Austin’s 16th Annual Levitation Fest was just announced and psychedelic music enthusiasts throughout the city are getting ready to experience the festival in all of its magical, trippy glory. With multiple artists and venues scheduled to be a part of this amazing showcase, we have narrowed down our top 10 picks for artists that you need to check out this year.
For over 15 years, Levitation Fest has been Austin’s premiere festival showcasing psychedelic music from all genres including rock, metal, indie, electronica, and punk and has been instrumental in carrying the torch from the counterculture movement that made Austin what it is decades ago and expanding on that foundation. Started by The Black Angels guitarist Christian Bland, Levitation has hosted an incredible ensemble of musicians from around the country while exhibiting some of the best venues the capital of Texas has to offer. While the huge line up and vast venue options may be overwhelming, we here at ORB decided to make it a little easier on you and handpicked some of the best artists that you should check out over the four-day stacked event.
The Black Angels
Levitation Fest and Austin Psych Fest Pioneers, The Black Angels have taken the sounds from legendary psychedelic rock icons Lou Reed and Pink Floyd and created their own modern day spin on the genre. Remaining true to their roots, The Black Angels have all the hallmarks of what you would want from a classic psych rock group, haunting and echoing vocals from frontman Alex Maas, heavily distorted guitar riffs featuring plenty of reverb from guitarist Christian Bland and Jake Garcia, and a steady groove and rhythm section to hold it all together. The Angles encapsulate the full package from what you would want from a modern Austin based psych group from the sound to the perfectly curated trippy visuals.
Pentagram
The highly anticipated return to the stage of doom metal pioneers Pentagram make this year’s Levitation Fest especially intriguing. Pentagram is a heavily influential band in the hard rock and heavy metal scene having originally been formed in 1971 by frontman Bobby Leibling, of which is the only original member, Pentagram was one of the first bands in history to be described as heavy metal along with the likes of Black Sabbath, whom they are often compared to. Although Pentagram never fully got the shine or credit they deserved for their influence due to Bobby’s crippling substance abuse issues highlighted in the 2011 documentary Last Days Here, the band has still been able to survive thanks to their massive cult following and undyingly loyal fans. The heavy metal pioneers have heavy expectations to live up to. With their shaky track record of live performances, you never know what could happen, but for fans sake, hopefully they can pull it all together and give the crowd what they came for.
Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol
The sludgey, bass thumping, “doom-wop” Austin based outfit Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol will be opening for Legendary metal bands The Sword and Pentagram, which is fitting once you hear the clear influences on the band. Rickshaw and the boys are like if Primus and Black Sabbath had a baby with their insanely heavy riffs and basslines akin to Sabbath, and high pitched vocals and ridiculous lyrics likened to Primus, they are sure to put on a fantastic show for any hard rock and metal fan. Rickshaw has been a majorly important band in the local Austin scene having thrown an annual festival of their own, Big Dumb Fest featuring other up and coming Austin artists. Rickshaw has been cultivating a fantastic fan base around them by uplifting their community and putting out quality, good old fashioned rock n roll. Rickshaw has been putting in the work, delivering results, and has proven why this is definitely not a set to miss.
Die Spitz
The all female hard rock band Die Spitz have been kicking ass and taking names all year long having dropped two new singles, playing multiple festivals and shows across Austin, finishing a nationwide tour, and winning the Austin Chronicle award for album of the year for 2024, the Die Spitz girls are definitely not a band to miss. With an electrifying stage presence, an undying pack of loyal, rabid fans, and gut punching tongue and cheek song titles such as “My Hot Piss”, “Groping Dogs Gushing Blood”, and “Kill Mr Jones”, Die Spitz always deliver one of the most intense, full-fledged rock n roll shows you will ever have a chance to witness, with no shortage of stage dives and mosh pits to remind you that girls these girls will tear you to shreds with a smile on your face. This ain’t no girl band, this is a bad ass rock n roll band that could easily give any of these other bands on the lineup a run for their money.
Washed Out
Atlanta based song-writer/producer Washed Out is set to hit the stage at the Far Out Lounge delivering his style of chilled out synth wavey songs to the stage. Donded as “the godfather of chillwave” Washed Out has been delivering his own unique blend of electronica since the late 2000s breaking out with his hit single “Feel It All Around”, which was featured as the theme song for hit sketch comedy show Portlandia. Washed Out’s sound is layered with synthy pop melodies and soothing vocals which gives the festival a taste of a more calming, dancey side of psychedelic music that isn’t very prevalent outside of the Far Out Lounge stage. If your idea of psychedelic music falls more on the side of finding your inner peace and relaxing with to dance heavy, electronic based bedroom pop, then Washed Out is definitely the artist for you.
