Fisher Green Stage. Photo by Robert Castro.

1.) The Armory is your best friend.

Located in the city center, Bumbershoot is a unique festival that’s fortunately not in the middle of a field or forest. The Armory is a visitor center/food court in the middle of the festival grounds. Taking a breather in an air conditioned space with full bars (with more moderately priced booze than the beer gardens), clean bathrooms and indoor food options was life saving. It gave us a chance to relax and cool down before the next act.

Relaxing at the Armory. Photo by Robert Castro.

2.) Keep your expectations low with alcohol.

As Bumbershoot was an all ages festival, strict alcohol rules were enforced. At each stage there was a designated area for alcohol purchase and consumption. No alcohol on open grounds. Also, be ready to have a 5 minute staring contest with security when they check your ID. They seemed to use intimidation to weed out the young pups trying to score an $8 tall boy or a $12 5.5oz cocktail. Yeah. $12 for 5.5oz. Ouch.

3.) If you have the opportunity to see Die Antwoord, FUCKING DO IT.

They made love to our ears and broke our brains. We’re still trying to recover from the tech, hip hop duo’s killer live set. It was a top 2 favorite of the entire weekend. The only downside was that they didn't allow photographers in the pit.

4.) Don’t try to write a fashion piece about Bumbershoot

As Seattle is a large metropolitan city, it was our plan to bring fashion into the mix from our experience. Sadly, the fashion piece is as dead as the fashion at Bumbershoot. The all ages festival was flooded with teenagers wearing your basic bitch ensembles. High waisted shorts, crop tops, you can imagine. Uniquely dressed festie goers were few and far between and we’re not here to mislead true style.

5.) Having a more eclectic festival makes for a pleasing variety of day activities.

Bumbershoot provided more than just music. Film, art, comedy, words and ideas, theatre and even culinary lectures were available to spice up your day before the large music acts if you were alive enough to get there at 2pm when doors opened.

6.) Know your schedule and make a plan.

If you’re dying to see an act, skip the one before and get there early. Security began to close off the Key Arena early, too early. We wanted to bounce around on the floor for E-40 and were left to bump n grind in the seats while the floor was only half full. Lame.

7.) Camelbaks have practical uses other than hikes.

Waterpacks and camelbaks were a "go" at the festival. Thankfully Bumbershoot had plenty of places around the grounds to fill up your water and keep hydrated in the muggy Seattle heat.

8.) Don't skip on the food

The festival food trucks reflected Seattle's tasty and diverse city cuisine. You want curry? They had it. Vietnamese stir fry noodles? Yep. Greek gyro? You know it. Korean BBQ? That too. Our bellies were never empty and always happy.

9.) Always be open to new music.

Typically during the day and early afternoon is when the lesser known acts play. Get to the festival early and check em out! They may turn out to be one of your favorite acts of the weekend. We were really impressed with Middle Kids, Tacocat and Bibi Bourelly!

10.) Don't forget your friends.

Festivals are only as good as the people you surround yourself with!

10 Things We Learned at Bumbershoot