Capitol Hill Block Party 2013: 10 acts you need to see and hear (Videos)

Rose Windows at Sasquatch! 2013 (Photo by Greg Roth)

SMI contributor Dusty Henry provides his itinerary for Capitol Hill Block Party 2013

Buzzworthy electronic artists, moody punk rockers, and booming hip-hop acts are taking over this weekend. Here’s your guide to Capitol Hill Block Party and the top acts you won’t want to miss.

10. Rose Windows

Saturday, July 27 / Main Stage

Flautists rejoice! Rose Windows have made the flute badass again. The groups debut record, The Sun Dogs, on Sub Pop re-envisions groups like Cream and the darker sides of Fleetwood Mac as a blistering,  21st century fever dream. Combine that with baroque pop-sensibilities and you have a massive sound waiting to be devoured.

9. FF

Saturday, July 27 / Barboza Stage

FF’s music was made for the punk cassette aesthetic. Manic guitar riffs layered with monotone vocals slurring in an apathetic tone. The hooks are catchy and grimy. The Barboza stage couldn’t be a more perfect sweat box to experience the FF live.

8. Pickwick

Saturday, July 27  / Main Stage

Pickwick have become local favorites over the past couple of years. Much of this can be cited back to their passionate, perspiration fueled live set. Galen Disston’s soaring vocals tend to invigorate the audience as he commands them to “do the Ostrich” or just to move in general. It’s indie rock’s take on classic 60s and 70s R&B.

7. Girl Talk

Friday, July 26 / Main Stage

Girl Talk is the person who walks into the party and everyone cheers. He is the life of the party. Greg Gillis’ mash-ups, which fuse everything from hip hop and electronic to rock and soul, have rightfully garnered him that reputation. If you’ve ever wanted to hear UNK’s “Walk It Out” segue into Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It” then this is your opportunity.

6. Frightened Rabbit

Sunday, July 28 / Main Stage

This Scottish folk band may seem a bit out of place given this year’s heavy focus on electronic music, hip-hop, and punk. Delving into the band’s lyrical prowess, it’s clear these guys have just has much edge and ferocity as anyone else playing this weekend. They play triumphant instrumentals and sing like spitting venom.

5. Naomi Punk

Saturday, July 27 / The Vera Stage

Everything about Naomi Punk is ambiguous. They keep details about themselves and their music as private as possible. Even the lyrics are hard to distinguish in the music. But when you get past the mystery, the band is a startling interpretation of punk rock, drone and shoegaze. It feels melodic even when it’s indistinguishable. This set is sure to be loud, and rightfully so.

4. Big Freedia

Saturday, July 27 / Main Stage

Fans at The Postal Service show last week at Key Arena did not know what they were getting into. Big Freedia is a flagship artist of the “bounce” genre. She takes hip-hop and dance beats and creates completely infectious hooks – most notably about ass. Yes, there are women twerking the whole set. Don’t be scared. This set promises to be one of the liveliest dance parties of the weekend. Embrace the ass.

3. Purity Ring

Saturday, July 27 / Main Stage

Dark pop music may be the unspoken theme of the weekend, but Purity Ring embodies it the most. Their 2012 album Shrines took 80s Top 40 decadence and doused it in the moodiness of The Cure. Synths abound on these tracks. Their set will be the perfect opportunity for moody shoulder dancing and arm waving.

2. Run The Jewels (El-P and Killer Mike)

Saturday, July 27 / Main Stage

El-P and Killer Mike go hard. These guys aren’t too light hearted. If you look at their collaborative Run The Jewels LP and solo discographies, it’s apparent they both have a lot to say and say it loudly. El-P’s beats bang devilishly as he and Killer Mike rap about what they’ll do to anyone who gets in their way. The energy between these two on the album is almost palpable, which means it can only be bigger live.

1. The Flaming Lips

Sunday, July 28 / Main Stage

Choosing the headliner as the top pick may seem like a cop out, but not when it’s The Flaming Lips. Wayne Coyne and the guys are on another level altogether. Zorbs, confetti, Telletubies, a light show and rainbow themed everything make the band’s live set up more of an experience than a traditional concert. With the release of this year’s brooding and beautiful album The Terror, there’s high anticipation to see what the Lips will bring to the streets of Capitol Hill.