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| Capitol Hill Block Party and Pemberton: Two cool festivals miles apart | |
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by Albert Rodriguez -
SGN A&E Writer I've known people to jump in their cars, gas up at the nearest station, and drive for several hours on a last-minute whim, save time for packing a suitcase and grabbing a stack of CDs for the long drive. If you're a spur-of-the-moment person who loves music, allow me to seduce you to the majestic backdrop of the Whistler mountains for one of this summer's most anticipated festivals, touting artists not expected to make any other Northwest appearances in 2008. Should you not be prepared for a multi-hour journey, a homegrown festival with a roster of rising-star bands in our very own backyard is another option to consider. Whether you're in the mood for an adventure or hanging out right here at home, next weekend's Pemberton Festival and Capitol Hill Block Party offer great music, large crowds, beer gardens, sloppy food, and perfect opportunities to strut that golden tan. Here's a rundown for both. Capitol Hill Block Party July 25-26 - 4 pm Broadway & E. Pike St. $18 - $34 Talk about growth patterns, Seattle's own Capitol Hill Block Party has become a major national festival in less time than it's taken for light rail to initiate service. What started out as an actual one-block event has now turned into a multi-street festival, in which local rising performers rub shoulders with sought-after indie bands. This year's lineup, while not as gung-ho as 2007's roster, which featured Spoon, Silversun Pickups, Against Me! and The Blakes, is a great way to discover newer Seattle-area talent like Fleet Foxes, Feral Children, Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground, and United State of Electronica (U.S.E.). Bigger acts include Vampire Weekend, The Hold Steady, Les Savy Fav, and Devotcha. The festival has stretched this year to four stages. Vampire Weekend has made a huge splash in 2008, appearing on Saturday Night Live, Letterman, Kimmel, and on the cover of popular music mags. The New York City foursome has a rather interesting Afro-pop, ska-punk sound that has earned them a rapid following on both sides of the Atlantic and in Australia, where they'll soon play in front of a sold-out crowd at the large outdoor event, Splendour in the Grass. Speaking of festivals, Vampire Weekend is performing at the biggest ones this summer including Leeds, Reading, Monolith, San Diego Street Scene, Austin City Limits, and next weekend's Pemberton Festival. At the Block Party, they'll probably do everything from their self-titled debut like "Oxford Comma," "Mansard Roof," and "A-Punk." The Hold Steady, a retro rock outfit from Brooklyn, was recently hailed as "America's best bar band" by NPR. The group landed on several year-end critics' lists in 2006 for their album Boys and Girls in America, and could repeat the feat with 2008's Stay Positive. Their set list will likely feature "Your Little Hoodrat Friend," "Stuck Between Stations," "Chips Ahoy!", and "Stay Positive." Fleet Foxes, on Sub Pop Records, are the latest Seattle act causing a scene with their blend of nostalgic rock and Americana folk. The quintet's self-titled release, barely a month old, is generating strong buzz from music reviewers across the country. They'll probably play all or close to all the songs on the CD, the most memorable being "White Winter Hymnal," "Blue Ridge Mountains," and "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song." Les Savy Fav seem to have hit their stride with last year's Let's Stay Friends, this after a six-year hiatus from new material. A lively punk band in concert, they'll turn things up a notch when they stomp through "Brace Yourself," "The Sweet Descends," and "We'll Make a Lover of You." Elsewhere at the festival, check out Devotcha, Menomena, U.S.E., and old timers Zeke. The Capitol Hill Block Party runs along the Pike-Pine corridor from Broadway to 12th Ave., so take note of this if you want to access Purr or BP over the weekend. Two-day and single-day passes are available at Rudy's Barber Shops, select QFC stores, and at the Moe Bar box office. You can support our local music scene and sport that yummy tan by attending either or both days of this homegrown festival, not to mention loading up on your favorite toxins at the raucous beer garden. Someone nearly vomited next to me last year, so beware of lightweights. You are able to leave and re-enter the festival, meaning you don't have to surrender to the oftentimes greasy pit food offered inside. SGN writer Jessica Price is attending the Block Party on Saturday and Sunday - look for a wrap-up in our August 3 issue. Visit www.myspace.com/capitolhillblockparty