LEVITATION has spent more than a decade expanding Austin’s soundscape, honoring the city’s ’60s psych-rock roots while spotlighting the emerging artists of tomorrow. Founded in 2008 as Austin Psych Fest by members of The Black Angels and friends, the independent event sparked a movement that inspired more festivals worldwide. The event was renamed LEVITATION in tribute to Austin’s psychedelic pioneers The 13th Floor Elevators, who reunited for the festival’s 2015 edition on the band’s 50th anniversary. Through all its years, the mission has remained the same: to serve as a haven for psychedelic rock while embracing metal, electronic, punk, and every strain of independent and underground music.

Palmer Events Center will host some of LEVITATION’s most noteworthy performances of the 2025 festival—TV On The Radio, Mastodon, Pavement, Built To Spill, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, The Sword, Model/Actriz, and many more—spanning across three days and four nights. When the lights dim on the main stage, other lights begin to flicker on as the night continues across Austin’s infamous Red River and downtown venues, where Fest Night Shows run Thursday through Sunday at Stubb’s, Mohawk, Elysium, Kingdom, 29th St Ballroom, 13th Floor, and additional spots citywide. 

Doors at Palmer open 1:00 p.m., Friday, September 26; 12:00 p.m. Saturday, September 27, and 12:30 p.m. Sunday, September 28, with music running until 10:30 p.m. each night. Downtown Night Shows begin around 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. and continue until 2:00 a.m. Join the artists, venues, and fans at the heart of Austin’s underground music scene.

Historically, LEVITATION has curated lineups that flow effortlessly between psych, dream pop, punk, indie, metal, dark wave, electronic, and every genre in the notes between—2025 promises to be its boldest and most expansive lineup yet, complete with sweat-soaked dance floors to prove it. Tickets for LEVITATION 2025 and night shows are still available for purchase separately.  

‍