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Decibel: Electronic music festival takes over Hill this week but no more db in Volunteer Park

No Decibel in Volunteer Park this year (Photo: @dbfest)

More than 20,000 people are expected to attend this year’s Decibel Festival, which starts and ends on Capitol Hill.

Organizers estimate that the festival has grown 30% each year, from starting back in the old Capitol Hill Arts Center and a handful of other venues on the Hill to this year’s expansion to Seattle Center, Benaroya Hall, and a boat (cue T-Pain joke).


One big change is the move of db in the park, a day of outdoor dancing and good times that even the unlikeliest of electronic music fans can check out, has moved out of Volunteer Park for 2010.This year’s fun moves downtown to the Seattle Center’s Broad Street Park where the event will be able to include a beer garden in the festivities.

Capitol Hill is still the locus for the action, with headliners like Flying Lotus and Modeselektor taking stage at Neumos and artists like Scuba playing label showcases at the Baltic Room, where West Coast debuts abound.  More is also happening at Sole Repair, Chop Suey, HG Lodge, and Pravda Studios.  (Check out the full schedule here.) Pravda hosts the free dB Opening Gala Wednesday night. Doors open at 5 PM. The Unicorn will also be throwing a free party Wednesday night to celebrate the start of the festival.

According to DJ and festival promoter John Judge, “This is a chance for Capitol Hill to stand on a world stage.  Decibel has artists representing 14 countries – this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Seattle’s music, food, and culture in front of a world audience, as well as an opportunity for Seattlites to experience some of the world’s best music right in their backyard.”

The nonprofit music and art festival was founded by Sean Horton, whose work curating cutting-edge electronic music has gotten international attention for the scene in Seattle (and got Decibel short-listed for the Stranger’s Genius Awards).

In addition to the live performances and other events, the festival also features a free educational conference for musicians who are interested in learning advanced production and artists wanting tools to better promote themselves.  It turns out the 7th Annual Decibel International Festival is sponsored by Windows 7, appropriately enough.  Microsoft is partnering with DJs and producers to show it’s possible to make music without a Mac by training musicians on PCs.  That’s happening at Pravda Studios, Wednesday through Friday, from 1-7 PM.

Education and collaboration are strong themes for Decibel.  “Overwhelming community support is how the festival was able to grow,” said promotions director Erica Toelle.  “This festival is an umbrella that helps people work together who wouldn’t normally… it’s a really strong, collaborative community, known for having the most passionate crowds.”

CHS has it on good authority that those enthusiastic crowds will be rewarded by artists planning a few surprises to make it over the top.  This might include (but definitely is not limited to) special additions… maybe even a four-piece band.

Shows (particularly at Neumos) are likely to sell out, so check the Decibel website for ticket availability.

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John
John
13 years ago

Great article!