49th Parallel, a Seattle-based hip-collective, sure looked like they were having fun on Saturday night at the Museum of Pop Culture. The group of friends who have been hanging out for as long as they can remember were energetic and comfortable performing on the Sky Church stage in front of a large crowd for Sound Off! 2020, the nonprofit museum's annual 21-and-under music showcase.

"As far as live performances, it really is all about fun," Sam, of 49th Parallel, said in January during Sound Off! artist orientation. "We want the crowd hype. ... We want them just to reciprocate the energy that we're giving to them. We give our 110 [percent] and all of our audiences always give it back. So it's really fun."

On a night filled with outstanding performances featuring a variety of musical genres, including punk duo Mr. Dinkles, singer-songwriter Searows, and R&B producer thom.ko, it was 49th Parallel who was selected by a panel of industry professionals to advance to the program's finals on March 7. 

"We used to come to Sound Off!" Sam recalled, while at orientation. "We had a couple of friends in bands who performed and it was a big thing to go to and see. It is a really crazy surreal thing to be like, 'oh, we're actually able to perform in this now.' It's really cool."

That type of community building was a consistent theme communicated throughout Saturday's event, as each Sound Off! artist took time during their set to praise the work of their fellow semifinalists. And following each performance, that community was on display, as artists congratulated one another with hugs, high fives, and daps, showcasing the unique connection developing between a group responsible for producing some of the best music by young artists in the Pacific Northwest. 

Sound Off! 2020 continues next Saturday, February 29 with the third and last semifinal. Indie folk singer-songwriter Mirabai Kukathas, R&B producer Talaya., jazz specialist Seven Sky, and comedy metal trio David's Van will take the stage. 

The Sound Off! 2020 finals are scheduled for March 7, when 49th Parallel and The Human Missile Crisis, who advanced from the first semifinal, will meet the artist who advances from semifinal number three as well as one to-be-determined wild-card artist, chosen by MoPOP's Youth Advisory Board from the runner-up finishers of each semifinal, which so far includes Tiny Planet (semifinal one) and Searows (semifinal two).

Tickets for MoPOP's remaining Sound Off! shows are available now.

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