In the Wicked Woods
New music and art festival brings wicked vibes to Austin for Halloween
Another festival by promoter Disco Presents.
There’s a new dance music festival coming to Austin on October 25 and 26. Wicked Oaks Festival, a triple-header that brings multiple festivals into one, presents Eric Prydz, Kaskade, Bob Moses, and more at Carson Creek Ranch.
We’ve all heard of Fyre Festival, and should consider the risks of signing up for a festival’s inaugural experience. However, Wicked Oaks is presented by a well-established Texas promoter, Disco Presents. Last year, 2024, marked its 30th anniversary, and a scroll through the company’s Instagram gives an idea of the caliber of its events.
In fact, this festival comes from the convergence of three existing events: Freaky Deaky, Summoning of the Eclipse, and Illfest; the latter is happening this weekend at the Travis County Expo Center.
Each progenitor lends a different tone to the combined experience via three stages. The Freaky Deaky stage brings Halloween and headliner energy; the Summoning stage is curated by DJ and producer Svdden Death for a darker, more ominous tone; and the Illfest stage shows off the best of the festival’s visual effects.
On the musical side of Wicked Oaks, a press release promises a “melting pot of electronic genres: melodic and heavy bass, house, techno, world beats, electro-funk, and genre-defying hybrids.”
As the name suggests, there’s also a woodsy fantasy element. Wicked Oaks aims to be “a place where mystical creatures and shadowy figures roam among whimsical light displays, fire performances, and large-scale interactive installations.”
The 1851 ranch spans 58 acres with a waterfront amphitheater, campgrounds, forest trails, shade from trees, and easy access to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport three miles away. Rounding out the experience will be creative workshops and a food village.
“This is a concept we’ve been building for a while,” said Disco Presents founder James “Disco Donnie” Estopinal in the release. “We’re excited to bring the best of Freaky Deaky, Summoning and ILLfest to Austin, Texas. Carson Creek Ranch is a beautiful place and Wicked Oaks will bring these communities together in a special way.”
Tickets (starting at 179.95) are available at via See Tickets. Camping, glamping, and RV passes are sold separately.
Full Line Up:
FREAKY DEAKY STAGE:
- ANGRYBABY
- BOB MOSES club set
- BUNT.
- CAROLA
- CLOONEE (sunset set)
- ERIC PRYDZ
- GRYFFIN
- JACKIE HOLLANDER
- JEV
- jigitz
- KASABLANCA
- KASKADE sunset set
- LP GIOBBI
- MARTIN GARRIX
- MAX STYLER
- SHIMA
SUMMONING STAGE:
- AKEOS B2B HEXX
- AUTOMHATE B2B MAD DUBZ
- AWEMINUS B2B MYTHM
- BEJALVIN
- CODD DUBZ B2B PYKE (SLICE THE CITY)
- EPTIC
- FLUX PAVILION
- HEDEX
- INFEKT + SAMPLIFIRE
- KAI WACHI
- KEROSENE B2B WARLORD
- MUST DIE! B2B SYZY
- NEONIX B2B PHISO
- NGHTMRE B2B KOMPANY
- OTSUKARE
- VOYD
- PHASEONE B2B HVDES
- PROSECUTE
- SIMULA
- STOOG3S
- STVG
- SVDDEN DEATH B2B YVM3 B2B NIMDA
- VANFLEET
- WITCHING HOUR (VAMPA B2B JEANIE)
ILLFEST STAGE:
- AUTOGRAF
- CLASSMATIC
- DARK HEART
- JADEN THOMPSON
- LUUK VAN DIJK
- MAHONY
- MAXINNE
- SISTEK
- SOSA
- SURF MESA
- TONY ROMERA
- WENZDAY
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