BALTHVS Manifests a Trippy Set Under the Stars at Austin’s Meanwhile Brewing Company
Last Friday, Colombian psychedelic funk band BALTHVS brought their Manifest Tour to Austin, performing outdoors under trees and string lights at Meanwhile Brewing. The nearly four-acre venue offered a welcome alternative to crowded downtown locations, featuring a taproom, beer garden, picnic tables, and food trailers.
I arrived just before the opener and was surprised to find the floor area empty, since I’m used to fans already lined up at the barricade. The relaxed, outdoor atmosphere set the tone for the evening. At first, it seemed the show might be background for socializing, but once the opener CAZAYOUX began their set, the audience’s attention shifted to the stage.
CAZAYOUX
Austin’s own psychedelic funk and world music group CAZAYOUX got people up from the picnic tables and onto their feet. The eight-member band, started by drummer Forest Cazayoux, is a real local gem. Their music mixes psychedelic funk, afrobeat, and jazz. Every time I see CAZAYOUX perform, the crowd gets more excited as the funky layers build. The cool air for the first time in months probably helped boost the energy, especially after a long stretch of hot weather. By the end of their set, the standing area was full. CAZAYOUX, with their infectious energy and rhythms, was a perfectly paired opener for BALTHVS .
BALTHVS
I first saw BALTHVS at the 2024 Austin City Limits festival (in a rather hot, stuffy tent), and I stayed as long as I could before needing fresh air. Their set stayed with me, though. A few weeks later, I went on a 5-day road trip up the Pacific Coast Highway, playing music nonstop, and BALTHVS were part of the trip soundtrack.
BALTHVS are a psychedelic funk trio from Bogotá, Colombia, who have been making music and touring since 2019. The group includes guitarist Balthazar Aguirre, bassist Johanna Mercuriana—who just came back to touring after maternity leave—and drummer Santiago Lizcano. They’ve toured widely and put out six studio albums, including their latest, Manifest, which this tour supports. BALTHVS mixes psychedelic sounds with Middle Eastern melodies, disco, house, funk, indie rock, surf, and Latin rhythms, always pushing their sound in new directions.
When BALTHVS came on, the venue was full, and the crowd was ready. They played a wide range of songs from their catalog, showing off their mix of styles, improvisational approach, and connection with the audience. The older tracks have a laid-back feel, great for background music or a coastal drive, but the newer, faster songs from Manifest — “Year of the Snake” and “In-And-Out (Downtown)” —really stood out. It was one of those relaxed, perfect autumn nights in Austin.
BALTHVS only have a few more US shows left on their 2026 tour. This week they're playing on a handful of California dates, then next week Portland, Oregon, and Bellingham, Washington.
