Psych Fest is one of Manchester’s long-time inner-city festivals. Despite the commercial success of Dot 2 Dot Festival and Neighbourhood, ‘Psych’ remains a somewhat unsung hero amongst Britain’s music capital’s festival season despite consistently boasting a strong line-up and it’s incessant desire to move with the times. Previous alumni, Honeyblood, The Wytches and Telemann have gone onto great things but 2019’s line-up is ‘Psych’s’ biggest and best yet, with the critically acclaimed Courtney Barnett headlining the event with her exquisite, direct story-telling and grunge sound and psych rock outfit Temples adding strength and depth to the top of the bill. Meanwhile, post-punkers and Rodeo favourites Goat Girl make their ‘Psych’ debut. Their live shows have become tighter, more professional and put simply, just better, following the release of their superb debut LP. If you haven’t seen them, now’s your chance.
‘Psych’ takes advantage of some of Manchester’s finest venues with Gorilla and The Ritz hosting the main events whilst a new venue, YES, which has quickly become a favourable hide-out for anybody and everybody, is taking part in the festivities this year. It’s top notch pizza, cheap beer and pink-walled music venue has captured the heart of any Manc who walks in, whilst its roof garden should provide the perfect place to rest in-between acts and absorb the last of the summer sun.
And that’s not the only change this year as ‘Psych’ focuses on improving its gender equality. This year’s line-up includesthe most female artists and female-fronted bands in its history. But this attempt to increase equality has only increased the quality of the festival too, bands like The Bleaches, Cosmic Strip and URF bolstering the line-up, whilst hotly tipped trio Working Men’s Club are set to play, and Manchester’s own PINS are preparing to take the event into the early hours with a DJ set.
For less than 30 quid, get your psych on with some of the finest artists around, at the finest venues around, in the finest city around, on August 30th.
Get Tickets Here: https://www.skiddle.com/festivals/manchester-psych-fest/lineup.html