for a full lineup. Artist essentials: Self-titled debuts by Vampire Weekend and Fleet Foxes, Let's Stay Friends by Les Savy Fav. Pemberton Festival July 25-27 Pemberton, British Columbia $149.50 - $249.50 Seattle music fans have been known to show up in the hundreds to the SXSW, Coachella and Austin City Limits festivals each year. So, a four-hour road trip to Pemberton, British Columbia is a piece of cake. The inaugural three-day Pemberton Festival in a mountainous valley near the Whistler ski resort features some of the biggest names in music, including the only Northwest appearances by Coldplay, Wolfmother and Jay-Z. Other acts on this stellar bill are Death Cab for Cutie, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Nine Inch Nails, Interpol, The Flaming Lips, and The Crystal Method. These artists collectively have earned multiple Grammy awards, sold millions of records worldwide, and individually sell out tours from Europe to Asia to North America. Performing at the same venue on the same weekend, the Pemberton Festival gives music followers a sumptuous feast of sounds, ranging from rock to indie pop to hip-hop to electronica. Coldplay spent two weeks atop Billboard's albums chart with their recent effort, Viva la Vida and Death By All His Friends. Not since early 2006 has the Grammy-winning supergroup visited the Northwest, a tour that brought them to Seattle for a sold-out concert at Key Arena. Unforgettably handsome lead singer Chris Martin, husband of A-list actress Gwyneth Paltrow, makes good use of the stage by running from side to side tirelessly throughout the band's set. Not since U2 has an English act taken the world by storm, playing to massive crowds around the globe. Coldplay will likely perform "Violet Hill," "Speed of Sound," "The Scientist," "Don't Panic," "Talk," "Clocks," and the song that earned them their wings, the infectious rock ballad "Yellow." Death Cab for Cutie were just confirmed as Bumbershoot's headlining act, the quartet's first Seattle performance to promote Narrow Stairs. They played Sasquatch and Bremerton, but have yet to give an in-city appearance this year. Expect our hometown guys (Ben, Chris, Nick, Jason) to mix up their set list with new and old favorites, such as "Soul Meets Body," "I Will Possess Your Heart," "Title and Registration," "Crooked Teeth," "The New Year," and "The Sound of Settling." Since their last appearance in Seattle, at the Moore Theatre in December 2006, the closest Wolfmother has come to the Northwest was the podium at last year's Grammy ceremony in Los Angeles to accept the award for Best Hard Rock Vocal Performance ("Woman"). The Australian trio has been in no hurry to complete and release their sophomore project, a follow-up to their impressive self-titled debut. The threesome's set list could include new material, yet more definite are "Woman," "Love Train," "The Joker and the Thief," "Witchcraft," and "Dimension." Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are scheduled to play The Gorge next month, and after seeing them four times now I can't think of a better excuse for a road trip because these guys are the essential rock and roll party band. Every Petty song is a great song, but there isn't enough room for all of them on their set list. That said, I can guarantee that "Runnin' Down a Dream," "The Waiting," "I Won't Back Down," and "Free Fallin'" will be performed. Other possibilities are "Refugee," "Learning to Fly," and "Into the Great Wide Open." Elsewhere, expect a lively performance from Jay-Z and a loud, sizzling set from Nine Inch Nails. Two other bands to check out are Interpol and The Secret Machines. Getting to Pemberton is simpler than you think, even without wheels. Take Amtrak (www.amtrak.com) to Vancouver's Pacific Central Station, and from the same station board the Whistler Mountaineer (www.whistlermountaineer.com) to Whistler. There, shuttles will be available to transport concertgoers to and from the festival. Campsites are available for a fee, or nearby accommodations in Whistler are recommended if you choose not to rough it. If you must drive, I strongly suggest going as far as Whistler and then boarding a shuttle. No outside food or beverages are allowed on the festival grounds. Seattle Gay News is among those making the jaunt from the United States, some flying in from as far away as Minneapolis and New York. Starting July 24, I'll blog daily from British Columbia at www.seattlegayblog.blogspot.com. The festival's online discussion board hints at a large number of Seattleites heading up for the event as well. Visit www.pembertonfestival.com for a full lineup. Artist essentials: Viva La Vida by Coldplay, Narrow Stairs by DCFC, and Wolfmother's self-titled release. |
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