Freakout Weekender 2024

Seattle’s Freakout! collective hosted their annual Weekender Music event at the Crocodile and Belltown Yacht Club and presented us with a compelling lineup. The secret sauce revealed itself in the curation as per usual. This year included notable Latin American representation, reckless energy and community-based respect. The Mad Alchemy light show provided the signature freakout-esque stage lights and visuals.

Notable acts this year included Fuzz, Plague Vendor, Boogarins, DEHD, Slaughterhouse, NIIS, Nick Waterhouse, Levitation Room, Alex Vile, Strawberry Fuzz, Jarv Dee, SGT. Papers, Midnight High, Brent Amaker, Emi Pop, and Rose Haze. It was an amazing event to be a part of and we already can’t wait for the next one. The team does such a great job curating talent for their events in a diverse yet way to be on brand.

When my irises were met with Plague Vendor on the bill, I knew where I had to be. Plague Vendor jogs my memory back to 2014 era Vans Warped Tour. The group has since gotten more serious about their business yet stayed true to their memorable characteristics.

Brandon Blaine fronts the 4-piece leaching with fiery bravado in white leather boots. He breaks into dance often, with commitment to authenticity. His lanky stature crawled on top of the crowd, wailing into his mic as he and floated through the sea of people. Self-described as “Graveyard Groove,” they cut like a soundtrack for monkey business shenanigans.

Notable tracks: Ox Blood, Rougher than Rough, Black Sap Scriptures, Cursed Love Hexed Lust

I trotted down to Madame Lou‘s unsuspecting of the next spectacle. Slaughterhouse was in full purgation of whatever drives such a mean noise. They busted through their set with such rawness and haste. Femme fronting vocalist Meriel O’Connell let loose a growl from her core as they played through “State of Emergency.” I see wide eyes and smiles around me as O’Connell throws her head forward and belts up to the ceiling when she comes up. Whatever is behind that scream, I felt it too. Those that gravitate to punk spaces, do so to let something out. In these moments I see glimpses of the source of the movement, it resonates so deeply I want to play it on loop infinitely. The 5 piece is midway through their west coast tour ZOO along with Strawberry Fuzz and NIIS. Songs like “Reflection,” and “Seasons,” echo 70s vintage punk. PLEASE, see Slaughterhouse.

Notable tracks: TV Age, Reflection, State of Emergency

A hop, skip, and a jump down the block in an alleyway is the entrance to the Ballard Yacht Club. So What is known as the backing band for Derv Gordon of The Equals. The group has a 60’s era meets dad rock bite. No frills, talented group of guys and their instruments. They sound southern and bluesy, and oldies influenced. On brand given the context with lots of energy.

Upbeat psychedelic duo of brothers, SGT. Papers took over the main stage and had us feeling good. Jamming through driving and fuzzed out songs became the catalyst for a lot of dancing.  Retro vibes on “No Fui Yo,” took me to the desert with colorful hints of rockabilly.

Felipe Garcia on drums sets a quick, controlled pace. The Mexican based outfit brought a unique fusion of punk to sometimes homogenous scene in the PNW. When inclusion and accessibility are underlined, the possibilities are endless and plentiful. The brothers collaborated with KEXP last year and are no strangers to Freakout! I hope to see them around much more.

Notable: Muérete de Envidia, Ya Levántate, Hey Ya!

Strawberry Fuzz is somewhere between Elvis and Fugazi. The chaos was rampant with these ones, the expressive 5-piece is lively and impossible to pin down. Each track has an element of surprise.  Banger “No Lighter,” has a troublesome attitude behind it like something played in the boxing ring. They opened the stage while they shook us up as it was their own personal house party. Very Shirtless and sweaty characters.

Notable tracks: No Lighter, Disco Crawl, Cowboy

Jarv Dee is a well-known and acclaimed rapper from Seattle. He performs with a live band that adds to his smooth melodic style. His beats are funk house heavy and meld beautifully with his lyricism and meter. It’s a groove I wish I’d hear more in the clubs when I go out.

Jarv Dee is heavily embedded in the Seattle scene with connections to the Cloud Nice Collective and Moor gang. He’s been a rapper since elementary school and also dabbles in tap dancing.

Notable tracks: Beat Drop, Clouds, I Just Want To

NIIS- Madame Lous

The Los Angeles based band NIIS was something out of a Hollywood movie taking over Madame Lou‘s. Lead vocalist Mimi SanDoe is flipping off the males as the hit track, “Fuck You Boy,” plays on. Fans are screaming the lyrics, and the room is packed with rowdy people ready to explode. The punk band riots through their set and “Big Zoo,” has people crowd-surfing as the lights flash through the dark shadows. SanDoe has a distinctive voice, seductive and raspy that captivates people walking in the room late. This is a band to watch out for in the future.

Notable Tracks: Fuck You Boy, 180, Utopia

Fuzz sealed off the main stage by giving a building shattering performance. The band is the culmination of multi-instrumentalists, Ty Segall, Charles Moothart, and Chad Ubovich. The group also has ties to a clique of different associating monikers. Segall is a man of many hats and has the repertoire to match, this night we caught him in his element as a drummer vocalist. A drummer vocalist adds a special touch to the performance, with how the emphasis on rhythm is brought to the front. It was impressive to note how easy breath control appeared while drumming simultaneously.

The creative chemistry between them is palpable and made it a joy to be a part of as an onlooker. My eyes glazed over while experiencing the sound radiating around the room. The bass line from “Pipe,’’ could entrance a serpent with how instinctively hypnotizing it sounded. Sludgy, beefy. The tones coming from the guitars felt like waves of euphoria vibrating though my skin. The main stage was packed door to stage with enthusiasm. Experiencing a luminary like Ty Segall inspires you to turn toward your own creative endeavors with a commitment to curiosity. Fuzz for life.

Notable Tracks: Say Hello, Pipe, Let it Live, Loose Sutures, Time collapse II/The 7th Terror

Photos: Brittne Lunniss and Luis Rosado