Not even a year since the last fest, Good Vybes Fest returns to our favorite Chicago venue, the Empty Bottle, this weekend for another two nights of psychedelic-cosmic-garage-punk fun courtesy of Eye Vybe Records.
The two nights of live music pack enough good vibes for any music lover to dig into. Here are some of our favorites to check out this weekend:
Hanging Gardens
Opening the first night of the fest is Chicago’s latest spacey psychedelic rock 4-piece, Hanging Gardens. Their debut tape is being released in conjunction with Good Vybes Fest and if this teaser video is any indication of the album to come then I’m sold. The tape is limited to 100 copies so don’t hesitate to grab one at the show!
Beset By Creatures of The Deep
Detroit’s answer to Hawkwind with a little bit of atmospheric Pink Floydian grooves thrown in for good measure. Named after a spacey instrumental late ’60s Pink Floyd live jam the band lives up to their name and should provide some nice ambient rock.
Purling Hiss
Hailing from Philadelphia are Purling Hiss which can only be described as psychedelic punk. Their music is as fuzzy and tripped out as it is catchy. They do a damn good of reinterpreting ’80s punk through a lo-fi filter of reverb and wah pedals. They’ll be closing out the evening on Friday, here’s a taste of what you’re in for.
Melkbelly
Moving into day 2 of the fest we have Chicago noise-rock staple, Melkbelly, hitting the stage early in the evening. Their latest LP Pennsylvania is available via Automatic Recordings and has garnered nothing but great reviews since it’s September release. Check out a track from the new album below and get their early on Saturday to catch their set.
John Krautner (of The GO)
Some may know The GO as Jack White’s pre-White Stripes band but the Detroit garage rock group has done just fine without him. Guitarist John Krautner joins in the Good Vybes on Saturday night and should bring plenty of “Detroit Rock City” grooves.
The Gizmos
You may not think of Bloomington, Indiana when you think of late ’70s protopunk but The Gizmos are an important figure in Midwestern music. The band was only active for two years (from 1976-78) but have reunited this year and Good Vybes Fest is lucky enough to have secured them as Saturday headliner. Don’t miss their set, this reunion was almost 40 years in the making!
Also gracing the Empty Bottle stage this weekend are Moss Folk (MKE), Feelings (MI), and Chicago’s own Toupee.
As if these 9 Midwestern acts weren’t enough, The Velcro Lewis Group will be DJ’ing between sets on Friday, and Absolutely Not will be providing the jams on Saturday.
Two Day Passes are available for only $20 and include a sweet Eye Vybe Records Gift Pack (complete with a mixtape, poster, button, and a coupon for their webstore). Daily passes will run you $10 but don’t include all of the sweet SWAG. Follow the links below for more details and to get your tickets!
Good Vybes Fest Official| Tickets
Eye Vybe Records Online Store | Facebook