Brace yourselves, this year's Capitol Hill Block Party is bigger and better than ever! After thirteen years as a two day festival, the fourteenth incarnation adds a third day to the music and mayhem. This year's Block Party runs from Friday, July 23rd through Sunday, July 25th.
The Capitol Hill Block Party is quite possibly the most "Pacific Northwest" of any festival out this way and it's the most focused on indie music. The Block Party showcases local bands, independent acts and only recently has decided to add bigger national acts to the bill. This year is no different. The shows take place in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood, spanning several blocks and venues with the main entrance on Pike and 12th Ave. Alongside the music, the festival will feature a diverse selection of food choices.
The four stages are comprised of the Main Stage, Neumo's, Vera Stage and the Cha Cha Stage. The Main, Vera and Cha Cha stages are all ages, while you'll need to be 21+ to get into Neumo's.
MGMT returns to the Northwest for the second time in two months to headline the Main Stage Friday night. They're touring in support of their sophomore album, Congratulations. Joining the lineup on the Main Stage Friday are Holy Fuck, an experimental electronic rock group from Toronto, indie rockers Yeasayer, experimental Seattle rap group Shabazz Palaces, the minimalist rock of Bear In Heaven and Seattle's own hip-hop group Macklemore.
Other highlights on Friday include:
- Head Like A Kite (electronica pop), Champagne Champagne (hip-hop) and Fences (indie pop/rock) at Neumos
- Fruit Bats (folk rock), Jaguar Love (electro new wave) and Mahjongg (minimalist industrial) on the Vera Stage
- Seattle's Modern Athletics (pop/rock) and The Absolute Monarchs (garage rock) play the Cha Cha Stage
Headlining the Main Stage on Saturday are indie hip-hoppers Atmosphere, the floating melodies and electro-tinged indie-pop of Blonde Redhead, the New York dance-punk of !!!, the indie country stylings of Portland's Blitzen Trapper, and the melodic electro pop of Seattle's The Redwood Plan.
Other highlights on Saturday include:
- THEESatisfaction (rap/funk) at Neumos
- Zola Jesus (new wave) and Grand Hallway (classical folk pop) on the Vera Stage
- Blood Red Dancers (soul rock) and Feral Children (easy listening techno pop) on the Cha Cha Stage.
Headlining the Main Stage on Sunday is possibly the biggest act of the weekend. Jack White's umpteenth band, The Dead Weather, who will help close out the weekend. Joining them on the Main Stage will be Seattle hip-hop duo Blue Scholars and local country/Americana rock group The Maldives.
Other highlights on Sunday include:
- Fresh Espresso (hip-hop/pop), Victor Shade (aka RA Scion of Common Market), Truckasauras (electronic) and Steel Tigers of Death (punk rock) at Neumos
- The Dutchess and the Duke (folk rock), Grand Archives (SubPop rock), S (electro indie) and Ravenna Woods (acoustic rock) on the Vera Stage
- MK speed dial (rock), A Million Years Ago (powerpop) and Aveo (rock/comedy) on the Cha Cha Stage
Go to www.capitolhillblockparty.com for complete lineup and schedule, FAQs, and more.
Tickets are on sale NOW.
$60 for a 3-Day Pass and $23 for a single day.
Buy tickets online at www.thestranger.com/blockpartytickets