Capitol Hill Block Party 2015, Day 3: Wet, DIIV, Sol and Friends

Capitol Hill Block Party, Live Reviews
07/30/2015
Geran Landen
photo by Brady Harvey

Day 3 at Capitol Hill Block Party beckoned in a strong line up that brought in crowds despite the rainy weather. Wet kicked off Sunday on the main stage and set the tone for the rest of the day. DIIV brought their brand of effortlessly cool post-rock next before Sol bid Capitol Hill Block Party goodbye with a set that showed every one that Seattle hip-hop is the real deal. It was a day that closed out a great weekend with an excellent balance of local talent and beloved national acts.

Kelly Zutrau's delicate voice quickly beckoned a crowd to Sunday's opening main stage performance, where Brooklyn trio Wet played EP favorites like "Don't Wanna Be Your Girl" as well as album cuts like "Deadwater". Zutrau's voice pairs well with the echoing drums and plucky guitar riffs of band mates Joe Valle and Marty Sulkow while not infringing on the stark space that is present in much of the groups discography. Their beautiful brand of sparse pop captivated the early risers of Capitol Hill Block Party, and it was easy to see why so many "this band is my favorite"'s could be overheard in the crowd. Unfortunately the group cut their set 10 minutes short, but there were no hard feelings, and it seemed to only leave the Seattle crowd craving for more. Wet:

photo by Brady Harvey

photo by Brady Harvey

photo by Brady Harvey

photo by Brady Harvey

photo by Brady Harvey

A storm brewed behind the main stage as the pajama clad Zachary Cole Smith led DIIV onto the stage. The groups often churning guitar riffs and the reverberated vocals went well with the stormy backdrop. The band mixed old favorites from 2012's Oshin in with new songs from upcoming album Is the Is Are. DIIV also brought their relaxed style to CHBP, announcing that they were adding a song to their set after Zachary Cole Smith casually asked how much time they had left on stage. It was a set that perfectly captured the essence of DIIV, and was even capped off with a strong endorsement for Julie Ruin before the band left the main stage to a roar of approval.

DIIV:

photo by Dave Lichterman

photo by Dave Lichterman

photo by Dave Lichterman

It was 10 PM on a Sunday. Most had just witnessed the return of Ratatat and had headed home to prepare for a long Monday. But the people who managed to muster the energy and venture into Nuemos for the last show of the weekend were rewarded heavily, because Seattle hip-hop staple Sol delivered one of the best sets of weekend. People were tired, Neumos wasn't full and it was Sunday night but none of that mattered once Sol got on the stage. The energy in the half full Neumos was comparable to a sold out show; Sol's vibe was contagious. He quickly brought on guests to the stage, keeping true to the promise of Sol "and friends." Dave B, Grynch, Brothers From Another, Sam Lachow and Shaprece all made appearances and it was a celebration of Seattle hip-hop that truly was a party. Sam Lachow's declaration of "I just threw up back stage" was met with manic applause, and Sol had no trouble crowd surfing during song "Jump In." The energy was brought to another level when Sol played a new Sisters remix for the first time live. As his set wound down, and he declared that "this shit is like church for me" it was hard to argue. Neumos had clearly just been blessed by the finest of Seattle hip-hop.

Sol:

photo by Brady Harvey

photo by Brady Harvey

photo by Brady Harvey

photo by Brady Harvey

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