Freakout Weekender @ The Crocodile

Saturday, March 4th – Sunday, March 5th 

The biannual Freakout showcases are proven and pure macrodoses of an international selection of psych, rock, garage, and experimental bands in a single weekend. While the fall festival (previewed last year in The Ticket) typically sprawls over more days and several locations, this year’s spring Weekender offers a tight schedule that takes advantage of the venues nested inside the new Crocodile. 

With a packed lineup and bands starting every half hour, figuring out where to be when can be overwhelming. Luckily, the well-rounded and inclusive curation ensures you can’t go wrong whether you end up in the complex’s cozier Madam Lou’s or the main Showroom. But for anyone who likes to do their festival homework in advance, Guy Keltner (the hub of all things Freakout and guitarist and singer for Seattle psych band Acid Tongue) put together this overview playlist. 

Highlights to listen for include LA-based FIDLAR‘s skate punk anthem “FSU,” a song for anyone who wakes up AND goes to bed angry about all that is wrong in the world. Likewise, local hardcore Black-fronted punk band (with easily the best band name everrrr) Rainbow Coalition Death Cult‘s “Lies, War, Repeat” gives voice—or rather guttural screams—to anti-war sentiment. If you’re down to be part of some collective catharsis, both bands will likely have rowdy pits. (And for anyone new to moshing, there are a few things to know so you can participate safely and respectfully.) 

On the lighter side of psych, Austin-based White Denim borrows from jazz, blues-rock, and dub while always landing on the danceable side of things. Hailing from Indiana but sounding more like their adopted California, Frankie and the Witch Fingers have opened for Osees and Ty Segall and have rightfully earned their headliner spot for Saturday night.