Summer is the time to indulge in live music. This past weekend was no different.The Capitol Hill Block Party sold out Friday, and Saturday was packed too. The Block Party is just how Capitol Hill residents like it — lots of cheap beer and local bands, and nothing starting before 2p.m.
Kay Kay and his Weathered Underground warmed up the Main Stage for a moderate crowd.
"Ain't no mother-fucking crime committed here last year!" Kay Kay enthused, reminding people to "keep it safe." After the brief PSA, the band got down to what they do best — a fun mix of jazzy blues pop sprinkled with a little bit of soulful
violin.The bands were spaced so that there might be half an hour or nothing between sets at different stages. Good thing there were so many other things to do, in case of the former.
People watching, photography, and drinking were popular activities. Some enjoyed all three. Ahem.
The Hands played an amazing show, energizing the dark stage inside of Neumo's. The Seat
tle band has garnered well-deserved tribute from local music writers for their hard, but not-too hard-to-dance punk rock.A brief ramble through the main drag revealed Kimya Dawson to be charming the pants off the crowd with her cute voice and quirky songs. She said she had been scheduled to play the Block Party another year, but since she was due at any moment, her manager forbid her. She was disappointed, she said, because she'd imagined having her water break all over stage to spray down on the crowd.
In more pleasant news, Dawson also announced that she will be releasing a CD of children's songs soon.
Next up was The Builders and the Butchers, a rock group from Portland with folk and country influences. One group of fans had come from Portland to see the band, even though they'd never heard them before.
Lead singer Ryan Sollee sang with a passion that really lent some impact to their ballads. The two percussionists in back didn't hurt either.
Halfway through the set, the band sent all sorts of noise makers into the crowd: maracas, tambourines, baby rattles, and pot lids, to name a few.
Drummer Paul Seely's surprise switch to trumpet topped off their performance and then it was off to...Catch the first half of Fleet Foxes. This is one band that's got their shit together. From playing twice at Sasquatch this year (well, three times for drummer J Tillman), to signing to Sub Pop, and all the good press, it almost makes you want them to disappoint. But they don't.
Somebody must have planned their 6p.m. start time for the light, because it complimented the Foxes' airy, spiritual folk perfectly. Movement around the stage slowed as the band lulled their audience into contented amazement.
It was a whole nother story back at the Neumo's stage. Jaguar Power, fronted by former Blood Brothers singer Johnny Whitney, pumped out snarling lyrics and machine-gun drums as the bassist swayed slowly in '60s throwback white.
Throw me the Statue followed with a fun set where front man Scott Reitherman pulled out a drum and Jarred Grimes the glockenspiel, all made that much sweet by Reitherman's dreamy vocals.
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