Austin Psych Fest

Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music preview: Six bands to see at LEVITATION 2024

World-renowned psychedelic Austin musician Roky Erickson once said, “At one time, I had it notarised that I was from another planet. By a lawyer.” Regardless of whether that makes sense or not, Erickson’s legacy still holds true in the city of Austin, Texas. We’re decades removed from the 60s, but folks like Austin’s The Black Angels and their proxies have kept his legacy alive by delivering endless programming of neo-psych rock utopia.  Festival founders Rob Fitzpatrick and The Black Angels’ Levitation is back this Halloween weekend for yet another multi-venue installment, and the booked talent continues to deliver a factor of “Wow.” The Cosmic Clash team will join the festivities yet again and is here to prescribe another list of bands you need to see for the end-of-October festivities. All set times can be found on the Levitation website.

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April RiggsLive MusicReview

Live music review: Mikaela Davis was angelic at Austin Psych Fest at Far Out Lounge

My first time seeing Mikaela Davis was on the BMI stage at the Austin City Limits Festival in 2015, and I expected her sound to be folkie, singer-songwriter music that I’m not typically into. When she took the stage with her harp, I heard an angelic, neo-psychedelic country sound that pleased my ears and I have followed her career via social media since. 

Fast forward nine years to Day Three at Austin Psych Fest (2024), when festival-goers almost lost a mellow day of music due to the weather. The rain moved on and Van Mary eased us into a swampy day at the Janice Stage with a super-chill set. The afternoon continued to heat up as Mikaela Davis & Southern Star took to the Willie Stage for the final day of APF.

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Eclectic Austin Psych Fest returned to Far Out Lounge last weekend

The Spring installment of Austin Psych Fest returned last weekend to the Far Out Lounge & Stage for a three-day, two-stage, no-overlap experience that brought over 30 acts to Texas for an eclectic weekend of music from all across the trippy psychedelic spectrum. Event organizers, Levitation was, in part founded by local psych rock revivalists, The Black Angels, but the local organization has become much more over the years.

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Case CockrellLive MusicPreview

Live music preview: Seven more acts to see at Austin Psych Fest this weekend

The second edition of the revived Austin Psych Fest is coming up fast. With an all-star lineup from all over the psychedelic and indie rock spectrum, different acts from all over the world will make their way to South Austin at Far Out Lounge & Stage’s massive backyard for a two-stage, no-overlap, three-day rock and roll shindig. With more than 25 artists performing over the weekend of April 26-l28, there will be no shortage of music to discover while including Levitation mainstays such as festival founders, The Black Angels, West Coast psych punk berserkers Frankie & The Witch Fingers, Aussie shredders Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, and more. Here are seven more acts The Cosmic Clash team has handpicked as must-sees for the end-of-April festivities. Tickets and set times can be found via the Levitation website here. 

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Case CockrellPremiere

Video premiere: Nolan Potter’s Nightmare Band released great new single and clip Dig Me As I Am

Since restructuring his live ensemble in 2022, Potter and his trusted associates have been performing at a frantic pace, but no signs of new material with the second version of his band have appeared until the release of their new single and self-produced video “Dig Me As I Am.” The single comes as the first offering from the band’s forthcoming new record, The Perils Of Being Trapped Inside A Head, due out April 26.

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Case CockrellLive MusicPreview

Live music preview: Six acts to see at Austin Psych Fest as it gears up for 2024 with special events and late night shows

LEVITATION’s Austin Psych Fest will return to Far Out Lounge & Stage in 2024, coming with a stacked lineup April

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Brian HillsmanReview

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.

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Christina DeStefanoReview

Live music review: Korean fusion group ADG7 thrilled Austin Psych Fest fans last weekend

It’s difficult to believe traditional Korean group Ak Dan Gwang Chil (ADG7) arrived within mere hours of their performance time at Austin Psych Fest on Sunday. The festival added ADG7 as a late addition to this year’s lineup on day three as an opener on the Willie (main) stage. On early arrival, onlookers curiously scoped out the unusual instruments set on stage before wandering back to Little Mazarn who was performing on the Janis stage.

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Greg AckermanMusic News

LEVITATION announced 2021 lineup today and it is dope

LEVITATION Festival announced the psychdelic rock music event’s 2021 lineup today and it is dope. Besides the assumed performance by festival founders, The Black Angels, a ton of great acts have been invited to perform including: Thundercat, Japanese Breakfast, Fuzz, A Place to Bury Strangers, The Hives and Kikagaku Moyo among others.

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