End your Reverb with Wild Orchid Children ::: photo by Abbey Simmons

Just when you though festival season was over … it’s time to gear up for the fall festival season! The newly extended festival season kick’s off with this weekend’s Reverb Fest hosted by the Seattle Weekly. Always one of our favorite days of the year, Reverb Fest celebrates local music by taking over Ballard Avenue (and beyond) and throwing one hell of a party. For just $10 you get access to 60+ local bands, an unbeatable price among local festivals. Plus, we happen to think this is Reverb’s strongest line-up to date. By focusing on up and coming talent, ignoring the mainstage mentality, Reverb has crafted a local line-up which I find more exciting than those of Bumbershoot and Capitol Hill Block Party.

While you’ll probably see something solid whatever you choose, we wanted to share our recommendations and schedule for the Fest. For most times we’ve given you two or three options that you can’t go wrong with.

3:00 - Arrive in Ballard, buy your wristband and plan the easiest shortcuts between venues. Trust us, when you’re darting across Leary Way to get to the Two Bit (which you should be doing multiple times if you love the rock), you’ll appreciate knowing the safest crossing points.

4:00 - Thee Sgt. Major III (Conor Byrne) or Ivan & Alyosha (The Tractor Tavern)

4:30 - Kinski (The Sunset)

5:00 - Kimo Muraki (The Tractor Tavern)

6:00 - Hobosexual (The 2 Bit Saloon)

6:30 - The Absolute Monarchs (The Sunset) or M. Bison (Salmon Bay Eagles 21+)

7:00 - Yuni in Taxco (The Tractor Tavern)

7:30 - My Goodness (The 2 Bit Saloon) or Watch it Sparkle (Salmon Bay Eagles 21+)

8:00 - What What Now (Salmon Bay Eagles) or Massy Ferguson (The Tractor Tavern)

9:00 - Vultures 2012 (The 2 Bit Saloon)

10:00 - Dog Shredder (The 2 Bit Saloon) or The Young Evils (The Tractor Tavern) or Shelby Earl (Hattie’s Hat)

10:30 - Whalebones (The Sunset)

11:00 - Ravenna Woods (The Tractor Tavern) or Kristen Ward (Conor Byrne)

12:00 - Wild Orchid Children (The Tractor Tavern)

You can take a peek at the full schedule for yourself. And you can buy your wristbands HERE.

See you in Ballard!