The Free For All fest, featuring Akron/Family and more

by Olivia Forman

Funny Ha Ha’s Chris Martins will join the judges panel for the Free For All music festival, casting his vote for which band will open the August 15 event at the Echoplex in Echo Park.

The festival is the brainchild of Jody Orsborn–creator of When You Awake, L.A.’s leading indie roots music blog–accompanied by fellow promoters Bobby Kittleman and our friend Phil Eastman, a member of folk crew Hi Ho Silver Oh, who will be taking the stage for the show. The creators of Free For All are aiming for “a pay-what-you-want, ticketless music & arts experience… [to] help bridge the gap between fans and bands with as little money being lost between the two as possible.”

Also on the esteemed panel of judges:

• Jason Bentley, KCRW Music Director
• Justin Gage, founder of Aquarium Drunkard and Autumyn Tone
• Chris Ziegler, editor-in-Chief and co-founder of LA Record
• Neil Schield, owner of the always awesome Origami Vinyl
• Judy Miller Silverman, owner of PR firm Motormouthmedia

The protocol? Bands submit music to an open vote online and the five public-determined favorites are judged by the panel, with the winner opening the festival. Already confirmed are Akron/Family, Langhorne Slim, Active Child, Old Man Markley, Frank Fairfield, Bad Weather California, Dustbowl Revival, Hi Ho Silver Oh, and the Smart Brothers.

The results will be announced August 2. Plus, in the spirit of the festival’s name, a donation of your choice will be taken at the door instead of tickets, so be sure to be there when it all goes down.