The encore just turned into a solid three-year gig. 
 


After less than a year of performances, live music is coming back to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with a three-year agreement between the Port of Seattle and airport merchants to split the costs for the popular program highlighting northwest artists. A pilot program began in March and was extended to the end of year after overwhelmingly positive passenger feedback. 
 


“Live performances continue to get rave reviews from the traveling public as part of our award-winning Experience the City of Music initiative,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner John Creighton. “Our artists improve the passenger experience in the terminal and promote the region’s diverse music scene. We’re excited to grow this opportunity for area musicians to showcase their talents with Northwest visitors and locals alike.”
 


The airport’s dining and retail tenants have agreed to match port funding for this program up to $125,000 per year for three years as part of their overall marketing program. The port’s funding will come from the Airport Development Fund. The port will proceed to hire a management firm to handle soliciting artist applications, screening and selecting artists, scheduling and providing on-site management. 
 


“The Merchants of Sea-Tac are thrilled to be part of this award-winning program,” said Stacy House, Senior Director of Operations for HMSHost, Sea-Tac Airport. “Anything that makes the airport experience more enjoyable for our guests is worth the investment. Not to mention, the music is fantastic and livens the atmosphere of our restaurants and shops. It’s an all-around win!”
 


The program to date consists of two live music performances per day, Monday through Friday, ranging between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at various locations throughout the terminal, past the security checkpoints. Each artist plays three 40-minute sessions at one location during peak passenger traffic times. The new contract is expected to allow the expansion of times and locations for the performances. 
 


The Sea-Tac Airport Experience the City of Music program – a cooperative effort by the Port of Seattle, Seattle Music Commission and PlayNetwork – is a comprehensive effort to enhance the traveler experience with the music of Northwest artists including overhead music, safety and public information announcements by artists, curated videos on terminal and baggage claim monitors, and a multi-channel web radio player available through the free airport Wi-Fi network.
 


In just the first year of the program, the airport playlist has grown to 600 songs with 160 Northwest artists and 32 local artists have volunteered their time to taping overhead welcome, security and informational announcements including such diverse artists as Macklemore, Ben Gibbard, Ann Wilson, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Jerry Cantrell, Fly Moon Royalty, Quincy Jones, Ludovic Morlot, Brandi Carlile, John Popper, Allen Stone and many more. 
 


Award Winning

In September, a panel of international industry experts named Sea-Tac as the Best Arrivals Experience due to the Experience the City of Music program. The Future Travel Experience Awards recognize the most innovative, ambitious and effective initiatives and organizations in the airline industry. 
 


More Details and Schedules

For detailed schedules, locations, a video of live performances, and how musicians can participate, visit the Sea-Tac Airport Music Initiative page. You can also find sample audio clips of safety from top Northwest artists as they provide safety and informational announcements, plus more information on the program. 
 


When you are at Sea-Tac Airport, travelers can also submit feedback or let the airport know what they are hearing by following @SeaTacAirport on Twitter and using #SEACityofMusic. 
 


About The Merchants at Sea-Tac 

Sea-Tac Airport and its merchants are well-known for an award-winning dining and retail program. Ninety-two units are located throughout the airport with competitive street pricing for food, specialty services and duty-free operations.
 


About the Sea-Tac Airport Experience the City of Music

In a private/public partnership between Sea-Tac Airport, the Seattle Music Commission, and PlayNetwork, this effort is a comprehensive program to enhance the traveler’s experience through exposure to the diverse variety of musical artists from the Pacific Northwest. The program includes overhead music in common areas, a pilot program of live artist performances in the terminal, artist- recorded overhead announcements, curated videos on terminal and baggage claim monitors, and a multi-channel web radio player available through the free airport Wi-Fi network.
 


About Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Operated by the Port of Seattle, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA, KSEA) is ranked as the 15th largest U.S. airport, serving more than 33.2 million passengers in 2012 and more than 283,000 metric tons of air cargo. With a regional economic impact of more than $13.2 billion in business revenue, Sea-Tac generates more than 138,000 jobs (89,902 direct jobs) representing more than $2.2 billion in direct earnings and $412.4 million in state and local taxes. Twenty-four airlines serve 73 non-stop domestic and 21 international destinations.