Capitol Hill Block Party has been raging for 22 years. Every year, Seattlelites and tourists alike enter Capitol Hill into nights of music filled festivities and dancing on rainbow crosswalks. This year’s lineup — with headliners Lizzo, Phantogram, and RL Grime — included local artists that satiated your need for Seattle music. 

Friday began with roaming for food and music. This festival had both, with various food trucks aligned behind Havana night club. Indecisive, I settled for the sound of chaotic magic that creeped out of the stairs of the Cha Cha Lounge. In the depths, Actionesse put on a vibrant show. Exuding energy from the intense vibrations of lead vocalist Ian Reed, the audience could hear the rock. Almost able to touch them at one point, bassist Paddy Moran walked into the crowd, strumming viciously as he stared into our eyes. The show was amazing, and the set was one that would leave you wanting another round of electric elation. 

Craving some more shocks, Fluencie gave me all the charges on the Barboza stage. Featuring Natalie Aristides and Daym, this set became one for the night. The crowd was hyped as Fluencie spun “Night Life” and Daym performed some unreleased hits. Each artist gave their all, and the set was heaped in original songs and dance hits.     

On my way to the next set I found myself sinking into the grass of the beer garden. There, the music continued as various DJs took the stage. DJ Let’s Talk Sauce spun all the right hits from early hip hop. Dancing and grooving in line for Bok a Bok chicken, this added some extra sauce to my transition into Bearaxe. 

The axe had been swung as I entered the doors of Neumos. Bearaxe choked every breath in the crowd as Shania Shepherd’s mezzo soprano cut our souls in half. You could feel the depths of her roar as the mass crowd threw horns after every growl. Together, Shepherd, bassist Jon Lemmon, drummer Oz La’brae, and guitarist Matt Williams all made a show-stopping appearance that brought almost the whole block in to enjoy. 

Ending night one, I was falling in love with Phantogram. As I exited the gates of the beer garden, the 2014 hit “Fall In Love” made me nostalgic.

Headed back to Neumos, DJ Beeba presented The Bounce, throwing back the night with all the good oldies to end the first night of CHBP. 

Erin Rae & The Heartbeets performs on the Neumos Stage at Capitol Hill Block Party 2019.

Vocalist Erin Rae Murray.

Josh Eacrett, guitarist for Erin Rae & The Heartbeets.

Despite their early start time, Erin Rae & The Heartbeets drew an enthusiastic crowd with their upbeat tunes.

Leah Tousignant on the keys.

Murray (right) and Tousignant (left) switch roles for a tune.

Human trumpet and beatboxer Danny Lacker gets passionate.

Jpegmafia performs on the Main Stage at Capitol Hill Block Party 2019.

Jpegmafia's music is often described as a mixture of punk and hip hop.

Jpegmafia crowd surfs during a performance of "Baby I'm Bleeding."

Jpegmafia shares an intimate moment with a photographer during the set.

Jpegmafia DJed from his iPhone during the set due to a broken computer.

Jpegmafia had the whole crowd sit down for his final song, "Macaulay Culkin."

Mirrorgloss performs on the Neumos Stage at Capitol Hill Block Party 2019.

Najah Monique Todd, one half of Mirrorgloss.

Mirrorgloss describes their music as dance pop with touches of r&b and indie.

Del Brown, the other half of Mirrorgloss.

Mirrorgloss had the crowd dancing with their edgy and soulful vibe.

Illuminati Hotties performs on the Vera Stage at Capitol Hill Block Party 2019.

Hailing from Los Angeles, Illuminati Hotties describes themselves as "tender punk."

Vocalist and guitarist Sarah Tudzin gets the crowd hyped.

Tudzin is the sole permanent member of Illuminati Hotties.

Actionesse performs on the Cha Cha Stage at Capitol Hill Block Party 2019.

Bassist and vocalist Paddy Moran sings to the crowd.

Actionesse describes their music as "post-horncore," with members Olivia Guinn and Joel Kenworthy incorporating their skills on various brass instruments into a vibe of metal and punk.

Fluencie performs on the Barboza Stage at Capitol Hill Block Party 2019.

Vocalist Natalia Aristides.

Daym plays a lick while Fluencie gets the crowd moving.

Daym and Aristides share responsibilities as vocalists for Fluencie's set.

Aristides sings to the crowd.

Fluencie closes out the performance by getting the crowd to sing along.

Peach Pit performs on the Vera Stage at Capitol Hill Block Party 2019.

Vocalist and guitarist Neil Smith.

Smith takes a moment between verses to dance it out.

Smith returns to the stage following a dive into the crowd.

Bassist Peter Wilton.

Bearaxe performs on the Neumos Stage at Capitol Hill Block Party 2019.

Vocalist Shaina Shepherd owns the stage with her powerful vocals.

Rapper Terry Monstrosity joins Bearaxe on stage for a guest verse.

Shepherd takes a moment to recover.

Bearaxe describes their music as a mixture of prog rock and soul.

The Black Tones performs on the Neumos Stage at Capitol Hill Block Party 2019.

Guitarist and vocalist Eva Walker.

The Black Tones's set was a mixture of weird, wacky, and intense.

Walker lets the crowd be a part of the music.

For the last few songs, Walker brings her mother and sister out for support.

Walker ends the set with some crowdsurfing.

Phantogram headlines the first night of Capitol Hill Block Party on the Main Stage.

Vocalist Sarah Barthel of Phantogram.

Joshua Carter, vocalist and lead guitarist, takes center stage.

Barthel and Carter perform their new single, "Into Happiness," for the first time on stage for the Seattle crowd. Barthel said, "it's been a long path, coming out of the darkness and into the light." 

Carter jams on the guitar.

Phantogram performed songs from their latest album, Three, including such emotional hits as "You Don't Get Me High Anymore."

The entire set was full of energy and passion.

This show kicked off a tour that will take the band on a two month stretch through the end of the summer.

Phantogram marks an electric end to the first day of the festival.

Photo credits:

Erin Rae & The Heartbeets: Trey Marez
Jpegmafia: Trey Marez
Mirrorgloss: Trey Marez
Illuminati Hotties: Trey Marez
Actionesse: Trey Marez
Fluencie: Trey Marez
Peach Pit: Trey Marez
Bearaxe: Trey Marez
The Black Tones: Trey Marez
Phantogram: Will Abzu