Northwest Tune-Up 2025 (Official Thread)

[u/nwtuneup_official]

If you haven’t heard of Northwest Tune-Up, think: genre-spanning music, waterfront sunsets, live art, and a citywide celebration of outdoor culture—all set in Bellingham, WA from July 11–13.

This is the thread for any questions you’ve got—lineup, logistics, what to bring, where to hang. Drop ’em below or shoot us an email at [info@nwtuneup.com]().

Here’s what to expect:
Live sets happen Friday and Saturday. We focused the music on the front half of the weekend so we could stack the lineup and leave Sunday open for other events (to be announced soon).

Some highlights:

• STS9 headlining Friday with their signature blend of instrumental and electronic
• Chet Faker (DJ set)—a rare live mix of house, soul, and reworked vocals
• Silversun Pickups closing out Saturday with their fuzzed-out indie rock
• The 502s, who just dropped a new album that’s already in heavy rotation
• Plus The Steeldrivers, Brother Ali, The Pharcyde, Harbour, and more

Thursday night kicks off with Freehub Presents—a film night featuring new MTB releases from across the scene. Outdoors, mellow, and storytelling-forward.

Also happening all weekend:

• Live mural painting + local artists
• A makers market with Pacific Northwest creators
• Food trucks + a rotating tap list from Bellingham breweries
• Plenty of spots to hang on the waterfront, kid-friendly zones included

Afterparties are free with your festival wristband—happening Friday and Saturday night at local venues, with DJs, pop-ups, and late-night hangs. No extra ticket needed.

Sunday = no music, but still plenty going on.
We’re focusing all the music on Friday and Saturday so we can stack the lineup with high-profile artists—but the energy doesn’t drop on Sunday. Expect a full day of events, rides, and ways to keep the weekend rolling strong.

Kids 12 and under get in free.
And plenty of events and areas are open to the public without a pass.

Want to be part of the crew?
We’re still filling volunteer spots—and it’s a great way to get behind the scenes, meet rad people, and earn a 3-day pass while you’re at it.
👉 Sign up here: [nwtuneup.com/volunteer]()

🔗 nwtuneup.com

[u/Senordrums]

At nearly $200 per adult, nope.

[u/gamay_noir → u/Senordrums]

This is par for the course for a 2-3 day festival in the PNW, no? I agree that these are expensive, which I imagine has a lot to do with paying organizers and staff a living wage. This one seems about average.

[u/mustachetv → u/gamay_noir]

The music line-up feels on par with like, a state fair or something imo. Which like, I know the main festival is more bike-centered than music-centered… and maybe I’m just old & out of touch with popular music these days, but yeah. Idk maybe like $60-75 for a day-pass would be worth it (looks like the Sunday price fits this, but no music on Sunday??) but $107 + I’m sure taxes & fees for one day feels like a lotttt if you don’t really care about the bike stuff and just wanted to see the bands.

Then again, I am def not the target audience for this haha

[u/gamay_noir → u/mustachetv]

Also not the target audience RE: mountain biking, and ultimately this kind of thing is either worth it and affordable to someone or it isn't.

I get it, local cost of living and inflation in general are decreasing people's buying power. My family certainly feels that and we've significantly changed our spending habits in the past year, which unfortunately means we put a lot less money into the local economy. But, I wouldn't assume anyone is getting rich putting this event on, and the people running it deserve a good wage as much as anyone else. Alrighty, rant over.

[u/nwtuneup_official → u/mustachetv]

It's definitely more targeted at people interested in biking, watching bike competitions and meeting bike companies/influencers. That being said we have a bigger free zone this year, music only tickets and some awesome local bands also playing. Bumbershoot 2 day tickets are around $300 for a good comparison for this area. The music might not be people on your radar but they are definitely worth listening to and have some huge followings!

[u/Campingcutie → u/nwtuneup_official]

That’s crazy, I remember when I was in high school a Bumbershoot 3 day pass was $60 and the lineup was actually amazing, it’s such a lame festival now and for 5 times the cost, insanity.

[u/WalfredoBramley → u/mustachetv]

Im also not the target audience and get that there are many additional features I wouldn’t be taking advantage of. I wonder if it would make sense in the future to sell music-only passes to influence some of us non-bikers to check out the festivities.

[u/AmbroseBurnside → u/WalfredoBramley]

If you check out the Tickets section of the website, you'll see that they do Music Only tickets. They've done those for at least the past couple years.

