Rocking in the Rain: Capitol Hill Block Party Day 2 (PHOTOS)



Thoughts on Day 2 from Seattle Music enthusiast, Josh Diamond

SEATTLE -- Seattle festival culture 2015: this ain’t your “free concert from now on.” No, everything was for sale at the now massive, Alaska Airlines-sponsored Capitol Hill Block Party Day 2, including the punk and metal bands at Cha Cha Lounge.

But the wares were high quality and good vibes, for the most part. I for one was very pleased with the weather that hung over the Saturday edition of Block Party. Overcast, under 70 degrees, and rain showers spraying about all day. A little temporary relief from the severe drought conditions we’re under.

But who’s thinking about drought because look, condom balloons (auto-correct: condos. Yes, so many condos too) and Giraffage. Big ups to the vegan chocolate cupcake I consumed with gusto. Anyways, a few highlights follow below. Here’s to all the sweet bros, neo hippies and those who cast off labels.

You were all pretty chill today:

Kinski: Started the afternoon off right at the Vera Stage with some powerful instrumental and driving, smart rock. Long-running Seattle band, kicking butt.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra: Simply awesome. Crowd loved them, really. Forlorn, yet danceable, warm, yet unsettling, concept music about polyamory???!?! Great Main Stage set

Jarv Dee: Local rapper, part of the Moor Gang crew, put on a raucous and super energetic set at Neumos. The crowd was fairly mad for Jarv, who had great stage presence and a confident, well-projected flow. And great marijuana references. Still hasn’t lost its edge, despite its legality!

Giraffage: A dude, his computer, and sweet, borderline EDM rave music with animated cats, dogs and video game systems flashing madly on the Main Stage screen behind Giraffage himself.

Vinyl Williams: I stumbled into Barboza for this band I had never heard of and was quite pleased I did. Shimmering psychedelic and lush, floating vocals. Very dreamy. Like Ride meets Black Moth Super Rainbow... or something.

Toro y Moi: One of the Main Stage headliners on Saturday, Chaz Bundick’s chill-wave, indie dance-wave, whatever-wave was very chill and much dancing and swaying occurred. Handlebar mustaches, random shit painted on people’s faces, and Macklemore-looking haircuts abound. As well as revelry. Things were quite chilled out and enjoyable.