After a fall-like week, the summer heat came out just in time for 17th annual Capitol Hill Block Party. The crowds weren’t nearly as thick as years past, but the urban festival in Seattle’s hippest neighborhood didn’t disappoint.
Best Overall: Chromeo
“I Bonafide love you.” Chromeo doesn’t pretend to be anything other than funky, good fun. Is it something I would listen to in my spare time? No. Does it make for one hell of a festival show? Yes.
Best Comeback: Beat Connection
Tom Eddy is one of Seattle’s greatest under-the-radar musical gems. Just less than a year ago, I saw Beat Connection perform at a PDX “club” in almost complete darkness. I was afraid these guys couldn’t bring the same energy in the daylight. Damn, was I wrong.
Most Likely to Remember: SOL
“Paint” and “Need Your Love” were lovely reminders of a Northwest hip-hop scene that is stronger than ever.
Biggest Disappointment: Whoever decided to schedule Shy Girls & Lemolo at the same time
Best Dance Party: Robert DeLong
Another Seattleite! DeLong makes beats and loops live onstage, and he also writes his own lyrics. His album Just Movement is ridiculously catchy. However, if you listen closely to the lyrics, his sentiments are more spiritual and thought provoking than you might expect from an electronic artist.
Best WTF Moment: The names of some of the bands in the lineup
Wolfgang Fuck, So Pitted. Power Bottom. While I (unfortunately) never got the chance to see any of these bands, some of my friends based their CHBP viewing schedules solely on whoever had the most cleverly titled name. Well done Sex Blister, well done.
Most Talked About: A$AP Rocky
It was the most anticipated performance of the weekend and A$AP Rocky & co. made the middle of Pike a mosh pit for “Wild for The Night.” This pretty mothafucka (wink wink) closed out the weekend with his signature wild antics, and we all loved it.
Most Likely to be a Headliner Next Year: Natasha Kmeto
Best Up & Comer: NAVVI
Interview coming soon!!
Other bands that rocked: Slow Magic, Shaprece, Pollens.