Blues guitarist Ana Popovic made a return visit to Jazz Alley on June 28th. The Serbian-born and LA-based performer treated the audience to a long set on her twin Stratocasters. Popovic is touring in support of her recently released eighth studio album Trilogy.
Ana Popovic
Phoebe Ryan played at the Capitol Hill Block Party over the weekend – the last stop on her three-week headlining BOYZ N POIZN Tour. She and her three-member band played for 45 minutes with the audience singing along on all of the songs. Phoebe was interrupted at one point and given a red rose from someone in the audience. Coincidentally, the first time I saw her was when she opened at Barboza (just a block away) in September last year. Playing late in the day at the CHBP is a big step forward in her career. Phoebe, with her signature black and green hair, was misty-eyed during her last song – the very popular “Mine” – because it was also the last song of the tour. I ran into Phoebe later in the evening and she was kind enough to take some time away from her friends for a few portraits.
Phoebe Ryan
Grammy Award-winning a cappella band Pentatonix brought their world tour to WaMu Theater in April. This tour is so gigantic, they’re still on leg two, and will be on the road through the end of 2016. The incredibly talented quintet also got some more exposure with a song on the Ghostbusters soundtrack. Thank you to photographer Kirsey Sutton for getting these lovely shots of Pentatonix and Us the Duo, who opened the Seattle show.
Pentatonix
Us the Duo
Day three of Capitol Hill Block Party adds the Red Bull Sound Select Stage (at Neumos) to the mix. Red Bull Sound Select presents shows worldwide with local curators; Seattle’s curators include Sub Pop and Good to Die Records. We love that here at Back Beat Seattle. And, I think I say this about every festival, but it’s important: drink lots of water and wear sunscreen.
2:30-3:15 @ the Main Stage
The groovy Maiah Manser appears at CHBP in an afternoon Main Stage slot. It’s fantastic to see this young and talented performer get such exposure. I’m truly glad Manser will bring her lovely vocals and songs to the festival. Get a little sun, get a lot of her awesome voice. Well done!
Maiah Manser – photo by Megumi Shauna Arai
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4:15 @ the Red Bull Sound Stage
One of two acts I recommend you catch at the Red Bull Sound Stage is Seattle’s the Spider Ferns. Duo Kelly Fleek and Alton Fleek are badass electronic musicians. Kelly Fleek is another local vocalist I love. Her voice, high and sweet, catches all the right spots in the band’s songs. I encourage you to see their set.
The Spider Ferns
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5:00-5:30 @ the Vera Stage
The female vocalists are absolutely on fire this Sunday. Next up is Sassyblack, the soul project of Catherine Harris-White. Harris-White, who was 1/2 of THEESatisfaction, has her own work now. Her album, No More Weak Dates (love that tile), is out right now. Hang with her at the Vera Stage.
Sassyblack
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9:00 @ the Red Bull Sound Stage
Portland, Oregon’s Wampire takes us back to the Red Bull Sound Stage. Can I place them in a weird pop category? Are there hooks to Wampire’s songs? Yes, there are, even in a track called “Too Stoned,” where you’d expect (and forgive) them to disappear in all that cool weirdness.
Wampire
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5:15-6:00 @ the Main Stage
The Joy Formidable, a Welsh rock trio who has managed to produce all three of their records, are always popular here. Generally Seattle likes loud alternative rock. Right? So get ready to embrace the Joy Formidable, who will play one of its biggest Seattle show’s yet on Sunday. And how weird is that YouTube video paused on a unicorn and a bare ass?
The Joy Formidable – photo by Simon Krane
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9:45-11:00 @ the Main Stage
CHVRCHES, another trio, this one from Scotland, closes the CHBP. I love their synth music, but I am also partial to a Scottish accent, so I hope, for everyone’s sakes, they will say a few words. Anyway, CHVRCHES’ latest song, “Bury It,” features Paramore’s Hayley Williams. Nice!
CHVRCHES – photo by Kirk Stauffer
Seattle was the second stop on Meghan Trainor’s North American Untouchable Tour. The sold out show at the WaMu Theater was filled with 7000 moms and daughters. Backed by a seven-member band and flanked by four dancers, Trainor’s 90-minute set included three costume changes. Near the end, she brought four kids on stage during “Friends.”
California-based Common Kings opened the show. Hailee Seinfeld, of True Grit and Perfect Pitch 2 fame, was up next, appropriately dressed in a Seattle Seahawks 12th Man jersey.
Meghan Trainor
Hailee Steinfeld
Common Kings