Mini-Guide To Austin Psych Fest 2026
Sofia Slack
Music Live Coverage Journalist
From May 8th to 10th, Austin is welcoming the 18th anniversary of its most popular spring music festival: Austin Psych Fest. A reflection of all that Austin has to offer, vendors will span a wide range, from food and drinks to crystals and art. Pertaining to all music lovers, the festival is limited to two stages at The Far Out Lounge. This festival pays homage to psychedelic rock, indie, shoegaze, experimental sounds, and Latin-rooted artists. Featuring iconic artists like The Black Angels, Thee Sacred Souls, and The Flaming Lips, there’s no chance this festival will be one you want to miss. Whether you love to sit down with an ice-cold beer or chill out to indie music, Austin Psych Fest is the place for you. Allow this to be a sort of mini-guide to what artists you should have on your radar if you plan on attending.
May 8th:
Glare:
If you aren’t too familiar with Glare, you are forgiven. Being one of the most popular NewGen shoegaze bands, the four-piece from the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas is set to take the stage on day 1 of APF. Formed in 2017 out of Brownsville, Texas, the emo punks have come a long way from playing local gigs with whatever hardcore and punk bands they could. If you are a shoegaze lover, this is a set definitely worth checking out.
DIIV:
DIIV (pronounced “dive”) is another day 1 you are not going to want to miss. An American indie rock band formed in Brooklyn, New York, in 2011 by Zachary Cole Smith. Known for a sound blending shoegaze, dream-pop, and post-punk. Their unique blend of music is perfect for this lineup and worth catching if you can.
The Flaming Lips:
Formed in Oklahoma City, OK, in 1983, The Flaming Lips are one of the most iconic, influential, unpredictable, and vital forces in American alternative rock music. The three-time Grammy-winning band will be closing out the first day of APF with only what I know will be a memorable set for longtime fans or first-time listeners.
May 9th:
Al Qasar:
Al-Qasar is a four-piece band from Paris that is a mix of heavy Arabic grooves, global psychedelica, and North African trance music. Arabian fuzz, they term it, a vision that’s brazenly electric and deeply connected to its roots. The collective was started by producer Thomas Attar, who brought together musicians from 4 continents.
Melody’s Echo Chamber:
Melody’s Echo Chamber is the primary dream-pop/psychedelic music project of French musician Melody Prochet. Melody is known for creating, recording, and producing her music, but is also known for working closely with Tame Impala. I definitely wouldn’t miss this performance; it is probably my personal favorite of the lineup for this day.
The Black Angels:
The Black Angels are an Austin, Texas-based psychedelic rock band formed in 2004, and without them, there would be no Austin Psych Fest. They are central figures in the modern psych-rock scene and founders of the Levitation festival. They will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of Passover, so make sure you don’t call your night early and catch some classics with us.
May 10th:
Money Chicha:
Money Chicha is an Austin, Texas-based Latin psychedelic cumbia band featuring members of the Grammy-winning orchestra Group Fantasma. They play a “fuzzed-out,” reverb-drenched style inspired by ’60s and ’70s Peruvian and Colombian chicha music, combining intense basslines, surf guitar, and Latin percussion. They are a really talented group that I discovered dissecting this lineup and would be super cool to make time for, I know I will.
La Lom:
LA LOM (Los Angeles League of Musicians) is an instrumental trio from Los Angeles, California. Their music is described as instrumental, tropical, and cinematic, often evoking a 1950s/60s Southern California or Havana vibe. Not only are their performances absolutely impressive and beautiful, but they are also really unique. They created covers of many songs that I grew up listening to in my Mexican household, so this will be a must-go for me, and it should be for you as well.
Thee Sacred Souls:
If you could bottle up the better part of lazy Sunday afternoons, nostalgia, and the sickly-sweet feeling of being in love, it’d sound a lot like Thee Sacred Souls. From San Diego, the main trio is composed of drummer Alex Garcia, bassist Sal Samano, and singer-songwriter Josh Lane. The self-described retro-soul band consistently delivers a blend of smooth tracks accompanied by jazzy melodies reminiscent of ‘60s and ‘70s grooves. They will be closing out APF on Sunday night, and I can guarantee you will not want to miss this.
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