Art Outside is one of the most beautiful annual gatherings of music and arts lovers in the entire south. This four day long festival just outside of Austin in Rockdale, TX is set at Apache Pass. Apache Pass is a wonderfully spacious event center that caters to art and music enthusiasts alike. Headliners such as Lettuce, Papadosio, Michael Menert, and Boombox will be some of the main attractions but there are countless other talented artists from genres across the board that you guys need to check out.
1. Rising Appalachia
These two radiating goddesses along with their band mates are the perfect world fusion of folk and soul. Hailing from the capital of soul, these New Orleans sisters bring to the table an array of uplifting harmonies, bongo beats, horns and an overall spirit of joy. Their light-hearted presence is infectious among their fans. They embody the graceful sounds that vibe deep inside the heart of the south.
2. The Werks
One of the jam sessions guaranteed to funk up your Friday night at Art Outside up is this groovy group from Dayton, Ohio. Any true music lover can appreciate a heartfelt jam session that vibes off the crowd and has impromptu qualities to make each show unique. The art of a shredding guitar solo is becoming too seldom in modern music but you will find no shortage of them at The Werks show.
3. The New Mastersounds
If you haven’t noticed yet, there will be no shortage of soul at Art Outside. The New Mastersounds are hopping the pond from Leeds to bring the funk and jazz to Texas while on their fall tour. The retro organs and groovy guitar riffs are plentiful. This quartet is a blend of classic funk, soul and jazz that take you back to the roots of funk music, but with their modern take.
4. Nightmares on Wax
Taking a detour from the bands that will be out at Apache Pass, another must-see of the festival is hip-hop/experimental artist: Nightmares on Wax. The mastermind behind Nightmares is another Leeds native: George Evelyn. Currently located in Ibiza, Spain, George incorporates so many facets into his music by working with other classically trained pianists, percussionists and guitarists. This technical ability blended with his innate creativity and knack for catchy down tempo beats puts him in a genre all his own.
5. Golden Dawn Arkestra
When you search Golden Dawn Arkestra, they have their genre listed as “Other.” There is good reason for this. I wouldn’t even know how to describe it completely accurately and still do the music justice. Perhaps imagine yourself as one of the cast members of a Lion King musical production on Broadway. They are an upbeat, hula hooping, crowd enthusing bunch that aren’t afraid to jump in the crowd and dance with everyone. This is going to be one of the most high-energy sets of the festival, hands down.
6. Chali 2NA & The House of Vibe
Get down with this funky rapper from Chicago who many of you know from his association with the legendary Jurassic 5. Chali 2NA is out on the road with his new project with the House of Vibe for the fall and their next stop is Rockdale. His flows are some of the best in the game and he’s got serious groove. This old school style of rap is the kind that never goes out of style.
7. Bonobo
Simon Green aka Bonobo is an experimental electronic act that falls into, but is not limited to, the styles of down tempo and trip hop with some jazzy elements. Synths and noodling guitar riffs accompanied by smooth saxophone or other horns are often some of what you can expect in Simon’s sets. This provides one of the best collaborations of musicianship and technological skill in the current electronic music scene.
8. Dopapod
Completely switching gears from the other artists at Art Outside is Dopapod. As one of the few progressive rock bands at the festival, these guys bring a bit more rock and roll to the stage but still maintain a dance music component. These native Bostonians will be bringing in the first day of Art Outside on Thursday evening on the Main Stage. They branch into so many genres of rock it’s hard to peg them down to just one but they definitely have that funky style with plenty of synths and organs. As mentioned before, there will be plenty of soul and funk to go around throughout the entire weekend of this year’s festival.
9. Birds of Paradise (Sunrise Set)
In my opinion you haven’t done a festival right if the option to catch a sunrise set is available and you don’t make it to at least one. By that point you are usually completely delirious but the music sure does sound amazing! Birds of Paradise will be playing a Sunrise Set at the Dome Stage on Friday night (aka Saturday morning). As far as I’m concerned if you haven’t gone to sleep yet, it’s still the night before. This duo plays an entrancing form of sub tropical fusion music. The visuals during their sets are just as mesmerizing as their music.
10. Psymbionic
One of the many Austonians that will be at Art Outside is the hometown favorite Psymbionic. His “weird bass music,” as he puts it, is well known all over town but he always puts on some of his best work for his Austin fam at Art Outside. His music is an ever-evolving system of carefully calculated rhythms and beats that have a more consistent flow than the choppy build up and drop culture that is so prevalent in current electronic music.
Art Outside has so many other elements that make it special. The music is what brings us all together but the artistry that is present throughout a weekend at Apache Pass comes in many forms. There will be numerous culturally advancing, spiritually uplifting and creative workshops. The craftsmanship on display in all of the different art installations is beyond compare. You can still snag passes for the entire festival or select days right here. This is a fully immersive experience of community and love that anyone can enjoy. Don’t miss out!
Festpop Staff Writer: Lindsay Shearon