Austin Psych Fest Kickoff w/ Etran de L'Aïr, maya ongaku

Modern psych rock spans a wide spectrum, influenced by countless styles. The two acts headlining the Austin Psych Fest Kickoff at Hotel Vegas showcase its most common contemporary forms. Etran de L’Aïr, a fourpiece from Agadez, Niger, laces intricate electric guitar solos amid rapid drum beats and communal vocals – an electrifying take on the region’s signature “desert blues.” Tokyo-based Maya Ongaku, in contrast, leans into the genre’s dreamier side, weaving in nature sounds, hypnotic strings, and flute to create a tranquil, seaside-inspired soundscape. – Caroline Drew