Sub Pop Records held their 30th Anniversary party on Alki Beach on Aug. 11, and thousands took part in the rock festival atmosphere spread out across the entire Alki neighborhood. Though dampened by rain the musical acts brought in by the iconic record label represented three decades of innovative and creative music. Over the course of the day the crowd which was sparse for the early hours kept growing until an estimated 25 to 30 thousand people were in the neighborhood. massed in front of the stages. A few people had issues, passing out from exhaustion or too much to drink but there were no serious issues or injuries. The event ran from 12 Noon til 10pm. 

Four stages were used for the event. Two near the Alki Bathhouse, one near 57th SW and another on the Alki playfield. Food trucks lined 59th Street SW and honeybuckets by the hundreds were strategically placed near the large beer gardens during the event.

Sub Pop founders Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman were at the event and reflected on the event. "What could be better than a sunny day, West Seattle, Alki and Sub Pop?", said Poneman. Pavitt said, "I'm so happy my 25 year old daughter could come and experience this."

West Seattle's own Chris Ballew AKA Caspar Babypants got children dancing despite a squall that passed over during his set, and later the West Seattle School of Rock did a series of songs from the 90's with their revolving members of the House Band.

The highlight of the event was the appearance by Mudhoney, a seminal Seattle band formed during the grunge era of the early 1990’s. The band put on a powerful performance and fans pushed up to the stage in the same way they did during the band’s heyday. Headlining on other stages at the event were the bands Beach House and Father John Misty. Both bands drew massive crowds.

Getting home was a challenge as thousands waited in long lines for shuttle busses, while others had to either walk or wait for ride shares to ferry them out of the neighborhood.