Capitol Hill Block Party 2015
Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA
07.24.15 – 07.26.15
Capitol Hill Block Party. Actually, multiple blocks… six city blocks to be exact. Centered in the heart and soul of Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, the 19th installation of the three day music festival was held during the weekend of July 24th. With gates opening on Friday at 3pm and running until midnight Sunday, with a few hours off in between, thousands jumped around in the streets and from one stage to the next, to the next, and to the next. The outdoor Main Stage on the corner of Pike and Broadway was true to its name and absorbed a vast amount of the energy down the Pike corridor, with the crowd viewing the stage all the way up to 12th with the help of backdrop projectors and lights booming for blocks to be seen. Headliners packed Pike full from the early evening on, with a bustling energy that rippled along 11th avenue to the nestled, outdoor Vera Stage, which gave some refuge and a bit more intimacy while still holding a “main” stage vibe that could rival any festival. Fans could find more of a traditional concert vibe in the indoor go-to music venues of Neumos, Barboza, and Cha Cha Lounge. Neumos also held the Red Bull Sound Select “after-show” set for anyone looking to prolong their fix even after the all-weekend experience. I know I did.
Away from the stages, merchandise tables and local businesses popped up along the streets. Food trucks welcomed the hungry. Beer gardens welcomed the thirsty. Bars and restaurants welcomed the thirstier and the hungrier. All wonderful. All delicious. Do you have a feel for what our city’s beloved block party is about yet? Now, onto the acts… from hip hop to chillwave, folk to metal, rock to electronic – there were genres for everyone. From locals Ivan & Alyosha, to New Zealand’s Broods, to much-awaited Brooklyn-based Ratatat, favorites were coming in from all areas of the world.
Day 1
Like most, I rushed home and quickly changed from work-mode to let-me-witness-amazing-music-for-three-days-straight-mode.
The Flavr Blue was the first act I saw, and this Seattle trio gave their self-titled “flavy” sound of synthesized R&B with live instrumentation and vocals led by Hollis. Unleashing guest performers and a mass of beach balls onto the audience, The Flavr Blue was an indicator of all the great acts to come. Meanwhile, Murder Vibes was playing the Neumos Stage. This Seattle-based duo is all that is indie dance-rock. Although early in the festival, the crowd caught themselves in their own sensual, hypnotic dance. Knowing that I wanted to check out another stage before going back to the Main Stage, I headed to Vera.
Between headlining acts, I was looking to catch Yumi Zuoma at the Vera Stage. They were rescheduled for later in the evening and I unfortunately missed their new set time. However, they’re worth noting here. Their dreamy pop rock reminds me of Mazzy Star – they are an emerging act, so be on the look-out. Next, Seattle’s own Shabazz Palaces owned the Main Stage with their experimental hip-hop. Led by Ishmael Butler, this project gives a feeling of next-generation hip-hop, with percussion and jazz overtones.
Trekking from New Zealand, the duo of Broods came with their electronic indie-pop, with Georgia Notts on vocals and older brother Caleb as the group’s multi-instrumentalist and backup vocalist. Alluring voices and fun beats drew the crowd in, as Broods emanated a sense of excitement to be in Seattle. UK producer Daktyl played next on Vera Stage, laying down a diverse set of beats that anyone would happily dance to. Daktyl has talent.
By this time, all the Friday workday stragglers were spilling in as the sun began to wane. Music producer and DJ Jamie xx was busy drawing in the masses at the Main Stage. Remixes of electronica and trip-hop, even with a mix from his other project the XX, provided an ambiance to dance and groove to. Built to Spill, however, changed up the atmosphere with their indie rock sound. Playing since 1992, they own a variety of sounds. The guitar was smooth and hypnotic, showcasing a mesmerizing performance of “Life’s a Dream.”
With a lifeless phone and thousands swarming for the final Day 1 headliner, TV on the Radio, I took an invitation to watch it side-stage, which, only feet away from the band, has a totally different and heightened feel. High energy commenced with “Young Liars” and rippled through the mass of people seen for blocks, pumping back to the stage until their last song, “Staring at the Sun.” Witnessing one of the most iconic blocks of Seattle buzzing with thousands of music-lovers all focused on one stage and one band was the paramount sense of what Capitol Hill Block Party is all about. It was the perfect way to end Day 1.
Day 2
Psychedelic grooves synthesized along the wavelengths of Unknown Mortal Orchestra on Saturday. Funky sounds and attire resonated with the band, and it was a harmonious start to my tune-seeking ears. Checking out Ivan & Alyosha was long-awaited, as this local folk-pop indie rock band recently released a new album, maintaining a strong hold on their diverse genre of sound. Their performance was solid: the vocals were strong and the melodies flowed. They instantly became one of my festival favorites.
Jarv Dee was a total bombshell performance. With effortless hooks and flowing lyrics, he had the Neumos crowd jumping in rhythm for the entire set. Backed with a few members of his Seattle crew, the beats poured as they held a main stage presence. Allowing a photo op during his billiards game at Comet Tavern later on, Jarv Dee proved that not only do musicians simply play Capitol Hill Block Party, but that they are also an imperative part of the vibe.
The all-women alternative band The Coathangers closed out Vera Stage. Their enthusiastic presence was welcomed with open arms. With a punk vibe mixed with garage rock, and a confident air, they rocked the end of the night as the audience moshed around. The Coathangers was one of my favorite performances, and I’m already looking up when this Atlanta trio will be visiting Seattle again. Indie garage-rock duo The Kills headlined Day 2 on the Main Stage. I caught just the very end of them after dancing my way from The Coathangers set. Playing some favorites and showcasing their dark rock in passionate display, The Kills had a hypnotic stage presence. More of a mellow ambiance than the previous night’s Main Stage headliner, this duo still enthralled the mass in headliner fashion.
Day 3
A music festival and block party that represents one of Seattle’s most iconic traits of diverse live music would not be displayed in true Seattle fashion without, at least, some rain. Sunday was the day. The Julie Ruin started their set in heavy rain; pouring down on feverishly dancing music lovers, punk rock reverberated through the street. Singer Kathleen Hanna thanked the audience for rocking out regardless of conditions, and an off-the-cuff performance went hand-in-hand with dancing in the rain.
Indie-folk rocker Father John Misty hit the Main Stage and set a perfect union of personality and sound, lending a mellow and intimate feel to a crowd who swayed in return to his soothing vocals. End of weekend headliner Ratatat came up afterward. Their electronic alternative rock was long-awaited, and playing a Sunday night was no impediment for anyone in attendance. Guitar, synthesizers, percussion – all amassed for an amazing and innovative sound. Their experimental tunes still had guitar at its core, and the massive enthusiasm felt in the streets was quite the way to end CHBP 2015.
…But, for anyone not wanting it to end yet… Red Bull Sound Select announced the after-show presents Sol. To the lucky ones who were able to pack into the Neptune before the mass of the Main Stage found an at-capacity show, Sol dropped his hip hop beats to a bouncing crowd. Having a local artist close out the festival further proves that Seattle not only brings in national artists, but is first and foremost home to its own talent.
3 days, 6 city blocks, 5 stages, over 100 local and national artists. Capitol Hill Block Party was an awesome way to spend a weekend.
Until next year!
Review by Liz Castro
Photos by Sunny Martini, Eric Tra, and David Endicott
