By Daniel Fernandez & Taylor Brandegee
From May 8-10, thousands of festival-goers will descend onto Austin’s Carson Creek Ranch for the 8th annual iteration of Austin Psych Fest. This year the festival is being rebranded as Levitation. With three stages, beautiful views of the Colorado river, and lots of great bands, Levitation 2015 promises to be one of the most genuine festival experiences of the summer. This year’s lineup is absolutely excellent and we could not be more… psyched. We have put together a list of the 10 bands we’re most excited to see!
The Flaming Lips “It’s Summertime”
While The Lips’ latest releases have received lukewarm reactions from critics and the public, they have a vast catalog of great entries from which to fill their headlining set on the Reverberation Stage (Main Stage). Their over the top stage antics and costumes are sure to draw huge crowds!
Tame Impala “Why Won’t They Talk To Me?”
Tame Impala seems to be on everybody’s mind these days so it only makes sense that they will be headlining the first day of Psych Fest. Having missed them at 2013’s ACL due to rain, we’re hoping the weather will give way to prime brain meltage courtesy of Kevin Parker and Co.
Ryley Walker “Summer Dress”
Ryley Walker is an American singer-songwriter from Chicago whose style is reminiscent of Crosby, Stills, & Nash as well as The Grateful Dead. The live band plays jazzy rock that makes for perfect festival music.
Tele Novella “Umbrella at the Station”
Tele Novella are a local Austin band (one of the few on the bill) that fuses elements of psychedelic rock with other genres such as jazz and baroque pop. Their melodies are extremely catchy and their stage presence is enviable.
Fever The Ghost “Calico”
Fever The Ghost are a sight to behold. Their whimsical costumes and energetic brand of psych pop has given them a reputation for putting on great shows and we can’t wait to catch them at the Levitation Tent on Saturday.
The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger “Jardin du Luxembourg”
The GOASTT is the project of Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl. Their songs are like “sound paintings” with lyrics full of whimsical characters and places. They can also rock real hard. And in case you hadn’t guessed it, Sean is the son of somewhat well-known musician John Lennon.
Mr. Elevator and the Brain Hotel “Nico”
Los Angeles band Mr. Elevator and the Brain Hotel make the kind of psychedelic music that gave the genre its name. The organ being a central element to their music, their live show is sure to be amazingly mind-bending.
Melody’s Echo Chamber “I Follow You”
Melody Prochet’s music has many similarities to Tame Impala. The reason being that Kevin Parker, her ex-boyfriend produced her album. However, the songs have their own identity and their live sound is mesmerizing. Let’s just hope there is no backstage drama.
13th Floor Elevators “The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators – Full Album”
No, your eyes do not deceive you. Psychedelic rock pioneers 13th Floor Elevators are reuniting for their 50th anniversary to play Austin Psych Fest. As history goes, they were the first band to advertise their sound as psychedelic rock and their live show will likely be a masterclass in the genre.
Fuzz “Sleigh Ride”
The name says it all. One of Ty Segall’s projects, Fuzz is one of the hardest rocking bands on the bill (next to Austin’s own The Sword) and from having watched countless videos their live show is absolutely incredible.