Capitol Groove 2025: Sunday Overview
- Alternative Lately
- Jul 7
- 5 min read
Words and Photos by: Chantel Malin
Hartford, Connecticut's Capitol Groove Festival returned to Bushnell Park on June 28-29 for a landmark sophomore year that blew 2024's already-successful debut out of the water. The weekend made for the perfect beginning of summer bash for the thousands of fans in attendance - and the nonstop bright sunshine and high temperatures fit the occasion.
Despite the heat, attendees poured into the park starting at 11 AM, prepared for a day full of fun. Following Saturday's stunning headline performances by Khruangbin and Thundercat, Sunday's audience was ready to to do it all over again. With a stacked bill featuring Spectre Jones, The Greeting Committee, Fantastic Negrito, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Sammy Rae & The Friends, Cake, and Bleachers, fans settled in for a jam-packed day of great music and even better vines.
The organizers at Capitol Groove made sure to curate the weekend in all aspects - music just being one of them. Away from the stages, concertgoers could find a selection of artisan food trucks and vendors, alongside live mural paintings, and step-and-repeat photo op, tons of different hangout spots to chill, and endless beverage options (alongside multiple free water stations). The festival is a truly family-friendly affair, and smiling faces of all ages could be seen in just about every corner of the park.
Check out the full galleries of Sunday's performing artists below!
Indie rock band Spectre Jones kicked off the main stage at noon with a sunny, upbeat yet mellow vibe perfect to ease the audience into the day. A notable moment from their set was a unique cover of Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" done with the band's own twist and flavor.
Kansas City's The Greeting Committee followed, and they wasted no time in bringing the energy up. Singer Addie Sartino is nothing short of a rockstar in the making; her confidence and seemingly endless energy on stages of any size demands attention and effortlessly commands an audience. This is one band that is destined for the headlining slot in future years. Their set included songs like "Pull It Together," "Talk About It," as well as a cover of "Maps" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
Xavier Dphrepaulezz, better known by the stage name Fantastic Negrito, performed an eccentric and captivating set. His sound blends blues, R&B, and roots music, delivered in a soulful and earnest way that truly communicates his deep love of his craft. From his delightful fashion sense to his joyful stage presence, he gave an unforgettable performance that left the audience with beaming smiles and a swing in their step.
St. Paul & The Broken Bones took the stage next and delivered a jaw-dropper of a performance. With an eight-piece band backing him, frontman Paul Janeway needed no frills to capture his audience's attention. Dressed in all black, Janeway's powerful, soulful voice blanketed the park with an air of magic as he made his way through songs like Sanctify, Apollo, and a cover of David Bowie's "Moonage Daydream" featuring a guest appearance by Sammy Rae. He finished up the set draped in a multicolor sequin cape, making his way through the audience to connect. directly with fans, to the delight of many.
Connecticut's own darling Sammy Rae & The Friends were tasked with closing out the main stage before the evening's headliners. Now Brooklyn-based, singer Sammy Rae Bowers calls Derby, Connecticut her hometown, and she spoke fondly of her roots. To describe the band's set as joyful would be an understatement; Bowers is a powerhouse performer who seems barely able to stand still, and whose incredible vocal prowess matches her boundless enthusiasm and the equal talent of her five-piece band. It is rare to see such a large group of performers so clearly and intimately in tune with each other, making for an inspiring experience for fans new and old. They performed songs such as "Denim Jacket," "We Made It," and "Thieves," alongside covers of "That's All" by Genesis and "25 or 6 to 4" by Chicago. Closer "Coming Home Song" could not have been more of a perfect fit for a homecoming performance.
Just before the headliners hit the stage, we had time to run over to the TELEFUNKEN Soundstage to check out some local talent. Singer-songwriter Braiden Sunshine hails from Old Lyme and brought the Nutmeg state great pride in 2015 when he made it to semi-finals on The Voice at just fifteen years old. With a soulful voice beyond his years and bright energy about him worthy of his surname, Sunshine is certainly one to watch in the coming years.
California legends Coke took the stage at 6:30 PM as the first headliner of the evening. Golden hour was just beginning to set in, with a cooler breeze reinvigorating attendees as Bushnell Park became cast in a warm glow. Even after over three decades as a band, Cake show no signs of slowing down - and certainly have remained relevant with political commentary that rings more true than ever these days. And if singer John McCrea has learned anything over his tenure as a musician, it's how to command an audience. His sharp wit paired with an unwavering love of performance kept fans enraptured for their 75-minute long set. Comments such as "there won’t be laws soon, so we can do whatever we want because fuck you,” and a lament of their inability to secure a cannon to launch hot dogs into the audience, contrasted perfectly with the band's message of radical love and acceptance. Their set included songs such as "Sheep Go To Heaven," "Sick of You," "Frank Sinatra," and, of course, "The Distance."
New Jersey's finest New Yorkers, Bleachers, closed out the night with an unforgettable set. The band, headed by Jack Antonoff, is beloved to their fans for their high energy live performance and unique devotion to those who have supported them over the years. Connecticut holds a special place in the history of Bleachers; the band played their first ever shows outside of their home state of New Jersey at a frat house in Danbury, and despite their drastic difference in genre from other bands on the show's bill, the experienced solidified their belief in the magic of live music.
Bleachers played a set packed full of songs for both new fans seeing Bleachers for the first time, as well as the die-hards camped out in the front row for their 80th show. Songs included high-energy crowd pleasers like "Modern Girl" and " I Wanna Get Better," fan favorites like "Everybody Lost Somebody," "Isimo," and "Dream of Mickey Mantle," as well as a sneak peak of the new song "Blood Brothers." In true Bleachers fashion, Antonoff encouraged audience members to get on their friends' shoulders for "Rollercoaster." Antonoff's father Ricky, a familiar face at Bleachers shows, made a guest appearance on guitar for "How Dare You Want More."
Antonoff left Connecticut with one final, flawless quote: “Connecticut has a Boston someone’s-gonna-beat-the-shit-out-of-me-in-an-expensive-neighborhood vibe.” Hartford seemed to love the sentiment, meeting it with thunderous applause. Lastly, they closed out the night with "Stop Making This Hurt," and while the song may say to take the sadness out of Saturday night, Bleachers certainly took any sadness out of this Sunday night for all who were lucky to attend.
Tickets for next year's Capitol Groove on June 27-28 are already on sale, available at loyalty prices for a limited time, starting at just $75. Grab yours early and lock in your spot at what is sure to be the festival's biggest and best year yet!
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