Travelers going through Sea-Tac Airport used to the incessant drone of elevator music and official announcements are instead about to get a healthy dose of Pearl Jam, Heart, Death Cab for Cutie, and a plethora of other Northwest music.

"Experience the City of Music" is a new initiative launching airport wide on Saturday. The ambitious program highlights Northwest music both new and old broadcast on speakers throughout the terminals, along with video screens displaying original programming from such outlets as EMP, MTV, Chase Jarvis, and the Seattle Channel's Art Zone.

"From Jimi Hendrix to the Wilson sisters, Chris Cornell and many others, the Seattle area has a strong music heritage. Over 32 million passengers pass through Sea-Tac Airport each year, giving us a unique opportunity to introduce a new generation of local musicians to travelers and tourists," said John Creighton, Port of Seattle Commissioner.

Travelers will also hear public service announcements read by Northwest musicians, including Ben Gibbard of Seattle's chart topping Death Cab for Cutie, Jerry Cantrell from Alice in Chains, and up and coming Seattle rapper Macklemore.

The initiative was developed in partnership with the Seattle Music Commission, an advisory and advocacy group supporting and promoting music programs in the city and region, and Redmond-based PlayNetwork which is curating the programming.

"This project has been so much fun to work on because of all the community support and excitement to show off our music culture in such a significant way," said Seattle Music Commissioner Marcus Womack in a statement.

In addition to the music played around the airport, travelers will also be able to access a free streaming music player over the airport's WiFi network to listen to Northwest music on a mobile device or laptop.

"Experience the City of Music" formally kicks off with a day of live music Saturday afternoon at Sea-Tac's Gina Marie Lindsey Arrivals Hall at the south end of the baggage claim area. Seattle bands scheduled to play include The Dusty 45's, Fly Moon Royalty, Carrie Clark & the Lonesome Lovers and Recess Monkey.

For more NW music news, listen to Seattle Sounds with Josh Kerns and Chris Kornelis from Seattle Weekly Sundays at 3pm on 97.3 KIRO FM

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter