Capitol Hill Block Party 2016: A Comprehensive Review

Like every summer weekend in Seattle, on July 22–24 Seattleites are out soaking up the Vitamin D we all lack, eating delicious food, and desperately trying to find parking. Only this weekend, there is an special addition — a lineup of great musicians all playing in the vicinity of three city blocks. This year, Capitol Hill Block Party brought a total of 104 musical acts to Pike Street for a weekend filled with music, drinking, and fun.

During my time at the festival I was able to see a total of 29 great acts — the very best I could do without astral projecting myself. This year, Block Party relied heavily on electronic music as opposed to rock, leading to particularly rowdy and rave-like crowds at times. Nonetheless, there was still enough variety, and concerted focus on local acts, that the festival had something for everyone.

Friday — Day 1

Most pervasive sighting: White boys who love hip-hop. Unnatural dye jobs. People from my past.

Most interesting fashion statement: Camelbacks.

4:00 PM — After a delightfully rainy morning, Seattle decides to bless us with a sunny weekend. The festival begins.

4:30 PM — Sebastian & The Deep Blue take the Neumos stage. Originally hailing from right here in Seattle, the band playfully mixes genres in order to create a unique and exciting sound. Lead singer Barry Sebastian is pleasantly endearing, and his vocal is backed by a fast-paced and dramatic violin as well as an energetic brass section. The band nails the 4:30 slot, one of the least-attended sets of the festival.

5:15 PM — Sango takes the Main Stage. Sango is a Seattle-born, French-speaking producer who is known for his unique hip-hop production and remixes. While on stage he appears reserved, but his tracks are certainly not. His set is a never-ending stream of fun; he spins both original tracks and clever remixes, like Drake’s “Hotline Bling” done in French. The crowd is enthralled, and as Sango turns up the energy on Pike Street, the sun finally arrives.

6:00 PM — Iska Dhaaf take the Vera Stage. Yet another local band, Iska Dhaaf bring a much needed rock ’n’ roll energy to a festival that relies heavily on electronic music. They sound like if Twenty One Pilots went in another direction and were punk instead of emo-pop. The band is fronted by singer Nathan Quiroga, a happy-go-lucky punk who enjoys hugging audience members and grinning. (This is perhaps where the Twenty One Pilots comparison comes in). Though their music may have more hardcore elements, the edges are softened by catchy choruses like the energetic “Everybody Knows.” Their set is finished with guitar thrashing and smiles.

6:30 PM — Emancipator Ensemble take the Main Stage. Emancipator Ensemble makes music that sounds like driving through a forest created by Hayao Miyazaki. It’s simultaneously relaxing and invigorating, and moves through Pike Street in hypnotic waves.

7:00 PM — Time for a Poquito’s burrito.

7:45 PM — MØ takes the Main Stage. While MØ’s name may be near unpronounceable to the non-Scandinavian, the appeal of her music is global. Listening to her brand of peppy electro-pop is like eating candy without the residual stomach ache. While on stage, MØ dances like she’s lost control of her body and her hair has turned into a helicopter propellor. Midway through the show she crowdsurfs like she’s been doing this for years and seals her status as a rockstar. She also covers a Frank Ocean song, “Lost,” which causes me and the people behind me to lose our cool for a moment. (A few moments. Frank where are you?) She ends with “Lean On,” her collaboration with Major Lazer, and leaves the crowd fired up.

9:15 PM- Crystal Castles take the Main Stage. A favorite of misunderstood fourteen year-olds everywhere, Crystal Castles bring their own brand of electronic angst to the stage. Lead singer Edith Frances, (who replaced longtime member Alice Glass), wails into the microphone like a heavenly banshee, and the accompanying sound and lights stimulate your senses to the brink of unpleasantness. When the power goes out halfway through the show, a girl crowdsurfs up and down the entire block to pass the time. Finally, the power is restored and they play “Not in Love,” their track with Robert Smith of the Cure. Sadly, Smith is not their to sing it himself, so the song loses much of its power. Nonetheless, the music remains gut-churning. (Whether you think this is a good or a bad thing is up to your discretion).

10:45 PM — DJDS take the Vera Stage. Despite landing down in the rainy Northwest, DJDS play a set that is fit for a sunny beach rave. Their beats are all-encompassing, building and building until they explode into a euphoric crescendo, or submerging into quiet dings. Their set is almost excruciatingly loud, and by the time I leave I have probably permanently damaged my hearing.

11:30 PM — Washed Out finish up at the Main Stage. Washed Out lives up to his name, producing dreamy music that sounds like what would happen if U2 took a load of psychedelic drugs and then recorded music. The music fades out and is whisked away on the breeze.

12:00 AM — End of Day 1.

Saturday — Day 2

Most pervasive sighting: Human beings in unicorn attire. Band t-shirts. Tentacle fingers.

Most interesting fashion statement: Full Spartan warrior getup.

