It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year: Austin Psych Fest

May 18, 2014

The weekend of Austin Psych Fest is literally my favorite weekend of the year since pretty much all of my favorite bands gather in one place for three days and four nights. Held at Carson Creek Ranch in Austin, the festival has three stages that play music from nine to twelve hours each day, plus there is a Thursday night pre-party held in downtown at the Mohawk where I saw, among others, two incredible sets by Holy Wave and the always-fantastic Night Beats.

Highlights of this year’s festival include The Black Angels (always, because they’re my favorite and just out-of-this-world), Dead Meadow, Boogarins, Graveyard, Earthless, The Temples, Bombino, Christian Bland and The Revelators, Kadavar, Think No Think, Bo Ningen, Kikagaku Moyo, and well, pretty much every other band I saw.

The Temples, Austin Psych Fest, Austin, Texas

Sun setting on the Reverberation Stage before The Black Lips set, Austin Psych Fest, Austin, Texas

The clouds parting for Swedish band Graveyard, Austin Psych Fest, Austin, Texas

Taureg psych blues gods Bombino, Austin Psych Fest, Austin, Texas

Dead Meadow playing another amazing set in the Elevation Amphitheater, Austin Psych Fest, Austin, Texas

As close as possible to Christian Bland and The Revelators, Austin Psych Fest, Austin, Texas

Earthless blowing my mind in the Levitation Tent, Austin Psych Fest, Austin, Texas

The Zombies (yes, the original!), Austin Psych Fest, Austin, Texas

I have a special place in my heart for The Black Angels however as I mentioned and they did not disappoint. In fact, not only did they perform an AMAZING set but their light show, done by Bob Mustachio (also the drummer for Christian Bland and The Revelators) was by far the best one I’ve seen. It was really, really awesome. So awesome that you’re going to see way more photos of it below than I know you care about. But like I said, the music was totally incredible as well, AND they opened with Snake in the Grass, which is probably my second favorite song of theirs and one that I’ve never heard them play live in the eight times I’ve seen them.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

The Black Angels, Austin Psych Fest, Austin, Texas

Other than the music, the festival also offers interesting art, good food, camping, hammocks by the river, swings in the shade, and other ways to let you relax while your ear drums recover. The ranch where it’s held is located right on the Colorado River too, which serves as a scenic backdrop to the Elevation Amphitheater and a nice shaded place to catch some rest.