Austin Psych Fest returns with Toro y Moi, Cuco; plus Oblivion Access, MoFest becomes MOCO

Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American-Statesman
·3 min read
Toro Y Moi leads the lineup for Austin Psych Fest at Far Out Lounge.
Toro Y Moi leads the lineup for Austin Psych Fest at Far Out Lounge.

Looking for a less corporate music festival experience than Austin's spring and fall behemoths, South by Southwest and Austin City Limits Music Festival? Like your music trippy? Or loud? Or in the woods?

Several niche festivals including Austin Psych Fest, Oblivion Access and the new MOCO Music and Arts Festival made big announcements this week. Other upcoming niche festivals include Old Settler's Music Festival (April 20-23), Austin Reggae Festival (April 21-23), Urban Cultural Fest (April 1) and Austin Blues Festival (April 29).

Introspective crooner Cuco is among the artists who will play Austin Psych Fest.
Introspective crooner Cuco is among the artists who will play Austin Psych Fest.

1. Austin Psych Fest returns for 3 days at the Far Out Lounge

Once a staple of Austin's spring festival calendar, the psychedelic music festival curated by the Black Angels and friends became Levitation in 2015, when Austin psych-rock originators the 13th Floor Elevators played the event. After a few rough turns and weather-related cancellations, the event morphed into the fall fest that now takes over the Red River Cultural District on Halloween weekend.

Now Austin Psych Fest returns in its original format, as a single-location bash with loads of great underground music. The stacked lineup features psych-pop standout Toro Y Moi, introspective crooner Cuco and Saharan guitar wizard Mdou Moctar. California rockers Black Rebel Motorcyle Club and Danish noise-pop outfit The Raveonettes both return to the fest for the first time in a decade, and hometown hosts the Black Angels will celebrate the 15th anniversary of their second album, "To See A Ghost." Other artists on the roster include 2022 SXSW standout Los Bitchos, avant-soul artist Yves Tumor and Malian singer Vieux Farka Touré.

The event will present music on two stages April 28-30 on the grounds of the Far Out Lounge in South Austin. In addition to music, there will be a light show by Mad Alchemy created in collaboration with local artists.

Three-day pass: $195, single-day: $75. Deluxe tickets available. More info at Levitation.fm.

More:SXSW, ACL Fest and everything in between: A guide to 2023 Austin music fests

British industrial metal band Godflesh will play Oblivion Access Festival.
British industrial metal band Godflesh will play Oblivion Access Festival.

2. Oblivion Access brings the noise to the Red River Cultural District

Oblivion Access roars into the Red River Cultural District on June 15-18. The event generally caters to fans of heavy music, with a lineup featuring experimental, metal and hard-hitting hip-hop acts.

Headliners on the first round of the lineup are British industrial metal band Godflesh and Canadian ambient artist Tim Hecker. It's Godflesh's first U.S. show in four years and the band's first Texas appearance in nearly a decade.

On the (much) quieter end of the Oblivion spectrum, Hecker will present meditative sounds in Central Presbyterian Church on a lineup with Godflesh-affiliated ambient act Final opening. Other artists on the bill include rapper Lil Ugly Mane, post-punk outfit Have a Nice Life and screamo act Jeromes Dream.

Multi-venue pass: $262.02. Tickets to individual shows vary. More info at oblivionaccessfestival.com.

Son Little, seen here at ACL Fest 2015, will play MOCO: Music and Arts Festival in Lexington.
Son Little, seen here at ACL Fest 2015, will play MOCO: Music and Arts Festival in Lexington.

3. MoFest becomes MOCO Music and Arts Festival

Local bassist and tour manager Momin “Mo” Ahmad and collaborator Alexandra Arteaga launched this intimate music festival at Ahmad's family ranch in Lexington — roughly an hour outside of Austin — in 2021. Originally called MoFest, the 500-capacity event rebranded as MOCO Music and Arts Festival this year. The event is scheduled for April 28-29, and all tickets include camping on the 300-acre ranch.

This year's lineup for the lakefront mainstage features Chicago psych-pop artist Paul Cherry alongside Philly soul standout Son Little. Rappers Ozer and Fat Tony are also on the bill, and local artists include tropical groove machine Superfónicos, Afrofunk band CAZAYOUX, punks Die Spitz and hard-rockers Megafauna.

The event will also include late-night DJ sessions in a converted barn, live painting, art and vintage vendors, food trucks and more. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at Dice.fm.

Ages 21 and up. Two-day passes: $125-$150, includes camping.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Get 2023 tickets to Austin Psych Fest, Oblivion Access, MOCO