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Diplo, Run the Jewels, and 21 years on E Pike: Capitol Hill Block Party announces 2017 lineup

Neumos, the Pike/Pine club behind the annual music Capitol Hill Block Party, is already celebrating this week with a Wednesday grand re-opening marking its new sound, new lights, and new bar. Tuesday morning, owner Jason Lajeunesse once again returned to Seattle’s KEXP to announce the lineup for the 2017 edition of CHBP, the event’s 21st year as a major music festival.

Slated for the weekend of July 21st to 23rd this year, here are the headliners for 2017, Lajeunesse’s 11th year with the event:

FRIDAY, JULY 21

Run The Jewels // Wolf Parade // Thundercat // Mura Masa // Austra // Noname // Lucy Dacus // Cherry Glazerr // Kyle Craft // Flor

SATURDAY, JULY 22
Lord Huron // Jai Wolf // Whitney // Trippy Turtle // Lizzo // Manatee Commune // Phantoms // MAGIC GIANT // Naked Giants // Zoolab // Saint Claire

SUNDAY, JULY 23

Diplo // Angel Olsen // Snakehips // Danny Brown // Perfume Genius // Mykki Blanco // Cloud Nothings // Torres // Julie Byrne // SLOUCHER

“It’s an honor to have Run The Jewels and Diplo return to the festival, and we welcome Lord Huron for the first time,” Lajeunesse said in an announcement of the lineup sent to media. “We are showcasing so many fantastic artists this year to ring in our 21st anniversary. Run The Jewels dropped an incredible record last month, and as a fan of Killer Mike’s political voice, he couldn’t be performing at a better time for our community.”

The three-day event has evolve into a mix of big indie acts that won’t completely overwhelm the limited festival space — one of the few ticketed music festivals that takes place on a city’s public streets — groups on the rise, and local heroes. CHBP’s full list of performers usually follows in the months leading up to the July festival.

In 2016, the Block Party marked 20(ish) years on E Pike — though some locals claim a longer timeline for the event back to its free, less organized, un-fenced days. 2016 headliners included ODESZA, CHVRCHES, Crystal Castles, STRFKR, MØ, Goldlink, Thundercat, The Joy Formidable, The Cave Singers… and many many more. While the outdoor footprint of the festival didn’t change, the 2016 Block Party was also marked by extending the event into more venues around the Pike/Pine core.

Lajeunesse, who has been involved in the event since 2006, told CHS last year he has few regrets about CHBPs past — though the weather has occasionally bummed him out. “I would go back and make it not rain,” he told CHS last year.

This year, Lajeunesse and his partners have invested in a new sound and light system, and overhaul of the festival’s club centerpiece, Neumos. They’ll celebrate with a free party Wednesday night that also marks the debut of the club’s new Paseo-powered bar taking over the old Moe Bar space — The Runaway.

Meanwhile,  CHBP’s growth has been a tricky business for producers. The festival takes place in the shadows of Pike/Pine’s continued development. Cost have more than doubled since 2010, Lajeunesse said.

“The city views it every year with a bit more of a microscope,” Lajeunesse said Tuesday on the air on KEXP.

CHBP organizers also welcome yet another big music festival to the Pacific Northwest in 2017 as the Paul Allen-backed Upstream, a large South by Southwest-style “music and ideas” festival, takes over a massive footprint in Pioneer Square from May 11th to 13th.

Block Party typically sells around 28,000 tickets each year. Early discounted three-day passes for 2017’s July 21st to 23rd festival went on sale Tuesday — $135, or $153.50 after taxes and fees. That’s the same price the festival commanded in 2016. The festival is also selling single-day tickets earlier than in the past. You can buy yours and learn more at capitolhillblockparty.com. The day-by-day schedule is listed here.

 

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Steven Severin
Steven Severin
7 years ago

Nothing like a fun party outside in the streets on the Hill. Can’t wait.