It’s that strange and wonderful time of year again, Levitation officially re-enters the Austin atmosphere on September 10th with a stellar line-up of supersonic cosmonauts. With over 60 different artists playing all across town, there’s a lot to take in at this festival. So, we asked several of our DJs to let us know who their favorites on the lineup are this year in order to compile KVRX’s Hitchhiker's Guide to Levitation 2026.
Thursday, September 10th
To kick off the festival, our DJ’s are excited about ARLO PARKS—a incredible singer songwriter with a delicate but earnestly moving style. Our very own DJ Funk is particularly hoping to hear Park’s song “Caroline”; here’s what else he had to say about this alt-pop sensation:
“Arlo Parks’ debut (Collapsed in Sunbeams) has some of my favorite folk lyricism of the past few years, and Caroline is emblematic of all the best parts with its observed story of a couple fighting in public.”
Arlo Parks will be headlining at Mohawk on Thursday, starting at 9PM. Be there or be square.
That show should wrap up around 10pm, which gives you just enough time to grab a snack, a new pack of cigarettes, a bit of fresh air, or whatever else facilitates your party experience before KVRX’s next recommendation kicks off. KONTRAVOID will be playing at Elysium—the smokiest goth club in Austin—at 10:40PM on September 10th. This darkwave industrial-adjacent act is the brainchild of former Crystal Castles Drummer, Cam Findlay, and is a personal favorite of mine. Armed with a keyboard of tricks, evocative samples, and a white mask with a blank expression, Kontravoid will get you moving! Personally, I’m hoping they play “Age of Descent” off their self-titled debut.
If you’re enchanted by the rhythmic synthesizers and gloom factor of Kontravoid, stick around at Elysium for Buzz Kull and Max Fry. But if you’re feeling adventurous, grab a ride up to 29th Street Ballroom to finish your night out with RADIUM DOLLS at 10:50PM. Hailing all the way from Brisbane, Australia, this post-punk lineup just released their newest album Wound Up back in January; it’s a brilliant follow-up to Legal Speed (although the title track of that album is my favorite of theirs). Following them and closing out the night will be GURRIERS—an impassioned wall-of-sound post-punk noise organism from Dublin—starting at 1:00AM. Their newest record is slated to release next month, so I think it’s safe to expect some new material along with some hits from Come and See, thor 2024 release.
Friday, September 11th
Prepare yourselves; today’s gonna be busy. Head over to The Far Out Lounge and get comfortable, KVRX has a long list of favorites here. Starting off with GROCERY BAG, who’ll be cracking open the venue at 3PM on September 11th. This one hits close to home for us; Dillion Aitala—a recent KVRX alumni—absolutely shreds on guitar, and we can’t wait to rock out with him and the rest of this wonderfully weird Austin band. Great garage rock; it’ll be a great start to the evening.
Next up, we’re excited for GIBBY HAYNES, vocalist and saxophonist of BUTTHOLE SURFERS at 6:10pm also at The Far Out Lounge. Formed in San Antonio, Butthole Surfers has been an iconic pillar of the Texas experimental rock scene—and I’d say their experiments have been mostly successful! DJ Dumpster recommends “Birds” off of Electriclarryland by the Butthole Surfers for your listening pleasure, and DJ Funk says he’ll be able to “die happy” if Haynes plays anything off Locust Abortion Technician.
Take a little break, grab another beer, and take stock of where you are, because our next recommendation is gonna have you glued to the spot in awe. DIE SPITZ, a beloved Austin staple will be taking the stage at 8PM. God, KVRX loves riot grrrl. It’s empowering, it’s kick ass, and it makes you wanna dance—what else could you ask from music? DJ Swirly recommends Die Spitz 2025 record, Something to Consume, saying:
“This album made me tap into my most confident self. I love women in rock and these girls motivate me with their hard ass songs.”
And the Riot Grrrl trance has only just begun. Following Sweeping Promises, KVRX’s most anticipated band will be seizing the stage at Far Out Lounge at 9:40pm—BIKINI KILL! I think DJ Girl U Want—a serious riot grrrl, who was in Bikini Kill’s top 1000 listeners last year—puts it best, "Music can sound kick-ass AND be meaningful!!” Bikini Kill has been rockin’ since 1990, and helped to pioneer the riot grrrl movement itself. Their music is alive with feminist lyrics, coated in an abrasive, hardcore sound which absolutely boils the blood and commands your full attention. Here’s what DJ Dumpster had to say about the riot grrrl genre:
“I love riotgrrrl, just as much as I love the bands and subgenres that emerged from the movement! There’s a song for every feeling, experience, and these bands are guaranteed to hit the sweet spot. I also love the community surrounding women in rock music.”
Want to keep the party going? The night is still young, and you can catch more fun at the downtown shows. The choices are limitless. If you want to get lost in the sound waves, DJ Dogfish recommends seeing Los Tuthanaka’s set at Elysium starting at 12:30am. Here’s what he had to say:
“I like Los Tuthanaka’s hazy and dreamy atmosphere that blends psychedelic music with traditional Latin sounds.”
Saturday, September 12th
Still with us? Grab a bite, hydrate and then head over to Far Out Lounge. At this point, you’re already familiar with the area and might even say hi to some familiar faces.
To kick off Saturday, you can catch I Speak Machines’ opening performance at 4:50 p.m. I Speak Machines is a synth-punk audiovisual project with a sound heavily influenced by glam punk. According to Spotify, the best way to describe the performance is: “Nina Hagan meets Norma Desmond in a head-on collision with Lux Interior.” If that’s not the most compelling description, I don’t know what is.
Grab a beer or two, and enjoy the rest of your evening at the lounge, engulfed in the trance waves Levitation has to offer. Next up, our DJs are geometrically thrilled to see the polka-dotted duo Angine de Poitrine. Angine de Poitrine is a Canadian math-rock duo known for its unique blend of sounds and an insane visual and auditory experience. Here’s what DJ Swirly had to say about the duo:
“They instantly made me interested with their insane-ass costumes. I would LOVE to see what they bring to the Levitation stage.”
You can catch their set at Stubb’s at 11:40 p.m.
Sunday, September 13th
Get your behinds ready because Sunday’s lineup is not one to miss. Recharge and grab your earplugs because tonight’s performances will have you swept off your feet. Start your afternoon at the Far Out Lounge once more to soak in the end of Levitation. The day is full of performances you won’t want to miss. Here’s what our DJs had to say:
“Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats are a heavier psych rock band and they are super cool.”
“Sleep is very badass and their music is entrancing and heavy.”
“Flying fish, taking inspiration from pioneers of experimental pedal distortion sounds like My Bloody Valentine, definitely introduced many people into the genre and has influenced similar bands to utilize pedals into their sound. Their appeal to younger audiences surged an interest in the genre throughout these few years that allow for shoegaze as a whole to continue existing. Their distorted sounds can come across as relaxing and at times depressing in a way that can relate to many that listen. “
And just like that, your journey through the Levitation atmosphere comes to an end. Whether you spent the weekend getting lost in psychedelic soundscapes, discovering your new favorite band or simply wandering from venue to venue, we hope KVRX’s Hitchhiker’s Guide to Levitation 2026 helped you find your way through the festival’s cosmic lineup. With so many artists, venues and sounds to explore, there’s no wrong way to experience Levitation. So grab your friends, follow the music and let yourself get a little lost. Until next time!