Our Mission

Freakout is a community-oriented music collective and a producer of concerts & music festivals in Seattle. We provide music discovery opportunities for all while supporting artists locally and internationally by focusing on artist needs over profit.

A brief history

2013

A few friends decide to throw an epic music-fueled party in the midst of winter, formerly known as the Psychedelic Holiday Freakout. The first iteration was held in Ballard but then relocated for a few years to Capitol Hill while Freakout found its bearings.

2016

Independent label, Freakout Records forms, later to release records in all formats, Freakout partners, such as Smokey Brights, Acid Tongue, Shaina Shepherd, My Goodness, The Grizzled Mighty and more.

2017

Freakout waves goodbye to the Psychedelic Holiday Freakout and officially transitions to Freakout Festival ahead of year 5. At this point, Freakout moved to its forever home of Ballard and finds amazing partnerships with the Tractor Tavern, the Sunset, Conor Byrne & other Ballard venues.

2020

With in-person events struck down by the pandemic, Freakout transitions online with Freakout Live!, releasing streamed and recorded performances by King Khan, Carrion Kids, Smokey Brights, Los Honey Rockets and more, delivered straight to quarantined fans stuck at home.

2022

Freakout hosts its first Spring festival – the Freakout Weekender – and celebrates its 10th annual fall festival with time-honored headliners like Os Mutantes, No Age, Kid Congo & the Pink Monkey Birds and Los Dug Dugs combined with emerging acts Automatic, Margaritas Podridas & Mala Suerte.

2023

Freakout begins to transition to its new status as a non-profit organization, striving to offer MUSIC FOR PEOPLE, NOT FOR PROFIT. A board of directors is established and a page is turned in the next chapter of a brand new Freakout.

  • "I've been delighted by the experience that Freakout brings to the Seattle music community. From their two annual festivals in Seattle to the shows they present year round, Freakout embodies a level of curation and music discovery that is crucial to our arts community. I'm thankful they exist and want to do what I can to help them thrive. That is why I am offering a $1,000 match to 5 x individuals or organizations that would like to join me in supporting this wonderful non profit music and arts organization.”

    Leslie Chihuly - Chihuly, Inc.

  • “I've been a part of the festival since its first snowy incarnation of the Psychedelic Holiday Freakout and it's been incredible watching it grow into an internationally celebrated annual festival that spotlights artists around the world. I personally love going to the fest because it's not like any other. I spend a lot of time checking out acts that I haven't heard of and it brings tons of excitement to the neighborhood every year- not just at the Tractor and the other venues, but all the bars and restaurants along Ballard Ave. When I got the opportunity to join the board, I jumped at it and will continue to help the team bring their vision into reality in any way I can.”

    Leigh Bezezekoff – Tractor Tavern

  • "There is no festival quite like Freakout. It simultaneously prioritizes the showcasing of tons of great local talent while also introducing Seattle music lovers to tons of great national and international bands. You might come to see one of the headliners, but you're virtually guaranteed to walk away with several new favorite bands that you wouldn't have otherwise seen."

    Adam Prairie - The Sunset Tavern

In 2023, we proudly transitioned Freakout to a nonprofit organization.

Freakout Team

  • Skyler Locatelli (Executive Director)

  • Ross Albrechtson (Festival Director)

  • Claire Braggs (Operations Manager + Social Impact)

  • Jesse Rockey (Production Director)

  • Tony Rinehart (Production Manager)

Board of Directors

  • Sarah Rathbone (President)

  • Brynn Foree (Treasurer)

  • Leigh Bezezekoff (Vice President)

  • Christine Guiterrez (Secretary)

  • Morgan Clinton

  • Chris Porter

  • K Van Petten

  • Jim Bennett

  • Alaia D’Alessandro

  • Bob Watanabe

  • Alejandro Chouza