By Isaac Torres
Austin Psych Fest made its way back to The Far Out Lounge last month with another fantastically curated lineup of local to international musicians. This was my second year attending, and it was another amazing trip into the world of Austin Psych Fest–great music, interesting people, and surreal art installations by TV Eye Media. It really felt like I had entered a self-contained universe.
The Far Out Lounge is a great two-stage venue, and with no overlapping performances, I got to wander the festival grounds without ever feeling like I was missing out on anything. Spirits were high, and the crowds were full of so many different types of Psych fans chatting about which artists and songs they were excited to see.
Because of a sudden thunderstorm that crashed the party on Saturday afternoon, Austin bands Grocery Bag and The Dead Canyon Family Reunion didn’t get the chance to perform. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for any upcoming shows to make up for it.
Despite the interruption, the rest of the festival was amazing. I saw so many great bands and even found some new acts that I will happily be adding to my listening rotation. Here are my top five:
Momma
Playing early on Friday at Austin Psych Fest, Momma made a big impression on me. They make music at the edge of psych rock, leaning much more into an indie pop-punk sound, but sometimes float into dreamy moments with shoegaze influence.
Etta and Allegra, the two leads and good friends, share vocal melodies in a way that feels like an inside joke. Their voices complement one another in a way that really shines in their live performances. You can hear their dynamic in songs like “Ohio All The Time” and “Medicine”.
Boogarins
Boogarins brought their refreshing and dance-inducing style to Austin Psych Fest straight from Brazil. Lead singer Dinho Almeida’s soft yet powerful voice captivated the audience, while the rhythm section got the audience moving with classics like “6000 Dias (Ou Mantra Dos 20 Anos)” and “FOIMAL.”
The neo-psychedelic group welcomed Austin guitar legend Adrian Quesada on stage for a short jam session. The invigorating blend of tropical psych and Latin rock made for an unforgettable live performance.
Melody’s Echo Chamber
After the psych rock heavy-hitters on Saturday night, the crowds were buzzing, looking for somewhere to put all that energy. That was when the sun disappeared behind the main stage Melody’s Echo Chamber emerged.
The interstellar melodies and otherworldly presence of the French psych-pop group captivated both long-time fans and first-time listeners. Melody Prochet’s ethereal voice soared in “Quand Vas Tu Rentrer?” and “In The Stars.” Melody Echo Chamber’s set felt like a truly cosmic experience.
Al-Qasar
Getting to experience and dance to the music of Al-Qasar was the highlight of my Saturday at Austin Psych Fest. This international collective of musicians blends Arab-influenced grooves and energetic psychedelia in an absolutely hypnotic blend. Songs like “Selma” and “Ahlan Wa Sahlan” had me swaying to their trance-like melodies and thrashing to their powerful riffs. I have never experienced music quite like this before, and I can’t wait for the next time Al-Qasar performs in Austin, TX.
The Flaming Lips
I felt the crowd around me begin to vibrate as band took the stage, and I knew that this was something much larger than myself. Their music came to life, and Wayne Coyne’s majestic voice lifted me into the fantastical world of The Flaming Lips.
Their performance was gorgeous, galactic art rock in the form of a full-body sensory experience. Massive stage decorations, ridiculous costuming, and an overwhelming sense of existential optimism was the backdrop to songs like “Do You Realize??” and a heartfelt cover of Austin legend Daniel Johnston’s “True Love Will Find You In The End,” The Flaming Lips seemed to be proving to all of us that, despite all the evidence to the contrary, the world is full of love–and I am lucky to live in it!