Austin Psych Fest in Texas also succeeds at is bringing forth a somewhat eclectic mix of psychedelic music from the genre without diverging too much from the ultimate path. This leads to greater active listening on the part of the audience, who will experience each band a little differently but never feel let down or bored with it all." />

Gapers Block has ceased publication.

Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
 Thank you for your readership and contributions. 

TODAY

Thursday, March 28

Gapers Block
Search

Gapers Block on Facebook Gapers Block on Flickr Gapers Block on Twitter The Gapers Block Tumblr


Transmission
« Preview: Industrial Unplugged at Abbey Pub Photos/Review: Levitation Festival in Chicago@Thalia Hall 3/14/15 »

Concert Sat Mar 14 2015

Photos/Review: Levitation Festival in Chicago@Thalia Hall 3/13/15

GB TOP post.jpg

The first day of Levitation Festival kicked off with both it's share of awe inspiring and tumultuous moments. One thing that this Chicago showcase does that Austin Psych Fest in Texas also succeeds at is bringing forth a somewhat eclectic mix of psychedelic music from the genre without diverging too much from the ultimate path. This leads to greater active listening on the part of the audience, who will experience each band a little differently but never feel let down or bored with it all. It takes a great deal of planning and inspiration to make any festival lineup work out this well so great thanks are in order to those who planned and booked the event.

Mary Lattimore and Jeff Ziegler

GB ML 2.jpg

GB PZ.jpg

GB ML1.jpg

The evening began with a ghostly summoning that ended in an ocean roar. Mary Lattimore played a harp that had both benevolence and experimental aspects to it with a ton of graceful elements too. Her music worked well with Jeff Ziegler's Korg and melodica accompaniment. It didn't seem lacking in any moment despite their being no vocals and instead was a wholly fulfilling way to kick off the festival.

Heaters

GB H1.jpg

GB H 3.jpg

GB H d2.jpg

Three piece garage rock band Heaters had elements of pop music and psychedelic music but best of all possessed an invigorating sense to their playing that expanded as they warmed up. Who knew bass, guitar, and drums could sound so fresh!


Noveller

GB N.jpg

GB N2.jpg

GB N3.jpg

GB N smile.jpg

Noveller may play only as herself, the wondrous Sarah Lipstate, but she's something of a visionary between her heavenly loops and the way she at times plays her guitar with a bow. Her set contained an astounding presence, which isn't at all surprising considering she's one of the strongest solo performers around. She has a truly commanding sense of timing and composition that is always a pleasure to witness. The albums give one a sense of her creativity but are only the tip of the iceberg compared to experiencing her wondrous melodies live.

Mind Over Mirrors

GB MOM.jpg

Mind Over Mirrors two piece changed things up a bit by playing in the center of the room and offering up a strong vocal and organ accompaniment that shook the floor we were all trying to balance on. It sounded quite strange and haunted with a pounding resonance that won't be easily forgotten like a psychedelic seance.

Viet Cong

GB VC smile.jpg

GB VC 2.jpg

GB VCb.jpg

GB VCamp.jpg

GB VC d.jpg

GB VCt.jpg

Much edgier in a different way, four piece Viet Cong were much more of an angry assault on one's senses than Women ever were live. The lead singer, Matt Flegel, early on joked that they were trying to levitate themselves but it seemed quite the opposite as half the members were flailing against the stage. Flegel's raspy vocals recalled that of an early day Isaac Brock (Modest Mouse) live performance with quite a rawness as he belted out his lyrics. Even more impressive was the drummer, Mike Wallace, who had the stamina of a triathlon winner and was probably the most fun to watch on stage.

Destruction Unit

gb dutop.jpg

GB DU32.jpg

GB DU.jpg

GB DU2.jpg

Almost impossible enough to believe, Destruction Unit was even more intense and probably the closest thing I have heard to resembling psychedelic hardcore. When the curtain closed on their set, they raged and threw beer cans and plates at the audience.

