L.O.V. at the Capitol Hill Block Party

I've never been to a block party, let alone a MUSIC FESTIVAL block party.  This last Friday, July 20, I attended the Capitol Hill Block Party, a three day event which took place in the Capitol Hill section of Seattle, WA.  I didn't have plans on going...until I heard one of my favorite bands, Fitz and the Tantrums would be there!  In fact, it was the ONLY reason I would be there.  Admittedly, I'm not a huge fan of bands I've never heard of.  Typically, of what I DO hear, I find most of them play songs that all sound similar...it gets pretty monotonous and boring.  The same could really be said of a lot of the pop songs on the charts...so many of those artists sound alike!  That's what I love about FATT...they're like a breath of fresh air!

Entering the block party area, after getting a wrist band to allow me re-admittance, I went straight to Barboza, located downstairs at the club Neumos.  I had been to this club before to see Five For Fighting back in 2010.  In order to get to Barboza, I had to enter the beer garden.  I was actually asked to show my ID.  Really?  I think I look pretty young for 51 years, but do I look under 21? 

At Barboza, radio station KEXP FM was doing live broadcasts of bands performing there throughout the festival.  To kill time while waiting for FATT's 5:30 pm performance, I watched the band, Crystal Stilts.  Needless to say, I was underwhelmed, but it wasn't like pulling teeth.

After walking around to check out the block party stages, I returned to Barboza to await the arrival of FATT.  When the band finally showed up during stage set-up, I spotted the bass player, Joe Karnes, who I happen to know from his time touring with Five For Fighting.  I called out to him and waved, and Joe said HI, and asked me how I was doing.  Joe got a little busy setting up his equipment, but afterward came off the stage to chat with me.  I welcomed him back to Seattle...I had last seen FATT play the city last January...and congratulated him on his new baby daughter.  I asked Joe when the new album would be out, and he replied in October.  He said FATT would be touring that month, too, but probably won't make it up to Seattle.  I told Joe I was planning a road trip that month and might be able to catch one of their shows in another city. 

Joe left me to prepare for the upcoming KEXP live show, and I hung around near the stage to wait.  At one point, a young woman walked up and stood next to me along a wall...and promptly fell over at my feet!  Uh, too much to drink, honey?  I helped her up, and she said something about liking meeting new friends.  I told her to find a seat...I wasn't interested in being her friend.  She smiled and walked away, hopefully to find her real friends.  Then, FATT came on the stage and everyone started crowding around, thinking the show was about to start.  But, it was only the soundcheck, which sounded pretty awesome and was a prelude for what was to come.  When the REAL show started, the room was packed, no big surprise.

That's my friend Joe on bass.  They only played six songs, but that was okay...the band would be appearing on the main stage later in the night.  This was the live show set list:

Breakin' The Chains Of Love
Pickin' Up The Pieces
L.O.V.
Don't Gotta Work It Out
Rich Girls
MoneyGrabber

After the half hour show, I waited around, hoping to see Joe again.  My patience was rewarded as he came back on stage to put away his equipment.  I got a quick pic with him, then told Joe I would stick around for the main stage event later on.

I had a nice sit-down dinner at boom noodle...a tasty pad thai...and gave my feet a rest, considering I would be walking and standing the rest of the evening.  Since FATT wouldn't appearing again till 10:45 pm, I went back to Barboza to check out another act.  This one called itself Nouela, and featured two gals who both played keyboards, with one of them on lead vocals.  While taking a few photos, I tried out my camera's black and white setting.

Afterward, I made my way to the main stage area, which was packed full of people.  I managed to find a spot along the fence that gave me somewhat of a view.  The next act before FATT was Allen Stone...like all the other bands, I've never heard of him.  He seemed to get the audience excited enough, though.

When Allen Stone finished his set, the crowd temporarily wandered off while equipment was moved around on stage.  I took that opportunity to move forward and get a better vantage point.  While I waited for FATT, I chatted a bit with a gal and her male friend.  She asked me if I had seen FATT before, and I told her a few times.  The gal said she had seen two of their shows, and really loved their music.  I totally agreed with her! People soon refilled the main stage area, and FATT took the stage.

Even though I had seen pretty much the same show last January, it didn't diminish my enjoyment watching FATT perform on stage.  The energy and terrific music had the whole crowd rocking along.  Here's the set list of the night:

Don't Gotta Work It Out
Winds Of Change
Pickin' Up The Pieces
News 4 U
Rich Girls
Breakin' The Chains Of Love
Tighter
Unidentified new song
L.O.V.
Dear Mr. President
6 A.M.

Encore:
Sweet Dreams (cover)
MoneyGrabber

The show ended around midnight, and although footsore, I was happy.  My first musical block party was a blast, made even more so by Fitz and the Tantrums.  Would I attend another similar block party?  Only time will tell.  It guess it all depends on who shows up.  If this day was any indicator, the right band can make all the difference in the world!