Capitol Hill Block Party 2025 (CHBP) came and went in a flash once again. This was my first block party since 2019, and it was my first time back in Capitol Hill since 2020. While the world seemed to change dramatically in my time away from the city, it’s nice to see how so many things stay the same.
Seattle Summers are magnificent. The I-5 North corridor was completely closed, and what could have been a recipe for a travel disaster turned into a pleasant detour over the 520-toll bridge right into the city. A quiet drive over Lake Washington reveals Yachts and sailboats, and Husky Stadium looming on the shore. The ivy-covered walls and foliage-infested blocks of Medina and Capitol Hill were basking in muggy sunshine, and the city was on fire.
It could be the smell of Bok-a-Bok, but I always end up at the little DJ stage set up on the corner by Neumos to get things started. Something about those wobbly round tables and the smell of spicy ginger fried chicken gets me where I need to be. With the inside of my fingers still slightly sticky with orange sauce, the camera is set up, and off to the main stage we go
The city absolutely showed up for the main stage acts. It felt like Anderson .Paak and Thundercat brought the festival together on Saturday night. A sea of people witnessing musical genius from two savants with 11 Grammy wins between the two of them (and 21 total nominations).
INJI received Yaeji’s mainstage spot because of a flight cancellation, and the Turkish singer-songwriter didn’t disappoint. From alt rock to dubstep, INJI brought the energy and stole the show during the midday hours of day two.
Whether your favorite artist performed at Neumos, Barboza, or the Wildrose, or you also fawned over Lexa Gates being effortlessly cool on the Daydream Stage, each stage is memorable in its own right, like an eclectic set piece in a movie.
Pacing was slow at times on the side stages, but that’s when you find interesting ways to fill your time. Like drinking $5 prebatched cocktails from Quinn’s Pub that had no business being as good as they were. Then wandering over to The Runaway and watching the last 30 minutes of Fight Club, drunk, and realizing that yes, it really is the greatest film ever made.
Speaking of, getting drunk off decent liquor at a festival for less than $30 is almost unheard of. The Bahn Mi cart tucked away by Chophouse Row was a nice touch. Sitting at tiny tables on tiny chairs while the French bread and grilled pork soaked up the tequila made me feel like I was 19, discovering Vietnamese food in the city for the first time all over again.
Big Mario’s Pizza has been a staple of the neighborhood and the festival forever. “The Dude,” pineapple and jalapeño with fresh mozz, a little, rather, large slice of heaven draped over a paper plate.
Little details like driving over the world’s longest floating bridge on my way to one of the country’s longest-running music festivals add a level of novelty to the trip that I deeply enjoy. Seattle is a special place; it’s a wild place sometimes. But what city doesn’t have its skeletons? It’s easy to paint an entire city with a broad brush, but when you’re in the heart of it, it’s hard not to fall in love and plot an escape back to the city. Capitol Hill Block Party is the perfect medium to get to know what the city is about, or in my case, fall back in love with it all over again.
Capitol Hill Block Party 2025 Gallery
