Pike Street in the Seattle neighborhood Capitol Hill was closed to public traffic from August 7 until August 9 in anticipation of Seattle’s most popular live music event.
With the festival stretched to three days and a 21+ age restriction, the turnout could explode this year. Previous years recorded attendance into the tens of thousands.
Capitol Hill is the heart of clubbing, dancing, and lifestyle culture in Seattle’s youth-led, Queer and BIPOC-friendly generation. The neighborhood is bustling with clubs, bars, restaurants, cat cafés, dance studios, and more. It’s many Seattleites’ go-to night-out hub for a good time: good drinks, food, moves and tunes.
World renowned artists have graced the main stage at the CHBP for almost 30 years now. Appearances include Sonic Youth, Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, The Flaming Lips, A$AP Rocky, Run the Jewels and more.
This year, pop icons Trixie Mattel and MUNA are gracing Seattle, with Magdalena Bay, Zack Fox, Wet Leg and more.
Many Seattle locals are just as excited to see artists with Pacific Northwest roots and local talent. Avery Cochrane, Zailee Haze and CASI (coming off their first nationwide tour) are few of many Seattle-based artists taking part in the festivities.
Not only are local musicians performing, but local food vendors will make their mark for a chance to profit.
Based on my time at the CHBP, here are a few common but important tips:
- Bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
- Bring a portable fan or hand fans! They keep some airflow in the heat
- Drink plenty of water! CHBP allows empty water bottles and there are refill stations
- Bring ear protection (Loops, generic foam earplugs, headphones, etc.)
*Unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts, I could only see a few of the main artists to gain some perspective and learn about new and rising artists. Not all artists that performed at CHBP are mentioned in this article.
CHBP’s History
CHBP is popular for its lack of adherence to one genre or demographic. It started in 1997 as a DIY, single-day and single-stage affair. Founder Jen Gapay was “hooked on the idea of partying in the open streets…” in response to corporate festival culture.
Band manager Dave Maniert said to the Seattle Met, “Does the city view Block Party as something it wants? Does it view it as a pain in the ass?”
Alarms are going off for King County, considering the recent Bite Seattle shooting, cases of crowd rush during Chappell Roan’s 2025 set, and overcrowding concerns after CHBP’s 2024 lineup.
On top of that, concerns grow about employment at clubs and bars Neumos, Barboza and The Runaway, following an ongoing union campaign for fair pay and better working conditions.
Workers say to still show up and show support for the workers at their respective businesses. Neumos security staff member Ozi Goldstein said, “Let staff know that you support our goals and movement. That’s always something that warms our hearts and motivates us because it’s really about the communities that we serve.”
Safe to say, over 15 years later, CHBP is something Seattle has embraced for local exposure and to party at Seattle’s biggest “pain in the ass.”
Day One
Avery Cochrane, Zailee Haze (local Seattle artists), and Otha brought an ethereal, grungy, and poppy vibe to start. Both women-led bands had wonderful vocals, while highlighting the drummers and guitarists. Otha brought a Scandinavian-pop twist to simple beats, like Björk’s more contemporary albums (see: Homogenic).
The Main Stage caught most of my attention, mostly because of the star-studded lineup. I also saw artists I hadn’t heard: Nimino (Martin Garrix, Galantis) and Between Friends (Charli XCX, pre-2010 MIA, Dominic Fike).
I was already having so much fun that I screamed myself into a migraine, but I don’t regret it. This was for my favorite drag queen, DJ Trixie Mattel. Her set started late, but we weren’t complaining—four green army men marched onto stage and started a raunchy dance number. A very “Oh, Pit Crew!” moment.
She floated onstage like Glinda in a neon pink futuristic robe, her hair in the neatest pompadour. Mattel mixed No Doubt, Lipps Inc., RuPaul and VNSSA’s cover of a Scissor Sisters hit while her dancers hit every beat in bright pink fuzzy Furby costumes. She closed out reminding us that we are the most liberal, queer, cringe, and white city ever. And she’s right.
We made our way into Neumos to beat the residual heat after the sun set, and discovered a Jimmy Eat World, Blur vibe that focused more on rock, with Lovely Colours. The Seattle-based band had emotional lyrics and vocals with intense guitar riffs and catchy beats.
Of course, being a supportive and amazing sister, we stayed in Neumos Stage to see my brother drum for local band CASI. The Spanaway-based duo mixes rap, metal and dance music to voice their frustrations, growing up in a smaller part of Washington and the current political state of the U.S. Each band member came out in a casual business suit, but by the end, everyone was shirtless, drenched in sweat. An encore, crowd surfing, and a sizable mosh pit left everyone tired from headbanging, but a perfect way to end the first night in Capitol Hill.
Day Two
The day started with some of the most intense EDM electro pop by NYC-based duo MGNA Crrrta; their crisp baselines, drops, and love for sirens shook the whole block. An electric pop inspired by the 2010s, the duo tag-teamed DJing and singing along with some heavy autotune, and everyone was having a blast.
On the Daydream Stage, Nick Cheo made his Seattle debut with a catchy and well-loved DJ set. PinkPanthersss, Sade, Tame Impala, and a decade-old callback to OMI’s “Cheerleader,” Cheo blended some of the most unexpected genres in the most seamless and danceable way.
Another artist based out of NYC—rap group WHATMORE—is talent central. Their setlist had one captivating song after another, the members rapping, playing guitar, and singing. The first comparisons that came to mind were BROCKHAMPTON (which is its own conversation) and The Internet for their genre-bending music taste and discography. They mixed their souls into each track, along with a deep connection to their NYC roots, and have a respected connection to their fans and each other.
The Main Stage was the most packed for Tinashe’s DJ set. The “2 On” and “Nasty” singer paid odes to her past hits and mixed her iconic signature into every beat. The crowd was captivated for her entire hour-long set.
Disco Lines closed out night two with another killer set, bass-heavy and easily got the crowd moving to catchy mixes.
Day Three
CHBP ended just the way it started: iconic. Zack Fox, Parcels, and Wet Leg back-to-back left attendees riding the adrenaline high.
Zack Fox kept his chat with the crowd short but sweet and launched into a mix of Jersey beats, bass-heavy mixes, and featured so many club classics. A personal favorite of mine was KW Griff and Porkchop’s“Bring in The Katz.”
UK-based rock band Parcels brings classic rock, 80’s pop, and ballads into one mesh of romantic, catchy, and danceable songs. It wasn’t just their long curly locks and 60’s mod haircuts that made them reincarnate the last 60 years of pop rock on stage, but their warming presence and charming accents.
Wet Leg was the final Main Stage act of the festival. With a punky and grunge set and flashing strobe lights, they played “Wet Dream” and “Catch These Fists” while fans climbed the nearby trees to catch a glimpse of the band and sing along. The vocalist’s rough delivery and hard rock instrumentals gave echoes of Hole and Hayley Williams.
Outside of the typical Seattle-priced food and drink, intense evening sun, dry heat, and rowdy crowds, the legacy of the CHBP lives on for another year. With memorable artists and sets that will be remembered forever for their unmeasured talent.
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