The always so popular Fitz and the Tantrums were here in June to strut their stuff at Showbox SoDo. Look for the Los Angeles group to open the U.S. Open tennis tournament on August 25th – this should be televised! Max Frost & Holychild opened. All photos by Dan Rogers:
Ages and Ages, a Portland, Oregon-based octet (wow, huge band!), played the Tractor in June. Photographer Tino Tran captured some lovely moments of that show! The folk-tinged band heads further up North again on August 21st for a date at Bellingham’s Wild Buffalo.
Ages and Ages – all photos by Tino Tran
Capitol Hill Block Party‘s first evening found me checking out A$AP Ferg, Duke Evers and Alicia Amiri.
Hip Hop musician A$AP, from New York, had the large audience rapping along with him. The crowd was clearly full of fans, who really did know all the words of his work. It was fun to experience. After his set, I headed to the indoor (and air-conditioned) environs of Barboza, where I saw Duke Evers and Alicia Amiri. Duke Evers, a Seattle band whom I knew nothing about before the festival but listened to via CHBP’s site, quickly made its way on to my list of bands I had to see. The duo entertained with a neat set punctuated by singer/guitarist’s Josh Starkel’s expressive presence. Right after Duke Evers was Alicia Amiri, whose versatile voice (her other project, Nightmare Fortress, is goth synth – and excellent also) worked well with the solid and enjoyable songs.
A$AP Ferg
Duke Evers
Alicia Amiri – all photos by Dagmar
Kate Tucker and the Sons of Sweden made a recent stop at the Tractor Tavern in Ballard during the first leg of their US tour. In addition to Tucker on vocals and guitars, SOS members include Wes Chandler (guitar), Ethan Place (drums), Matthew Thompson (bass) and Nic Danielson (keys). Here’s a great video of “Best Friends’ Love” from their album The Shape The Color The Feel, released earlier this year. Tucker was born in Seattle and now lives in Nashville.
Kate Tucker and the Sons of Sweden
This year’s Capitol Hill Block Party had an exceptionally good lineup. For my coverage this year I plan to post photos as I attended. In real time, as it were.
Day one I was running a little late, and while waiting in line I could hear one of the bands I just had to see: CHILDBIRTH. As I wished the line to hurry up, CHILDBIRTH was approximately 2 songs into their set. I hurried in once I got my credentials, and was treated to the band’s punk rock goodness, including the stellar “I Only Fucked You as a Joke.”
After CHILDBIRTH I hurried over to the Main Stage to see what was left of Brooklyn’s Small Black‘s set. I’m partial to this kind of music. I can’t help it.
I caught Seattle’s Dust Moth as kind of a surprise. I walked into Neumos, felt the floor vibrating, and thought that was pretty cool. Turns out Dustmoth includes includes members of another great local band, XVIII Eyes.
CHILDBIRTH
Small Black
Dust Moth – photos by Dagmar
More Photos of Capitol Hill Block Party, Day One Part One