Hartford CT on June 28,2025 by Paul Bloomfield
The inaugural day of Capitol Groove Festival unfolded with both musical diversity and a sense of ease that’s rare for large outdoor events. Despite a grey and misty start, the mood—and weather—brightened steadily as the day progressed, culminating in a series of performances that celebrated soul, roots, funk, and sonic innovation.
Steel Pulse: Reggae Legends Still on Message
As the clouds parted, Steel Pulse took the stage in triumphant form. Formed in 1975 in Birmingham, UK, the band brought not just classic reggae rhythms but the political fire that has always defined their work. Founding member David Hinds led the charge on vocals and guitar, flanked by fellow original Selwyn Brown behind a Rastafari-draped keyboard. With bassist Amlak Tafari bounding around the stage, the band offered a full-bodied, high-energy set that reminded the crowd why their music still resonates. “Rockin’ against racism, rockin’ against Nazism,” Hinds declared mid-set—both a rallying cry and a reaffirmation of Steel Pulse’s mission. Their performance was a vibrant reminder that reggae’s legacy of resistance is alive and well.
Thee Sacred Souls: Sweet Nostalgia Meets Modern Soul
Following that charged energy, Thee Sacred Souls offered a smoother, more romantic interlude. The San Diego ensemble, led by charismatic vocalist Josh Lane, delivered a set steeped in vintage soul but laced with modern touches, including reggae-adjacent bass lines and sleek production values. Lane, a natural performer, charmed the crowd with old-school banter (“Where are the pretty ladies at?”) and a honeyed voice that evoked classic crooners. The band closed with “Can I Call You a Rose?”—their breakout single that, even in a live setting, felt both tender and timeless.
Setlist:
Running Away
Will I See You Again?
Can I Call You Rose?
We Don’t Have to be Alone
Lucid Girl
Thundercat: A Genre-Bending Wake-Up Call
If Thee Sacred Souls lulled the audience into a soulful sway, Thundercat jolted them back to life. Bass virtuoso Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner led a tightly wound trio featuring drummer Justin Brown and keyboardist Dennis Hamm, launching into a whirlwind set that defied easy categorization. Thundercat’s bass playing—part jazz, part funk, part sci-fi odyssey—was matched by his smooth and precise vocals. A standout moment came from his 2017 album Drunk with “Tron Song Suite III,” a bizarre and beautiful tribute to his cat that felt as playful as it was technically dazzling. The set closed with a heavy bass infused, funky cover of Yarbrough & Peoples’ “Don’t Stop the Music,” an infectious tune that sealed the performance.
Setlist:
Candlelight
Great Scott / Innerstellar Love
How Sway / Uh Uh
Overseas (Fast)
Dragonball Durag
ADD Through The Roof
Dance With Me
Walking On the Moon
Children of the Baked Potato
A Fan’s Mail (Tron Song Suite II)
Funny Thing
Them Changes
Khruangbin: Dreamscapes in Fog and Light
As night fell, Khruangbin transformed the festival grounds into a meditative dreamscape. Bathed in fog and soft lights, the trio—Mark Speer (guitar), Laura Lee Ochoa (bass), and Donald “DJ” Johnson (drums)—delivered a mesmerizing set that felt like a long, hypnotic film score. Drawing from their latest album A La Sala, as well as earlier works, Khruangbin leaned into their signature fusion of surf rock, dub, psychedelia, and global pop. Songs blurred into one another, less as distinct tracks and more as mood pieces. Though they bordered on jam band territory at times, their restraint and sonic clarity kept the set grounded. This was music as atmosphere—loungey, cinematic, and transportive.
SETLIST:
May Ninth
August 10 / Two Fish
Mr. White
Pon Pón
Todavía Viva
Juegos y Nubes
Hold Me Up (Thank You)
A Love International
White Gloves
So We Won’t Forget
The Infamous Bill
Evan Finds the Third Room
Time (You and I
María también
Lady and Man
People Everywhere (Still Alive)
A Seamless Festival Experience
Beyond the performances, Capitol Groove’s logistics were remarkably smooth. Friendly staff at Will Call, abundant shaded spaces, free water stations, and well-timed transitions between sets made for an uncommonly pleasant festival environment. Highlights from the food vendors included the all-vegan Broccoli Bar’s “Big Sexy” plate, a crowd favorite.
Most notably, the schedule ran nearly on time—a minor miracle at festivals of this scale.
Capitol Groove’s first day delivered a well-curated, genre-spanning journey. If day one is any indication, Capitol Groove has planted strong roots as a standout midsummer festival that values not just music, but mood, message, and meaningful production.
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