Fremont Fridays: Five Years of Community, Music, and Hustle
If you’ve been in Seattle on a summer Friday, chances are you’ve heard the music, seen the crowd, or maybe even danced your way down to Fremont Fridays. What started as a way to keep people connected after lockdown has now turned into one of the city’s most vibrant, free, all-ages events. This year, Fremont Fridays celebrated five years of community, music, and hustle.
Co-founder Marshall Hugh, also the frontman of the Marshall Law Band, shared how the event grew into a cultural movement.
From the Float to Fremont
Back when gatherings were still limited, the band rolled through the city on a parade float called the SS Jelly Bean, pushing their album and bringing music to the streets. At one point, they parked the float in Fremont—and people just kept showing up. “The first year it just happened to be on a Friday,” Marshall said. “We came back the next Friday, and people kept showing up, kind of like moths to a flame.” From there, Fremont Fridays was born.
Building Stages, Breaking Barriers
Fast forward to today, and Fremont Fridays has exploded into a multi-stage production—five stages this past year alone. The growth was fueled by overwhelming demand, with over 700 local artists applying to perform. One stage simply wasn’t enough to highlight all the talent waiting for an opportunity.
Marshall has also been intentional about making it all-ages. “I want Fremont Friday to be a place where everybody—of all ages, creeds, orientations—can come and find something that connects to them.” His vision? A Seattle version of Austin’s Sixth Street or New Orleans’ night markets, where the streets shut down and every venue is alive.
Curating the Vibe
The artist selection process is just as thoughtful. A team of 10 people listens to every single application. Step one: do they enjoy the music, and is the artist ready? Step two: curating the flow of the night. One week might lean reggae, another punk or hip-hop—the goal is to give every Friday its own flavor while keeping the energy high.
More Than a Concert
Fremont Fridays has always been about more than just music—it’s about community. A signature tradition is the “force networking” break: every Friday, the music stops for 15 minutes and people are encouraged to meet someone new or check out the vendors. “We want to actively change what people complain about in the Seattle creative scene,” Marshall explained.
Challenges have only made the event stronger. Marshall recalled one rainy night when the team pulled together to raise a tarp while the crowd kept partying in the downpour. “That was the most Seattle event I’d ever been a part of,” he said with a smile.
Accessible by Design
Fremont Fridays has always been intentional about access. Outside of food and drinks, the event is completely free. Donations are optional, and wristbands unlock perks like discounts at local businesses and free silent disco headsets. But nothing is mandatory—the priority is eliminating financial barriers that too often keep people out of the arts.
What’s Next?
Looking ahead, Marshall hinted at the possibility of adding an extra week with an Afro Beats and Afro Caribbean night. Long-term, his dream is to transform Fremont Fridays into a multi-day Fremont Fest, shutting down the street and activating every venue. “I’m just waiting for the finances to match the impact,” he said.
Five years in, Fremont Fridays has become more than a concert series. It’s a movement—one that uplifts artists, connects communities, and proves the power of showing up for one another in Seattle.
📸 : Erik Kalligraphy (@kalligraphy45)
