Words & Photos by Anthony Abu-Hanna

Downtown Hartford, Connecticut, came alive again as The Capitol Groove took over Bushnell Park for a weekend of unforgettable music. Sunshine, rhythm, and a crowd full of good energy made for the kind of summer memory that lingers long after the last note fades. The festival delivered two distinct flavors: Saturday leaned into R&B, fusion, and avant-garde, while Sunday belonged to fans of indie pop and alt-rock.

Before diving into the music, a major shout-out is due. After Bonnaroo was abruptly canceled due to weather, leaving thousands without live music, The Capitol Groove, Good Works Live, and Giant Noise PR stepped in with an incredible gesture. They offered free tickets to stranded Bonnaroo fans. It was a rare and generous move, one that reminded everyone that festivals can still be about community and compassion.

Here are the highlights from Day 1 of The Capitol Groove…

Day One: Funk, Fusion, and Festival Spirit

The day started under overcast skies and cooler temperatures, but that didn’t stop the crowds from showing up ready. Ghost Funk Orchestra opened the main stage with deep grooves and a vibrant horn section, accompanied by three powerhouse vocalists. Their performance was tight, funky, and a perfect tone-setter.

Next came Atlanta-based Improvement Movement, a true surprise in the best way. Their music blended Brazilian psychedelic sounds with prog rock and Americana, creating something fresh and hard to pin down. Lead singer Marshall Ruffin brought raw charisma and a standout vocal style, especially on songs like Too Far, Window, and Sun Will Rise Again. It was the kind of set that makes you want to look up everything they’ve released.

Originally, fan-favorite Ripe was scheduled to perform but had to cancel after a golf cart accident landed their lead singer in the hospital. In a last-minute save, New York City’s Too Many Zooz stepped in—and absolutely brought the house down. The trio, with trumpet and keyboard, saxophone, and percussion, offered a thrilling mash-up of brass band energy and EDM-inspired rhythm. Watching them recreate electronic music textures with only their instruments was something else. The crowd ate it up.

As the skies cleared and the sun began to break through, Steel Pulse took the stage. The reggae legends, celebrating 50 years as a band, delivered a timeless performance. Frontman David Hinds poured heart and soul into every track. Their setlist spanned decades, with songs like Ravers, Your House, and Babylon Makes the Rules reminding us all why their message still matters.

Thee Sacred Souls followed with a soul-drenched performance that felt like time travel. Josh Lane has a voice that wraps around you, smooth and evocative. His presence on stage is magnetic. He leapt into the crowd, ran through the hills of fans, and sang face-to-face with the audience. The connection was electric.

Then it was time for Thundercat. The jazz-fusion bassist tore through a high-octane set alongside his trio, showing off jaw-dropping technical skill while still keeping things playful. The crowd was fully locked in on songs like Candlelight, Durag, Dance With Me, A Fan’s Mail, and Them Changes. He also gave a shout-out to Remi Wolf, saying he still dreams of playing one of his tracks with her. Same, Thundercat. Same.

Khruangbin closed out the night with one of the most unique performances of the weekend. I hadn’t seen them before and was instantly pulled into their world. Their music, somewhere between hypnotic funk and dreamy psychedelia, felt like a meditative journey. Laura Lee and Mark Speer moved with intention, turning the stage into a visual extension of their sound. They opened with May Ninth, then swept the crowd away with songs like Mr. White, Pon Pón, White Gloves, María también, and People Everywhere (Still Alive). As the final notes echoed into the night, fans drifted out already talking about what day two would bring.

Check out coverage of Day 2 here…

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TheWaster.com | Connecticut
7.1.25