20240921

Block Party Day 1

First, here are some pictures early on day 1 when there was still setting up happening.

I ran into a very stressed Jamie running around. And also Togul wasn't open yet.

This festival was held in cooperation with The Hechyeomoyeo, which currently had an event also happening in Busan (read about it here and about its opening party here.

As for Block Party itself, you can read my main article introducing it right here.

Jamie swears it'll be the last one, but...we'll see. I don't think there's anyone else currently who can pull it off.

Block Party - VideoRose

I showed up at KYLDN to get my wristband for the event. The party was already in full swing, and VideoRose was playing.

I stayed for a couple songs, but I had to run -- it was time to lead my RAS tour of Yongsan Station area.

Block Party - Trash & Joongmo

When I returned from the RAS tour, I arrived just in time to catch the very end of Trash & Joongmo's acoustic set at Phillies.

It seemed like a fun crowd, the largest I saw at Phillies throughout the festival, and just as I walked in Trash was putting on a very energetic performance.

Block Party - 18Fevers

Next stop was The Studio HBC, a venue that 18Fevers had made it sound like they wouldn't ever play in again, to see 18Fevers playing there. Participating bands don't get to choose the venue, and the venue doesn't get to choose the bands they get, and this can result in some hurt feelings sometimes. But in this case, neither side seemed to mind.

Block Party - Pop Ents

This was the last Pop Ents show before John left. I'm not too sure if the band will continue without him, or just break up.

I left and came back near the end, to find the stage filled with a lot of shirtless guys.

Block Party

Here are just some scenes from the street during Block Party, plus one photo inside Dialogue while Arthur Minsu was performing.

The street was pretty active throughout the festival, and I'd say rather than people moving from venue to venue, it was because of the frequent lineups at Togul. Togul had definitely been a little too overpowering on the lineup, plus with the good location.

Block Party - LA Galbi

Apparently one band dropped out, and LA Galbi was brought in as a replacement. Which was fine by me, because they're a fun metal band made up of some of my friends, and I hadn't seen them yet.

Block Party - Bandits

I went all the way over to Pet Sounds to see Bandits for what I'm pretty sure was the first time.

Bandits was one of the bands I covered in the leadup to the festival.

Block Party

After Bandits, OhChill was playing in the same venue, so I stuck around for them. It had been a while since I'd seen them play. I'm glad to note that they are still a duo.

Block Party

I went back to HBC and saw one act I couldn't identify.

I also ran into Emery, a juggalo who had been accused online of kicking someone out of one of the venues. It turns out he had been at a completely different venue at the time, so it seems like his name is clear. But he had a sense of humour, so I staged a photo with him of him kicking me out of The Studio HBC.

Block Party

At the end of my night, Jamie DJed at Studio, and people tried to present him with a birthday cake. He seemed more content to put his head down and play music for us.

20240922

Block Party Day 2 - Fail Fast

This was my first time seeing Fail Fast, and apparently their third show.

It later led to an interview and article, but anyway before the festival I interviewed Care Less, which shares two members with Fail Fast.

Everyone seemed a bit like they hadn't recovered from the night before, but Fail Fast put on a good show.

Block Party - Ben Cozy

I took a break from the festival to stop by work and drop off photos.

After I came back, I went to Casa Amigo, where Ben Cozy was performing.

Block Party - Poledancing

One of my friends, who is not a poledancer, made a point of inviting me to this poledancing show. I owed her so I showed up.

There were three performers, all Korean, and as the performances progressed they got more technical (at least with the pole) and more risque. I was sitting with a couple, and the boyfriend felt awkward and thought they should leave, while girlfriend wanted to stay. She started off really enjoying it but seemed to avert her eyes by the end. The crowd reception was especially strong with the women present.

I understand and support why and how women have taken over poledancing, making it their own thing rather than a sexualised performance for men. But at the same time, I don't think that gives me licence to enjoy it without making it seem like a sexualised performance, as I suspect a lot of other men present might have felt judging by who was cheering the loudest.

Block Party - Sil-A

Last year, Sil-A was one of the people I spotlighted in the leadup to Block Party 2023, but in the ensuing year I had never met her or seen her perform. So I made a point of showing up to see her this time.

Block Party - Lee Minwhee

Lee Minhwi, or as I remember her, Lee Minwheee, one half of Mukimukimanmansu, was one of the crown jewels of this Block Party.

She played at Togul, which was filled up with people. I had to fight my way to the front, and while the music was interesting, the performance was pretty static, so I just wanted to get out of the way.

Block Party - Fat Hamster and Kang New

Fat Hamster and Kang New seem to be everywhere these days. They're who you book for an event if you want a big audience to show up, seemingly.

I saw them at The Studio HBC, where the audience was thick but not Togul-level.

Block Party - Sailor Honeymoon

I went back to Togul and fought my way to the front before Sailor Honeymoon started.

In the end, I felt like this wasn't the right venue to photograph them, and I'm not too impressed with these pictures.

Block Party - Seth Mountain

I went back to Phillies where Seth Mountain was playing, with one of his old friends from back in the US and also with Zee. It was a fun show, but the blue light behind them made photography a little challenging.

Block Party - Cloud Underground

The last act I saw was Cloud Underground, which technically played on Monday morning. They were also one of the bands I had spotlighted in the leadup to Block Party.

This was a pretty terrible timeslot, especially considering Ali lives in Busan