The Downtown Bellingham Partnership (DBP) is excited to announce the full music lineup for 19th Annual Downtown Sounds, a free urban summer music series that takes place at the corner of Holly, Prospect, and Bay streets. Beyond outstanding live music, Downtown Sounds offers family-friendly activities and dining as well as a beer garden for 21+ goers. The event will take place over five consecutive Wednesdays, starting from July 12th, bringing the community together for unforgettable evenings of music, food, and celebration.
The public is invited to enjoy live performances against the backdrop of the city's historic downtown area and waterfront views. This year's lineup showcases an impressive array of the Pacific Northwest’s talented musicians spanning various genres.
2023 Lineup:
July 12: REPOSADO w/ The Cosmic Neighborhood
(Tequila Funk + Brazilian Flavor/Western Pop)
July 19: Five Alarm Funk w/ North Sound Soul
(Horn Powered Percussion Funk + Early Motown/Horn-Driven 1970s Rock)
July 26: Outer Orbit & Special Guests w/ The Harris Twins
(Soul-Funk Collective + Soul/Funk/Rock)
August 2: Petty or Not w/ Smooth Kiwi
(Tom Petty & Fleetwood Mac Covers + Alternative Psychedelic Pop Rock)
August 9: Polyrhythmics w/ Groovebot
(R&B/Jazz/Afrobeat + Funk/Soul/R&B Covers)
Downtown Sounds general entry is free and opens at 5:30PM each evening. Opening acts begin at 6:00PM with headlining acts taking the stage at 7:30PM. Each Downtown Sounds concert includes local food truck vendors including Cicchitti's Pizza, Sammies (vegan), Chef Bo’s Gourmet Beef Jerky and Lemonade, Hank & Bubby’s ice cream, Bry’s Filipino Cuisine, J Glizzy’s, Antler Baking, and more. For 21+ goers, this year’s beer, wine, and cider garden will impress with local pints from Boundary Bay, Aslan, Gruff, Wander, Structures, and Kulshan breweries. Cider and hard seltzer fans will enjoy rotating flavors from Bellingham Cider Company and wine drinkers can choose from white, rosé, and red options. The main entrance to the beer garden in 2023 will be located at the corner of East Champion and Bay Streets.
Special perks including a dedicated, shorter entry line and VIP lounge within the beer garden are available for Downtown Bellingham INSIDERS, a loyalty program that offers members discounts at over 30 downtown retailers and restaurants all year long in addition to exclusive perks at Downtown Sounds and DBP’s other signature events. Locals and visitors alike are encouraged to become INSIDERS, starting at a donation level of $10 per month to skip the beer garden entry line and receive a complimentary drink token. INSIDERS at the $25+ monthly donor level are also welcomed to the VIP lounge sponsored by Julian & Company, Bellingham’s Real Estate Experts. Program information and registration can be found here https://www.downtownbellingham.com/insider.
"The 19th Annual Downtown Sounds is a celebration of the incredible musical talent we have here in Bellingham and the Pacific Northwest," said Lindsey Payne Johnstone, Downtown Bellingham’s Program Director. "We're thrilled to provide a platform for both established and emerging artists to showcase their skills. We can't wait to see the streets of downtown come alive with the joyous sounds of music and the smiling faces of our community."
Downtown Sounds is made possible by Premiere Sponsor, WECU. This year, the Family Alley will feature the WECU Game Zone, including giant “WECU pong,” cornhole, and giant Jenga. Additional activities include the popular photo booth, glitter tattoos, face painting, and street chalk.
“As a community focused credit union, WECU is all about supporting our local community,” said Keith Mader, PR Manager for WECU. “Downtown Sounds not only builds community, but it also brings people downtown to support local businesses. For these reasons, we are proud to continue our sponsorship of Downtown Sounds.”
Downtown Sounds relies on community partners and volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteering can sign up here: https://forms.gle/KoB5GLPh7AKTso6a7
DBP is also searching for a dedicated organization to partner on event tear-down. This organization would contribute 10-12 volunteers each week from 9-10pm to assist with event tear-down in exchange for social media and website promotion. We are happy to discuss additional ways to make this a beneficial partnership.
Additional support comes from Julian & Company Real Estate, Groove Merchant Northwest, Boundary Bay Brewery, SPARK Museum, Springhill Suites, Wild Buffalo, Bayou on Bay, Bellingham Cider Co., Faithlife, Seeking Health, Visit Bellingham Whatcom County, and the City of Bellingham.
“This event is truly a celebration of community partnerships, and we rely on this cooperation to make Downtown Sounds happen year after year,” Payne Johnstone said.
For more information, including a complete lineup, please visit www.downtownbellingham.com/downtown-sounds.
