It was a quarter past 12 a.m. on a particularly lively Friday night when I made my way to downtown Austin. Last weekend, the second consecutive year of Levitation was in full swing and I was nothing short of ecstatic to experience a piece of the niche festival’s hypnagogic lineup. The edgy fuzz sounds of the band BRONCHO drew me to Barracuda’s outdoor stage for a moody psych-rock performance. 

Story By Taylor Sprinkle

BRONCHO may have been formed 10 years ago, but on Friday, they drew a young crowd. Glittered faces and trendy coats, a boy in tattered band merch and a girl drenched in black from her shoes to her lipstick possessed “X”s that signaled they weren’t of age. 

In a more effortless cool, lead singer Ryan Lindsey sported baggy shorts, two even more baggy jackets and a black dad cap. Guitarist Ben King rocked a Kermit the Frog shirt while the bassist and drummer went for more classic grunge looks. The rowdy personality of the Oklahoma-based band was an impeccable fit for the underground festival. 

I found myself at the front and center of the stage — close enough to reach out and grab the tattered guitar from Lindsey’s hands. During the band’s first song, “All Choked Up,” bold psychedelic visuals helped set the tone of the night. A sea of heads were bobbing as if the whole crowd were under hypnosis.

When the dark indie group performed 2014 hit “Class Historian,”  the crowd began to come to life. The atmosphere’s energies crescendoed as emanating sounds grew increasingly heavy. Songs like “Taj Mahal” brought out a menacing tone in Lindsey’s dynamic voice. As King’s raunchy seven-string guitar sounds taunted listeners to grow even more rowdy, I was nearly thrown on stage by a throng of moshers. 

At one point, Lindsey paused between songs to ask for a beer, which was answered during the following song break with generous offerings of Miller Light, Love Street and Lone Star provided by the crowd. Later, the band returned the love by tossing vibrant green, orange and blue Jello-shots out into the mob. 

Movements transitioned from moshing into a groove during “Undercover” before the energy built back up for the concert’s finale. When a bass guitar screeched, the noise somehow managed to feel like a characteristic element of the event’s intense drama. Then the drummer started smoking a cigarette and I realized the time was well past 1 a.m. The last few songs were blared and it was time to head home.  

After, fans screamed their praises: “You guys f***ing ruled!” BRONCHO was rebellious, indefatigable and an all-around blast.