It’s crazy to think that the small streets of Capitol Hill that we all frequent have hosted performances from some of the most iconic artists over the last three decades at Capitol Hill Block Party. This year’s festival was no exception. The stacked genre-bending lineup featured performances from Thundercat, DJ Pee.Wee (aka Anderson. Paak), The Dare, Jordan Ward, Porter Robinson, 100 Gecs, and more.
Capitol Hill Block Party 2025 made a bold bet this year. After nearly three decades as Seattle’s most vibrant all-ages music event, organizers made two major changes: they dropped Friday from the lineup, transforming the event into a two-day festival, and restricted attendance to ages 21 and over. For music-loving teens, this was a huge disappointment. For adults who wanted to enjoy the festival to its fullest with no restrictions, this was a game-changing decision.
It wasn’t surprising that so many artists commented on how fun and unique this festival is. More than just a festival, CHBP truly felt like a neighborhood celebration. Gone was the chaos that had overwhelmed last year’s event. Instead, the atmosphere this year was relaxed but energetic.
None of the stages felt suffocating, and there was space to move, explore, dance, and take it all in at your own pace. You could catch an act at the main stage, then wander over to grab a bite at Seattle’s iconic Piroshky Piroshky food truck, check out a thrift pop-up, go “clubbing” at Cha Cha’s Latin dance party, or stumble into an unexpected DJ set in front of Neumos. There was a sense of freedom and flow that brought the “block party” part of the name to life.
A Tighter, More Electric Lineup
The Dare at Capitol Hill Block Party / Credit: Glen Sears, DMNW
One of the biggest highlights of the weekend was The Dare, aka Harrison Patrick Smith, who brought his chaotic, upbeat energy to the main stage with absolute confidence. Originally from Woodinville, The Dare returned home, fully suited up as usual, with an energetic and eccentric persona and a set that oozed with charisma. He mentioned he grew up attending the festival and that it was an honor to be performing at CHBP. His breath control and live vocals were flawless (despite his elaborate dance moves), and his performance felt like an invitation to let loose. His popular single Girls had the crowd jumping and yelling along, with Smith moving like he owned every inch of the stage. It was definitely one of our favorite sets of the weekend.
Simultaneously, on the Daydream stage, Lexa Gates proved her rising-star status with a pitch-perfect set that sounded exactly like her studio recordings. Her presence on stage was polished and confident, and her deep sound is so unique. It felt like such an intimate set and we were grateful to catch a bit of her set. CHBP has a reputation of booking artists before they get super big and mainstream, and we anticipate Lexa Gates being one of them.
DJ Pee Wee / Credit: Sunny Martini
Anderson .Paak, performing as DJ Pee Wee, mixed his tracks with well-loved classics, sang, rapped, and even did a live jam with a trumpeter to end his set. Closing out Saturday night, Thundercat showed off his musical mastery on his bass with a set that leaned into deep grooves and jam-band energy rather than familiar hits. Accompanied by a tight trio, he made it clear that this performance was for real fans. His stage presence was amazing and he took to the mic to chat with the crowd. He joked about his cats, saying that he loves one and “just knows” the other. That blend of humor and virtuosity perfectly captured the spirit of his set: less about the show, more about the music.
Zulan, a genre-fluid international DJ and producer, held it down with a high-energy DJ set that stood up to Thundercat’s main stage performance happening simultaneously. She drew a big crowd to the Daydream Stage, repping Seattle wearing a Reign FC jersey and spinning a euphoric set that peaked with her new single Campeón. The contrast in energy between the two sets was striking: Thundercat’s crowd was swaying and immersed in his jams, while Zulan’s crowd tore the dance floor and ended day one with a bang.
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Day 2 started on a disappointing note: Yaeji, one of the artists we were most excited to see, had to cancel last minute due to flight delays.
