For years, we've been envious of Levitation (formerly known as Austin Psych Fest), an annual gathering of noisy, droning and mind-expanding bands on a ranch just outside of Austin, Texas. This weekend, the Midwest will get a taste of the Levitation experience as the festival's organizers bring a miniature version of the event to Thalia Hall, in conjunction with the folks at the Empty Bottle. We dug through the festival's lineup and narrowed the field down to six bands that you can't afford to miss.
Noveller (Friday, 8:30pm)
Sarah Lipstate began recording solo guitar records to supplement her work as a filmmaker, which might explain her penchant for dreamy, unobtrusive soundscapes that wordlessly evoke cinematic imagery. Fantastic Planet, her latest record under the Noveller monicker, is filled with otherworldly tracks that seem primed to soundtrack sci-fi movie trailers for years to come.
Viet Cong (Friday, 10:15pm)
Formed from the remnants of the short-lived Canadian band Women, Viet Cong made an impression with its debut, self-titled LP, selling out shows and courting controversy at liberal arts colleges. The band's dark, post punk traverses the same territory as forebearers like Gang of Four or Echo and the Bunnymen, utilizing dense, deliberately-building arrangements that are sure to be impressive in a live setting.
Vision Fortune (Saturday, 7:30pm)
London trio Vision Fortune named its latest album Country Music, but the droning feedback and spastic rhythms found on the album are a far cry from anything Hank Williams ever recorded. Instead, the name was inspired by the group's two-month retreat to a remote estate in Tuscany, Italy, where it recorded a genre-bending collection of tracks that simultaneously references hip-hop, electro-pop and garage rock. We're looking forward to a live set that is similarly varied.
Oren Ambarchi (Saturday, 9:15pm)
Best known for his work with drone metal band Sunn O))), Oren Ambarchi is an accomplished experimental multi-instrumentalist with an intimidating catalogue of collaborative and solo recordings. Even without fellow sonic tinkerers like Jim O'Rourke and Stephen O'Malley in tow, Ambarchi's solo set is sure to be one of the more interesting experiences at this festival.
Atlas Sound (Saturday, 11:15pm)
Deerhunter frontman Bradford Cox's longtime solo project used to be a regular fixture of the Pitchfork Music Festival, but the last record he released under the name was 2011's Parallax. Cox was hospitalized last December after being involved in a car accident in Atlanta, so we're happy to see him getting out on the road again. It's unclear if Cox will be playing with a band or riding solo, but we're excited to hear what he's been working on for the past few years.
Swervedriver (Saturday, 12:30am)
Hailing from Oxford, England, Swervedriver existed in a time when the alternative nation was on the rise and shoegaze bands could score major label deals. After breaking up in the late '90s (and subsequently reuniting in 2008, at Coachella, naturally) the band recently released I Wasn't Born to Lose You, its first new record in 17 years. For better or worse, it sounds like the group picking up exactly where it left off.
Levitation Chicago takes place at Thalia Hall on March 13 and 14.