t miss Nite Wave on August 4th. They bring ‘80s new wave to the stage with their vibrant performance and nostalgic, infectious sounds.
Started as a Cure tribute band, Nite Wave brings everything you love about the ‘80s together in one energetic performance. They’re not just some cover band, though. They’ve played with legendary performers such as Billy Idol and pop star Tiffany.
Anyone itching to dress up and dance should be sure to catch Nite Wave on August 4th! They will be accompanied by Analog Brass, a 9-member brass band straight from Bellingham.
August 11th: Eldridge Gravy & The Court Supreme
Want something funky for your Downtown Sounds experience? Eldridge Gravy & The Court Supreme has you covered. This 14-piece orchestral funk and soul group from Seattle brings the energy and moves to Bellingham on August 11th and funk lovers should not miss it.
Their shows are mostly up-tempo, with dynamic horns, fun vocals, and infectious rhythms. The crowd will be moving in seconds after they start.
Eldridge Gravy & The Court Supremes will be joined by Minds Eye, a local Bellingham band that is sure to bring the energy as well.
August 18: High Step Society
High Step Society is bringing Electro Bass Jazz to Bellingham with their groovy tunes and honeyed tones. Featuring sultry vocals, horns, synths, and more, High Step Society takes jazz in a new direction.
Described as a group that takes “the excitement of the jazz age and rocket launch[es] it a century into the future,” High Step Society will have you moving and grooving all night long.
They will be joined by Stephanie Anne Johnson and The Hidogs, a dynamic group of powerful musicians that can both stun and satisfy the crowd.
August 25: The Dusty 45s
The Dusty 45s will take us back to our roots on August 25th with their energetic, powerful music of Americana. With a unique sound inspired by the roots of rock, rhythm, blues, honky-tonk, and jazz, there’s a little bit of everything to enjoy.
They have been performing for over two decades now, capturing the hearts of Americana lovers across the world. They’ve toured extensively and even found themselves alongside Adele’s “21” tour back in 2011.
Catch the Dusty 45s supported by Nuages at the final Downtown Sounds event of the year. Nuages, a local Bellingham jazz quintet, performs mostly original arrangements of jazz Manouche standards.
Additional Downtown Sounds information
As always, Downtown Sounds is free. It started 17 years ago as a small gathering hosted in a Bellingham alley. Since its inception, it has grown to the hottest event of the summer for music lovers from all walks of life.
Be sure to arrive at 5:30 if you want to secure a spot at the beer garden before the live music starts at 6. If you’re unclear where to go, just head to Prospect and Bay streets. The crowd will fill the streets in between Woods Coffee, Bayou on Bay, Spark Museum, and the Pickford Film Center.
Don’t worry about going hungry at this event. Like in previous years, there will be food trucks in the area to cover meals and snacks for everyone. There will also be a return of the Family Alley, a kid-friendly area with a giant Jenga set, cornhole, and other fun activities.
Stock up at Piece of Mind Cannabis
Just a short walk from the heart of Downtown Sounds is our Bellingham pot shop. We have everything you need to make your pre-game or post-Downtown Sounds party a fun one, from potent concentrates to carefully dosed edibles.
Stop by and say high today!
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