LEVITATION 2026 | Day Four: Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats, The Well
On the fourth and final day of Levitation, you might expect the crowd to be tired and worn out after three hot, busy days around the city, but the energy stayed strong.!
THE WELL | FAR OUT LOUNGE
Austin’s veteran heavy psych rock band The Well showed the crowd how years of playing together can really shape a group’s sound and performance. Their music is dark and sludgy, but their stage presence is completely different.
They don’t just play for the audience—they connect with humor and sass. Every time I see The Well, I’m struck by how effortless their sets feel. They played some new songs from their latest album, …And Flames Ran Like Living Animals. The Well will keep touring across the U.S. in October with the desert rock band, Pink Fuzz.
PYSHCEDELIC PORN CRUMPETS | FAR OUT LOUNGE
Before their daytime set, I was surprised to hear that many other photographers hadn’t heard of Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, even though they stop in Austin almost every year. Maybe their goofy name keeps people away, making them seem less serious.
But from the first song, it was clear that anyone new to their music quickly became a fan. It really confirmed for me that some of the most interesting psych music is coming out of Australia. Their US tour wraps up at the end of September, but you can still catch them in St. Louis, Columbus, and Pittsburgh!
UNCLE ACID AND THE DEADBEATS | FAR OUT LOUNGE
The Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats’ set was one of my most anticipated shows after listening to the new single “House By The Grave” on repeat. The English ‘Evil Beatles’ band combines a 60’s psychedelic garage sound with darker doom metal.
Keeping with this dark theme, they recently released Shapes Of Midnight, a concept album inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's The Masque Of The Red Death. This sound was perfect for a sunset show, as the sun went down and the fiery red psychedelic projections lit the stage.
Mosh pits formed, crowds were surfed, and it felt like everyone was letting out the last of their energy before the stoner metal band Sleep arrived to zone everyone out. Uncle Acid also continues their US tour, stopping in major Northern US and Canadian cities until mid-October.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS FROM FAR OUT LOUNGE:
Elder, a stoner metal band from Massachusetts, played a full set of their 8-10 minute songs—or maybe it was just one really long song?
Messa, the self-described “scarlet doom” metal band, played a beautifully haunting set.
Primitive Ring, a newer psych-electric garage power trio from LA, brought a final burst of fuzzy energy
Sleep, the California slacker/doom metal band, made everyone feel stoned—even if they were sober!
WHAT’S NEXT IN AUSTIN?
If you are in Austin, or plan to travel to Austin for music, RØKKR recommends another incredible upcoming festival to get that Austin experience! Check out Holiday Hootenanny taking place at Radio East on December 11 & 12. The festival features a stacked line-up with: Thundercat, 54 Ultra, The Two Lips, Sports, Hannah Cohen, Twen, Drugdealer, Chinese American Bear, Mini Trees, Magdalena Bay, Frost Children, Coco & Clair Clair, james K, Avalon Emerson & the Charm, Rockie Rode, Gelli Haha, and Quiet Light!
