Tour Stop: Bellingham, WA
Photo by Jon Brunk
Bellingham is the last major city before the Washington coastline meets the Canadian border. About half way between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, the city has a music scene that thrives on variety and tremendous local support. From the Mono Men to Death Cab for Cutie and most recently Idiot Pilot, bands hailing from “B-Ham” have gone far. Bellingham is a college town and when Western Washington University is in session, students are flocking to the local venues. While jam bands and indie rockers seem to reign supreme in the local scene, electronic music has been on the rise with new labels like Click Pop Records leading the charge. The Bellingham Electronic Arts Festival brings artists from all over the world to the city every winter. In the summer, the Wild Buffalo hosts the Downtown Alley Concerts.
Book a Gig: Venues
CHIRIBIN’S
113 E. Magnolia Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 734-0817
www.myspace.com/chiribins
Chiribin’s, although a relative newcomer, has emerged as one of the best smaller-sized venues for touring bands. Live music five nights per week. Book through MySpace at least two months in advance.
FANTASIA ESPRESSO AND TEA
1324 Cornwall Avenue
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 715-1622
www.myspace.com/fantasiaespressoandtea
Fantasia is rock, punk and pop to its core, and the only all-ages venue downtown. To book, contact Christy at fantasiaespresso@gmail.com, or through Fantasia’s MySpace.
THE NIGHTLIGHT
211 E. Chestnut Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 527-1531
www.nightlightlounge.com
Amazing sound and a great cavernous atmosphere make The Nightlight an excellent spot to play. As Bellingham’s largest music venue, The Nightlight primarily books established touring bands from all genres with a good local draw. However, first time touring bands can email booking@nightlightlounge.com with inquiries.
BOUNDARY BAY BREWERY
1107 Railroad Avenue
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 647-5593
www.bbaybrewery.com
Great beer and food accompany live music three nights a week — rock, funk, bluegrass and reggae are favorites. Contact Chris Glass at info@bbaybrewery.com for booking.
UNDERGROUND COFFEEHOUSE
Western Washington University
516 High Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 650-3263
www.myspace.com/wwuunderground
The Underground Coffeehouse on the WWU campus hosts bands three nights a week. Contact Jeff Talbot by phone, MySpace or at asp.coffeehouse@wwu.edu, and provide links to music, availability and number of band members/instruments.
ROGUE HERO
1313 N. State Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 756-0069
The Rogue Hero is a small, laidback dive bar with live music four nights a week. Though rock shows are most common, the venue books everything but country and metal. Email Bucketz at bucketzpresents@hotmail.com at least one month in advance to book.
GREEN FROG ACOUSTIC CAFE
902 N. State Street #104
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 756-1213
www.myspace.com/acoustictavern
Boasting walls lined with guitars, mandolins and banjos, this down-home tavern is a great place for an acoustic act. The Green Frog books music five to seven nights per week; contact James at acoustictavern@hotmail.com a few months in advance for booking.
WILD BUFFALO
208 W. Holly Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 752-0848
www.wildbuffalo.net
The sensational acoustics of this downtown bar make it a staple in the Bellingham music scene. Blues is big at the Wild Buffalo, but the venue also books acoustic, Latin, rock, Motown, Celtic, folk and jazz. Book through the website one to two months in advance.
Promote a Gig: Media
WHAT’S UP?
P.O. Box 2173
Bellingham, WA 98227
(360) 714-9310
www.whatsup-magazine.com
Bellingham’s premier monthly music magazine features concert listings as well as live reviews. Send live dates to brent@whatsup-magazine.com one to two months in advance. Only CDs from local bands are reviewed.
BELLINGHAM HERALD
1155 N. State Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-2600
www.bellinghamherald.com
Post events yourself online at The Bellingham Herald’s website. To be included in the print version, send music and dates to the address above, Attn: Catherine Wallace, or email catherine.wallace@bellinghamherald.com.
KUGS, 89.3FM
700 Viking Union MS 9106
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 650-KUGS
www.kugs.org
WWU’s station has great programming, live in-studio performances and a concert calendar that is read three times a day on the air. Send music submissions to the address above, Attn: Music Director, one month in advance with show details included.
Gear/ Repairs
MANNA MUSIC
703 W. Holly Street
Bellingham, WA 98228
(360) 650-8977
www.mannamusic.com
David Payne, the Guitar Doctor, offers emergency repairs out of Bellingham’s largest music store. Buy or rent guitars, basses, keyboards, beat boxes, pro audio and more.
MUSICIAN’S CENTER
204 W. Holly Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 756-1350
www.musicianscenter.com
Offers new and used guitars, amps, accessories and pro audio, as well as an MS Audio repair service which specializes in amp and speaker repair for both tube and solid state amps. |
