It’s humbling and mind-blowing to think that it all started with some gigs that The Black Angels put together at The Red Barn in North Austin back in 2008. That was the very first Austin Psych Fest. Your Austin Music Minute maven was able to attend the following year at the former Radio Room space downtown on 6th St. It was invigorating to see the mutual love and support between bands and attendees, and the first time there was such a variety of artists representing many different styles falling under the “psych” umbrella.
One of the best overall fest experiences I had was in 2011 at the Seaholm Power Plant. That space was amazing. There were twice as many bands, many of whom traveled from different countries to perform.
Now in its sixth year, Austin Psych Fest has become an internationally-known event bringing in some of the biggest bands from the U.S. and abroad, as well as showcasing several local artists with multi-media art installations and exhibits, and supporting a number of local businesses with vendor booths on the festival grounds. The entire time, The Black Angels and their record label, The Reverberation Appreciation Society, have made supporting the community one of their top priorities with the fest.
Make time to check out the fest this weekend, happening at Carson Creek Ranch, located about five minutes away from downtown, literally across from Austin Bergstrom International Airport. The Austin Psych Fest website has a map with detailed instructions on how to get there.
The line-up is too huge to put in this post, but AMM has a couple of recommendations for you:
TONIGHT: Warpaint, Silver Apples (yes…THAT Silver Apples), Tamaryn, The Raveonettes (a major AMM fave, thank you very much), Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
TOMORROW: Capsula, Wall of Death, Ttotals, The Warlocks, Os Mutantes, Deerhunter
SUNDAY: St. James Society, White Fence, Indian Jewelry, The Black Angels (der duh), Goat, Clinic, and Billy Gibbons‘ reunited band The Moving Sidewalks. Dang.
Check the APF website for the days’ schedules.
