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20250920

Rux at Sub Riot

My first stop at Block Party was Sub Riot (yes, I confirmed it's two words) to see Rux.

Their set was well-attended, and a friend who was supposed to meet me there wasn't let in due to it being full. I was able to move around easily enough in the corner next to the exit door.

Daisy Gun at Togul

Next stop was Daisy Gun at Togul.

Daisy Gun is based in Busan, and this was my first time seeing them I'm pretty sure.

I'm not happy with the lighting at Togul, and I'm also not a big fan of the layout. It's kind of nice to not have a stage, but not when you have to force your way to the crowd up to the front. It feels like a high-pressure sort of place to photograph a show.

Seoul City Improv at Dialogue

I was invited to take part in Seoul City Improv's Block Party performance at Dialogue.

My job was to give a monologue, and then the performers would come up with skits based on various things I discussed.

I was told they wanted someone with knowledge about HBC, and apparently that's me. I've written about it enough that I could pass myself off as having learned a lot. There were a few references mentioned by the audience that I didn't know, but I just skipped over most of those.

18Fevers

After improv, I went back to Sub Riot to see the end of 18Fevers' set.

That's when they sort of lose the plot and start wandering around the room, which is the best time to photograph them. The photographers I interviewed made a big deal about 18Fevers, and I think at least two of them sent me 18Fevers pictures.

I did alright, despite working with not the greatest equipment.

Asian Spice House

Jeong-seok of Eastern Standard Sounds invited me to meet him at Sub Riot to see Asian Spice House perform.

I'd never heard of them before, although they were pretty good.

Jeong-seok never showed up though.

CU

Just a few drinks at HBC's best bar.

20250921

Jinu Konda at Uplift

Just as my dinner break at work was beginning, I realised I could go to Block Party in time to catch Jinu Konda.

Uplift was pretty full, which impressed me considering this was Sunday, an acoustic show, and kind of early.

I figured I'd see him, then head over to Sub Riot for Hammering and then head back to work.

Fate had other plans.

Yangbans in the Street

On my way to HBC, traffic was backed up pretty bad. I saw they had the barricades out again. And there was loud music, live. As I drove past, I found the Yangbans performing right next to the street. I drove back and forth a few times, then stopped to watch.

Block Party was held in cooperation with Haebang Week, and apparently this was a bit more Haebang Week, but it was in Block Party's program as well apparently.

Hammering

As planned, I went inside for Hammering.

It was a quick visit, but intense, and I got some decent photos.

I also spotted Emery the juggalo, and started planning the photo op that would define this year's festival.

Enter the Dark Carnival

Thanks to a facepaint artist, we had Jamie in clownface. He told me it was a gift for Emery.

After Hammering, I grabbed Emery and dragged him over to see Juggalo Jamie.

He was thrilled.

Something among these photos will probably be used to represent the festival in my preview coverage next year, just as Pop Ents undressing did it this year.

Shaman Tae

It was getting to be time I should leave for work, but why was this shaman out here waving ribbons around?

Eventually I followed Tae inside and stayed for the entire set, which incorporated shaman rituals with a drag performance.

It was pretty amazing, and I took way too many photos.

Warning: there are knives and they are pressed to skin and lips. No blood was drawn though.

Pop Ents

After the city deadline, I raced back to Block Party in time to see Pop Ents.

The band has reformed with a more Korean-looking, hopefully permanent lineup of musicians. Jinu, who was on his fourth performance of the festival, told me he's still not a full member.

Although they were cautious to avoid being photographed by me in a state of undress, I still managed to get photos of them.

Afterparty

After Pop Ents, Jamie cut loose a little, and we ended up in Rabbithole where there was karaoke.