The Capitol Hill Block Party returns to its three-day format with headliners Muna, Wet Leg and Disco Lines. The Seattle Seahawks are looking for a breakthrough from Byron Murphy II, while Sam Darnold and Cooper impress at training camp.
Capitol Hill Block Party 2026: A three-day celebration of music and freedom in Seattle
Capitol Hill Block Party, rightly considered one of the brightest events of Seattle’s summer music season, is back this year with its familiar three-day format. After organizers chose to cut it to two days in 2025, fans had been eagerly waiting for the festival to return to its full, music-filled marathon. And judging by the announced lineup, those expectations were not in vain—organizers have put together a truly star-studded bill capable of satisfying a wide range of musical tastes.
The festival’s main headliners will be three performers with completely different styles—an approach that in itself signals organizers’ desire to make the lineup as varied as possible. The synth-pop trio Muna, which has long won over audiences with its emotional and candid work, will be a real treat for genre fans. Their music, steeped in queer culture and the unmistakable joy of self-expression, fits perfectly with the atmosphere of Capitol Hill—a neighborhood that has historically been the center of Seattle’s LGBTQ+ community. The British indie-rock duo Wet Leg, which practically burst onto the music scene and continues to hold the public’s attention, will bring freshness and immediacy to the program. Rounding out the trio of headliners will be Disco Lines, known to a broad audience for a remix of the track “No Broke Boys,” promising to pump the festival full of dance energy.
A DJ set by R&B star Tinashe is a special bonus for visitors, scheduled for August 8. Given her recent collaborations and busy concert schedule, fans are speculating about possible surprise cameos and special guests during her set. Still, even without that, the lineup already looks more than packed. Among other notable names are indie-pop collectives Magdalena Bay and Parcels, whose music has already found listeners both in the US and beyond. R&B singer Amber Mark will add lyrical depth and soulfulness to the program, while the appearance of Zach Fox—who successfully balances careers as a comedian, rapper, and DJ—promises to be one of the festival’s most unpredictable and possibly most memorable moments.
Particular attention is also deserved by performers who may be less well-known to the wider public, but are especially interesting to fans. Indie-rock band Momma has already made a name for itself on the underground scene, and their live shows are distinguished by a special kind of energy. Electronic R&B artist Rochelle Jordan, whose vocals and musical experiments have been catching the attention of critics, will also be an important part of the festival’s mosaic. But perhaps the most intriguing announcement is the debut of the duo Casi—its new project bringing together Enumclaw bassist Elijah Edwards and rapper Xayvien Young. Their unexpected mix of electro-punk and rap metal promises to be one of the festival’s loudest and most experimental performances, definitely drawing the attention of those looking for something new and unconventional.
For those who want to get ready for the festival and test their knowledge of it, The Seattle Times has prepared a special quiz that lets you dive into the history and traditions of the event. As noted in the original article, the festival continues to be an important part of Seattle’s cultural life, providing a platform for established stars as well as emerging talent. It’s worth emphasizing that Capitol Hill Block Party is not just a music event, but a true cultural phenomenon reflecting the spirit of the times and the mood of young people. The return to a three-day format signals the festival’s growing popularity and its ability to attract more and more listeners. For music fans, it’s a great chance to see a wide variety of genre-crossing performers in one weekend, and for the artists themselves, it’s an opportunity to perform for a diverse and appreciative audience in one of the city’s most colorful neighborhoods. Judging by everything, the upcoming festival is set to be a standout event bringing together fans of the widest range of musical directions.
Seattle’s “ninja”: why the Seahawks’ defenders and coaches are expecting a breakthrough from Byron Murphy II
A special atmosphere reigns at Seattle Seahawks training camp, and it has to do not only with the preseason routine, but also with anticipation for a big season from one of the most exciting young defensive players. We’re talking about defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, who in the team has already earned the affectionate nickname “ninja” for his incredible agility and array of moves. The past season was a real breakthrough for the 24-year-old: he recorded 7.0 sacks, putting him in the top three among interior defenders in the league by that figure, and his 25 stops in run defense were second on the team. But judging by the unanimous feedback from coaches and teammates, that’s just the “berries”—the “fruit,” they say, is still to come.
Head coach Mike Macdonald, known for building elite defenses, isn’t hiding his optimism about Murphy’s third year in the league. He says outright that he expects a “surge in productivity—specifically in the pass rush.” That statement is especially intriguing, given that last season Byron most often operated in the A-gap (between the center and the guard), meaning he played the role of a classic nose defender whose main job is to disrupt the opponent’s run plays. Putting up those sack numbers from that position is truly remarkable and highlights the uniqueness of the player’s skills. Now, with the coaching staff seemingly planning to use him more across the front, his potential as a pass rusher could open up even further.
