One of the prime hubs in the modern psychedelic rebirth, The Liverpool International Festival Of Psychedelia returns this autumn (25-26 September) to bring together musical pioneers both old and new. Guiding us through this cosmos, the festival’s John Wise has mdd Q this Playlist of some of his favourite acts in the 2015 bill, boasting “a selection that demonstrates the broad PZYK church in which the festival revels. Shalom.”
Spiritualized – Come Together
“A standout track from Spiritualized’s greatest piece of work to date; 1997’s Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space, Come Together is certain to be a highlight of this year’s festival. An absolute must-see.”
Hookworms – On Leaving (pictured)
“Leeds-based Hookworms make their third Psych Fest appearance in September, having improved and expanded their sound year-on-year.”
Holydrug Couple – Amphitrites Lost
“Hailing from Chile, the Holydrug Couple enthralled at the festival back in 2013. Amphitrites Lost features fascinating sound recordings from the Voyager I and II space probe missions.”
Factory Floor – Two Different Ways
“Factory Floor’s eclectic mix of krautrock, minimal synth and Detroit techno makes for a formidable live show. Certainly not to be missed.”
Blanck Mass – Dead Format
“Blanck Mass is the solo project of Benjamin John Power, one half of electronic duo Fuck Buttons. Dead Format, the lead track from new album Dumb Flesh, is a relentlessly aggressive work of noisy, electronic genius.”
The Heads – Barcoded
“Barcoded appears on The Heads’ brilliant second LP Everybody Knows We Got Nowhere, released in 2000 amidst an otherwise stale UK independent rock scene. The Heads have a timeless appeal and we’re thrilled to have them playing this year.”
Destruction Unit – Bumpy Road
“Signed to Sacred Bones Records, Destruction Unit specialise in pounding guitar distortion. They manage to both assert and assault the senses in ways very few can.”
No Joy – Hare Tarot Lies
“Montreal-based No Joy are one of the finest shoegaze acts around today, with their imposing wall of reverb-drenched guitar clamour brilliantly demonstrated on Hare Tarot Lies.”
Pinkshinyultrablast – Ravestar Supreme
“Russian shoegaze quintet Pinkshinyultrablast seem to be everywhere at the moment, with Ravestar Supreme showing exactly why.”
Menace Beach – Fortune Teller
“Another product of Leeds’ burgeoning PZYK scene, Menace Beach will surely go down a storm at this year’s festival. Fortune Teller is a highlight of debut album Ratworld, produced by MJ of Hookworms.”
Jacco Gardner – Find Yourself
“Jacco Gardner played a mightily impressive set at the festival in 2013, and now returns on the back of newly released album Hypnophobia. Find Yourself is a perfectly crafted, baroque pop tour de force from the Dutch wizard.”
Jane Weaver – The Electric Mountain
Jane Weaver has enjoyed a successful year following the release of latest album ‘The Silver Globe’, with ‘The Electric Mountain’ being a masterclass in contemporary space rock.
Joel Gion – Yes
“Having DJ’d at the festival in 2014, The Brian Jonestown Massacre’s Joel Gion returns with his own solo set this year.”
Tess Parks & Anton Mewcombe – Cocaine Cat
“Released as a collaboration for Record Store Day this year, ‘Cocaine Cat’ features Anton’s trademark fuzzed out psychedelia complemented by Tess Park’s striking vocals.”
Magic Castles – White Stone
“Minnesota psych ensemble Magic Castles make their debut appearance at the festival this year. White Stone will certainly excite the PZYK masses.”
The Cult Of Dom Keller – Plague Of All
“A masterpiece of impetuous, sonic alchemy from The Cult of Dom Keller; Plague Of All is what the Nottingham four-piece are all about.”
The Altered Hours – Dig Early
“The Altered Hours are renowned for their wildly intense live shows, so we can’t wait to hear Dig Early over the festival weekend.”
Dreamweapon – Transient States
“Not much is known about the Porto-based Dreamweapon, yet Transient States already has us hooked.”
The Underground Youth – Morning Sun
“Morning Sun encapsulates The Underground Youth perfectly, fusing elements of shoegaze, darkwave and post-punk to hypnotic effect.”
JC Satán – Dragons
“J.C. Satán are already regarded as a cult sensation in their native France, with Dragons suggesting that they’re one to watch over the weekend.”
For more, including the full line-up and latest ticket news, head to Liverpoolpsychfest.com.
