Seattle-based WritrWhoRaps assisted Goggiel in organizing the event and will perform on Saturday
By Lazo Gitchos
The multi-genre concert Guaranteed Fresh Fest will bring hip-hop, rock, reggae and more to a free, all-day event at the Doran Ranch near Twisp on Saturday (Aug. 19), starting at noon.
Concert organizer Silas Goggiel, who lives in Twisp and performs under the name Essential I, says the event came together organically, with the help of Seattle-based friend and fellow hip-hop artist WritrWhoRaps.
The two artists performed at the Twisp River Tap House in July, debuting the Guaranteed Fresh heading. It was Essential I’s first show after a seven-year hiatus, and its success encouraged the two to organize the larger one-day festival-style event.
Thanks to sponsors K-ROOT, Mountain Meats and House of Cannabis, admission to the concert will be free, but the organizers encourage an optional pay-what-you-can ticket price for those who are able to contribute to the artists. With other local shows, Goggiel said, “Cost is a deterrent for a lot of local people. We want to provide good music, good vibes, and allow people to decide if they want to pay or not.”
The venue will offer two camping options, one quiet and one less quiet, also by donation. Gates will open at noon on Saturday. Parking is available on site, and shuttle service is available from Methow Motion shuttle. Food from vendors including Mountain Meats and a Jamaican food booth will be available onsite.
The eclectic lineup includes the organizers themselves, Essential I and WritrWhoRaps, as well as local hip hop artist Wes Will, rock/soul/funk group Make Up Sax, DJ Mike Jones, Jamaican Reggae and Dancehall artists Warren G, Gold Teeth and Original Danger, EDM DJ BonGawd, and headlining local rock/metal band Battle Alpaca, who will be playing their Methow Valley debut.
Goggiel hopes the concert will bring people together — a new audience for the performers, and new music styles to Twisp. “We want to give a platform for types of music that don’t get as much exposure out here, that will appeal to a different demographic,” he said.
More information is available at guaranteedfreshfest.com.