Murphy’s defensive line colleagues are full of praise. Veteran Jarran Reed, who has played in this league for plenty of years himself, even says that last season Byron deserved an All-Pro selection. He notes that “his time is coming,” but right now he just needs to “add a little more respect to his name.” Reed emphasizes that the role the team asks Murphy to do—he does it better than anyone in the league. Edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu compares him to a “quiet assassin,” explaining the “ninja” nickname with the variety of movements that keep a defender elusive to blockers. According to Nwosu, Byron has finally started to believe in himself and has been showing leadership on the field—making his play even more dangerous for opponents.
The opinion of left guard Gabe? (Grey Zabel?) matters too—though the text says “Grey Zabel.” He’s the one who has to go up against Murphy on every practice. Zabel says the young defender is winning the leverage battle already at the start of the play, combining power for a bull rush with lightning speed for movement across the front. Zabel believes Byron has “no ceiling,” and is especially impressed by last year’s production achieved while playing nose tackle. Defensive coordinator Aden Durde echoes the general view, calling Murphy an “elite run-defender” and predicting that this season he will prove his quality both as a pass rusher and on defense overall.
It looks like an ideal storm may be brewing for Byron Murphy in Seattle: a mix of talent, growing confidence, more varied tactical responsibilities from the coaching staff, and relentless work in practice. If all these factors come together, we could be seeing the birth of a new elite-level defensive star. For now, teammates and coaches are doing everything they can to build fan excitement around their “ninja,” anticipating how he will once again pull the curtain back and show his real class on the field. More about the practice process and the team’s expectations can be found in a Seattle Sports piece.
Sam Darnold is heating up, while Cooper remains the main star: impressions from day 12 of Seahawks training camp
The twelfth day of Seattle Seahawks training camp was packed, though it began with an unexpected update: first-round pick running back Jadarian Price missed practice due to lower-body pain. After practice, coach Mike Macdonald didn’t speak with the media, so the details remain unknown, but the simple fact that Price was absent—he hadn’t missed a full practice session before that—immediately drew attention. For a team preparing for the season without Kenneth Walker III, the health of a rookie is critical. That said, practice has shown the coaching staff has options to cover for those who go down: George Holani and Emanuel Wilson were working with the first unit, and a recently signed rookie, T.J. Harden from SMU—who knows many of his college teammates—has started getting reps with the reserves.
The main storyline of the day, without question, was Sam Darnold’s play. The quarterback, who in the offseason was considered the No. 2 behind the rookie, has been looking more and more confident in camp. Two interceptions on Friday—one off a great play by linebacker Drake Thomas, and the other in an effort to find Cody White deep downfield—didn’t spoil the overall impression. Darnold showed he fully controls the offense: he moved well, threw accurate passes in the red zone, including two touchdown connections in a row—first to sliding Jackson Smith-Njigba in the corner of the end zone, and then to White deep. His connection for a 25-yard gain with tight end A.J. Barner especially stood out, after which Darnold found Cooper in the end zone with a precise throw.
Cooper Kupp, who turned 33 this summer, continues to prove that age is no obstacle. He was again the best on the field: around 45 yards on a slide route, several difficult catches in traffic against Devon Witherspoon, including the moment when the defensive back, after losing the matchup, shouted “aaaah” in frustration. All of it suggests Kupp is in great form. His chemistry with Darnold looks promising—especially since the pecking order at receiver changed after last season, when Smith-Njigba pushed Kupp into a secondary role. That means the Seahawks have two elite receivers at their disposal, which is a serious threat to any defense.
This session also drew strong attention from wide receiver Rasheed Shaheed, who spoke warmly about Darnold after practice. In Shaheed’s words, the quarterback sets a high standard every day and pushes his teammates to improve. Shaheed emphasized that workouts like this—where the best offense and defense meet—make the whole team stronger. And speaking of defense: there is clear progress in the battle for the third cornerback spot, with Nkemdiche?—the text says “Nikemeя Pritchett.” Pritchett intercepted a deep pass and continues to earn points in the eyes of the coaches.
Next up for the Seahawks is the “Football Festival” at Lumen Field, where the team will hold its first open practice at home after beating the Rams in the playoffs. Macdonald promises a more game-like atmosphere: more fans, more competition, and more opportunities for young players to show what they can do. It will be a test not only for the players, but also for the staff. As the coach puts it, the key is to let fans feel the spirit of the game, not just watch a practice.
As for roster news: the team signed linebacker Power Ekwols, who had been bouncing around practice squads for Chicago and Houston, but for a spot on the active roster he will still have to compete. It’s also worth noting that several key players—Charbonnet, Bobo, Oats—are still not ready to take the field, adding intrigue ahead of the start of the season. Overall, impressions from the practice are mixed: on the one hand, it’s encouraging to see Darnold and Kupp ready, but on the other, there’s concern around the running backs—especially considering Price’s injury. We’ll have to wait until Saturday, when the Seahawks take the field in front of their home fans, and perhaps then it will become clearer which direction the team is heading. For more details on the camp and its participants, see the The Seattle Times article, where the author breaks down every detail of the session.
