Originally started by friends as a big rock-centric party in 2013, Freakout has sprawled into four days and several small venues across Seattle which usher party animals, rock music fans and those somewhere in between into the city’s local music scene.
The five host venues all have the same intimate feeling, falling somewhere between a bar and a living room show vibe. Some don’t even have elevated stages. The audience instead melds with the band for one big party, with five to seven artists playing at each venue every night.
Small acts make up Freakout, with several being local Seattle bands. Freakout founder Skyler Locatelli told Seattle Refined in 2018 that the festival came out of Locatelli feeling “really kind of starving for a community-based music experience.” Every variation of rock is platformed here, from Allah-Las’ hazy psych-rock to The Gories’ classic punk rock and TV Star’s country rock. Psychedelic rock is also a big player — and one of the genres Locatelli especially wanted to boost.
The Specs
- Attendance numbers are not available, however, festival goers are spread out among smaller venues, which cap at a few hundred visitors each.
- Tickets range from $40 for one-day GA to $185 for four-day VIP passes.
- Check out Fifty Grande’s guide to the best things to do in Seattle here.
FAQs
Where is the nearest airport?
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), is the closest airport to the festival, only a 30-minute drive from several venues.
Where is the festival located?
Freakout Fest is held across multiple venues in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood including the Tractor Tavern, Sunset Tavern, Conor Byrne, the Salmon Bay Eagles Club (2 stages), Cafe Umbria, Ballard Smoke Shop, C.C. Filson, and more to be announced.
Is transportation available?
Street parking is available but limited. All of the host venues are easily accessible by public transportation as well as by car or Uber.
Who’s playing?
Allah-Las, The Gories, The Spits, Son Rompe Pera, Sextile, Night Beats, Acid Mothers Temple, Death Valley Girls, Levitation Room, Jonathan Bree, El Khat, Acid Tongue, Gift, Lola Kirke, The Shivas, The Brightlight Social Hour, Kepi Ghoulie, Mala Suerte, Goon, Elis Paprika, Mauro Samaniego, Ramona, The Funerals, Michael Rault, Pearl Charles, The Grizzled Mighty, Zzzahara, Monsterwatch, Mengers, Las Pijamas, Vondré, Shadow Show, Daiistar, Annabelle Chairlegs, Dark Dazey, Archer Oh, Taleen Kali, Sunset Images, Jonathan Toubin, Tuesday Violence, Diminished Men, The Darts, Brittany Davis, Biblioteka, Shana Sarett, Black Maracas, Carrion Kids, Ritmo Cascabel, Forty Feet Tall, Fauxes, All Star Opera, Supermother, Marion Raw, Alex Vile, Moonwalks, Frankiie, Midnight High, Federale, Axxident, Pale Dian, Floating Witch’s Head, Orquestra Pacifico Tropical, Ismay, The Sugar Tradition, Bike, King Youngblood, Oble Reed, Chokecherry, The Wind-ups, Peyote Ugly, The Bunyans, Moon Owl’s Mages, Lobo Lara, Lemon Boy, TV Star, Windows, Zookraught, Linda From Work, Dreckig, Careen, Diirt, The Macks, Plum Vision, Blix, Screen Frogs, Sun Atoms, Joudy, Denim Genie, Rat Queen, Beautiful Freaks, Race To The Light, General Mojo’s, Midnight Maraduders, Day Soul Exquisite, Serafima and The Shakedowns, Mad Alchemy, and Analog Liquid Light Show.
Is there an age requirement?
All events except for those at two venues (C.C. Filson and Caffe Umbria) are 21+ only.
2023 Poster
