This New Yorker sidestepped the (perhaps) overblown SXSW music and media conference this year and instead chose to visit good ol’ freaky Austin, Texas this weekend for the 5th annual Austin Psych Fest.
My head would just spin (in the wrong way) with the number of bands playing at SXSW. Whereas Austin Psych Fest has filtered through a lot of the absolute best acts out there now making mind-expanding, reverb-drenched psychedelic jams.
This lineup is absolutely sick and includes heavy hitters like the Black Angels, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Black Lips, Wooden Shjips, The Entrance Band, and Olivia Tremor Control. And APF also showcases some of my very recent favorites like Quilt, The Paperhead, Amen Dunes, Night Beats, Psychic Ills, Strangers Family Band, MMOSS, Orange Revival, Peaking Lights, Sun Araw, Spindrift, Bombino, Allah Las…and I could go on and on.
Weekend and day passes are still available at Austin Psych Fest‘s website if you’re looking to be turned on in a big way this weekend.
And did I mention that on the last night, cult psychsters, The Golden Dawn will perform their classic Power Plant album in its entirety?!
About: Produced and curated by The Reverberation Appreciation Society (Christian Bland, Alex Mass, Oswald James and Rob Fitzpatrick) and co-presented with The Black Angels, Austin Psych Fest (April 27-29) showcases mind-expanding music of both vintage and modern pedigree. This year marks the fifth anniversary for Austin Psych Fest, and its first year at Emo’s East and Beauty Ballroom.
