Austin Psych Fest is a relic from the city’s past that was newly resurrected this year and materialized in South Austin’s cozy Far Out Lounge over the course of April 28-30. Keeping very much in line with the vibes of its larger sister festival, Levitation, APS brought swaths of psychedelia, chillwave, cumbia, and desert blues to the large crowds. The Texas spring weather also brought a lightning storm that briefly halted things on Friday, but the lingering mammatus clouds and eerie yellow hue to the sky fit the mood better than any fog machine or light show could. The music was consistently great, from the dancy Toro Y Moi and ethereal weirdness of Yves Tumor to the driving rhythms of Los Bitchos. International acts like Mdou Moctar and Vieux Farka Toure provided great detours from the largely psych rock lineup, while Crumb and Melody’s Echo Chamber delivered the mind-altering experiences the fest promised. While maybe a bit over-crowded, APS proved to be a successful reset and a worthy spring alternative to Levitation’s fall festival.
