DAY#3 Sunday CHBP

It’s here! You can check out artists & songs through the hyperlinks throughout the posts. Some of the blog will be limited throughout the day, but heavy edits, links, & pics will be completed the day after, so check back! If you have any pics, stories, or video you’d like to share send it over to nolan.robert.foster@gmail.com.

3. SUNDAY

12:30-I, am very tired. Tired like only two days in the sun eating pizza & hotdogs (click here to find out just how many were sold during Block Party) & looking only to overpriced spirits   & other intoxicants to sustain you. So, my fault basically. However, this is one of the days I am most excited about, truly. I get to grab performances by Blue Scholars & THEE Satisfaction (God I love this city) at the KEXP live stage again, seriously one of the most rewarding spots at CHBP that I’ve found. Rough schedule that I have is as such (although I’ll probably deviate quite a bit juggling some of the smaller stages…):

SUNDAY

2.45pm-The Maldives @MS

4.15pm-Villagers @Neumos

(4.15pm-Ravenna Woods @Vera Stage)

5pm-Real Estate @MS

(5.30pm-Nicki Danger @Havana) CANCELLED

6.15pm-Blue Scholars @MS

7.45pm-Dead Weather @MS

9pm-Block Party Finale @Havana

10.30pm-Victor Shade @Neumos

11.45pm-Fresh Espresso @Neumos

2:50- Check out the KEXP live broadcast at Vita bean room. A few pleasant surprises for sure…currently watching Maldives set up.

3:00- Still pretty surprised about the sound quality from the mainstage. 4 part harmonies outside never been better. Do you Chris Zasche Of Maldives has shared the stage with one of his bands for the 3rd time this weekend? What a badass. Check out Head and the Heart as well as Grand Hallway.

3:15- Too short! Good set. Also, judging from the crowd Camelbacks are big this year.

3:20-Alright, over at Big Mario’s getting a few more drinks. Going to stick by the mainstage for Mad Rad, let’s see how their 2nd return to Capitol Hill goes.

3:45- Kicking it off with bagpipes and dapper 1920’s? I suppose if you want to look to this group’s strong points, it seems to P Smoov’s production skills (which are better showcased in Fresh Espresso if you ask me) & an ability to take on a larger than life stage presence with little money & a lot of (self boasted) drug addled energy. Can’t say this isn’t fun to watch.

4:00- The live band is a different direction, maybe a sign of things to come on the next release.

5:10-After getting a little people’d out in the Mad Rad crowd I took off to Cal An by myself to lay in the fake grass for a minute. Now in Havana trying to cool down with some friends.

5:30-Alright, caught a little bit of THEE Satisfaction yesterday, so I’m going to see Blue Scholars at the mainstage, then maybe again later at Vita bean room.

6:15-Alright McGinn, we’re ready for our music.

6:30-Scholars have a lot of local in the crowd, a lot of Seattle pride. Both the boys sound really good today

6:45-A few cops posted on the balconies.

7:25-In the crush for Dead Weather, might try to juggle them with Scholars live on KEXP. Last show on main stage.

7:50- Here we go! Definitely dealing with a crowd on the 3rd day of a bender, people are surly today.

8:00-Dead Weather looking a little haggard but playing to the crowd for sure. Immediately unimpressed with sound quality & lack luster performance. Alison Mosshart’s pseudo junkie stumble looks a little forced. Just me? The crowd appears to love it. Sounds like most supergroups from here, over beaten concepts & a half-baked sound.

8:20-Skipped over to Scholars with Mizell Jr., worth it. I can’t say enough what a cool experience KEXP/Vita set up in this room. Wouldn’t have been the same with out the intimacy of these shows over here. (The ‘!!!’ set has gained quite a bit of notoriety.)

8:40- Alright, Dead Weather round 2…still not feeling it. Which would be disappointing I suppose if wasn’t so proud of the bands from the city doing such a damn good job this weekend.

9:15-Damn Truckasaurus…bringing a lot of people fast to Neumos. The main stage is done, seems like the spot over here.

9:50-Taking a break at Cal Anderson, a lot of people here keeping the party going. Going to move back over to Neumos as soon as that crowd clears. Very excited about Victor Shade.

10:30-Neumos for Victor Shade, MTK getting the crowd going. I like hearing RA Scion go a little bit harder on this project, very big beats & production…sort of mix of hip-hop consciousness & straight up dance party crowd pleasing. Its fun, I’m excited to see where the project goes.

11:10-Proud of my city right now.

12:10-Damn, Fresh Espresso show is free, ID only. And Rude has attitude tonight.

12:30-Fun to close out the weekend with Fresh Espresso on stage, P Smoov carried equal amounts of fervor & attitude in both performances today. Rude seemed more comfortable than ever as Smoov’s counterpart, & played off of Smoov’s sass with the bay area’s brand of stage presence. They brought up their video for ‘Big or Small’, which I had never seen. The video is hit or miss, but here it is:

Alright folks, damn good weekend. I’ve been pretty ear-to-ear all weekend with ‘I love Seattle’ corniness  pouring out of my mouth in a way I never thought possible. Good night.
–SC

NOTE: For some excellent reviews of shows etc., as well as a number of decent pictures from folks about town, head over to the impressive Line Out for all things said.

