Live music review: Viagra Boys sold-out night one of Levitation’s Halloween Freakend

Viagra Boys performed at South Austin’s Far Out Lounge in front of a sold out audience, in what might have been the most crowded the venue has ever been. 3500 fans showed up for the opening night of the two-day Halloween Freakend mini fest, put on by Levitation and Resound Presents on Friday and Saturday. The Black Lips, Bitchin’ Bajas, J’Cuzzi, and Stereolab all turned in fantastic sets on night one. The headliner, however, was Swedish post-punk rockers, Viagra Boys.  After previous plans to perform in Austin were cancelled, the jubilant crown was beyond excited to finally catch the vaunted post punks.

The Halloween spirit was very much alive at the Freakend. Body painted red with prosthetic pointy ears, frontman Sebastian Murphy was in  ghoulish form, as he absolutely owned the stage. Bassist Henrik Höckert sported a red teletubbies outfit, while guitarist Benjamin Vallé rocked a full-on cowboy costume. Keeping with the western theme, keyboardist, Atonet, was in Dallas Cowboys cheerleader’s garb. Drummer, Tor Sjödén, donned viking attire. Oskar Carls—the celebrated birthday boy of the evening—played saxophone with short shorts, fishnet leggings, a black shirt, and a crown. 

The band opened with the first number from their most recent LP, VIAGR ABOYS, “Man Made of Meat.” It was immediately evident that the band touches on serious, current, socially-relevant issues, in a lighthearted manner. They incorporate humor, in the best possible way, by not taking themselves too seriously.

The Swedish five continued to amaze the audience with a flurry of high-energy hits, intertwined with Murphy’s humorous banter.  The frenzy-inducing performance continued with a combination of older and newer songs,  “Slow Learner,” “Waterboy” and ”Punk Rock Loser.”

Murphy continued interacting between songs through the end of the set, incorporating an in-character Halloween song based on his costume, about a red, alcoholic goblin.This led into performances of “Sports” and a mind-blowing, extended jam-out crescendo of “Research Chemicals.” Then there was the encore.

When the band rushed back on stage, and the opening guitar riffs of fan-favorite track, “Bog Body,‘ echoed through the venue, patrons erupted, singing along to the tune.  The band finished the performance with a cover of Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes song, “Up Where We Belong.”

There is no ceiling at the outdoor, Far Out Lounge and Stage, but had there been, Viagra Boys would have blown the roof right off.  The set was so impressive that show-goers were dazed afterwards, muttering to themselves in a trance-like state about what an amazing performance it was. The band cemented themselves as, not only a great band, but one of the greatest live rock acts of our time. The show was that good.

The Halloween Freakend musical showcase was a hit – an enjoyable, accessible good time with extraordinary live music performances and good people. The Far Out Lounge was the ideal host venue with its spacious yard, food trucks and nearby restaurants. Levitation can add another successful event to the books.

All photos by Troy Gonzales 

Setlist:
Man Made of Meat
Slow Learner
Waterboy
Punk Rock Loser
Uno II
Ain’t No Thief
Pyramid of Health
Troglodyte
Cold Play
You N33d Me
Medicine for Horses
Sports
Research Chemicals (extended jam)

Encore:
The Bog Body
Worms
Up Where We Belong (Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes song)

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