Freakout the 13th: A Weekend of Discovery

We were thrilled to head out this year and cover the annual Freakout Festival, which expanded beyond Ballard into three Fremont locations since last year. This festival has become a cornerstone of Seattle’s music community, bringing fresh sounds and new artists every year. It’s vital to the neighborhoods that host it and to the city’s creative heartbeat. Supporting events like this ensures they thrive for years to come—and what the Freakout founders have built is truly one of Seattle’s best.

Friday started in Ballard at Tractor Tavern with Belle & Chain, an LA-based goth-glam Americana act fronted by Spencer Grammer. Her smoky vocals and commanding presence drew the crowd in, but what stood out most was her story about resilience—how a violent incident almost ended her music career, yet she found strength through music to pick up the guitar again. Fun fact: Spencer is also known for her acting career, but music is her true passion. Recommended track: “Black Lace.”

Next up was Vondré, one of our favorite finds from past Freakouts. This Mexico City trio is electric—tight rhythms, gritty guitars, and a frontperson who knows how to captivate. They’ve opened for Placebo and Evanescence and played over 40 shows last year, earning a reputation for their high-energy performances. Recommended track: “No Es Para Ti.”

After enjoying those sets, we switched neighborhoods to Fremont and caught Weep Wave at Hidden Hall, their experimental indie sound filling the space with hypnotic energy. Known for their lo-fi aesthetic and introspective lyrics, they’ve become a staple in Seattle’s underground scene. Recommended track: “Sad People.”

Black Whale came next, a first-time treat with moody, atmospheric tones that felt cinematic. Their layered guitars and brooding vocals created a soundscape perfect for late-night listening—a band we’ll definitely be keeping an eye on. Recommended track: “Echo Chamber.” One of the weekend’s highlights was Cosmic Kitten at Add-A-Ball. This LA punk band brought pure chaos and catharsis, turning the venue into a riotous punk playground. Formed in 2016, they’ve toured extensively and even worked with Jack Endino, the legendary producer behind Nirvana’s Bleach. Recommended track: “Breadcrumbs.”

Nectar Lounge pulsed with funky beats from Shrimpnose, whose set blended hip-hop, jazz, and chillwave into a lush, atmospheric experience. His production style is smooth and layered, creating a vibe that feels both intimate and expansive. The crowd swayed to his mellow grooves, soaking in every beat. Recommended track: “Daydream.” Flamingosis followed with an explosion of energy, turning the venue into a full-on dance party. Known for his nostalgic, sample-heavy style, Flamingosis mixes funk and soul with modern electronic textures, creating tracks that feel like summer bottled up. His set was pure joy—fans danced shoulder to shoulder, grinning through every drop. Recommended track: “Flight of the Flamingo.”

BRŪHA charmed Add-A-Ball, sporting matching nametag shirts and delivering playful indie vibes. Their assertive stage presence and catchy hooks made them one of the most fun acts of the night. Recommended track: “Nametag Anthem.” The night closed with Naked Giants, Seattle’s garage-punk heroes. Signed to New West Records, they’ve toured internationally and even played major festivals like SXSW. Seeing the La Fonda sisters cheering them on was a beautiful moment of community. Recommended track: “Sluff.”

Saturday kicked off at Salmon Bay with Muñeca, whose Latin-infused indie pop brought warmth and rhythm to the evening. Their vibrant melodies and heartfelt lyrics made for a refreshing start. Recommended track: “Corazón.” Back at Tractor, The Velveteers delivered one of the most electrifying sets of the weekend. This Boulder trio features two drummers flanking lead singer Demi Demitro, creating a wall of rhythm and sound. It’s no surprise that they caught the attention of Greta Van Fleet and went on to tour with them. Recommended track: “Father of Lies.”

Surf Hat brought breezy surf-rock vibes to Salmon Bay, channeling sunny riffs and laid-back grooves that felt like a beach day in November. Their set was lighthearted and fun, a perfect palate cleanser between heavier acts. Recommended track: “Wave Rider.” Color Green followed at Sunset Tavern with a swirl of psych-rock grooves, transporting us straight back to the ’70s. Their vintage-inspired sound, full of dreamy guitar layers and warm tones, created a hypnotic atmosphere that had the crowd swaying in unison. Recommended track: “Bell of Silence.”