DAY 2.SATURDAY.CHBP

It’s here! You can check out artists & songs through the hyperlinks throughout the posts. Some of the blog will be limited throughout the day, but heavy edits, links, & pics will be completed the day after, so check back! If you have any pics, stories, or video you’d like to share send it over to nolan.robert.foster@gmail.com.

2. SATURDAY

NOTE: Blonde Redhead Cancelled due to illness

3:22-Hot damn that was a night. Any one else feel like they needed two showers? Back at it, posted up at Cafe Vita doing heavy edits & what have you. Once again my rough schedule for the day is such:

SATURDAY

4pm-!!! @KEXP Live Broadcast

4.45pm-Avi Buffalo @MS

5.15pm-Thee Satisfaction @Neumos

6.30pm-Happy Birthday @Neumos

7.15pm-Hip Hop Showcase @Vera Stage

8.30pm-DJ Sad Bastard @Havana

9pm-Blonde Redhead @MS CANCELLED

10.30pm-Atmosphere @MS

(11.30pm After party Neumo’s & Liberte)

Not to sure how that ‘!!!‘ KEXP set is going to pan out, but let’s see how the hustle goes.

3:50- Forget about hustle, just wandered to the KEXP broadcast. Going to watch ‘!!!’ in a considerably more intimate setting than the mainstage, get over here!

4:15- This man is an incredible dancer. Even when he scales the piles of bean bags in the Vita warehouse. Also: having a large camera renders you unfuckwithable apparently. It’s like a press pass with no press pass. Do it.

4:30- That was some of the funkiest, sexiest shit I’ll see all week. Damn. I’ve been swayed by that live performance, a lot of fun. I have a feeling the day is going to be all about trying to find the more intimate shows.

5:10- Kicked back at Graypants for a minute (ladder ball & drinks)  now in the crowd for Long Beach’s Avi Buffalo. Heard these guys for the first time just a week ago, excited for the show. Also, still trying confirm Blonde Redhead’s replacement.

5:20-Still waiting for Avi Buffalo, seems like all the sets have been pushed back, maybe to compensate for the cancellation.

5:45-Show still hasn’t started! Damn, if this gets any worse I’m going to have to leave for Neumos and get a spot for that THEE Satisfaction show.

6:00-Washington Bus AND festival culture can go to hell.

6:10- Alright Avi Buffalo making up for their tardiness with some pretty damn good pop music. Reminds me of a band based entirely around Okkervil River’s ‘Why Must Happy Hearts Break so Hard’. Not mad about it.

6:15-These young guns are doing it a lot better than a lot of ‘matured bands trying out their hand at a similar sound. Glad I waited.

6:20- Whoops, pretty sure I just accidently took a 100 person cut in the porta-potty line. Didn’t realize the high demand. Also: avoid the porta-potty area. It is the Sodom of Captitol Hill Block Party. Anyhow, bounced, skipped Neumos, and decided  to come relax at the KEXP live stage in the Vita’s bean room for Feral Children at 6:30. Love this spot!

6:30- Punctuality, that’s what I’m talking about. Already impressed.

6:40-This brash beat-driven bedroom pop is hitting a spot! Good energy from the band too, especially after the sleepy isolated performance of MGMT last night. Good to see a band having fun together.

7:00-Glad I made it over here to Neumos to catch THEE Satisfaction. These two are feeling the audience with confidence, haven’t seen anyone so comfortable on a stage all weekend. Don’t miss! Black Power Rangers on the stage!

7:30-Trying to catch a little bit of Blitzen Trapper before the hip-hop showcase at 7:45…hope they impress…so far I’m unsure of their recorded work.

7:40- Alright Washington Bus we get it, your angle is patronizing people in their 20’s. Go to hell. Blitzen Trapper doing alright, but feeling the hip-hop showcase over at Vera.

NOTE: Most official news is that all main stage sets are pushed back 1 1/2 hour or so.

7:50- Got waylaid by a text to come see Sub Pop darling’s Happy Birthday, gonna skip the showcase on good faith and hope for the best.

7:55-Pretty straight forward angular punk, I dig it, but not so sure about their sound in a setting like Neumos. Glad to check it out though, definitely gonna give the studio recordings a spin.

8:00- A few tweaks to the sound system and we’re alright! This shit sounds good.

8:20-Going to abandon the blog for more social pursuits for a minute…plus I’m tired of those ‘stop texting asshole’ stares.

9:05-Glad I could catch some of the showcase, for real. Grynch is killing it! Good crowd too. You seen the video for ‘My Volvo’ yet? Shit is bomb.

9:15-Just going to post up for some Grand Hallway, first time at the Vera stage. Saw them with the Seattle Rock Orchestra at Triple Door, hope it can compare.