However, INJI, a Turkish singer-songwriter stepped up to the main stage slot after what could have been a gap in the schedule, and turned it into one of the biggest dance parties of the weekend. A newer artist for many in the audience, INJI brought an infectious, danceable set full of girly pop energy and club-ready beats. Her Turkish background was subtly woven into her sound, adding depth to tracks like GASLIGHT, which has been stuck in our head since her set. She moved seamlessly between alt-rock influences and electronic bangers, commanding the stage with style and energy.
100 Gecs brought the full-force weirdness their fans adore. Known for pushing the limits of hyperpop, duo Laura Les and Dylan Brady delivered a set that was chaotic, loud, and fun. Fans got their chance to mosh, but the vibe remained positive and welcoming. There was an unspoken understanding in the crowd: this was supposed to be weird, and that was the point. Their song money machine rallied the whole crowd into a synchronous headbop; it was exhilarating to dance along to their glitchy, genre-blending sound.
Porter Robinson returned to Seattle with a shortened version of his tour set, still managing to deliver an emotional, beautifully produced experience. His new album Smile! was front and center, and tracks like 757 had the crowd dancing like they were in a trance. Porter has mastered the art of blending emotion and movement, and despite the smaller setup compared to his arena shows, this performance packed an emotional punch. One of the most unintentionally funny moments of the night came when the crowd cheered louder for keeping a beach ball in the air than for Porter himself, but even that felt like part of the collective joy.
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- Credit: Glen Sears
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- Credit: Glen Sears
One Stage, Two Stage, Small Stage, Big Stage
The layout of CHBP 2025 was just as important as the lineup. The Main Stage and Daydream Stage held the biggest crowds, but the true charm came from the Neumos, Barboza, Vermilion, Wildrose, and Cha Cha stages. Being able to duck into Neumos for an indoor set felt like finding a secret show. The space was often half-full, which made performances feel intimate, almost like you were seeing your favorite artist before they blew up.
Outside Neumos, a casual pop-up DJ brought people together with chill tunes, good drinks, and a social energy that let people catch up and vibe. Barboza, tucked in the basement, hosted killer sets from Magenta Wave, Waltzerr, and an afterparty with DJ Mandy that ran until nearly 2 a.m. Cha Cha Lounge embraced a full Latin dance party vibe, serving up nonstop bangers. It was also a great place to get food and avoid the long lines. We had the best “stoner nachos” there as we enjoyed the Latin music.
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- Credit: Glen Sears
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- Credit: Glen Sears
Festival Feel and Flow
What truly made this year’s Capitol Hill Block Party stand out was its organization and atmosphere. It was well-run, but it didn’t feel like a traditional festival. It felt like walking through a curated version of the neighborhood. You could eat at familiar spots like Big Mario’s or Bok a Bok, sip boba, grab drinks, or dig through racks at local thrift pop-ups between sets. Security was present and efficient without being overbearing. Lines moved fast, and free water was handed out regularly—a godsend in the heat.
The food truck game was strong. Local staples like Puffle Up, Hawk Dogs, Piroshky Piroshky, Dumpling Tzar, Thai-U-Up, and Gyopo’s Chicken were all present. The variety was a major win, and it was refreshing to see so many recognizable Seattle names on the lineup.
One thing to note: it was loud. Earplugs weren’t optional; they were a necessity. There also wasn’t quite enough seating near food areas, which meant eating was usually a sit-on-the-curb situation. But these were minor issues in an otherwise well-executed event.
The festival also featured a wide range of activations that added to the block party feel. Simply Pop handed out free drinks and swag, while Coke and Sprite each hosted their own music-driven activations that became social hubs. State Farm even gave out custom bobbleheads—a surprise favorite. All of it added up to a festival that felt connected, thoughtful, and genuinely fun.
Credit: Austin Quach / IG @aquach.media
Capitol Hill Block Party 2025 took a gamble, and it paid off. The changes didn’t just improve logistics; they enhanced the spirit of the festival. By making the event 21+ and trimming it to two days, organizers created a space that felt intimate, energetic, and undeniably local. It was music, food, and fun woven into the very fabric of the neighborhood. If this is the future of CHBP, count us in for many summers to come!
Feature image by Bella Petro Photography
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