Live Review: Sydney Psych Fest

Friday night kicked off the inaugural Sydney Psych Fest, a collab between Bad Vibrations, Octopus Pi, Angstrom Space and Tokyo Psych Fest. Austin Psych Fest may not have hit Australia yet, but this is a more than worthy substitute, showcasing the best our little city has to offer.

The launch night at 107 Projects was opened by ethereal droners Devotional, who played tracks that highlighted the dream-pop voice of Madelaine Lucas. Projections lit the background: mushrooms, the open road and psychedelic patterns. Fans packed out the room, sprawled on couches or standing at the front. Meanwhile outside the Cantina Mobil food truck pleased punters, 2SER's Thee Sonic Assassin spun records between sets, and Optic Soup's oil paint art illuminated the wall. Black Springs followed, keen to show off their EP, Sunrise, plus a smattering of new material. Think pop riffs with lengthy psych outros. Then came Wheat Fields with their drawling garage, chunky bass and an almost American tinge. To finish the night Sister Jane (featuring Belles Will Ring alumni) took the stage to a chorus of approval; their “swag-country” is something to pay attention to.

Saturday was a beautiful day on the bowling green. The clouds disappeared, rainbow wristbands caught the light and most of the revellers arrived by four o'clock, ready for afternoon beers. With DJ sets from Trent Marden of The Holy Soul and Conrad Greenleaf from Richard in Your Mind, you could be forgiven for spending much of your time lazing on the grass. The crowd was a mix of the young and old, bands mingling easily with fans, and the Bowlo's regulars.

Morning Harvey opened with their signature lo-fi set, immediately setting the tone for the rest of the day. Spirit Valley played up their Cramps-esque vocals and were heavier than the other acts. Loud synth and lots of bass featured in Day Ravies' set. These Popfrenzy darlings are expected to make waves. Broadcasting Transmitter, including that-guy-from-The-Laurels, were a sonic experience, playing noise rock that kept the crowd entranced. Dead Radio followed with tight tracks that then let loose in the outro, breaking at just the right moment. Coming all the way from Adelaide, Ride Into The Sun were a kind of pop-Black-Angels. Brisbane's Dreamtime played hypnotising sounds and started the transition from day-to-night vibes, and then Dead China Doll got everyone ready for the main event.

The headliners were of course Japanese psych-kings Kikagaku Moyo. Their name translates to Geometric Patterns, an adequate title considering their space-age vocals and heavy sitar evoke that kind of imagery. They're a band taken straight out of the '70s, flared pants, long hair, and all: a sight to be seen. They spent the entirety of Psych Fest at Psych Fest, happily listening to their Australian contemporaries and taking in the spoils of Cantina Mobil. There was a reason this day sold out and everyone went home pleased, and more than a little drunk.