Glass reviews the Liverpool International Festival Of Psychedelia

LIVERPOOL’S International Festival Of Psychedelia (Liverpool Psych Fest) has left a strong footprint on the music calendar since it began in 2012. Despite being fairly small compared to Europe’s other competing psychedelic festivals such as Levitation in Paris, Liverpool Psych Fest boasts a more humble approach – thriving on its focus of the smaller subcultures in psychedelia which represent a broad spectrum of talent and upcoming artists.

An array of talks, art and music kept attendees spoilt for choice over the course of two days, and by the end of it all, the thought of returning to reality seems impossible after the colourful celebration. The immense atmosphere and density of the lineup confirms why Liverpool Psych Fest is a true gem.

Gwenno @ Liverpool International Festival of PsychedeliaGwenno. Photograph: Keith Ainsworth

The Hanging Stars got the ball rolling on Friday, playing the first set of the day at the biggest venue, Furnace. They brought classic psychedelic harmonies and hazy guitars to the stage – a sound that echoed throughout the weekend. Gwenno’s performance which followed, eased fans into the evening with electropop beats and dreamy vocals delivered in Gwenno’s Welsh mothertongue.

Super Furry Animals @ Liverpool International Festival of PsychedeliaSuper Furry Animals. Photograph: Keith Ainsworth

Friday headliners Super Furry Animals gathered a large crowd for their highly anticipated set. The band took to the stage dressed in matching white boiler suits, playing an array of hits ending with a sing-a-long of The Man Don’t Give A Fuck. The band held up a signs throughout their performance prompting the audience to “GO APE SHIT”.

Music didn’t stop after the headline act, and many found themselves packed into a dark room to see ex-snooker player Steve Davis play a DJ set. Davis took to the stage at midnight opening with some minimalist electro before warming into much heavier sounds.

PZYK VR @ Liverpool International Festival of PsychedeliaVirtual reality. Photograph: Keith Ainsworth

Although two days of music provided a constant source of entertainment, bands weren’t the only attraction. The virtual reality installation in the PZYK gallery was a big hit among festivalgoers as they were able to experience a 360-degree visual and audio experience – a fitting experience for psych fest. A particular highlight was the Forest Of Evil by Michael England which featured the dark aesthetic of a fantasy forest.

Saturday saw London’s Ulrika Spacek mesmerize the crowd with their slacker-shoegaze set, playing songs from their debut The Album Paranoia. Their music worked as the perfect soundtrack to the lively visuals which were projected on all the surrounding walls of the venue.

The Moonlandingz @ Liverpool International Festival of PsychedeliaMoonlandingz. Photograph: Keith Ainsworth

Moonlandingz played a very theatrical set, with lead singer Lias performing half naked, covered in red lipstick for the duration. The band, which contain members of the notoriously wild, Fat White Family lived up expectations with their energy-driven onstage attitude.

liverpoolpsychfest-55-acidmotherstempleAcid Mothers Temple. Photograph: Keith Ainsworth

International psych favourites, Acid Mothers Temple from Japan played one of the heaviest sets of the weekend, drawing a massive crowd despite their clash with headliners The Horrors. Three-piece Baba Naga were late night saviours, spreading their psychedelic gloom to those brave enough to stay up in the early hours for the last performances of psych fest.

by Katrina Mirpuri

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