Since 2012, Freakout Records has taken over venues in the Ballard neighborhood for multiple nights of blaring, sweaty, and all around thrilling local music with their namesake Freakout! festival. Now entering its fifth iteration on November 17th and 18th, Freakout! is stepping up with one of their most exciting lineups yet that covers the breadth of Northwest music. Earlier this year Freakout! announced their initial lineup which featured Guantanamo Baywatch, Magic Sword, Roadkill Ghost Choir, My Goodness, CHARMS and more. Today they've revealed the full roster and it's about as stacked as you can get. New additions include some of Seattle's rising hip-hop stars like Taylar Elizza Beth, JusMoni, and Porter Ray as well as rap outfits and collectives Cosmos and The White Tears & Pearl Dragon Is Dead. Seattle songwriter Tomo Nakayama and Portland's Kelli Schaefer also help round out the bill, adding some peace and power to the roster.
Freakout! is presented by Freakout Records, Audioasis on KEXP, and The Stranger with support from Treefort Music Fest, Killroom Records, and Artist Home Record Club. Shows will be held on some of Ballard's iconic mainstays, including Tractor Tavern, Sunset Tavern, Conor Byrne, and Hattie's Hat with free shows hosted at Caffe Umbria and Filson. Tickets are available now. Check out the full lineup below.
Guantanamo BaywatchMagic SwordRoadkill Ghost ChoirMy GoodnessSmokey BrightsPorter RayAcid TongueMaiah ManserCharmsCosmosThe ShivasBread & ButterBattlemeSundriesBombay BeachYoungbloodKelli SchaeferThe White Tears & Pearl Dragon is DeadBlackwater (Holy Light)Tomo NakayamaTaylar Elizza BethBaywitchThe ArtisanalsPsychomagicFKLSleeping LessonsBasement SurfersMoon DarlingEastern SouveniersJusmoniCumulusSpesh (formerly Boyfriends)Future ShockHead Band
For generations of music fans, the invention of the music video was a landmark moment. Being able to associate your favorite songs with equally exciting visuals was such an obvious combination, it's a wonder it didn't break through earlier. Whether it's gluing your eyes to old-school MTV or getting…
The Pacific Northwest and the mid-Atlantic will converge again on Saturday, October 14th at Reykjavik Calling, presented by KEXP. As the musical leg of the Taste of Iceland festival -- which celebrates its 10th anniversary this week -- Reykjavik Calling pulls together some of the most exciting musi…
The past few months have been overwhelming with the relentless barrage of natural disasters around the globe. Now is the time for people to come together to help support these communities struggling to rebuild their homes and providing the resources necessary to survive. This Wednesday, local artis…
Singer/songwriter Billy Bragg is known for never shying away from political content in his songs. (As he sings on the track "Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards", musing about music journalists who ask, "Mixing pop and politics he asks me what the use is / I offer him embarrassment and my usual ex…
Thee Oh Sees have cycled through a number of name changes over the years, and a few just in the past couple months, but for their forthcoming album Memory Of A Cut Off Head the California band is circling back to their original name OCS. Today OCS shared a new song off the new album called "The Foo…
Every week, KEXP features a new local artist with an interview and suggested tracks for where to start. This week we're highlighting Seattle songwriter and producer RVN, who recently self-released his LP GREYNEON.
Just when you thought festival season was over with Bumbershoot, another one has jumped in right before the buzzer. This means you've got one more shot to enjoy free outdoor music before the cold weather kicks in. This Sunday, September 17th, Lyft will host their first annual Lyft Fest at the Seatt…
On Labor Day weekend 2007, Tim Lennon was working the perimeter at the Bumbershoot Music & Arts Festival. All weekend long, as others danced and partied, Lennon stood dutifully by the gates, occasionally letting artists in, but mainly just standing, waiting. He could hear the laughter of the fe…