It’s the same question every year: Who is the biggest act coming to Sasquatch?
And it’s the same answer too: That depends.
Some of the biggest names in rock, hip-hop, electronica and pop will head to the Northwest for the annual Memorial Day weekend festival, which unofficially kicks off the summer concert season. So really, the biggest name is just a matter of a person’s taste in music.
The line-up this year is, as usual, stacked. Dozens of acts will play at the scenic outdoor venue at the Gorge in George, offering enough music to fill the festival’s four stages from May 27 through May 30. While fans can argue about the best band heading to the historic venue, some obvious stand-outs are worth noting.
Friday’s headliners are rapper A$AP Rocky and English electronica duo Disclosure. On May 28, the festival will feature French electronica act M83 and edgy pop star Major Lazer.
On May 29, the big names include goth-pop act the Cure, blues rockers Alabama Shakes and soul singer Leon Bridges. Finally, Florence and the Machine will close out the festival May 30, just before a set from indie pop singer Sufjan Stevens.
Festival passes are $350 at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
Paul Simon will return to the Northwest for two sold-out shows at the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery at 7 p.m. May 28 and May 29.
One of the most iconic songwriters of all time, Simon shot to fame in the 1960s alongside singer Art Garfunkel. Together, the two made some of the decade’s most indelible hits, including “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Mrs. Robinson,” “The Sound of Silence” and “Cecelia.”
After the two split up, Simon proved his songwriting chops, continuing to create the type of music that satisfied both pop radio and the music critics. His solo run has included the hits “Kodachrome,” “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard,” and “Graceland.”
Still busy after all these years, the singer, who will turn 75 this October, is touring now behind his latest solo album, “Stranger to Stranger.” Fans will get a taste of that latest music, along with the many songs that have made him an American icon.
Tickets are sold-out but can be found at a mark-up at stubhub.com.
Another icon, Andrea Bocelli, will headline KeyArena at 7:30 p.m. June 1.
The famed Italian tenor, blinded by the age of 12 after a soccer accident, used his voice to become an international phenomenon in the 1990s with his blend of classical and pop music.
His world renowned voice routinely vaults his albums to the top of the classical albums chart. He’s touring now after the October release of “Cinema,” a disc that found him covering famed songs from Hollywood movies, including “Cheek to Cheek,” “Moon River” and “Maria.”
Tickets are $75 to $365 at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
Hard rock act Lamb of God also is returning, heading to the WaMu Theater in Seattle at 7 p.m. May 31.
The long-running metal band is emerging after a dark period in its history. In 2010, lead singer Randy Blythe pushed a fan from the stage in Czechoslovakia. The fan later died from related injuries, leading to a trial and brief incarceration for the singer. Since acquitted, the group is now getting back on track.
The group released its seventh studio album, “VII: Sturm and Drang,” which topped the rock charts last year.
Tickets are $26.50 at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
The Kills, meanwhile, will headline the Showbox SoDo at 9 p.m. June 1.
The duo, which formed in London in the late 1990s, is made up of English drummer and guitarist Jamie Hince and American-born singer Alison Mosshart. The two have carved out a spot on the charts with their own durable take on blues rock.
The pair will hit Seattle just days before the release of their latest album, “Ash and Ice,” their first new album in five years.
Tickets are $25 at showboxonline.com or 888-929-7849.
Finally, a mess of rappers will hit the Showbox at 9 p.m. June 2 for a show dubbed the Smoker’s Club.
The line-up features Cam’ron, the Underachievers, G Herbo, Smoke DZA and Nyck Caution.
Cam’ron is by far the biggest name on the bill. The Harlem born rapper scored two big crossover hits in 2002 with “Hey Ma” and “Oh Boy,” both which landed near the top of Billboard’s Hot 100.
While he’s backed away from pop since then, his albums frequently land near the top of the charts, including 2009’s “Gunz N’ Butta.”
Tickets are $32 at showboxonline.com or 888-929-7849.
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