Maceo Sky performs this Saturday as a part of Sound Off! 2022. We like Maceos mask.
Maceo Sky performs this Saturday as a part of Sound Off! 2022. We like Maceo’s mask. MoPOP

Here’s something to boost your mood: Seattle’s best showcase of underage bands is back.

A lot of the time, Seattle can be a bummer for musicians under 21. There are just a few good venues where kids/teens/young adults/early-twentysomethings can regularly perform, and our era of grungy rent prices died in the last century. But other times, Seattle can be a dream for underage musicians. We’ve got places like the Vera Project, of course, and then there’s that one incredibly kick-ass event for young musicians in the Seattle area that usually happens in the spring, Sound Off!, which is happening again this year, STARTING THIS WEEKEND.

Produced by MoPOP, this annual band showcase features some of the region’s best 21-and-younger performers (mostly, some performers are just over drinking age), giving them a broad platform and tons of support and attention. This year’s edition hosts three separate all-ages in-person performances, a welcome change after COVID annihilated live music. The first show starts this weekend, with artists Instant Crush, Lexi Lalauni, Maceo Sky, and REFUGIO. Let’s give them a listen.

INSTANT CRUSH
Tacoma


LEXI LALAUNI
Puyallup


MACEO SKY
Seattle


REFUGIO
Vancouver, WA


Sound Off 2022 kicks off this Saturday. Find more about all three showcases here.

See more top picks from The Stranger here.

Chase Burns is The Stranger's former editor. He's covered everything from gay luchadores to chemical weapons to Isabella Rossellini's favorite pets.