Block Party to take over HBC for 4th year

The Pop Ents are joined on stage by friends during a Block Party show at The Studio HBC, Sept. 21, 2024. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

Central Seoul’s multicultural Haebangchon (HBC) and Gyeongnidan neighborhoods are turning into festival grounds again for this year’s Block Party, a music and arts festival unfolding simultaneously at multiple locations.

Last year, Jamie Finn, the main organizer of Block Party, told The Korea Times he wouldn’t do another festival this year.

But time has proven him a liar, and the event, which also doubles as a stealth birthday party for Finn, is back Sept. 20 and 21, offering over 100 live performances at more than 10 venues.

"I just can’t stop," Finn admitted to The Korea Times. "I love doing this, and the love that people have for the event means that I can’t stay away. We’ve also got a new team that brought refreshed energy to it. I’m actually really glad that we’ve done it this year. It’s been easier than usual to plan, and I really think we’re finding our rhythm as organizers."

Jamie Finn, right, receives a birthday cake in The Studio HBC, Sept. 22, 2024, at Block Party 2024. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

This year’s lineup includes many familiar names that have participated in previous festivals, as well as a few unique new additions. This includes singer-songwriter Jang Pill-soon, as well as reggae group Windy City.

"These are two icons of Korean music history and it’s a real honor to have them," Finn said. "Also, with Jang, she doesn’t perform that often, especially at indie festivals like ours. So that is pretty exciting."

He also mentioned that the Croatian-Slovenian soul duo freekind. will be coming to Korea for the festival.

European duo freekind. Courtesy of freekind.

Other diverse local acts include Care Less, Omar and the Eastern Power, Tengger, Lunar Isles and 18Fevers.

"One thing I’ve noticed about booking this festival is just how quickly the lineup fills up," Finn said. "The whole team books the lineup together; I’m just one of a few bookers who all want to get their favorite artists on the lineup. We always plan to use as many of the applications as possible. And unfortunately, we didn’t have the space for as many as we wanted. Which is a shame because we had so many good ones this year, more so than any (other) year. We fully intend to use many more next year."

Jang Pill-soon / Courtesy of Jang Pill-soon

Finn said this year’s lineup has been curated a little differently from past Block Party events, with a bigger focus on lively energy.

"We still have some chill stuff, especially on Sunday, but we’ve gone for more lively music this year," he said.

Block Party also features a program of nonmusic performances, including a stage drama from Seoul Players, improv comedy from Seoul City Improv, drag bingo by Crash Landed and pro wrestling courtesy of All Korea Wrestling.

Of the nonmusic acts, Finn singled out Tae, a shaman who brings the pageantry of drag to performances.

Block Party will also be teaming up with HBC Haebang Week, a series of events happening in the area including a marathon and a flea market.

Finn moved from Seoul to Busan, Korea’s second-largest city, a couple of years ago. Earlier this year, he launched Debaser Festival, which takes place in venues around the southeastern city in a format very similar to Block Party. But he swears he hasn’t lost focus on his Seoul festival.

"Two-thirds of the team live in HBC," he pointed out. "Plus, I’m in Seoul quite often. HBC looks different every time I come, though."

A map to most of the venues for Block Party on Sept. 20 and 21, excluding a secret venue or two yet to be announced / Courtesy of Charity Lynn

So, will there be another Block Party in 2026?

"No," Finn stated firmly, before amending, "Yes, of course."

One-day tickets cost 60,000 won ($43), and two-day tickets cost 80,000 won each. Visit debasermagazine.com or follow @blockpartykorea on Instagram for more information and to buy tickets.