Originally named Austin Psych Fest when formed by members of The Black Angels and friends in 2008, LEVITATION provides the perfect manifestation of bliss for every psychedelic rock fan. In honor of Austin’s psych rock pioneers, The 13th Floor, the festival was renamed LEVITATION in late 2014. If you have ever been to this festival, you’ve experienced the phenomenal, abstract kind of euphoria that it entails and for its 9th year, Volcom and Tower Records are presenting LEVITATION SXSW including official showcases and free day parties. The festivities will take place from Wednesday, March 18th – Thursday, March 19th at The Volcom Garden and Hotel Vegas.
Garage rock band The Black Lips will be among the many musical acts making an appearance. Formed in Atlanta in 1999, The Black Lips are a self-proclaimed “flower punk” band, mixing blues, rock and punk with a little bit of country thrown in there. The band has a reputation for crazy and unpredictable live shows and have slowly built up a diverse fanbase that appreciates their spontaneous nature and high energy.
Bringing a delightful touch of shoegaze, Austin based band Ringo Deathstarr will take you through a portal of dreams. Their self-titled debut, a five-song EP, was released by British label SVC Records in the fall of 2007. After playing several shows, the band released their first official album, Colour Trip in 2010 featuring the dreamy alternative track “Kaleidoscope”. They have since put out two more albums and a collection of Eps.
Kokoroko will be displaying a truly unique sound inspired by contemporary West African style music and European jazz. Since 2014, the London-based Afrobeat group have been known for shaking up London’s live music scene, bringing in horn-and-drum driven jams and polyrhythms. According to their own manifesto, they play music they love, they grew up with and that their parents got funky to! Kokoroko contributed their track “Abusey Junction” to award-winning compilation We Out Here, a showcase of London’s new jazz, funk and global grooves in February 2018.
With this epic genre-crossing lineup, there will be a little something for everyone here so come get weird!
LEVITATION SXSW Wednesday, March 18th @ The Volcom Garden (1209 E 6th St) & Thursday, March 19th @ Hotel Vegas (1502 E 6th St)
Wednesday, March 18
Volcom x LEVITATION Launch Party (Free & Open to the Public/ 21+)
Location: The Volcom Garden (1209 E 6th St)
***RSVP here***
12:00pm – Doors open
1:00pm – Iguana Death Cult
2:00pm – Hoover iii
3:00pm – Elephant Stone
4:00pm – Ringo Deathstarr
5:00pm – Holy Wave
6:00pm – Frankie & The Witch Fingers
Thursday, March 19
Day Party 1pm-7pm (Free & open to the public/ 21+)
Location: Hotel Vegas (1502 E 6th St)
***RSVP here***
Lineup: The Black Lips · The Coathangers · Kokoroko ·Automatic · Algiers · Vanishing Twin · Fenne Lily · Elephant Stone · Porridge Radio · Deca Joins · Kills Birds · The Shivas · The Mauskovik Dance Band · Lightning Bug · Model/Actriz · T.V.O.D.
Official SXSW Showcase 7pm-2am (Badge & Wristband Priority Entry/ Open to the public with $10 Cover/ 21+)
Location: Hotel Vegas (1502 E 6th St)
***RSVP here***
Lineup: The Dream Syndicate · Frankie And The Witch Fingers · Holy Wave · Ringo Deathstarr · Corridor · A Giant Dog · Lorelle Meets The Obsolete · The Paranoyds · Hoover iii · Control Top · The Underground Youth · Los Bitchos · Tengger · Greenway Records Presents: Levitation Room · Triptides · The Muckers · Max Pain & The Groovies · Smock · Ghost Car · Shadow Show · Silver Synthetic
*Stay tuned for the full schedule, set times and final additions!
LEVITATION SXSW is a 21 and over event including two free day parties and a cover charge of $10 for the official showcase that will be presented on March 19th. Music and Platinum badge holders and wristband wielders receive priority access to the official showcase.
Featured image photo credit: Kalyn Oyer
Leave a Comment