Levitation Fest Day 2 showcased the wide variety of artists that the festival brings in, featuring every genre from noise rock and post punk, to electronic and indie.
Off Record caught sets from some incredible acts, including post punk legends such as The Chameleons and Gang of Four, as well as indie rock icons The Drums, and electronic up-and-comers, FCUKERS.
Witches Exist at Parish
Austin hometown noisegaze band Witches Exist was the first to hit the stage for a night of heavy hitters, joined by Trauma Ray and The Swirles. The five-piece band draws heavily from ’90s shoegaze, dream pop, and indie rock influences. They opened the night with their latest single, “Drown,” setting the tone with its heavy sound. The band also played tracks like “Garden” and “Tacomex,” with many songs building up to a crashing wall of noise that echoed through the venue. With great energy on stage, Witches Exist undoubtedly won over new fans. – Bryan Gudiel
Trauma Ray at Parish
Fort Worth nu-gaze rockers Trauma Ray performed a sensational set, fresh off their album Chameleon, released by Dais Records. Known for their heavy guitar tones and powerful wall of sound, the band captivated fans with their intense sonic presence. Lead singer Uriel Avila’s haunting vocals bring a darker edge to the shoegaze genre. Trauma Ray played many songs from their new album, including the heavy, fast-paced track “Bardo,” the hard-hitting “Bishop,” and fan favorites like “Halley,” “Ash,” and “Relay. “The band’s set featured surreal visuals, with green as the dominant theme to complement the Chameleon album. Trauma Ray energized the crowd, encouraging fans to jump and mosh together. They’re quickly becoming frontrunners in the new shoegaze revival, making them a must-see act when they come to your city. – Bryan Gudiel
Swirlies at Parish
Pioneers in American shoegaze, Swirlies closed the night with a must-see set full of tracks from their critically acclaimed album They Spent Their Wild Youthful Days in the Glittering World of the Salons and selections from Blonder Tongue Audio Baton. The visuals were a highlight, providing fans with a thrilling experience. The band opened with the electrifying song “Bell” and played heavy hitters like “Jeremy Parker” and “Sounds of Sebring” throughout the night. Fans expressed excitement about seeing such a legendary act and recognized how Swirlies have paved the way for many current bands. Swirlies are legends in the shoegaze community, and having them headline the night was a highlight for Levitation Fest goers. – Bryan Gudiel
The March Violet at Elysium
The March Violets were a catalyst for the British goth rock and post-punk movement in the ’80s. The band’s dark, intense presence was a perfect fit for a night of Halloween festivities. Dressed in goth attire, the band had fans roaring and singing along to their songs all night. They closed the night with their biggest track, ‘Snake Dance,’ and had the crowd in the palm of their hands. – Bryan Gudiel
The Chameleons at Elysium
Post-punk legends The Chameleons tore the club down as soon as they opened with their first track, ‘Mad Jack,’ setting the tone for the rest of the night. Fans immediately jumped, danced, and headbanged all night. They sang the lyrics back to the band as hits were played. Lead singer Mark Burgess captivated the crowd with his stage presence, making eye contact with fans and throwing up gestures to elicit reactions. The Chameleons ended the night with their catchy and pivotal post-punk track ‘Don’t Fall,’ leaving fans screaming for more. The Chameleons are a must-see act and truly amazing live. – Bryan Gudiel
Fat Dog at Far Out Lounge
Friday evening at Far Out Lounge was not a sight to miss when Fat Dog took the stage. Fat Dog is a noise/punk rock band hailing from South London, England. They made their US debut in Austin earlier this year, performing at SXSW. The group took the stage just as the sun began to dip into the sky, and they met the crowd with an infectious energy. From the moment their set began there wasn’t a dull moment. Frontman Joe Love had no fear of engaging with the excited audience, as he joined them over the barricade to sing and dance as one. The band played an assortment of high energy songs from “Running” to “King of the Slugs” that kept everyone moshing and cheering for their whole set. – Lauren Stephens
Gang of Four at Far Out Lounge
Next up, Gang of Four took over the main stage at Far Out. These post-punk legends emerged from Leeds in 1976 and have had a remarkable impact on the scene. Despite being a band for almost 50 years, the group had the vigor of newcomers. The group came on in a flash of red lights, smoke, and frontman Jon King welcoming the crowd with open arms. The set was one that kept everyone on their toes, as the band danced around, and at one point even destroyed a microwave on stage. In addition to their entertaining abilities, Gang of Four was also unafraid to use their platform for good. Throughout their performance, the background flashed with the LGBTQ+, Black Lives Matter, and other monumental flags. The combination of their powerful statements and mesmerizing stage presence left a lasting impact on all of those in attendance. – Lauren Stephens
The Drums at Mohawk
Friday night’s festivities continued downtown with The Drums performing to a full house at Mohawk’s outdoor stage. The Drums is the indie pop project of Jonathan Pierce, hailing from New York City. There was certainly no shortage of excitement for the indie icon, as Mohawk’s floor and multiple balconies overflowed with enthusiastic attendees. The setlist was filled with a mix of older iconic works such as “Money” and “Days,” as well as tunes from the 2024 album, Jonny. Pierce’s performance encapsulated the indie sleaze revival and gave everyone their perfect blend of nostalgia and newness. – Lauren Stephens
Fcukers at Empire Control Room
What’s Levitation without some electronic music? Thankfully, we didn’t have to find out. Fcukers is an American electronic band based in New York City. Although their debut singles only came out a little over a year ago, the group has already made tremendous waves, and their Levitation performance was certainly a reflection of that. The trio had undeniable stage chemistry, as they fed off each other’s energy throughout their entire set. The entirety of the Control Room was packed with people dancing in the multi-colored lights. – Lauren Stephens
Girl Ultra at Empire Control Room
Friday night came to a close with a set from Mexican R&B artist Girl Utra. Merging Latin and indie influences, Mariana de Miguel brought something truly unique to Empire’s stage. She played some of her top songs such as “DameLove” and “Bombay,” as well as popular covers “Morena Mia” and “Fuera de Lugar.” Her and her band played effortlessly together, putting on a stellar show to conclude the night. – Lauren Stephens
I am a Houston-based photographer who has been attending concerts since MP3 players were a thing. I graduated from the University of Houston in 2021 with a bachelor's degree in advertising. In my free time, you can find me headbanging at hardcore/rock shows, collecting movies, and training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu!
I am a photographer and live music lover based in Austin and raised in Houston. I recently graduated from The University of Texas at Austin, where I studied Marketing and co-led the photo team at Afterglow ATX. I feel most at home where people are moshing, thrifting, or sipping coffee. My favorite artists include The Maine, Pierce The Veil, 5SOS (+ Luke's solo work), Waterparks, MCR, Taylor Swift, and Harry Styles.
