ACIDFEST is a 2-day psychedelic happening organised by Liverpool Psychedelic Society (UK) and Creation Dream Machine (from Los Angeles). This is a truly unique get-together of artists featuring live music, DJ sets, film, trippy visuals, jam sessions and photo exhibition. Only £15 for weekend tickets, or £10 OTD.
After launching ACIDFEST in Iceland (May 2022) we now bring it to Liverpool, for two all-dayers packed with great music and psychedelic vibes at Carnival Brewing Company, where the Liverpool Psychedelic Society organised a series of events in 2021 – a great space, perfect for our festival.
Weekend tickets are £15 adv (Sat & Sun admission), or £10 OTD for either day (limited-availability. BUY WEEKEND TICKETS HERE
SCHEDULE:
SATURDAY 18th JUNE
2pm: DJ set & Paul McCartney 80th Tribute
To celebrate Paul McCartney’s 80th birthday, we’ll start ACIDFEST Liverpool with lots of Beatles and Paul McCartney songs… we love you Paul, happy birthday! Early DJ sets by Ivan Thunders (Liverpool Psychedelic Society / Coffee and Turntables) and Luke Doherty (Newington Temple resident DJ)
3pm: Psychedelic Jam Session
Members of Thee Lucifer Sams and friends will lead a psychedelic jam session to start the festival… you’re invited!
3:45pm: Texas Bob Juarez’s Sparkle Stars
LA-based Texas Bob is the guitarist in seminal Television Personalities and a prolific solo artist – besides being one of the organisers of the Creation Dream Machine events. His sets never fail to be captivating. instagram.com/juareztexasbob
4:30pm: Dominoes
Dominoes is Dominic Lewington, performing delicious pieces of Syd-style psychedelia on his acoustic guitar. Unique. thebrownshadowrecords1.bandcamp.com/album/the-elemental-suite-pt-i
5:15pm: The Dirt
A transglobal collaboration based in Manchester, this is a combination of Leon The Pig Farmer spoken word with psych guitar loops by wife Sachiko. instagram.com/thed1rt
6pm: The Room
Legendary Liverpool band (and John Peel’s favourites) The Room make a rare live appearance… one definitely not to be missed!
6:45pm: Feral Wheel
From the ashes of The Wild Eyes comes Feral Wheel, another Liverpool band making quality psychedelia. instagram.com/feralwheel
7:30pm: Pete Bassman
Pete Bain aka Pete Bassman, is the pioneer and the original bassist from Spacemen 3, besides The Darkside (Beggars Banquet) and Alpha Stone(BOMP!) . His sets are always a real trip…
8:15pm: Bedroom Vacation
This is one of the best new bands in Manchester. Making loud, catchy, shoegazey songs that would make Kevin Shields proud. Ones to Watch, for sure. instagram.com/bedroomvacationband
9:45pm: The Head-Up Displays
Up-and-coming London band, fresh from touring with The Gulps, make their Liverpool debut and should shake up the venue with some raucous rock’n’roll. instagram.com/theheadupdisplays
10:30pm: Thee Lucifer Sams
Liverpool’s psych mavericks, playing improvised psychedelia inspired by Syd Barrett, Pink Faires and Hawkwind… no two shows are ever the same. instagram.com/theelucifersams
11:15pm: Esa Shields
The enigmatic Esa Shields make rare live appearances, and his music is truly unique… futuristic pop, like Brian Wilson on Mars. Unmissable. esashields.bandcamp.com
12am-late: DJs & Surprise live guests.
To close the evening, we’ll have DJs ’til late, featuring guest sets by Jimmy Sweet from Los Angeles (who was also the last artist to be signed by Main Man – home of David Bowie, Lou Reed..) and Howard be Thy Name. And, who knows, we might have some cool bands playing last-minute, late sets!
SUNDAY 19th JUNE
12pm: DJ set & Visuals
Musical treats for the early birds. Nurse your hangvover from the previous night with more delicious food by Desert Island Dumplings and have some more craft beer! This is a music festival, after all.
1pm: psychedelic jam session with Thee Lucifer Sams & friends
Another improvised jam session led by Thee Lucifer Sams. Come early, grab an instrument and jam away…
2pm: Ivan Thunders solo
Thee Lucifer Sams’ guitarist solo, acoustic psychedelia to start the day in a chilled out psych mode. instagram.com/theelucifersams
2:45pm: The Music of Television Personalities
Television Personalities’ guitarist Texas Bob revisits some gems from this legendary band’s catalogue.
3:30pm: Birrell or Biscuit
Scottish band will land in Liverpool for a energetic space disco performance. Be there or be square! instagram.com/birrell_or_biscuit
4:15pm: Tablets
Tablets are quickly becoming one of the most interesting live bands in Liverpool, with great guitars and psychedelic jams. instagram.com/tabletsgroup
5pm: Little Illusion Machine
Another new band from Manchester, who did a great set for Liverpool Psychedelic Society last year in Chorlton, and we had to invite back. instagram.com/thelittleillusionmachine
5:45pm: Dead Animals
An open collective, born in South London but now based in Liverpool – taking inspiration from 80’s post-punk and David Bowie artiness. instagram.com/deadanimalsofficial
6:30pm: Dreampark
Infectious, nostalgic dream-pop with some beautifully crafted melodies and memorable tunes. instagram.com/dreamparkmusic
7:15pm: Big Smile Revival
This mushroom-worshipping, heavy psychedelic power trio are Bristol’s answer to Thee Oh Sees, and an exciting live band. instagram.com/bigsmilerevival
8pm: Sawel Underground
They are more than simply a “retro” band – they perfectly capture the sound of 60’s garage, psych rock with some simple, great tunes. Don’t be surprised if they are one of the highlights of the weekend… you really don’t want to miss them! instagram.com/sawelunderground
8:45pm: Blue Eyed Crows
This new Liverpool-based band made their debut at a Liverpool Psychedelic Society event last year, and have only a handful of gigs behind them, but they already sound fully formed, making a groovy, bluesy, psychedelic classic rock sound with some really great vocals. instagram.com/blue_eyed_crows
9:30pm: Torture and The Desert Spiders
They are one of the busiest live bands in Liverpool, always playing an energetic post-punk set, fronted by the charismatic Anna Kunz from New York. instagram.com/tortureandthedesertspiders
PLUS:
Ian Barrett Art & Jurassic Jewellery
Desert Island Dumplings food
Brion Gysin Dream-Machine & photo exhibition
Psychedelic Jam Sessions on both days… arrive early!
BUY ACIDFEST LIVERPOOL TICKETS
“We have to create culture, don’t watch TV, don’t read magazines, don’t even listen to NPR. Create your own roadshow. ” – Terence McKenna
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