End of the Day: Austin Psych Fest 2024 Day One Recap

This year, Austin Psych Fest welcomed thousands of fans to the Far Out Lounge. Fans saw legendary singers like Courtney Barnett and Chicano Batman as the festival celebrated their second year back in action. People from all over Texas gathered in Austin in anticipation for the weekend. The festival had a three day line up filled with dream pop, indie rock, and Latin music. 

Austin Psych Fest is back with Day 1 welcoming fans with various indie rock and latin artists for their first day of the three day long festival. The festival, held in the backyard of the Far Out Lounge, was packed. Fans gathered in the warm Austin sun to welcome artists such as Chicano Batman, Courtney Barnett, levitation room, and Lido Pimienta.

levitation room

The San Francisco quartet, levitation room, performed on the smaller stage of the festival grounds. The group created a peaceful environment as they played songs from their newest album Strange Weather. The band captivated the audience as they played songs such as “Strange Weather”, and “Immortal Love”. Their songs felt light and airy, filling the crowd with an amazing atmosphere to begin the festival with. The main guitarist of the band had an amazing energy, and put his all into his performance. Overall, the band worked well together and primed the audience for what was to come. They perfectly encapsulated what Austin Psych Fest is: a laid back festival that is meant to bring nothing but peace and good vibes.

Chicano Batman

Next, the highly anticipated Chicano Batman came on the mainstage of the festival, immediately bringing energy to the crowd. The Latin band played a variety of psychedelic alt-rock music bringing the crowd to roaring cheers. The band had just completed a stop in Houston for their most recent tour celebrating their newest album Notebook Fantasy. The band easily had one of the best sets of the night, commanding the audience immediately with their amazing stage presence. At the end of the third song, singer Eduardo Arenas pointed his mic to the audience shouting justice to Palestine, bringing awareness to the current conflict in Gaza. Fans cheered and whooped in agreement, as Arenas kept repeating it to the crowd. Throughout their set, the band melded parts of Hispanic culture with mainstream pop, making it a unique set. Fans danced in the audience, and it was obvious everyone deeply enjoyed their performance. Overall, it was a standout show, make sure to check them out while they are still on tour!

Lido Pimienta

After Chicano Batman, Lido Pimienta brought her larger than life stage presence to the smaller stage to the music festival. As soon as she walked on stage she said to the audience, “we only only have 30 minutes, so lets do it” and wasted no time with her set. She immediately jumped into her first song, and brought out cheers from the audience. Throughout her set, she blended various parts of her Indigenous, African, Colombian, and Canadian identities into her music, often bending different genres and styles in her various songs. She brought a unique style to Austin Psych Fest that no other artists would be able to compare to. She danced around the stage in a black dress covered with flowers, twirling it around, and constantly engaging with her audience. She reached into the crowd, eliciting cheers, and shouts from everyone. In the first half of her set she kept it light and airy, but later she integrated punk influences. At one point she scream-sung into the mic, showing her range. Currently, she is also touring with Chicano Batman, so be sure to check her out soon.

Courtney Barnett

Lastly, the headliner of the day, Courtney Barnett graced the Austin Psych Fest crowd. Before her set, people were whispering in the crowd about her amazing reputation as a performer. “I heard that she once played so hard, she started bleeding”, said one audience member. If anything, these whispers just brought more excitement into her set as fans roared as she appeared on stage. She came on stage ready to rock APF, and she literally brought the house down. Her amazing stage presence, coupled with her clear talent at the guitar made her set an awesome way to conclude the day. Her performance stood out from the more chill performances of the day, and had an edge that no one could compete with.

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Although this was the first day, Austin Psych Fest came in with a punch. The festival had amazing artists headlining the first night, all of them with a unique approach to their music, which made the first day of the festival unforgettable. It is clear that APF is here to stay and will continue to impress music fans throughout the weekend.