I am breaking my self imposed no anonymous posts rule here because I don't know if the person who told me about this show, was supposed to tell me...

I do know that a friend of mine was asked to play this Sub Pop 20th birthday show/festival thing... but since this person was never in Green River, I can not verify that part of the rumor...

A source close to the planning told me a few things prior to the celebration at Hattie's the other night. Check it out:

http://www.seattlesoundmag.com/2008/04/sps-20th-anniversary-details-revealed/

I heard it's all true, but to tell you the truth I don't know too many old school Sub Poppers all that well. I do know that The Fluid are doing some reunion shows soon. Woo Hoo!!!!

OK - just checked the link on the post above my first one. One question: Why REDMOND? You mean they couldn't find an outdoor Seattle venue? Seattle Center or any one of several parks would do nicely. Sub Pop was a Seattle phenomenon. Holding the big tribute across the bridge is kind of odd, yes?

No, I don't actually think they could have found a better outdoor Seattle venue. Seattle Center has nothing at all on Marymoor Park, it's just concrete, brown grass and run down outdated buildings, and most everything else in town would be too small, or not have enough parking for the crowd they're going to get. Ever actually been to Marymoor? It's great! Green grass, fresh(er) air, lots of space, room to do other stuff like toss a ball around or have a picnic. Just find a way to get out there, already; catch a ride with your one friend who has a car or whatever. The next nearest outdoor venues that could handle the crowds they'll probably have would be the Gorge and White River, and while I like the Gorge, they're both a lot farther from Seattle than Redmond, aren't they?

randy - yes, I've been to Marymoor several times, and I agree it's far more bucolic and chill. My point wasn't about finding a better, or more picturesque venue. It was about locating one in Seattle proper as Sub Pop is so closely associated with the city.

Plus I seem to recall that back in the day Sub Pop bands mostly sounded like the city they helped put on the musical map - loud, messy, and dare I use the G word - Grungy! As developers destroy every last bit of character this city has, a part of me misses the Seattle of days gone by, warts and all.

Anyway, the thing could be in frickin' Mississippi and I'd still do my best to get there. But as far as nowhere in the city being able to handle so many cars or whatever, I beg to differ. Our pro sports franchises as well as the larger touring shows ala Springsteen seem to do OK in the city limits logistically. Though the draw will be huge, I'm not totally sure we're talking Springsteen numbers here, though I could be wrong. And while Marymoor may have lots of parking, the 520 sucks even without a major event taking place.

While we're speculating, what about Myrtle Edwards Park? They seem to handle the Hempfest throngs. Or Gasworks? They may not be as lush as Marymoor, but they're both in the city and far more in line with the overall Sub Pop vibe IMHO.

So yes, I agree that Marymoor will be a (perhaps too) lovely place for the show. I just think having it outside Seattle city limits would be like having a Stax / Volt reunion show say in Germantown instead of Memphis. Just a little odd.

Anyway, see ya there. Sounds like it's gonna be a great show.

ps: cranking "This Town" by Green River at the moment :)

Some good points. Especially about 520 bridge traffic sucking (which you'll soon have the privilege of paying to sit in), and about Seattle losing a little more of what makes it Seattle, every day. But Springsteen was at Key, and I'm just happy happy that Sub Pop isn't thinking about going that route.

If the rumors are accurate, of course.

Besides, having Sub Pop fans congregate at Marymoor will be an interesting social experiment. Might shake the soccer moms up a bit, and it sure beats the usual middle of the road crap acts that play there. (Apologies to anyone who secretly can't wait to see the Doobie Brothers there on August 8.)

It's at Marymoor because Seattle city wouldn't give the okay on using Magnolia Park.