Seattle Weekly’s annual daylong romp of local music known as the Reverb Festival is going down Saturday in Ballard. The lineup boasts more than 65 local artists performing throughout the day at various clubs, bars, meeting halls and other venues spread across Seattle’s beardiest neighborhood.
The festival is always a good time and you’re bound to stumble upon a few bands you’ll be calling your new favorites (last year I had my first encounter with my pals in Hobosexual at Reverb). I know from experience that it can be a bit of a burden trying to figure out where to go and who to see when you’re dealing with 65+ bands in one day, so in case you’re looking for some help here are five Guerrilla Candy approved Reverb acts worth checking out.
Katie Kate (8:00 Sunset Tavern)
I’ve been touting the talent of Katie Kate for a little while here on Guerrilla Candy (she performed at my birthday show in 2010) and you’ll find out why she’s worth all the buzz during her set at the Sunset.
Summer Babes (5:00 The 2 Bit)
An uptempo, pop-garage rock band at the 2 Bit on a blustery (and likely soggy) fall evening? Yes please.
Dyme Def (2:30 NY Fashion Academy)
Dyme Def burst onto the scene a few years back with their excellent Space Music record and the follow-up Three Bad Brothaz mixtape. Those two records are must-have releases for any local hip-hop fan and from what I hear the group’s new material recaptures the vibe from those two albums, which makes this an early must-see set.
Joseph Giant (8:00 The Tractor)
There are so many singer-songwriters in Seattle that it’s tough to keep track of them all and make informed decision on which ones are worth checking out. Joseph Giant is one of the ones worth checking out.
The Tom Price Desert Classic (5:00 The Tractor)
Tom Price was in a band called The U-Men. If you’re not familiar with them, either look them up, rent Hype! or find a copy of the Deep Six comp. He’s a local legend and if you’re lucky Price and his new band might break out their cover of “Negative Creep.”
A few more bands with the Guerrilla Candy seal of approval that you should pencil in on your schedule: The Cops, Virgin Islands, Don’t Talk to the Cops, Mash Hall, Red Jacket Mine, Sons of Warren Oates, Pipsisewah, Witchburn, Kaylee Cole.
Reverb starts at 1 p.m., goes until 1 p.m. and costs a mere 10 bucks. With such a large number of bands for such a low cost you really can’t go wrong spending the day, or just a few hours even, in Ballard tomorrow.
