The third annual Olympia Independent Music Festival goes down Saturday and Sunday, July 2 and 3, in Sylvester Park. Thirteen bands, two days and immeasurable amounts of good indie music are in store. The Hard Way, Romanteek, Glass Elevator, One Nation Undereducated and Hollywood Kill Krew are just a few of the bands performing at this free, all-ages event.

The Olympia Independent Music Festival is designed to be just that - independent. No frills, no gimmicks. Just a group of talented unsigned bands playing for free.

OIMF was started when local prog-rock band Glass Elevator got curious about playing shows in downtown Olympia's Sylvester Park.

"Music in the Park happens every summer," explains Jabe Jabberwock, guitarist for Glass Elevator, "but it seemed to be a lot of brass bands and stuff, so just by looking it up, we found out that anyone can reserve a spot and play a show, so we decided that this should be happening."

"The first year we were up there wondering, ‘Is this really OK?'" continues Jabberwock, "But the police that came by were cool."

This year the event is even bigger than ever (a sign of progress), and seems to be gaining momentum. Capitol City Guitars is providing sound equipment support, and a stage has been added. In the past bands have been relegated to the gazebo.

Even more important, the event is now two days long and has garnered support from local radio station KAOS. According to Jabberwock, the OIMF has caught the attention of Olympia Film Society, and there's a possibility for collaboration on future events.

Olympia Independent Music Festival

with The Hard Way, Romanteek, Glass Elevator, One Nation Undereducated, Dave Randel, Horse Bodies, Fight For Change, The Dudes, Mongo M.T., Jabi Shriki, Teardropcity, Xero Ours, Hollywood Kill Krew
Saturday, July 2-Sunday, July 3, noon to 9 p.m., free
Sylvester Park, corner of Legion and Capitol Way, Olympia