Billy Gibbons performs with Moving Sidewalks at Austin Psych Fest 2013. Photo by Bryan Parker.
This baby goes to 11. I think we’ve made that joke before, but with a festival as high-energy as Austin Psych Fest is sure to be, the reference seems apt. Austin Psych Fest is this weekend, and we cannot wait. While other festivals are content to book the same circuit of bands and appeal to a broad (read: vanilla) audience, APF reaches into the depths of musical subcultures to bring an annual lineup of genre-blending, mind-expanding musicians. For sure, we’re excited about the festivals huge names, particularly The Zombies, arguably the fathers of all things psych rock. However, here’s a list of some of the artists you may or may not know that we consider not-to-be-missed. You can get your tickets for Austin Psych Fest here!
1. Shannon and the Clams
This garage pop trio signed to Hardly Art Records will bring the gritty rock and for all you psychedelic weirdos – this will be a set where it’s more than okay to let your freak flag fly. We saw the band last year and can attest to their outstanding live performance. Don’t miss this one.
2. WOODS
We reviewed WOODS’ new album With Light and With Love today. It’s great, and bassist Kevin Morby has got to be as practiced as anyone else at being onstage. If the guy isn’t cutting a record for WOODS or The Babies or on his own, he’s probably in a bar in your town. Solid new work from a great songwriter. This will be a great set.
3. Mirror Travel
Austin’s own Mirror Travel has made waves not only in town but also across the country since the release of their debut full-length Mexico on Modern Outsider last year. It’s an incredible noise rock album. The only thing better than hearing it recorded is seeing this trio deliver all that sonic texture live. See this band.
4. Bo Ningen
Not that we need to make a case for piercing, relentless Japanese acid punk, but I think we just did. Seriously, this four-piece will rock as hard as anyone all weekend long.
5. Medicine
Quintessential noise-rock band Medicine hasn’t made music together in more than a decade, but after Captured Tracks was able to secure the right to reissue their back catalogue, the group has reunited to release a new album and launch a tour. Many have been waiting for this for a long time. We’re more recent converts, but we’ll be there to witness it all the same. So should you.
6. of Montreal
If you’ve seen an of Montreal show, I really don’t need to say anything. If you haven’t here are a few words: insane luminous costumes, inflatable creatures, skeletons, confetti, projections, lights, dancing and more dancing. Frontman Kevin Barnes is one of the most captivating live performers in music. A must-see for the weekend.
7. Unknown Mortal Orchestra
One of the treats to seeing UMO live is that their live sets turn their songs into much more blistering psychedelic jams than on their album. If you’re looking for some epic guitar playing and hazy, late 60s-derived psych rock, here’s your band. This one we’re definitely personally looking forward to.
8. The War on Drugs
When The War on Drugs released “Red Eyes,” the first single ahead of their most recent album Lost in the Dream, we knew we were in for great things ahead. The War on Drugs will be loud and hazy and amazing.
9. Yamantaka // Sonic Titan
I don’t want to go into too much detail here, but I can say that having seeing Yamantaka // Sonic Titan before, their set is one of the most theatrical and artful performances in music. Don’t’ miss it.
10. Octopus Project
Octopus Project always puts on an amazing show ripe for a dance party. Recently, their show has become even more engaging with improved panels of screens for projections. The group is sure to be aurally and visually stimulating. It’ll be an undoubted highlight of the weekend.
11. Quilt
Since we missed Quilt’s recent show in Austin, we’re psyched (sorry, we avoided it for the whole post so far) about catching them this weekend. The group perfectly embodies the sound of the classic psych pop of the 60s. The weekend will consist of many brands and styles of psych music, but Quilt may recall the genre in its earliest form.
