Cultivora

Since 2003, Decibel has established itself as one of the world's premier electronic music festivals while maintaing a relatively boutique size - 2011 drew in 23,000 attendees. It may not be as big as other conferences like South by Southwest or Winter Music Conference, but that doesn't mean you're not in for a memorable experience. After all, its quality over quantity, and Decibel is definitely topnotch. Over the years, Decibel has booked over 800 artists, including both those within experimental genres and big names in EDM. Decibel's conferences and showcases focus on live performance, interactive multimedia art, and sound and technology based education. For its 9th edition, the festival plans to continue its emphasis on leading-edge multimedia art from around the globe. -- Laura Baker-Finch

Festival Line Up

Kimbra, Orbital, The Cannabinoids feat. Erykah Badu, DJ Shadow, Carl Craig 69 Live, Shpongle, Fennesz + Jon Wozencroft, MiMOSA, John Talabot, Ariel Pink, Matthew Dear, Star Slinger, Nina Kraviz, Actress, Tycho, Monolake + Tarik Barri, Tipper, Baths, Dixon, Dragonette, Robag Wruhme, MartyParty, Clark, Byetone, Oxia, Starkey, Emancipator, Max Cooper, Dam-Funk, Balam Acab , Roman Flugel, Yppah, Matt Tolfrey, Julianna Barwick, Axel Boman, Teengirl Fantasy, Appleblim, Kangding Ray, Demdike Stare, Kuedo, Ripperton, The Knocks, Biosphere, k.flay, Octave One, xxxy, Houses, Jimmy Edgar Shlohmo, Deetron, Orcas, Sepalcure bvdub, Nils Frahm, Paul Chambers, Public lover, Christina Vantzou, DVS1, Robert Henke, Machinedrum, Windy and Carl, MANIK, Sylvain Chauveau, George FitzGerald, Cut Hands, dalot, Salva, Baauer, Peter Van Hoesen, Devonwho, Kids & Explosions, Lusine, Scott Pagano, Objekt, Dave Aju, lissom, longwalkshortdock, Loscil, Dabrye, EmptySet, Maria Minerva, The Stepkids, CFCF, Pezzner, Lulacruza, House, B.Bravo, MLZ, Anenon, port-royal, Terrence Parker, Anomie Belle, The Sight Below, Braille, Basic Soul Unit, Jeff Samuel, The Great Mundane, Kiesuke Shingu, Groundislava, Norman Chung, Adam Hummell, Natasha Kmeto, Eprom, Cyanwave, Katie Kate, Gulls, Brandy Gray, AntiVJTracerVisuals, DJAO, Zachariah Walker, BODYGUARD, Scott Sunn, T.J. Davis, A-Rock, Leo Mayberry

• How do I get to and from the festival?
• How do I get around during the event?
• What time does it start and end?
• Is reentry allowed?
• Are there any prohibited items?
• Can I bring outside food and/or drink?
• Will there be food sold at the event?
• Will there be alcohol sold at the event?
• What do I need to know about money?
• What will the weather be like?
• What should I wear?
• What should I bring?
• Anything else I need to know?

• How do I get to and from the festival?

  If you are staying in downtown Seattle or Capitol Hill, t will be easy to walk to and from the various festival sites. If you're staying anywhere else, public transportation in Seattle is extensive and convenient, so you can either hop on the bus or the light rail to get to the venue locations.
  
  It's been my experience that buses come often and on time, at least during the day and early evening hours. The King County Metro provides a Trip Planner and a How To Ride video to get you from point a to point b as easily as possible. No metro card is required, cash can be used right on the bus and exact change, while preferred, isn't necessary.
  
  Seattle's Light Rail Service is also useful for getting around the city, especially to and from the SeaTac Airport. The first train from the airport station to downtown Seattle leaves at 5:04am and the last leaves at 12:10am. If you don't take the light rail from the airport into the city, a yellow cab from the airport to the downtown hotel district will only set you back $32 - you can find these cabs on the third level of the airport's parking garage.

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• How do I get around during the event?

  All of the events during the festival occur either in downtown Seattle or Capitol Hill, so it will be easy to walk between event venues or hop on a The King County Metro Bus to get to the other event district or the few outlying venues. The good news it that downtown Seattle is a Ride Free Area, so you can ride the bus for free within the central business district until 7pm. You can also hail taxis in the downtown area - but don't expect them to be as abundant as in NYC. You can call a cab company if it's late and you're in need.

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• What time does it start and end?

  Conferences take place in the afternoon, and start anywhere between noon and 7pm. Most music shows start at 9pm, and usually end around 2am. We'll provide more specific times once they're available.

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• Is reentry allowed?

  Reentry policies will depend on the venue, so ask once you arrive if unsure.

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• Are there any prohibited items?

  Like most venues, you most likely will not be able to bring outside food, drink, weapons, drugs, etc. into the venue. But, again, policies depend on the venue itself rather than on the festival as a whole. If you're unsure, check the specific venue's website.

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• Can I bring outside food and/or drink?

  This will depend on the venue, but most venues, bars, and convention spaces will not allow outside food or drink. However, since the festival doesn't have a specific festival grounds, when you're outside each particular venue, you are free to eat and drink whatever you please, festival-sponsored or not.

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• Will there be food sold at the event?

  There will be lots of food options to choose from around the downtown Seattle and Capitol Hill areas, either at venues or at surrounding establishments. Check out our Eat page for some recommendations.

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• Will there be alcohol sold at the event?

  All venues will have full bars that will serve alcohol, but keep in mind last call is at 2am.

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• What do I need to know about money?

  Credit cards can be used at most bars and restaurants, and there will be ATMs and banks around the downtown and Capitol Hill areas, but it's a good idea to have cash on you to avoid lines and in case of emergency.

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• What will the weather be like?

  Seattle is notorious for gloomy and cloudy weather. However, it usually doesn't pour too much, light drizzles are far more common. No need to worry too much for Decibel though, because weather in September tends to be more gorgeous than usual. Temperatures will range from 50°F (10°C) to 70°F (20°C); during the day it will be nice and comfortable, but at night, it will be chilly.

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• What should I wear?

  Since you will be doing lots of walking and dancing, make sure to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Seattle has been ranked amongst the least fashionable cities in the U.S., so there's no need to try to impress with Coachella-esque festival fashion. Temperature will drop significantly at night, so also try to bring another layer or jacket to keep yourself warm after sunset, especially if it rains. Seattleites are so used to the almost constant drizzling rain that using an umbrella is a sure sign that you're a tourist. A water-proof jacket is your best bet to stay dry without sticking out.

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• What should I bring?

  Bring your festival pass (you'll need it at each venue), a state-issed ID (Seattle has some of the toughest ID policies I've ever experienced, they will ask for proof of age and they will deny you if it's expired), and a camera to document all the cool stuff you're sure to experience there.

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• Anything else I need to know?

  You don't need a festival pass to attend any of the events as they are individually open to the public for purchase, but the pass is worth the money if you intend to attent most of the events. Pass holders will also get priority access to many of the events, guaranteeing a prime view and entrance to the more in-demand showcases.
  
  There will be lots of after-parties, including boat parties during the five days of the festival, so be on the lookout for both official and unofficial after-parties you might want to attend. We'll post the most appealing ones under our Event Listings once they're announced.

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