The Osees kicked off their four-night residency at Hotel Vegas during the Levitation Fest on October 31, 2024. This year’s festival has shifted to the Palmer Events Center, providing a sense of nostalgia akin to the Fun Fun Fun Fest at Auditorium Shores while maintaining the spirit of Levitation’s earlier multi-venue format. After daytime events at Palmer, night shows will span across venues in the Red River Cultural District, offering attendees an immersive and varied musical experience.
Levitation Fest, originally Austin Psych Fest, started in 2008. It was the brainchild of high school friends, including Christian Bland and Alex Maas of the band Black Angels, alongside James Oswald and current director Rob Fitzpatrick. Last year, the founders shared their journey with the American-Statesman, reflecting on the festival’s origins.
For those looking to explore a curated selection of performances this year, the lineup is diverse and exciting:
**Warmduscher** will perform on Thursday night at 13th Floor. Known for their albums “Whale City” and “Tainted Lunch,” the London-based post-punk band seamlessly blends new wave staccato with electronic accents.
**Boy Harsher** takes the stage at Stubb’s BBQ on Thursday. With their refined electronic sound in albums like “Country Girl Uncut” and “Careful,” they remain a fan favorite despite some ambivalence toward recent tracks.
**Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol** will be playing on Friday. As a standout rock band from Austin, they captivate with unique vocals and a memorable sound, as demonstrated in their albums “Doom Wop” and “Big Dumb Riffs.”
**Model/Actriz** lit up Meanwhile Brewing last year with their dynamic set and are set to impress again. Their 2023 album “Pirouette” continues their trend of electrifying performances, blending forceful dance music reminiscent of genre heavyweights.
**La Femme**, performing on Saturday, graces the festival with their French flair. Their 2024 album “Rock Machine” melds synth pop with electroclash in a style that’s both sophisticated and electronic.
**DAIISTAR** will perform on Sunday. Although underappreciated locally despite an impressive international touring presence, their album “Good Time” reinvigorated the Austin music scene with its fresh take on post-punk and new wave.
**Being Dead**, with their authentic Austin sound, will captivate attendees on Sunday. Their latest album “EELS” is heartfelt, featuring tender tracks like “Dragons II,” showcasing the band’s dual songwriting and vocal talents.
Lastly, **Pavement** will close out the festival on Sunday night.
This year’s Levitation Fest promises a thrilling blend of nostalgia and fresh talent across an array of genres. With a lineup featuring both seasoned performers and under-the-radar gems, attendees are in for an unforgettable experience that encapsulates the vibrant music culture of Austin.