9:40- Sticking it out over at Vera for Grand Hallway, putting on a really good show. I can listen to Shenandoah Davis sing just about anything, but the whole band seems to be with it tonight. Also, it’s a nice break from the drunk bustle of the main stages & the crowd is a little more attentive than the main stage.

12:50- Atmosphere commanded the crowd tonight, one of the most nonchalantly charismatic performers from outside Seattle to play Block Party so far. That was a really good crowd to be in the middle of.
–SC

The roof goers tonight made our risks pale in comparison.

DAY#1/FRIDAY/CAPITOL HILL BLOCK PARTY

Begin.

It’s here! You can check out artists & songs through the hyperlinks throughout the posts. Some of the blog will be limited throughout the day, but heavy edits, links, & pics will be completed the day after, so check back! If you have any pics, stories, or video you’d like to share send it over to nolan.robert.foster@gmail.com. –SC

1. FRIDAY

2:35-So I’ve woken up, shaken off that Olde English I had at Big Mario’s last night (it’s becoming a problem, seriously), & soothed my stomach with a stop by Stumptown & the damn best Bahn Mi in Seattle. A little stop at a beach in Leschi didn’t hurt either. Point is, I’m ready.

As sated previously, this entry will be updated throughout the day from me & folks over at Cap To the Hill. Can’t wait to see you all there!

For the curious…here is a list of bands/times I’m hoping to cover for the day (but who knows).

FRIDAY

4pm-Macklemore @MS

6pm-Shabazz Palaces @MS

7.15-Yeasayer @MS

(7.30-Champagne Champagne @Neumos)

10.45-MGMT @MS

(11:30pm After party @ Nuemo’s)

3:35- Doing the line thing…ticket holders go to the doors by Elliot Bay. Seems like it would be worth it show up a little bit earlier than you would like to, the fire marshal is really holding it down & people are only allowed to enter in waves.

4:00-This wristband says I’m allowed to drink. Whew. Be sure & head over to the beer garden areas if your 21+ right away to get your ‘drinking age verified’ bracelet, the line gets pretty long.

4:15- Seattle native Macklemore killing it, damn this is going to be a good day. Have your seen the video for ‘The Town‘ yet? Can’t get enough of it. Check it-

4:30- Macklemore chatting it up about being 2 years sober. Good to have this fool back in the studio and doing Seattle proud. Also, first time I heard ‘Nikes‘ this track is sick.

4:40- Champagne Champagne & Mad Rad on the stage. Shits getting a little wild here in the crowd. Blunt smell for sure.

Next song & Macklemore is doing some goofy shit with costumes, got a crowd of ladies on stage dancing the shit out of this joke. It’s all pretty silly but the day is early everyone is laughing & having a good time, feels young & I’m happy to be here.

4:55-Macklemore ends with ‘Irish Celebration‘ which I am, of course, a sucker for. This was a really good set, excited for the day.

5:10-Stop off at Big Marios…can’t get enough! Going to roll over a few blocks to Catalyst for some drinks and a what’s up to my homie Dena whose taking off for SF in a few days. Everything is so ‘in the neighbourhood’ today. Feels good.

5:50-Making drinks & what have you over at Catalyst for Shabazz Palaces…looking foward to these guys.

6:20- Left Catalyst in a hurry, tossed our road cocktails aside & got barraged by water balloons (apparently having 2nd story apartments during city festivals turns you into a total asshole). We ended up on top however, our friend Jon took a personal offense to the attack & told them to fuck off. It was incredible to watch Jon catch the next balloon intact & huck it back THROUGH their window (it burst when it hit their ceiling. Inside the apartment. All over their stuff.) it was a total Death Star one shot in a million moment. And he did it TWICE. Jon is now the coolest person I know.

6:40- Shabazz Palaces is shaming everyone in the crowd who doesn’t own their album. definitely worth checking out, Larry Mizell Jr. has been talking about them for a minute…& they did Seattle proud in Pitchfork not to long ago.

7:20- In the crush for Yeasayer. Going to the underage area so we can all get crazy. A politician got up to make a speech about cold beer & how much he loved Yeasayer, & how we should all vote for something or other. The crowd heckled him, then the band got up & called him on his bullshit, the crowd cheered the band, & the politician got heckled proper(again). What a fool. If you haven’t seen Yeasayer’s video single, check it, good stuff.

8:15- Yeasayer playing a late set, killing it. The crowd is insane, packed body to body for 2 blocks.

9:45-Alright, alright. Been hanging on Graypant’s roof getting all what have you. Now conspiring for a trip to a local roof for the next band.

10:30-We found the perfect roof. Holy shit & see you tomorrow.

(Alright, so in the search for the roof we got a call from our buddy Tim & ended up blathering to the security guards about some vague house party that didn’t exist so we could get access to the apartments above Ballet restaurant. 4 flights of stairs & one fire escape later we were high above the packed two block insanity of the crowd & MGMT playing a decidedly mediocre [I’m being generous] set. The setting however, was second to none so I put the blog down & tried my best not to think about the 40 people hanging their feet off the free-standing ledge. It was a really, really good time.)

Sort of terrifying.

–SC