A look back at the city's only all-local music festival.
October 10, 2007
Laura Musselman
The Pleasureboaters at REVERBfest, Saturday, Oct. 5, in Ballard.
Extra Info
REVERBfest, the Seattle Weekly-organized music festival in Ballard, when down Oct. 5.
A Mini SXSW
Beer! Bands! Ballard! It was a little chilly Saturday night, sure, but that didn't keep the crowds away. The Sunset was packed, the Tractor was packed, Miro Tea was packed, and, according to Aja, folks were standing on the tables at the Lock & Keel. It was that packed.
First off, every act I saw was fantastic. Even Mike Dumovich's minor meltdown at Miro was awesome in its own right. Fleet Foxes were sublime as always, Triumph of Lethargy's raucous banging was the perfect evening kickoff, and Grynch and D. Black coming together for a song at the Sunset...amazing.
As I told REVERBfest booker Kwab Copeland and Sunset owner Max Genereaux later in the night, the energy in Ballard was like a mini SXSW. Disparate sounds and drunks bleeding out of the venues and into the streets. Everyone having a great time and smiling: hipsters slouched in clusters on the sidewalks between shows, some party boys having a bit too much fun, stumbling, yelling. In short, exactly what a festival should be.
So, a big thank-you to all the bands for performing so awesomely. But more importantly, thanks to all you wonderful local-music fans for coming out. It wouldn't have been a success without you! —Brian J Barr
Big, Local Lovefest Saturday's REVERBfest was so worthy of superlatives, I'm almost at a loss for words. I wouldn't be lying if I said I heard a couple of folks on more than one occasion say that the local music showcase was better even than a few other festivals this town offers up, which shall not be named. The venues were filled to capacity, the bands were in top form, and between the fans and the bands, it all boiled down to one big, local lovefest (and a huge display of talent). — Aja Pecknold
Everything, All at Once Up until the very day of REVERBfest, I had doubts that an outdoor music festival in fall was a good idea, partially because of Seattle's fickle fall weather. Boy, was I wrong. Some people, including a fellow from Vancouver, felt as though the whole thing was a sham because they didn't recognize many or any of the names. "I know a lot of bands from Seattle, and I don't see any of them here," he said, as though he knew more about Seattle than Seattleites themselves.
Sure, you're not going to get every big name out of Seattle to play for a local music festival. But that's part of what makes REVERBfest so special to begin with. You don't really know who you're going to see next, what talent will blow you away, or just what exactly you're getting yourself into. I still consider myself a newbie to the scene. I haven't seen every band in the city—not even close. REVERBfest gave me a chance to take in bands I've either missed out on or never had the chance to see before. — Travis Ritter
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