2:15 PM — Porter Ray takes the Main Stage. Porter Ray begins sunny Day 2 with a batch of articulate verses and rumbling tracks, his cheerful personality penetrating the tired haze of the early afternoon. The rapper brings a seemingly endless stream of special guests on stage, including Block Party performer JusMoni and Stas Thee Boss of THEESatisfaction. Despite having the worst time slot of the festival, Porter Ray does his best to bring up the energy and start the day with good vibes.

3:00 PM — Tangerine take the Vera Stage. Another local act, Tangerine plays fun, fast-paced beach rock with hard-hitting riffs and lively bridges. Comprised of two sisters who have been playing together since they were young, the band’s set is energetic and upbeat, drawing in an enthusiastic crowd.

4:45 PM — Thunderpussy take the Main Stage. I’ll be honest — seeing Thunderpussy was one of the main reasons I wanted to come to the Block Party this year. The band, comprised of Molly Sides, Whitney Petty, Leah Julius, and Ruby Dunphy, play rock music with such attitude that seeing them live is an out-of-body experience. They all come out on stage wearing some sort of spandex gold getup — a look that’s somewhere in between David Bowie and Madonna. Lead singer Molly Sides is also a trained dancer, a skill that is evidenced by her impressive flexibility on stage. She seductively grinds and thrashes to the music, and her deep voice is just as impressive as her dancing. Their cover of “Helter Skelter” is a highlight, and the raucous song sounds like it was written just for them. For their last two songs they are accompanied by two scantily-clad backup dancers, which only adds to the homoerotic undertones of the set. (A much needed reminder that we’re in Capitol Hill, remember?) It’s the stuff of dreams.

6:00 PM — Car Seat Headrest takes the Main Stage. Seattle artist Will Toledo, also known as Car Seat Headrest, plays an endearing brand of emo nerd rock. The band starts off with “Fill In The Blank,” and their set sounds like a more hard-rocking version of Death Cab for Cutie. While on stage, Toledo mumbles into the microphone between songs, charming the audience with his introversion. When his guitar malfunctions partway through the show, he asks it, “you seem stressed, do you need to talk about it?” He has more charisma (albeit a melancholy type) when performing, and apart from the uncooperative guitar the set goes very smoothly.

6:30 PM — Break for overpriced but delicious mac ’n’ cheese dumplings from Dumpling Tzar.

6:45 PM- JusMoni takes the Barboza stage. JusMoni, who performed with Porter Ray just a few hours prior, has a high-pitched, angelic voice that’s sweet like honey. Her beats are a combination of R&B and electronic music, combining smooth baselines and spacey production. She comes off as sweet and coquettish, and her set is very soothing.

7:15 PM — ON AND ON take the Vera Stage. ON AND ON play a charming brand of introspective, unpretentious alt-rock. Their music is friendly, and inviting, if not a bit unoriginal.

7:30 PM — Tourist takes the Main Stage. Tourist plays the type of music that sounds good wherever you are — pushed up against the front of the stage, sitting on the sidewalk, or enjoying a deluxe hot dog in the beer garden. He is a friendly British man who spins hypnotic beats, and his set is a stream of never ending vibes.

8:00 — A handmade sign that says “Toss Trump” and a pantsless Trump blow-up doll appear at the window of a building on Pike Street. He eventually makes it down to the crowd, and does in fact get tossed. Violently.

9:00 PM — Big Wild takes the Main Stage. Big Wild plays a stunning set. His tracks are surprising and original, and his talent as a musician is evident on stage. (He is the only person on stage for the whole set, and he somehow manages to alternate between drums and keys while still composing a beautifully coherent track). The drops in his songs are intensely satisfying, and each detail he composes feels purposeful and unique. His set finishes and the crowd gets prepared for what’s next.

10:30 PM — ODESZA take the Main Stage. By the time ODESZA’s set begins, Pike Street is filled to capacity and I am quickly trapped between hundreds of people and a fence. Playing their third show at Capitol Hill Block Party, the duo churns out the sonic climaxes over and over again, delighting a rowdy and wild crowd. Their most popular track “Say My Name” is a highlight, though the energy continues to soar until the band finally leave the stage and the lights fade to black.

12:00 AM — End of Day 2.

Sunday — Day 3

Most pervasive sightings: Fanny packs. A human being with a boombox head. Middle-aged people & babies.

Most interesting fashion statement: Skin tight, sparkling onesies.

2:00 PM — Benjamin Francis Leftwich takes the Vera Stage. On the hottest day yet, Benjamin Francis Leftwich plays a relaxing and lovely set in the early afternoon. His voice is soft and delicate, and his fully acoustic set is quite beautiful. Leftwich is dressed in black skinny jeans and an old grey t-shirt, looking like the sensitive musician that he is. After each song he yells, “thank you, you beautiful people” in his quiet, British manner, until the last chord is strum the euphoria slowly washes away.

2:30 PM — Maiah Manser takes the Main Stage. In the first replacement of the festival, Maiah Manser replaces British artist Nao as the first Main Stage act of the day. Despite being a last-minute addition, Manser draws a considerable crowd with her unique musical stylings. Her voice is deep and soulful, and with the addition of heavy back up vocals and a small dose of eccentricity, her musical style is reminiscent of that of Kimbra’s. A highlight is her cover of “I Put a Spell On You,” during which she uses a looper to create a dramatic and rhythmic sound.

