I don’t think that there could have been a more beautiful day to kick off the Capitol Hill Block Party weekend. Earlier last week it felt a little too much like the start of fall but by early Friday afternoon the sun was out and droves of summer-clad concert goers were already streaming through the block party gates.
The afternoon began with another spine-tingling performance from Midwestern singer-songwriter, Angel Olsen. Her set was backed by the same band we saw back in February, but the overall show was more conducive to their early afternoon daylight setting. Rather than opting for an ominous, shadowy setlist, their stage-time was devoted to friendlier introductions to Olsen’s fork-tongued wit and solitary clamor.
Day two of Capitol Hill Block Party seemed to start slower than Friday. Crowds started to form quietly as the day went on and, before long, the festival grounds felt hectic and cozy, like a beehive if every third bee wore a bro-tank.
Before I get into the stellar first day of Capitol Hill Block Party, I want to thank Nike for inventing the Nike Roshe Run. I wore those suckers all day and my feet, for probably the first time ever, are not literally on fire. Tinker Hatfield, I love you.
Before I saw PHOX last Sunday at the Crocodile in Seattle, I’d never heard the name. And now? Now I want to hear PHOX all the time: popping up in every romantic or heartfelt movie soundtrack, setting the ambiance of every café I frequent, playing softly somewhere nearby each time some new guy sweeps me off my feet.
