Cue Wendy Rene’s “Bar-B-Q”! Last year KEXP revived its beloved summer tradition after a 13-year hiatus, and it looks like it’s here to stay, with a lineup good enough to compete with Bumbershoot and Capitol Hill Block Party.
The lineup this year—taking place Saturday, August 22 at Seattle Center—is short but sweet: garage-rock revivalist Ty Segall, English indie-folk artist Arlo Parks, experimental-rock duo Angine de Poitrine, Peruvian cumbia ensemble Los Mirlos, and Seattle’s own psych-pop project Packaging and dream-pop angel Sea Lemon.
Despite Angine de Poitrine being third on the bill, my crystal ball tells me that they will be the festival’s biggest draw this year. Their KEXP session from February became a viral phenomenon (14 million views and counting!) thanks to their eye-catching polka-dotted uniforms, consisting of large papier-mâché masks with dangling noses (YouTube commenters have compared them to everything from childhood imaginary friends and bacteria to aliens and “what the end of π looks like”). Their look and their angular sound—somewhere between post-punk, math rock, funk, and metal—is filling a whimsical void in the AI era for listeners who want to be challenged by music and swept away by human-created fantasies.
Along with the live performances (taking place at two stages), you can also expect local food vendors, a bar, exclusive merch, and family activities for all ages. Tickets are on sale now, going for $70 (general admission, 18+) and $50 (youth 13-17). Children 12 and under are free. Proceeds will benefit KEXP.
