Live music review: Austin Psych Fest successfully navigates storm opening night
On Friday, April 28, doors opened at 2 p.m. for the 2023 Austin Psych Fest at The Far Out Lounge and Stage on South Congress, put on by LEVITATION Festival organizers to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the beloved mid-tier music festival.
Not long after the 4pm start time, ticketholders received an alert:
Attention: Due to weather conditions in the area we unfortunately need to pause the music on stage and pause entry at the box office. Please go to your vehicles or seek shelter in buildings nearby. We expect this weather to pass within the hour, follow the Levitation social media for re-entry news. – Levitation Team
By 7 p.m., show-goers were lined up around the venue and down Ralph Ablanedo Drive as doors reopened and kickoff night of the APF 2023 continued.
Far Out Lounge is set up with one central grazing area, equipped with food trucks, bars and merch vendors, and two stages, deemed Janis (small stage) and Willie (super stage) for the festival, platforming artist showcases.
With a slight delay, Nigerian rock band Mdou Moctar reopened the evening merriments with an electrifying modern rock clinic. The band was moved to the Janis stage adorned with plants from Tillery Street Plant Company, the local plant purveyor who works with events companies, Play to the Plants and this publication, The Cosmic Clash.
Crumb set off their performance on the regularly scheduled Willie Stage a little after 7:30 with a lush, mellow set, and established good feels for the rest of the evening as the sun set on Far Out Lounge.
One couple, set on seeing Crumb, was stuck in line outside as the band began to play. They were devastated and discouraged to the extent that they were about to call it a night and leave. One member of the door staff team witnessed the couple’s frustration and got them through the line to ensure they saw the band they came to see. This is the type of music loving worker that LEVITATION employs. Yes, these people came to get paid, but they also love music like their employers do.
Due to the high winds, venue staff took down the backdrop and side screens during Crumb’s performance, and they did so without interfering with the band’s set like the true professionals they are. Big props to the Austin Psych Fest (LEVITATION and Resound Presents, Nomad and Far Out) staff.
Limiting banter with the audience due to the night’s continued time delay, Toro y Moi went on next, fitting in as many mesmerizing dance numbers as possible as the Bay Area-based electric, psych-pop act moved the crowd with funky dance numbers and electronic soul. The group may have been the most musically adept group to hit the main stage on Friday.
Following that impressive set, Automatic wowed concertgoers at the Janis Stage with lights and sounds that had fans packed in front of the now blazing yellow stage lit up with psychedelics lights from Mad Alchemy. It was a glorious performance enjoyed by all.
Yves Tumor put on a dazzling theatrical performance of visual artistry, and dance-inducing funk opera with over-the-top costumes and glam rock as far as the eye could see.
Far Out Lounge has grown significantly over the years, and if there were any questions as to whether the venue could manage the concentrated massive volume of APF patrons, said questions were met with an emphatic “Hell yes!”
As earlier mentioned, the staff displayed adeptness in fluidity and public safety responsibility throughout the opening evening of the festival, tending to the needs and safety of music fans and artists alike, and they did so with a smile.
Again – big props to the Austin Psych Fest staff who handled themselves like true professionals.
LEVITATION is putting on premiere festivals and showcases annually. Teaming up with Far Out Lounge has proven to be a partnership that significantly benefits Austin’s music scene. We’re looking forward to seeing what else the upstart venue has in store for fans and performers alike.
After a stellar opening night, ticketholders took comfort in the predicted clear skies and sunshine for the remainder of the promising festival weekend.
All photos by Michael Maly
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