The Downtown Bellingham Partnership welcomes music lovers to five free Wednesday evening concerts July 10–August 7, 2024, featuring headlining acts from New Orleans and Brooklyn funk and soul scenes and the Pacific Northwest, to celebrate the 20th-anniversary season of Downtown Sounds. The concert series transforms the Arts District intersection of Bay, Holly, and Prospect Streets into a stage, beer garden, food truck, and family activity zone for residents and tourists to experience unforgettable evenings of live music, food, and fun. In anticipation of record-setting crowds, two additional blocks will be closed from traffic to expand all areas of the event and allow for additional entry points.
This year’s lineup boasts an impressive array of headlining acts, scheduled as follows:
July 10: Cytrus (Seattle-based Powerfunk)
Cytrus, self-described as a psychedelic powerfunk octet, is known for their infectious beats and captivating performances that blend elements of electronica, synth-pop, and dance music.
July 17: Acorn Project (Bellingham-based Electro-Funk)
Bellingham’s own Acorn Project brings their funk and groove to the stage, bringing a nostalgic evening of music and dance with their fusion of funk, rock, and electronica from a blend of local musicians.
July 24: Daniel Pak (Seattle-based Soul/Reggae)
Daniel Pak’s soulful sound and heartfelt lyrics are sure to captivate audiences, drawing inspiration from his Hawaiian roots and experiences performing with reggae legends like The Wailers.
July 31: The Soul Rebels (New Orleans-based Brass/Soul/Funk)
The Soul Rebels bring the high-energy brass funk of New Orleans to Bellingham, promising a night of infectious rhythms and irresistible grooves that will have the crowd on their feet.
August 7: Pimps of Joytime (Brooklyn/Bay Area/New Orleans-Fusion Funk/Soul/Afrobeat)
The Pimps of Joytime are known for their infectious rhythms and soulful vocals that blend elements of funk, soul, afrobeat, and dance music, delivering a night of non-stop dancing and high energy to close out the season.
General entry to Downtown Sounds is free and opens at 5:30 PM each evening, with opening acts kicking off the festivities at 6:00 PM, followed by the headlining acts taking the stage at 7:30 PM. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy a meal from neighboring restaurants and onsite food trucks, create memories with photobooths and glitter tattoos, enjoy family-friendly activities, and more.
For those over 21, the beverage garden offers local pints from breweries and cideries and a variety of wine options. In addition, both hard and non-alcoholic seltzer options will be available from 2024’s VIP sponsor, Spindrift. Proceeds from the beverage garden will support the Downtown Bellingham Partnership, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to enhancing the city center through economic development, promotion, advocacy, and celebration. Further financial support to make Downtown Sounds possible comes from Co-Concert Series sponsors BECU and Julian & Co. Real Estate, with additional support from SpringHill Suites, and community event tourism grants made possible by the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County.
For the ultimate Downtown Sounds experience, attendees are encouraged to become Downtown Bellingham INSIDERS. This loyalty program offers members exclusive perks, including skipping the beer garden entry line and access to the Spindrift VIP lounge. For those traveling from out of town, the Downtown Bellingham Partnership has partnered with Hotel Leo and Four Points by Sheraton to offer discounted rates with complimentary INSIDERS membership to make the most of out of Downtown Sounds and Downtown Bellingham’s iconic summer happenings. Discounts and perks like transportation to and from the stage area, a complimentary INSIDER card, and welcome guide to Downtown Bellingham’s favorite bars, restaurants, and shopping experiences are available. Learn more and book now at www.downtownbellingham.com/downtown-sounds-hotels
“Experiencing the growth and evolution of this cherished event truly hugs my heart,” said Lindsey Payne Johnstone, Executive Director of the Downtown Bellingham Partnership. “We’re thrilled to celebrate 20 years of Downtown Sounds with our incredible community.”
For more information about Downtown Sounds including the full lineup coming soon, visit www.downtownbellingham.com/downtownsounds.
