It's All In Your Mind
Flaming Lips and Black Angels among Austin Psych Fest 2026 headliners
The Flaming Lips are famous for their over-the-top live performances.
Among Austin's many festivals, there's something for everyone — even people who find most festivals a little too mainstream. Austin Psych Fest, a staple for indie, psych, and global rock lovers, has announced its next lineup for a May 8-10, 2026 return. Highlights of the three-day, two-stage festival at the Far Out Lounge include headliners the Flaming Lips, the Black Angels, and Thee Sacred Souls.
Austin Psych Fest defines psychedelia "not as a single genre, but as a feeling," according to a press release, explaining the wide range of acts from experimental electronica to shoegaze, cumbia, and much more. Some sounds the festival looks for include 'reverb-soaked guitars, hypnotic rhythms, and adventurous songcraft."
Each day is lightly themed, making it a bit easier for attendees to choose shows they may not already know much about. Friday embodies what most people think of when it comes to psychedelia, with sensory overload courtesy of the Flaming Lips, plus introspective and largely agreeable sounds from Diiv, Austin's own Holy Wave, and more.
Saturday is "darker, heavier, and more hypnotic," as the Black Angels, also from Austin, play their debut album Passover to mark its 20th anniversary. They're also joined by local acts Grocery Bag and Annabelle Chairlegs. Sunday is all about "warmth, groove, and global influence," headed by Californian retro-soul group Thee Sacred Souls, with support from Latin groups including Money Chicha and the local Como Las Movies, plus a DJ set by Adrian Quesada.
Austin Psych Fest 2026 full lineup:
Friday, May 8
- The Flaming Lips
- Diiv
- Momma
- Glare
- Boogarins
- Holy Wave
- Starcleaner Reunion
Saturday, May 9
- The Black Angels perform Passover
- Melody's Echo Chamber
- Ty Segall
- New Candys
- Al Qasar
- Grocery Bag
- Annabelle Chairlegs
- Strange Lot
Sunday, May 10
- Thee Sacred Souls
- LA LOM
- Trish Toledo
- Night Beats
- Dumbo Gets Mad
- Money Chicha
- Como Las Movies
- DJ Adrian Quesada
More acts are set to be announced soon.
Since Psych Fest is such a visual affair — including some made live in the sound booth — organizers are sure to credit the visual artists involved on the lineup. This year, there will be visuals and art installations by:
- TV Eye
- Mad Alchemy
- Drip//Cuts
- Shelushy
- Attic Space
- Slim Reaper
- Bill Gazer
- Church of the Eternal Sun
- Fever Dream
- El Taller De Piyamas
- Cosmic Dommy
Three-day passes (starting at $278.12), two-day passes (starting at $185.42), and single-day tickets (starting at $98.27) are available now at eventim.us. Buyers may have to wait to enter the website. Prices are currently at their first tier. Deluxe upgrades and hotel packages are also
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