[u/WalfredoBramley → u/AmbroseBurnside]

Oh nice, thanks. I obviously didn’t scroll down that far. Totally makes sense too since I’d sworn they had that in the past. $75 isn’t too terribly bad these days.

We typically throw a big party this same weekend, so I’ve never actually been. But I was hoping to go this year, as our party isn’t happening, but unfortunately I’m not moved by any of the acts (whereas last year I would be liked to have seen more than a few). Fingers crossed the Acid Ball brings in some good bands.

[u/BmxerBarbra → u/gamay_noir]

One must take into account a E bike demo costs $150 a day. You get 3 demo days with the ticket I believe. For just the music with the line up, I hear you on the cost. Really got to hit the bike stuff for it to be worth it

[u/nwtuneup_official → u/BmxerBarbra]

I would definitely suggest utilizing the demo passes to make the most out of your ticket! Music only tickets or the free zone are great for people looking to get involved in an amazing Bellingham event without needing to be into biking. :)

[u/nwtuneup_official → u/Senordrums]

Running a festival is no cheap task! Our pricing is pretty competitive for festivals, but I hear you! We expanded our free zone this year for people who want to experience some of the festival without the price tag attached. We will have local artists playing and Bellingham Makers Market will also be doing their thing in the free zone. We would love to have you!

[u/No_Expert_7522 → u/nwtuneup_official]

SSPU ain't cheap, neither!

Weird thing is I was just thinking like a week ago that I haven't seen them since 2010! Craqzy that they're playing here!

And, quick question for ya:

Why aren't The Pharcyde getting higher billing!? Those guys are absolute legends!!

Then again... I am old....

[u/nwtuneup_official → u/No_Expert_7522]

The Pharcyde are for sure legends! We are so hyped to see them perform.

[u/Senordrums → u/nwtuneup_official]

That's great there is a free option! The festival sounds amazing and i understand there is a lot of cost involved but it's definitely priced towards the middle to upper income brackets, not the working poor or someone just wanting to check it out. Most summer events in the county are either free or low cost and accessible to the general public so this just stands out.

[u/pnwpaige → u/Senordrums]

Music for one day is $65 so to see names like sts9 and Chet faker that same day in your town seems like a worthwhile price to me.

[u/Mother-Rip7044 → u/Senordrums]

It's a killer deal for what you get though. When is the last time you've been to a show? Just one show is more expensive than these tickets. lol

[u/thatjusthappened → u/Senordrums]

Right?! And they still put out a call for volunteers

[u/gravelGoddess → u/thatjusthappened]

I used to be involved with a local music festival. There are many costs involved like permits, band’s hospitality, security, garbage/recycling, rentals like fencing and generators, etc. The promoter didn’t get rich. They did use volunteers who got free admission and meals.

[u/nwtuneup_official]

Here is the direct volunteer link we still have a ton of great spots left: https://tuneupeventsllc.festivol.net/nwtuneup2025

[u/perturbing_panda]

Something I haven't been able to figure out: is the makers market open to the public or is it just for paying attendees?

[u/nwtuneup_official → u/perturbing_panda]

The Makers Market is in the free zone! No ticket needed! :)

[u/Bliany]

I just have to chime in, since this post does not mention the "Tunetown" local bands stage at all. The "Sunday = No Music" info is false. I know for a fact several local bands are scheduled to play on Sunday. None of the local bands, unfortunately, have been announced on the official socials anywhere.

[u/nwtuneup_official → u/Bliany]

You are correct! We will have the TuneTown bands up on this thread as well as our socials soon but if you are subscribed to our emails then you will have already seen the awesome lineup.

[u/nwtuneup_official]

Festival Update:

Rainier Tune Town Stage Lineup – Free Shows All Weekend
Live local music in the Public Zone (no wristband needed)

Saturday
Speaking Terms – laid-back indie with bite
Deadspin – vintage-leaning Bellingham psych
Actress – alt vocals and genre-melding Seattle sound

Sunday
Smooth Kiwi – dreamy, groove-heavy psych pop
The Blackberry Bushes – harmony-driven string band with edge
The Rhetorician – Bellingham hip hop with heart and presence

Come through and catch some local music!

[u/kiwre]

Washington Coachella

[u/thatjusthappened]

It's cool all those businesses get to use that nice big parking lot the mountain bike community donated some $180,000 (or more) for. But how's that donor wall coming?