Banged Out
Undoubtedly the heaviest band on this list, the female fronted Austin hardcore band Banged Out is set to perform at the Empire Garage alongside Integrity, Fugitive, Dregs, and Paradise. The three piece hardcore band have been melting faces all over the city of Austin with their unapologetically intense, guttural vocals, shredding guitar licks, and fast paced double kick hitting percussion, it’s almost hard to believe it’s just three people performing. While intense hardcore music may not scream psychedelic, their interesting time signatures and groovy beats will give music fans from any walk of life something to appreciate. Having only been around for a year, the band has been able to accomplish so much in such a short time frame such as their latest LP release and multiple festival bookings, this festival bill is just a testament to how much this band rocks. If you want to see excellent musicianship accomplished with minimal resources, look no further than the DIY outfit Banged Out.
Illuminati Hotties
LA based Illuminati Hotties are bringing their up-beat, fun loving, indie pop sound to Levitation Fest this year, and there couldn’t be a more charming package to deliver the voice of an overworked, anti-corporate generation, than them. Started as a project by lead vocalist Sarah Tudzin to showcase her multi talented sound engineer skills, the Illuminati Hotties have taken off over the course of their now 6 year run. Delivering relatable lyrics on anti-establishment messaging, the stress of modern day work culture, and the mental anguish of trying to survive in modern day life, the band really speaks to people of this generation all with the delivery of a soft indie rock sound. The Illuminati Hotties bring a care-free delivery of the middle finger to the establishment that is too bold and fun to ignore, so don’t and go check them out!
Farmer’s Wife
Opening the show at the Parish for Illuminati Hotties is the show gaze, grungy, hard rock band Farmer’s Wife. The beloved local Austin band has taken the city by storm having won Austin Chronicle’s best new act award, booking shows throughout the city left and right, and gaining an incredible fan base along the way. Farmer’s Wife is not the southern act that you may think the name suggests, instead bringing sounds reminiscent of early 90s bands like the Pixies and The Breeders. Farmer’s Wife has created an incredible blend of heavy riffs and spacey distorted vocals that will have you feeling like you’re on cloud 9.
Destroy Boys
LA based punk band Destroy Boys will be headlining the Mohawk stage on the Saturday night show of Levitation Fest. With their tongue and cheek delivery, angsty lyrics, and classic fast paced southern California backing tracks, The Destroy Boys bring a sound to the stage like they came straight out of a Tony Hawk video game. Starting in 2015 when the founding members were just 15 the band has had quite an impact gaining over a million monthly listeners on Spotify. Carrying the tradition of classic SoCal punk bands such as the Germs and NOFX, Destroy Boys have cultivated a chaotic fun loving energy to the band which is only fitting that they would be performing at legendary punk venue the Mohawk. While the band has maintained their distinctive style throughout their career, their sound has definitely matured and refined throughout their career and there is honestly no better time to see them perform.
Tycho
Headlining the stage with Washed Out is San Francisco based producer TYCHO. TYCHO blends his dreamy electronic melodies with live instruments to create an incredibly smooth and soothing sound parallel to that of co-headliner Washed Out. TYCHO brings about a type of electronic sound that makes you feel like your lost in a dreamworld that you don’t want to wake up from with his hypnotic melodies and relaxing beats, it’s the type of show that could keep you dancing all night or just vibing out in your own head. It’s the type of music that you could throw on a long car ride and just be entrenched in. He’s the perfect type of artist to bring to life a psychedelic landscape that you would want to find yourself in when going to an electronic dance show which is why you need to see him perform live so you can experience the magic yourself.
LEVITATION 2024 will take over Austin from October 31st through November 3rd, 2024. Check out the full lineup and get your tickets for single and four day passes here.
**ARTICLE UPDATED AUGUST 30, 2024 TO REFLECT ACTS PERFORMING TOGETHER**
I’m a photographer currently based in Austin after recently relocating from Denver, CO. I graduated from the University of Colorado, Denver in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. I love music of all genres and have been going to live shows since I was 5 years old. Some of my favorite artist currently include Freddie Gibbs, Lola Young, Ivy Lab and Knocked Loose, but that is always subject to change.
