Live music review: Kim Gordon Nailed It at Austin Psych Fest at Far Out Lounge
On Saturday, April 26, a spry Kim Gordon (age 71) stepped on stage at South Austin’s Far Out Lounge and Stage in boy-shorts bikini bottoms and a white, long-sleeved t-shirt by brand Old Baby with “Gulf Of Mexico” in red, bold font on the front, and the still quiet crowd erupted. We would be negligent not to proclaim Kim Gordon nailed it at Austin Psych Fest 2025 presented by Levitation and Resound Presents.
The former musically-multifaceted (bass, vocals, guitar) Sonic Youth standout strutted across the stage then stepped to the mic, and belted out, “it’s about bloody time!” And without pause, she opened her set with “BYE BYE,” off her stellar album The Collective (2024) Austin Psych Fest set.
Those in the audience familiar with her recent solo releases were ecstatic to witness the poetic, spoken-word delivery of her most recent work, while those unfamiliar with it, or who only knew of her work with Sonic Youth, seemed emphatically impressed with Gordon’s recent artistic approach to her solo work. If you’re already familiar with Ms. Gordon then you know visual and auditory art have been at the center of her work for as long as anyone can remember.
The eerily-electronic “Don’t Miss My Mind” preceded the faster-tempoed “I’m a Man,” a number emphasizing one’s reluctance to come to terms with their own toxicity.
The tone was heavy and steady. Gordon was all over the stage, occasionally engaging in quick banter with the audience. Warpaint drummer, Stella Mozgawa, rocked the drums with the band, and impressed from the start. Sarah Register carried the rhythm on guitar, and Camilla Charlesworth’s dominant bass mesmerized showgoers. As fans would expect, Kim Gordon’s band is exceptionally talented.
Gordon introduced a new number, “Cigarette,” to the densely-packed audience. The song was hypnotically slow-tempoed, with instrumentation that will linger on the brain long after a listen.
The set ended with “Hungry Baby,” the energetic banger of a track from No Home Record. It was the most uptempo number of the set, and was a perfect crescendo of Gordon’s performance..
The intimate outdoor setting at Far Out Lounge feels more like a friendly neighbor’s big backyard. The venue is similar in size to Stubb’s BBQ (slightly larger capacity) but makes for a much more enjoyable concert experience. Far Out provided the perfect backdrop for Kim Gordon and her band.
Gordon delivered a masterclass in musical exploration and expression, having recently been nominated for a Grammy for her sophomore record The Collective. The legendary musician brought a set that confronted current controversy in hypnotic fashion, fortifying her position in alternative music as a groundbreaking musical pioneer.
Ultimately, Gordon nailed her set at Psych Fest as well as any artist has nailed any performance. I don’t like to throw around the word, “perfect,” but the context is fitting. It was a legendary performance by an absolute legend.
This was two days before her 72nd birthday. Mind blowing.
All photos by Troy Gonzales
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