 Party Of The Year
The Capitol Hill Block Party is quite the event in Seattle. This year was our first year going. I would say overall we had a good time. We arrived at the block party around 4pm after finding the Will Call entrance, finding an ATM, and well grabbing a cold beer. I didn’t know that it was going to be like a little market too. Urban Outfitters had a booth along with other local clothing and vintage stores. There were food vendors, radio booths, and even a booth for Bumbershoot. My head was going back forth just trying to take everything in, including the people. Every where I looked there was something new to see.
Matty and I enjoy looking at all the poles windows and buildings plastered with flyers about shows, happy hours, and new albums. One pole stuck out to us though. It had a white Styrofoam head that was tied with barbwire in-between two Head Like A Kite flyers. Matt and I just laughed; if you don’t know Head Like A Kite is all about mannequin heads during their show so it was cool they took the effort to tie a head around a street pole. It defiantly was eye catching.
There is one thing I love about Seattle especially on Capitol Hill. That would be how you can wear what you want and it will look good and you don’t have to worry about being too high fashion, out-there, or underdressed. It was cool to see the different trends and looks of a big city; I wish SPOKANE was like that.
While Matty and I had time to walk around and check things out we got to stop by Vermillion again and check out their current display in the gallery which was all about faces and very cool. We dropped by a funky modern furniture store that had a sprinkle of Boo Radleys style called Retrofit Home, which was fun. My favorite store of the trip by far was the yummy Cupcake Royal where Matty and I enjoyed a Salted Carmel Cupcake- delish. I recommend that you MUST stop by when you are in the area and at least check out their website you will fall in love.
When it came to music we could really only see bands on the main stage because the block party was packed. I will get to that later. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart was the first band we saw. They were perfectly pop and sounded great. Casually on stage playing their tunes I got to hear both of the hits I wanted too and still managed to grab a beer. It was fun to dance to their music and the sun was shinning, it was pretty much supreme. They are a super tight band and the kids knew how to play to a crowd. “Come Saturday,” should be one of everyone’s jams!
 The Thermals were next; I was so beside myself to see them live. You would never guess how many times I have yelled the lyrics to their songs in my car dancing and trying to stay in the lines on the road. I love them. Some politician named Mr. Miller (I only say "some" because we don’t live in Seattle and didn’t pay attention because we can’t vote on it) introduced them. He said he asked Hutch how he wanted to be introduced and Hutch’s response was “…the greatest fucking band in the world, the Thermals.” That they are. The three of them killed it, it was so much fun to sing out loud and dance to my jams. It sounded great and the crowd especially on the right side of the stage were lovin’ it. It did start to rain during their set a little bit, but with all their talk of water and swimming it is appropriate. They blew through new and old songs sometimes without even stopping in between – fast and fun. For me their set was everything and more and they are complete rockstars, the Thermals alone were worth the trip.
Next up was Gossip, who were running a little late but were worth the wait. Beth what a fearless chic. They filled the street to the point of not being able to see the stage or even get half way near it. I think we lost our spot up front from the Thermals to get a beer, didn’t know Gossip was such a draw. After their set I can see why, it was a lot of fun. It is so cool that they are from Portland but are UK Superstars. This was their first show in the U.S. in a long time Beth mentioned. After their set people were handing out flyers for a show of theirs back in Seattle this fall. I am sure it will sell out after her set at the Capitol Hill Block Party. If you can get tickets to it, do it will be worth the time and money.
By this point it was late in the night and the Block Party was packed, there were people everywhere. On our way out of the beer garden we managed to stumble upon a break dancing battle. Wow, keep an eye out for a video of this.
 When Sonic Youth took the stage they sounded great for what I could hear. But I couldn’t see and slowly their music faded for at this point I think the Capitol Hill Block Party turned into a social party not a concert. Which I can see happening, I am sure if you live in Seattle it’s thee place to be and to hang out with your friends but it was a bit irritating that I couldn’t hear or see the band. My suggestion for the Block Party next year is to add more speakers and maybe a screen so we can see the stage, it is a popular event and I can see it growing. We left early and caught a cab back to Hotel Max where we were staying and went to bed. The next morning we caught the Movie 500 Days of Summer which had a great soundtrack and if you’re a Smiths fan you will probably dig the movie. A game of Elvis pinball later, yes we found an Elvis Pinball machine that was a wrap on the Capitol Hill Block Party, it was worth the trip but I hope next year they take in consideration on the size of the venues and how many people attend. If you’re in the area next year check it out, you’ll have a good time!
Check out more photos from the show HERE
Andrea@checkitoutmusic.com |
