Feeling Alright
New annual festival raises funds for Austin musicians' mental health
Elijah Delgado is the special guest at Feel Good Fest.
An Austin foundation protecting musicians' mental health is welcoming friends from Austin and across the country for a new annual event. Commemorating Mental Health Awareness Month, the Sims Foundation's new Feel Good Fest will be held May 16 at Radio East.
Four acts will play the inaugural event, which raises money for the Sims Foundation's mission: support musicians, people who work in the music industry, and their families who need mental healthcare or help with substance use. The Sims Foundation, named after the late Austin guitarist Sims Ellison, works across Central Texas.
Acts on the lineup include:
- Nightcap — An Austin indie pop band made for "late-night introspection with a cinematic edge," according to a press release.
- Infinity Song — A nostalgic band of New York City-based siblings inspired by classic soul and indie pop.
- Cigarettes @ Sunset — An Appalachian band from Boone, North Carolina, specializing in what they call "Possum Rock."
- Elijah Delgado — An Austin solo performer who writes introspective lyrics over "emotionally resonant indie rock."
The day before the show, May 15, there will be a VIP pre-show featuring the notable Woodlands-born folk and country artist Hayes Carll at Arlyn Studios. Discounted early bird tickets are sold out, but some regular tickets ($175) remain available online.
“Last May, SIMS celebrated its 30th year of impact in Central Texas, serving our music community with life-saving mental healthcare,” said Sims CEO Derrick Lesnau in the release. “We are excited to relaunch Feel Good Fest as our annual May event to raise awareness and support for mental healthcare for all of the people who make Austin’s live music scene so special. To preserve this unique culture, it’s important we come together in community to support the musicians and industry professionals who make it thrive.”
Festival tickets ($35 in advance, $40 at the door) are available here. VIP tickets ($125, separate from the VIP pre-show) offer upgrades like private bar access, air-conditioned restrooms, a free beverage ticket, a free coffee ticket, and a free merch item designed for the festival. The festival is also sponsor-supported by the City of Austin’s Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment Office, H-E-B, Sendero Health, Horizon Bank, Rise Recovery Services, Texas Mutual, Colt Classic Presents, and more.
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
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