3:00 PM — Cardiknox take the Vera Stage. Cardiknox bring their brand of upbeat pop music the festival with a splash. Their set is fun and high-energy, although not particularly unique in sound or lyrical content.

3:30 PM — Clams Casino takes the Main Stage. Clams Casino takes over Pike Street with a haunting, hypnotic sound that is as exciting as it is interesting. Many of his songs sound like the stylized, rhythmic noises of machinery, or a spaceship slowly spinning out of control. A highlight is when he spins Vince Staples’ electrifying “Norf Norf,” a track which he himself produced.

4:00 PM — Oh Pep! take the Vera Stage. Oh Pep! is a group from Australia that plays homegrown, folky, bluegrass rock. Lead singer Olivia Hally has a rich, emotive voice that is accompanied by Pepita Emmerichs on both the electric mandolin and the violin.

5:00 PM — Sassyblack takes the Vera Stage. Sassyblack is, like her name suggests, very sassy. The music she makes is a unique style of electronic, sci-fi R&B, both in sound and content. (She has a song called “Comicon,” and it’s about just that). She playfully teases the audiences in between songs a sings unconventional melodies in a vocal style reminiscent of Erykah Badu. It’s space music for the new generation.

5:15 PM — The Joy Formidable take the Main Stage. For a festival that relies heavily on electronic music, The Joy Formidable provide a welcome oasis for rock ’n’ roll music. The Welsh band plays hard-hitting alternative rock music that utilizes both long, winding instrumental breaks and melodious choruses. They are led by lead singer & guitarist Ritzy Bryan, who is small but mighty as she bangs out riffs on her Fender. Their set brings all types of people, young and age, to the bustling Main Stage.

6:10 PM — Laura Gibson takes the Vera Stage. Laura Gibson has a melancholy, pretty voice that lilts above a haunting acoustic guitar. After each song, she seems surprised that people like her so much, and remains humble and good natured throughout. (She evens continues singing after a mosquito flies in her mouth, explaining this later and then apologizing — “I’m sorry, did I gross you out?). Her voice is deeply emotive and serves as a fitting backdrop for a lovely Sunday evening.

6:30 PM — Dave B takes the Main Stage. Dave B, (who replaced Goldlink), takes on the Main Stage with a wild, infectious energy that permeates the crowd on Pike Street. He does a lot of sampling, including Genuwine’s 90s hit “Pony,” as well as plenty of original productions with the help of producers like Sango, who played on Friday. One of his most charming songs is the Sango-produced track “Help Me Find A Way,” which brings a joyful energy to the stage. Before he ends the show he tells the audience to put their middle fingers up, and to “F*** the police and F*** Donald Trump!,” ending the set on a triumphant and passionate note, and eliciting enthusiastic cheers from the audience.

7:30 PM — Phoebe Ryan takes the Vera Stage. Phoebe Ryan is the type of pop star that can be seen everywhere these days — she’s not bad, but she’s not particularly original or exciting either. Her bubbly persona comes off as a bit forced, (she frequently yells, “I love it! Yes!” into the microphone, and emits a giggle after just about every song), and lyrics like “I just wanna be your homie” don’t inspire much creative enthusiasm. At the end of her set she plays her most popular song, which is a white girl cover of R. Kelly’s “Ignition” mashed together with Miguel’s “Do You Like Drugs.” (Her high-pitched voice and pop chords don’t add anything to these two classic songs). She reminds me a bit of Carly Rae Jepsen, except without the benefit of an exquisitely crafted album like E•MO•TION, or an exceptionally crafted single like “Call Me Maybe.” Fun, but not much else.

8:00 PM — STRFKR take the Main Stage. I’ll be honest — I never really listened to STRFKR before this weekend — but after their performance I am a new fan. Their set is probably the most unabashedly good & wholesome fun of the whole weekend. One of the most endearing aspects of their set are the “backup dancers,” who are dressed in full astronaut attire and un-gracefully dancing next to the musicians. At one point, some of the astronauts crowd surf on top of giant blow-up flamingos, and later on inflatable dinosaurs begin flying from the stage. And not to forget, their music is great, too. They do an infectious cover of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” and their set feels like the best space party you’ve ever been to.

9:45 PM — CHVRCHES take the Main Stage. The second band in a row with an oddly stylized name is just as good as the first. Lead singer Lauren Mayberry is an adorable and powerful force of nature on stage, prancing around in a long white skirt, singing energetically with her uniquely pitched voice and playing the drums with abandon. When keyboardist & drummer Martin Doherty takes her place as a vocalist, his voice carries beautifully over the music and Mayberry fills in on the keys. They playfully chat and banter in between songs, with Mayberry in particular commenting that she looks like Godzilla in the projection on the side of the building. The Scottish band consistently keeps the energy up, with a few slow, emotive moments in between. They finish with the ever popular “The Mother We Share,” and the festival ends with a bang as people trickle out into the night.

11:30 PM — The festival ends.