The 2018 edition of the annual Capitol Hill Block Party will include headliner Father John Misty returning to the festival where he also played main stage in 2015.
The Pike/Pine event showcasing a mix of local acts and national bands and groups on the rise takes place starting July 22nd this year and will also include Dillon Francis, Brockhampton, OW, Goldlink, Cashmere Cat, Alvvays, Sol, Bettywho, Quinn XCII, Ryan Carraveo, Two Feet, Yaeji, Bully, TR/ST, and The Dip. More performers will be announced as the July event approaches.
Block Party producer Jason Lajeunesse and booker Eli Anderson took to the airwaves at KEXP again this year to announce the lineup. “I think it’s the best music festival in the state,” Anderson said.
This year’s announcement featured a Capitol Hill-filled party at the public radio station’s new Seattle Center facility that included live music performances and free chow from Big Mario’s, Bok Bok, Petirosso, Poquitos, Rodeo Donuts, and Lost Lake.
In 2017, Diplo, and Run the Jewels led the way as the festival celebrated 21 years on E Pike.
CHS Block Party Coverage from Past Years
- 2017: Diplo, Run the Jewels, and 21 years on E Pike: Capitol Hill Block Party announces 2017 lineup
- 2016: Capitol Hill Block Party expands footprint inside Pike/Pine venues
- 2015: Block party report
- 2014: Block Party faces its future in a developing Capitol Hill
- 2014: Block party report
- 2013: Block party report
- 2012: New kid on the Block Party as Capitol Hill business owner takes over music festival
- 2012: Block party report
- 2011: City approves third day for 2011 Capitol Hill Block Party
- 2011: Block party report
- 2010: Block Party organizers meet with Pike/Pine business owners as bigger-than-ever fest looms
- 2010: Capitol Hill Block Party freeloaders enjoyed the show from Shell
- 2009: Block Party report
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. While the outdoor footprint of the festival hasn’t changed in recent years, the 2016 Block Party was also marked by extending the event into more venues around the Pike/Pine core.
In 2017, Lajeunesse and his partners invested in a new sound and light system, and overhaul of the festival’s club centerpiece, Neumos.
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, producers say. Tuesday morning, Lajeunesse said the city has helped mitigate challenges from construction and development by pausing project work during the three day festival.
The festival’s main stage area around Pike and Broadway has also changed. Gone is the music equipment store and dive Vietnamese restaurant. The area this year boasts a new craft coffee shop, and a new designer eyewear shop. The space home to longtime gay nightspot Lobby Bar, meanwhile, is now home to the Capitol Lounge.
If you’re making your CHBP attendance plan, festival producers have released this partial day by day lineup for the 2018 festival:
FRIDAY, JULY 20: Dillon Francis // Goldlink // Alvvays // Sol // Yaeji // Quinn XCII // Melvv // Kelly Lee Owens // Flasher // Dude York
SATURDAY, JULY 21: BROCKHAMPTON // Oh Wonder // Betty Who // The Dip // Jamila Woods // Chet Porter // Gavin Turek // Pluto // Great Grandpa // Busty and the Brass // PARISALEXA // Metsä
SUNDAY, JULY 22: Father John Misty // Cashmere Cat // Ryan Caraveo // Two Feet // Bully // TR/ST // Amber Mark // Overcoats // Chong the Nomad // Teskey Brothers
Block Party typically sells around 28,000 tickets each year. Early discounted three-day passes for 2018’s July 22nd to 24th festival are on sale — $155, up 20 bucks from 2017. The festival is also selling single-day tickets. You can buy yours and learn more at capitolhillblockparty.com.
