In Bellingham, live music is a vibrant tapestry that unfolds like a massive, all-you-can-eat buffet. One can't possibly experience it all, so it's a joy to savor the best moments. This chronological list showcases some of the remarkable performances without any ranking.

Discovering Hidden Harmonies

At WinkWink, the Cat Valley acoustic duo took the stage. Having seen them multiple times before, one thought they knew all the reasons for their love. But witnessing them as an unamplified acoustic duo revealed that their vocal harmonies were even more enchanting than imagined. It was a revelation.Energy Pyramid's members, known for their highly visual live shows, performed at Aslan Depot. During one night of the NW Tune-Up Festival, when not enjoying the headliner, wandering downtown led to an unexpected encounter. Being blown away by their music/art/dance phenomenon was a great reminder that sometimes serendipity leads to extraordinary experiences. (Also, congrats on the vinyl release of their album “Levels“.)

Paying Tribute in Style

At Boundary Bay Brewery, Bottle of Smoke, a clearly skilled Pogues tribute band, performed on the first St. Patrick's day after Shane MacGowan's passing. The perfect marriage of band, songs, and audience created an unforgettable atmosphere.Lupe Fiasco's headlining set at Northwest Tune-Up was a revelation. Initially not overly familiar with his catalog, he proved to be an incredibly charismatic performer with a deep repertoire of great songs. He effortlessly kept the audience engaged for an hour and a half.

Local Indie Rock Vibes

In June, Cat Positive at the Shakedown celebrated their 10th anniversary. The show had some of the best vibes of any live music experience this year. Everyone was filled with joy, and we're looking forward to their new album that's supposedly coming soon. Their local indie rock sound is truly unique.Margo Cilker at the Wild Buffalo was a treat. With her gorgeously simple country songs rich in Pacific Northwest imagery, played with perfect restraint by her tight band and her sister adding beautiful harmonies, it was a musical journey.

Multiple Festivals and More

The Bellingham Exit Festival was a blur, but some of the top 5 shows included Bellflower at Ritual Records, Alice Longyu Gao at the Blue Room, Reggie Watts at Mount Baker Theatre, Bonny Light Horseman at the Wild Buffalo, and Sego at the Blue Room. Each performance stood out in its own way.At the FireHouse Arts and Events Center, the Naomi Moon Siegel Ensemble brought a touch of jazz. It's great to see a jazz group with a stable lineup that has composed music specifically for each member's unique instrumental voices.

Upcoming Festivals and Events

The Northwest Tune-Up Festival has announced their dates for 2025: July 12–14. Early bird tickets are on sale until Jan. 1, 2025. Even non-biking music lovers can get their money's worth from an early bird pass.When Cayley Schmid stepped down from organizing the Bellingham Folk Festival, there was uncertainty. But plans are emerging, and it seems the local folk lovers have risen to the challenge. The event will take place from Jan. 23–26 at downtown venues.Adding to the excitement, the Fire and Story festival will be back at the waterfront that weekend, featuring excellent music like Three for Silver, The Librarians, and Energy Pyramid.