The vibes ran high at Noise Pop’s “love letter to the Mission,” the 20th Street Block Party that took over Valencia between 18th and 21st Streets on October 15. Sacramento’s punk force Destroy Boys earned their headliner spot when the group inspired the gleeful crowd to crash through the fence encircling the VIP area during its set. (The show was, as always free to the general public, but Noisepop did sell “headliner experience passes,” the sales of which went in part to support beloved kids writing workshop 826 Valencia and micro food entrepreneur incubator program La Cocina.)
But was it any wonder that people got hype for this show? Rounding out the Cali-focused lineup was lyrical local synth crew The Seshen, Davis rockers Hot Flash Heat Wave, and Oakland-based cloud rapper Ricky Lake—who happens to be repped by Text Me Records, the Mission label that’s headquartered at the distance of a healthy crowd-surf from this year’s block party. Curious canines peered from the neighbors’ Victorian windows, bubbles filled the air for the young’ns, bao buns and Nepalese dumplings were hawked by a hearty row of vendors, and a time was had by all. —Words: Caitlin Donohue. Photos: Estefany Gonzalez
Attendees blow bubbles at 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
The crowd at the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
A crowdside view of the Sour Widows performing at 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
Sour Widows perform at 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
The crowd at the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
The crowd (and doggie in window) at the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
Ricky Lake performs at 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
Ricky Lake performs at 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
The crowd at the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
Ricky Lake performs at 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
The crowd at the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
Hot Flash Heat Wave perform at the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
Hot Flash Heat Wave perform at the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
Hot Flash Heat Wave perform at the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
The crowd at the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
The crowd at the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
Main stage host Adrian Spinelli introduces Destroy Boys at the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
Main stage host Adrian Spinelli introduces Destroy Boys at the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
Destroy Boys headline the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
Front row attendees gear up for Destroy Boys at the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
Destroy Boys headline the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
Destroy Boys headline the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
View from the mosh pit as Destroy Boys headline the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
Security guard rushes to hold down the front barricade as Destroy Boys perform at the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
Destroy Boys headline the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
Security guard discards broken VIP divider as Destroy Boys perform at the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
Destroy Boys headline the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
Destroy Boys headline the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
The crowd at the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
Destroy Boys headline the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
The crowd at the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez 
Front row attendees gear up for Destroy Boys at the 20th Street Block Party on October 15, 2022. Photo by Estefany Gonzalez
