by Isaac Torres
Austin Psych Fest returns to The Far Out Lounge from May 8 to May 10 with over 25 diverse bands ranging from the soulful revival of Thee Sacred Souls to the avant-garde phantasm of The Flaming Lips. Here is my guide to Austin Psych Fest’s 2026 lineup, whether you’re a local or just visiting.
FRIDAY, MAY 8TH
Check out my Day 1 YouTube playlist.
The festival kicks off loud with two local Austin bands, J’cuuzi and Almost Heaven. Both bands are known for their noisy, high-energy electronic sets and phenomenal stage presence.
For fans of slower, reverb-heavy guitar rock, check out Glare and DIIV. Their sounds range from cacophonous, metal-influenced nuGaze to more somber, alt-rock dirges. On the other end of the effect-pedal guitar rock spectrum, there is Holy Wave and Boogarins. Both of these psychedelic indie bands deliver breezy, shoulder-moving melodies in a mellow counterbalance to Glare’s and DIIV’s harsher guitar riffs.
Between the alt-rock attitude and indie dizziness, Momma and Starcleaner Reunion are two dreamy rock bands showcasing ethereal production with a gritty aftertaste–perfect stage-setters for Friday’s headliner, the operatic, art-rock legends The Flaming Lips.
SATURDAY, MAY 9TH
Check out my Day 2 YouTube playlist.
Day Two is packed with local artists showcasing Austin’s thriving psychedelic music scene. The day begins with three bands that embody the legacy of psych-rock. Commercial Breaks and The Dead Canyon Family Reunion make music that recreates the feeling of listening to old, slightly warped surf rock and power pop tapes. Strange Lot has a similar sound but with a jolt of clever distortion and haunting reverb. These promise to be fantastic new acts for all the psych-rock veterans out there.
Two provocative psych-punk groups follow: Grocery Bag, a heavy-hitting garage band with a punk rock attitude and a psychedelic edge; and Annabelle Chairlegs, a more abstract group blending art-rock and 1960s girl-group sounds.
These bands will clean the palette for the next acts, modern legends, Ty Segall, and Austin’s own The Black Angels, who both draw influence from some of the genre’s greatest guitarists and define the sound of psych-rock in the 21st century.
Beyond American psych-rock, these last three bands are contributing a whole new world of sounds. Al-Qasar is a collective of musicians that blends trance-like Arabian grooves and frenetic psych-rock riffs. New Candys and Melody’s Echo Chamber combine Italian darkwave and French synthpop with dreamy soundscapes, redefining psych-rock into new personas.
SUNDAY, MAY 10TH
Check out my Day 3 YouTube playlist.
Local legend Adrian Quesada opens on the last day of Austin Psych Fest, known for his contributions to Latin funk and psych-soul bands across town. He will be followed by Money Chicha and Como Las Movies. Expect a can’t-miss run of sets of spacey guitar melodies, retro synthesizers, and danceable Latin rhythms.
If you’re more into indie rock, you’ll like the fresh approach to traditional rock and roll of the following bands. Night Beats–a soulful rock band with a modern blues sound and seasoned vocals. Dumbo Gets Mad shares some roots in that bluesy style of rock, but adds a brighter electric pop varnish to create their own unique sound.
And for all the old souls out there, LA LOM, Trish Toledo, and Thee Sacred Souls will be a beautiful festival closeout. LA LOM masterfully fuses classic Latin beats and psychedelic style, paying homage to all the fantastic cumbia artists before them. Trish Toledo and Thee Sacred Souls share a love for the vinyl records they grew up with and pay tribute to vintage soul and R&B with passionate vocals and mellow grooves.