The 2nd edition of Oblivion Access will be taking place across Austin’s premiere music district Red River Street from June 15-18. The festival boasts an amoeba-like, genre-defying lineup stretching from underground hip-hop and doom metal to synth driven electronic and motorik experimental. It’s a lot to dive into, and here are 5 artists you won’t want to miss.

5. Mugger

We would be amiss to leave out the mention of Austin’s array of local talent. Thor & Friends, Deep Cross, and Street Sects are all counted among performing acts based in the heart of Texas. ATX Hardcore band Mugger have quickly earned word-of-mouth praise with their blistering performances. Singer Anna Troxell is joined by her husband Patrick on drums, both previously members of Philly-based band Creepoid. She’s known to snarl through a ski-mask lyrics like, “I just wish that somebody wanted me as much / the way that the cops do”. Austinites might recognize members Lisa Alley of The Well and Daniel Fried from TV’s Daniel.

4. Chat Pile

San Francisco experimental label The Flenser will host a raucous showcase on Friday, which includes the raw sonic sludge of Oklahoma City’s Chat Pile. Fans of Big Black will appreciate the thundering gristle provided by tracks like “Why?” off last year’s full-length debut, “God’s Country”. This is post-noise industrial Midwest calamity; the sound of a chemical spill seeping into rust-laden soil or a downed powerline sparking the scrub on fire. There will be sweat, there will be catharsis.

3. RIKI

Arguably the most dance-worthy gig of the weekend sees Riki opening for synth pop luminary TR/ST at Empire. One of several artists making an appearance from Dais Records, this LA New Romantic effortlessly oscillates between the spooky theatrics of Nina Hagan and pulsing Italo-Disco. Fingers crossed for the haunting Deutsch “Böse Lügen” or the dub-tinged melancholia of “It’s No Secret”.

2. FAUST

A band that hardly needs an introduction as they’ve been an ESSENTIAL in any krauthead’s catalog for over 50 years now. Like many experimental bands from this era, their lineup has evolved over the years to include a cast of core of members and frequent collaborators. Faust IV Live! in 2021 saw the German legends performing a series of concerts revolving around what many consider to be their greatest masterpiece; their 4th studio album claimed by many to have single handedly birthed ambient, shoegaze and industrial in one fell swoop. A collaboration with Einstürzende Neubauten brought their 15th LP to fruition last year. This is an opportunity to leave your expectations at the door because whatever will commence is sure to be a once in a lifetime gig.

1.Yellow Swans

Reunion Show The internet was buzzing immediately after news of this performance dropped. After disbanding in 2008, Portland’s Yellow Swans recently began uploading archival material onto Bandcamp. The noise-improv duo gained a cult following in the early 2000s for their textural, droning soundscapes with no two live appearances sounding the same. With a vast catalogue of 45 full-length releases, their first
performance in 15 years is sure to mystify anyone in attendance.

Other highlights include:

Duster, who will perform for the first time ever in Texas, TR/ST, Clipping. and Earth, who will perform the entire album Earth 2 with special surprise guests and whose set will feature a quadraphonic sound system. Also topping the bill this year are Godflesh who will be playing their first performance in the U.S in 4 years and Tim Hecker who will be performing a special show in the Austin Central Presbyterian Church with Justin Broadrick of Godflesh’s ambient project Final, opening. Additional notable performances for the festival’s second year include the newly reunited Yellow Swans playing together for the first time in 15 years, plus Clams Casino playing in Texas for the first time in 8 years and also a very rare performance from Giles Corey who has never before played in Texas.

Order tickets for Oblivion Access 2023 HERE