Psychedelic Rock Music Festivals in the US
Contents
A guide to the best Psychedelic Rock Music Festivals in the United States. From the San Francisco Psych Fest to the Austin Psych Fest, find out which festival is right for you.
Introduction
Psychedelic rock, also referred to as acid rock, is a musical genre that originated in the mid-1960s. The style is characterized by heavy use of distorted electric guitars, bass guitar, drums, and vocals. Psychedelic rock music often incorporates modal scales, whole-tone scales, and the use of unorthodox methods of note duration and repetition.
The genre began to emerge in the early 1960s with the release of The Beatles’ album “Rubber Soul”, which incorporate elements of psychedelic music. The genre reached its height of popularity in the late 1960s with bands such as The Grateful Dead, The Doors, Pink Floyd, and Jimi Hendrix Experience. In the early 1970s, bands such as Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin began to move away from the psychedelic sound, but the genre continued to be popular with underground bands such as Hawkwind and Captain Beefheart.
The popularity of psychedelic rock began to decline in the late 1970s, but the genre has experienced a resurgence in recent years with band’s like Tame Impala and Pond.
What is Psychedelic Rock?
Psychedelic rock, also referred to as acid rock, is a subgenre of rock music that first came to prominence in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Rooted in folk, blues, and (most prominently) garage rock, psychedelic rock sought to replicate the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs like LSD and psilocybin mushrooms. Psychedelic bands often made use of distorted guitars, feedback effects, strange sound effects, and extended jams in order to create a “trippy” or “acid trip” feeling.
While the genre had its origins in the United States, it was in the United Kingdom that psychedelic rock truly took off. Bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones began experimenting with psychedelic sounds on their albums Revolver (1966) and Between the Buttons (1967), respectively. These records would go on to influence a whole new generation of British bands, including Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett’s group Barrett.
In the United States, San Francisco became the epicenter of the Psychedelic Rock scene. Bands like Jefferson Airplane and The Grateful Dead were making waves with their experimental sounds, while The Fillmore West served as the primary venue for these groups to perform. Outside of San Francisco, other American cities like New York and Los Angeles also had active psychedelic scenes.
While Psychedelic Rock began declining in popularity by the early 1970s, there has been a recent resurgence in interest in the genre. This has been largely due to classic Psychedelic Rock bands like The Grateful Dead becoming popular once again with a new generation of fans. Additionally, newer artists like Tame Impala and MGMT have been drawing inspiration from Psychedelic Rock music to create their own unique sound.
History of Psychedelic Rock
Psychedelic rock, also referred to as psyrock, is a subgenre of rock music that is inspired, or influenced by, psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and Britain.
Psychedelic Rock Festivals in the US
Psychedelic rock music festivals are popular events that take place in the United States each year. Music festivals focusing on this genre of music have been growing in popularity in recent years, and there are now a number of them to choose from. These festivals offer a chance to see some of the best psychedelic rock bands in the world, and they often take place in stunning locations.
The San Francisco Psychedelic Music Festival
The San Francisco Psychedelic Music Festival is an annual event that takes place in the Bay Area of California. The festival celebrates psychedelic rock music and culture, with a focus on the local scene. The event features live music, as well as visual and performing arts.
The Austin Psych Fest
The Austin Psych Fest is one of the most well-known psychedelic rock festivals in the United States. Held annually in Austin, Texas, the festival features a wide range of psychedelic rock bands from across the country and around the world.
The Detroit Psychedelic Music Festival
The Detroit Psychedelic Music Festival is a three-day annual music festival that takes place in Detroit, Michigan. The festival features a wide range of psychedelic rock bands and artists, as well as workshops, films, and lectures on various topics related to psychedelic culture.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many different types of psychedelic rock music festivals in the United States. It is important to do your research in order to find the festival that is right for you. There are many factors to consider, such as the location, the lineup, and the price. However, if you are a fan of psychedelic rock music, then attending one of these festivals is definitely an experience that you will not want to miss.