The Pop Group

GB PG 1.jpg

GB PG fav.jpg

GB PG dr.jpg

GB PG b.jpg

GB PG 4.jpg

GB PG 2.jpg

The most interesting thing about the The Pop Group is that, to a listener who wasn't as familiar with their back catalog, it was difficult to tell where the songs were headed in their strange twists and turns. These are clearly pop songs for eccentrics (which are the best kind). Their set made for disorientating dance music with the reverb on the lead singer's Mark Stewart's voice quite evocative. The band had high praise for bands from Chicago and kept up with their own adventures, playing songs from farther back in their catalog to the title track from their newest release, Citizen Zombie.

 
GB store
GB store

Feature Thu Dec 31 2015

Our Final Transmission Days

By The Gapers Block Transmission Staff

Transmission staffers share their most cherished memories and moments while writing for Gapers Block.

Read this feature »

Blogroll

  Chicago Music Media

Alarm Magazine
BackStage
Big Rock Candy Mountain
Boxx Magazine
Brooklyn Vegan Chicago
Can You See The Sunset From The Southside
Chicago Reader Music
Chicagoist Arts & Events
ChicagoMusic.org
Chicago Music Guide
Chicago Singles Club
CHIRP
Country Music Chicago
Cream Team
Dark Jive
Daytrotter
The Deli Chicago
Jim DeRogatis
Do312
Fake Shore Drive
Gowhere Hip Hop
Gridface
The Hood Internet
Innerview
Jaded in Chicago
Largehearted Boy
Little White Earbuds
Live Fix Blog
Live Music Blog
Loud Loop Press
Oh My Rockness
Pop 'stache
Pitchfork
Pop Matters
Resident Advisor
Songs:Illinois
Sound Opinions
Sun-Times Music Blog
Theft Liable to Prosecution
Tribune Music
UR Chicago
Victim Of Time
WFMU's Beware of the Blog
Windy City Rock

  Venues:

Abbey Pub
Andy's Jazz Club
Aragon Ballroom
Auditorium Theatre
Beat Kitchen
B.L.U.E.S
Bottom Lounge
Buddy Guy's Legends
The Burlington
California Clipper
Concord Music Hall
Congress Theater
Constellation
Cubby Bear
Double Door
Elbo Room
Empty Bottle
FitzGerald's
Green Mill
The Hideout
Honky Tonk BBQ
House of Blues
Kingston Mines
Lincoln Hall
Logan Square Auditorium
Martyrs'
Mayne Stage
Metro
The Mutiny
Old Town School of Folk Music
Park West
The Promontory
Red Line Tap
Reggie's Rock Club & Music Joint
The Riviera
Rosa's
Schubas
Thalia Hall
The Shrine
Smartbar
Subterranean
Symphony Center
Tonic Room
Township
Uncommon Ground
The Vic
The Whistler

  Labels, Promoters
  & Shops:

Alligator Records
Atavistic
Beverly Records
Bloodshot Records
Dave's Records
Delmark Records
Drag City
Dusty Groove
Flameshovel Records
Groove Distribution
He Who Corrupts
Hozac
Jam Productions
Jazz Record Mart
Kranky Records
Laurie's Planet of Sound
Minty Fresh
Numero Group
mP Shows
Permanent Records
Reckless Records
Smog Veil Records
Southport & Northport Records
Thick Records
Thrill Jockey Records Touch & Go/Quarterstick Records
Victory Records

GB store

Events

Featured Series














 

Transmission on Flickr

Join the Transmission Flickr Pool.


About Transmission

Transmission is the music section of Gapers Block. It aims to highlight Chicago music in its many varied forms, as well as cover touring acts performing in the city. More...
Please see our submission guidelines.

Editor: Sarah Brooks, sarah@gapersblock.com
Transmission staff inbox: transmission@gapersblock.com

Archives

 

Transmission Flickr Pool
 Subscribe in a reader.

GB store

GB Store

GB Buttons $1.50

GB T-Shirt $12

I ✶ Chi T-Shirts $15