Austin Psych Fest is celebrating their 7th Anniversary this year on May 2-4, 2014. The festival is spotlighting the best music for mind expanding and legendary artists from around the world. This independent festival has grown miraculously over the years. It’s an amazing community of music lovers from all across the globe. Day one consisted of many wonderful bands including, Graveyard, The Fresh & Onlys, and the Black Lips.

Graveyard took the Reverberation stage while the sun set over the crowd. The crowd welcomed them to the stage with a warm cheer and stayed mellow throughout their set. Feet were stomping and heads were bobbing as they played their song “Uncomfortably Numb.” There was an occasional fan here and there who would be ecstatic, jumping up and down, and showing full fandom towards Graveyard. There were also hula hoopers who joined in on the dance party and performed exotic dancing. When Graveyard played “Endless Night,” some crowd members held up their lighters and sang along.

Over on the Elevation Amphitheater stage, The Fresh & Onlys serenaded the crowd. The stage was set up alongside a swampy river, so while watching the performance, lights from the stage would dance on the water and reflect onto the surrounding trees. The scenery was beautiful. The stage had a light show of bubble effects swirling across the space while they rocked out to “Who Let the Devil?” off of their album House of Spirits. Most of the crowd sat on the hill overlooking the stage, or sat in hammocks tied between the trees. There was a small group of fans that crowded the stage, and responded to The Fresh & Onlys performance with abundant excitement. Those who weren’t having fun at the front, were sitting in the grass, swaying back and forth, or jammin’ out while sitting. While The Fresh & Onlys performed “Foolish Person,” off of their album Long Slow Dance, a few crowd members joined the fans up front and danced until the song was over. The performance was intriguing enough to keep an audience, but not quite enough to keep everyone on their feet.

After the sun had set, fans waited anxiously for the Black Lips to play the Reverberation stage. When a black and white screen appeared on the backdrop, and the strobe lights were turned on, the fans knew it was time and cheered for the Black Lips with exuberant energy. The beats from the speakers were shaking the earth, and the strobe lights were engulfing the stage and the crowd. Before playing their song “Modern Art” off of their self-titled album, lead singer Cole Alexander stated the obvious, “This song it about art.” The fans cheered and sang along while their psychedelic backdrop left a rainbow over the crowd. They also performed “Make You Mine,” “Dirty Hands,” and “Boys in the Wood.” The crowd at the front was acting as most front row members would, taking photos, singing along and dancing. Black lights lit up the crowd during “Boys in the Wood,” and shadows of the drummer and the crowds hands were being shadowed onto the stage. All in all, a beautiful first night of the festival.