Generic, In A Good Way
Alternative Austin music festival slated for Halloween weekend floats its 2022 lineup
The music festival season is nigh, and although it can be overwhelming to think about city-transforming mainstream events (you know who you are), Levitation is hovering through with some alternative options, in a recently released lineup. This is still a big event, spanning four days from October 27 to 30, with some big names to back it up. But it’s always fun to run with a countercultural crowd, especially for Halloween.
With four headliners, some of whom play multiple nights, Levitation presents an unusual schedule that allows for a little more flexibility without missing especially popular acts. This year, those are The Black Angels, The Jesus and Mary Chain, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, and Osees; the former founded Levitation in 2008 as Austin Psych Fest, and the latter two are playing two nights and all four nights, respectively.
Some other bands on the very sonically diverse lineup:
- Revered post-rock group and heavy drone users Godspeed You! Black Emperor put on cinematic, deeply emotional live shows, and embody an anarchist ethos many have found comfort, or at least validation, in since the ’90s.
- Witch, standing for “We Intend to Cause Havoc,” did a bit of that in the ’70s as figureheads of Zamrock (an acid-bluesy Zambian movement). The group is revived by Emanyeo “Jagari” Chanda, backed by a new band.
- Superorganism made alternative radio waves with the bubbly and deadpan “Everybody Wants To Be Famous.” The eclectic group of performers lives up to the name, looking a lot like a charmingly awkward dorm room jam let loose into the “real” world.
- For all intents and purposes, Sunflower Bean is a pop group outside of the pop machine. After a decade, they’re still performing easygoing, but interesting and energetic rock, and getting more polished all the time.
- Pleasure Venom is a punk group in Austin, gaining traction with chaotic but cerebral garage rock and a disarmingly charismatic front woman, Audrey Campbell. The group is scheduled to play Austin City Limits Fest for the first time this year.
Considering the mix of longstanding genre pioneers and creative newbies, this festival presents an unusually explicit opportunity to celebrate the cult mentality of genre, so often an unwelcome cliché. Not shying away adds up for a festival run by a music label, The Reverberation Appreciation Society, which has claimed a space in psych and garage rock since 2010. Levitation describes itself in a press release as “a heady amalgamation of vintage gear, immersive light shows and visuals, buzzing amps, moody synths, leather jackets, and good times.”
Seven venues are hosting this event (Stubb’s, Mohawk, Empire Control Room & Garage, Hotel Vegas, Antone’s, Parish, and Scoot Inn), and each show is available as a standalone event, making Levitation all the more unobtrusive and easy to join on a budget.
Several ticket options (including $395 four-day general admission) and a full schedule are available at levitation.fm.
DIIV's set was moody, but propulsive thanks to strong bass lines.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Zachary Cole Smith can always be counted on for a nostalgic 'fit.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Starcleaner Reunion singer Jo Roman keeps the beat.Photo by Brianna Caleri
From the looks of it, no one had a better time onstage than Wayne Coyne, frontman of the Flaming Lips.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The tinsel whip was one of many props.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Flaming Lips are known for touring with huge inflatables.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A joyful crowd reacts to being blasted with confetti during the Flaming Lips' set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Ty Segall was king of the guitar jams.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Segall's painted jeans were probably the most unique fashion statement all weekend.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Psych Fest uniform: Earthy shorts and calf tattoos.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thomas Attar Bellier of Al-Qasar plays a beautifully adorned electric saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The more mics, the better for Al-Qasar.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A closer look at the saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Lyrics in Arabic brought extra gravitas to the set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
How's that for a desert hallucination?Photo by Brianna Caleri
New Candys guitarist Emanuele Zanardo puts a physical flourish in his playing.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A portal opens...Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Black Angels interrupted the technicolor parade for a largely black-and-white set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Black Angels bassist Misti Hamrick-French basks in the cold glow of a strobe light.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Dumbo Gets Mad reminds us that Italians just get fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Luca Bergomi gets in on bassist Ivan Torelli's shot.Photo by Brianna Caleri
LA LOM bassist Jake Faulkner captures the sun.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Zac Sokolow danced for the whole set, which happened to be on his birthday.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's grandstanding added flavor to the show, which ultimately didn't need psychedelic visuals.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's howls cut through the air, hardly amplified.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Trish Toledo paid homage to mothers and couples in her romantic set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Not a practical shoe for a rainy weekend. We salute her sacrifice for fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thee Sacred Souls closed out the festival with a brass section.Photo by Brianna Caleri
This backup singer was exquisitely styled in blue.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Singer Josh Lane snapped a photo of an adoring audience. See you next time, Josh.Photo by Brianna Caleri