Then came Bitch Flower at Smoke Shop, a fearless band with razor-sharp riffs and unapologetic attitude that left us wanting more. We loved every second of their intense performance that had everyone jumping around. Recommended track: “Petals & Ashes.” Liz Cooper brought dreamy folk-rock to Salmon Bay, weaving intricate melodies with poetic lyrics—a soothing contrast to the night’s heavier acts. Recommended track: “Hot Sass.” Motrik turned Tractor into an alien disco, glowing green beams on their glasses and fog cannons adding to their psychedelic soundscapes and visual theatrics. The dancing didn’t stop and neither did the fog machine that was exiting through a traffic cone. Recommended track: “Green Light Ritual.”

The crown jewel of Saturday was Melt-Banana, Tokyo’s legendary noise-punk duo. Yasuko Onuki’s feral vocals and Ichiro Agata’s mind-bending guitar created a sonic assault that left the crowd breathless—a rare treat for Seattle fans. Their set was one of seven shows they had this year, and it felt extremely special to witness. Recommended track: “Shield for Your Eyes, A Beast in the Well on Your Hand.” Buddy Wynkoop is a Portland-based art-punk band known for their chaotic, genre-defying sound. Their standout track “At the Speed of Conversation” is a great entry point into their sonic world.

Chalk didn’t just play—they commanded the room with their raw, industrial energy. Hailing from Belfast, this post-punk trio has been making waves across Europe with their abrasive sound and relentless live performances. Their music blends jagged guitar riffs, pounding beats, and dark, atmospheric synths, creating what they call “trauma techno.” At Tractor, their set was a masterclass in tension and release—fans were locked in from the first note, and by the time they launched into their standout track, the entire venue was pulsing like a living organism. Chalk has already earned spots on major festival lineups and is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about acts in the UK underground scene. Recommended track: “Velodrome.”

Finally, Wine Lips tore up Salmon Bay with garage-psych fury, joined by Monsterwatch’s John Spinney for a surprise collab that had fans roaring. Last time we saw them at Fisherman’s Village they were one of the standout acts. Their performance at Freakout confirmed just how charismatic they are and the energy they bring to their live shows. Recommended track: “Eyes.”

Sunday was a softer landing but no less magical. Mountain Holler opened at Sunset Tavern with soulful Americana, led by a frontman Mark Etherington whose voice could stop you mid-sentence. This was the first time we’re seen him in this capacity but knew he could cause a riot when playing the drums. One of our favorite performances this weekend. Recommended track: “Electric Veins.”

Then came Vondré’s bittersweet farewell set before heading home to Mexico—a moment that felt both triumphant and tender. Plash took the stage at Smoke Shop with an experimental set that kept us intrigued from start to finish. Their layered soundscapes and unpredictable rhythms created a sonic experience that felt fresh and daring. It was one of those performances that made you stop and really listen, wondering what twist would come next. Recommended track: “Glass Garden.”

Magic Castles followed at Sunset Tavern with a swirl of psychedelic textures that felt like stepping into a dream. Their hypnotic guitar lines and shimmering melodies transported the crowd to another era, evoking the golden age of psych-rock while keeping things modern and immersive. Recommended track: “Starflower.”                   

Sundog from Alaska delivered a gripping folk-rock set that reminded us how far Freakout’s reach extends. This one was one of my favorite ones as the room filled with noise and the attendees gave into the performance. Recommended track: “Northern Lights.”

El Khat enchanted us with exotic instrumentation reminiscent of the Cretan lute—a performance that felt like a cultural journey. Recommended track: “Alaraash.” And finally, The Groovy Nobody was our last stop this year at Smoke Shop with laid-back grooves that felt like a warm hug, easing us gently back to reality. Recommended track: “Lazy Sunday.”                                                                                               

Freakout 13 was everything we love about the Seattle music scene: bold, diverse, and deeply communal. From punk riots to psych odysseys, sweaty basements to packed dance floors, this festival reminded us why we fight to keep live music alive. We wish the event lasted longer as it always goes so quickly. This year was no exception in the music we discovered, and the great community created. We get to see some of our favorite people and support an incredible event. Until next year Freaks!