bgraypics – Austin Town Hall

Levitation Freakend Friday in Photos

November 7, 2025 brian.gray Leave a comment

When the Levitation team made to the decision to move the fest back to being a single site festival atmosphere, the Haloween adjacent tradition was broken. BUT, they had a plan. Why not pick another location and kick off a mini-fest for the costume wearing concert-goers and put together a lineup that would bring out the best in humanity? Heh.

I was able to hit Friday’s lineup, and it was pretty stacked. Viagra Boys made a triumphant return to Austin, first time in nearly seven years. Add to that Stereolab (another first time in a long time), Black Lips, J’cuzzi and Bitchin Bajas.

All the photos and a few random thoughts after the jump.

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Shows

Show Pics: The Beths at Emo’s (11/4)

November 6, 2025 brian.gray Leave a comment

The Beths have been in a pattern of record release and criss-crossing tour for a bit now. They come through for SXSW, tour in support of bigger and bigger artists and now they are headlining in mid-sized venues and theaters. It is sustained organic growth, winning over fans with consistently great records, silly banter and nailed down live sets. They are really good at this whole music thing.

Joining The Beths this time around are fellow Aucklanders, Pheobe Rings.

Click through. I have the photos to prove I went to the show. Maybe I’ll even share some thoughts.

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Shows

Show Review: Nation of Language @ Mohawk (10.21)

October 22, 2025 nathan.lankford Leave a comment

After the recent release of Dance Called Memory, anticipation for a solid night out (supported by B. Gray’s earlier attendance in SLC) from Nation of Language seemed a guarantee. I got the added bonus of getting to see one of my personal favorites, Deeper, open the night up too!

Check in for some brief words and rad photos!

ACL 2025 In Photos: Sunday

October 9, 2025 brian.gray Leave a comment

Sunday at Austin City Limits Festival was pretty photogenic. I took too many photos (again), but that’s cool. It was fun. Over three days, I clicked in 18 miles on the grounds. That is quite a bit of meandering.

For Sunday, we had no headliners to contend with as both were closed pits, but the card up to then had planty of entertainment. From local hiphop, to 2010’s indie mainstays, we got a good dose of festival life. Bands for Sunday: Hey, Nothing (solid again), Geto Gala, The Dare (one man hype machine), Chuwi (Puerto Rico is America, really good), Wet Leg (festival set on lock), Gigi Perez (not my thing, but I get it), Passion Pit (big crowd, small tent) and Phantogram (okay, cool).

Click through, y’all…

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ACL 2025 in Photos: Saturday

October 8, 2025 brian.gray Leave a comment

Today, we have the big gallery from Saturday at Austin City Limits Festival‘s first weekend. It is another big one and features our chosen headliner for the fest, The Strokes. Yes, Julian was being inconvenienced by being on stage. But, any other behavior would be unexpected and signs of trouble at home.

The big list of performers captured, whether with intent or as a way to have some fun holding my camera, is as follows: Inoha (San Antonio getting it right early), Next of Kin (perfect tent set), Ocean Alley (Aussie pop), Modest Mouse (nice), Magalena Bay (buzzy blue), The Backseat Lovers (not my jam, but I get the appeal), Japanese Breakfast (festival set is getting super tight) and The Strokes (Julian’s parole hearing).

I’ll take a moment to give props to ACL for the sound this year. The Strokes were loud all the way to the hill. Also, the crowd for Sabrina was not what I thought it would have been. Is there fatigue setting in for fans of the girl pop jet set? Anyway, click through…

ACL 2025 in Photos: Friday

October 7, 2025 brian.gray Leave a comment

Right back at it after three days of Levitation, I spent last weekend out shooting Austin City Limits 2025 Weekend One. Admittedly, the lineups don’t suit our norms around here, but there are some throwbacks, a few locals and a some new names to create eye candy. After all, how can I turn down a chance to photograph Empire of the Sun?

The Friday edition brings photos from around grounds, including some bonus stuff that looks cool, of Asleep at the Wheel (tradition), Spill Tab, Good Neighbors (britpop), Amble (Irish folkpop), Nike Youre (flyby shots at BMI), Panda Bear (vibes), King Princess, The Favors (Finneas and Ashe), MJ Lenderman, Role Model (tiktok C&W?), Cage the Elephant (fire and jump shots), Empire of the Sun (costume changes) and Dr. Dog (all the hits).

Click through…

Levitation 2025 in Photos: Sunday

October 3, 2025 brian.gray Leave a comment

As I get ready to head out and photograph another three day festival weekend, we have another gallery from Levitation 2025.

It is big gallery, we had some photogenic sets that included smashed guitars, Austin legends and legendary indie. Bands featuring in the gallery – Daiistar, Population II, A Place to Bury Strangers (I got dizzy from the strobes, rad), Diles No Me Maten, Frankie and the Witch Fingers (really tight set), Upchuck, The Black Angels (thanks for the Reverb), Being Dead (always clever fun), Built to Spill, Destroyer (smooth) and Pavement (legends). It was a lot to take in.

Click through, it is a big one…

Levitation 2025 in Photos: Saturday

October 2, 2025 brian.gray Leave a comment

Next batch of images from Levitation 2025 are ready for your consumption. Saturday was more of a blend of genres; from legacy shoegaze to new acts causing the buzz to Indie all-stars, there was a little something for everyone. We had a dance party or two and definitely took in some seriously good songs along the way.

Click through, we have HooverIII (just a crowd grab, but sounded great), Yin Yin, Wednesday (buzz), Model Actriz (blistering set), Blonde Redhead, Swervedriver, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Raveonettes, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, La Femme and TV on the Radio (and whoaholyshit they were good).

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Levitation 2025 in Photos: Friday

October 1, 2025 brian.gray Leave a comment

Levitation has a new home. The Palmer Events Center played host to create a focal point for the line up that spanned prog-metal to shoegaze to slacker indie. Today’s gallery will feature some snaps from around the grounds for the heaviest day for the lineup.

On the bill – Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol, The Sword, Secret Chiefs, Acid Bath, The Armed, Mastodon

Click on through for a few thoughts and your new favorite photos.

Show Pics: The Psychedelic Furs @ ACL Live (7/15)

July 18, 2025 brian.gray Leave a comment

…with The Chameleons.

I was out and about earlier this week for a show at ACL Live featuring a couple more bgray throwback bands. If someone mentions The Psychedelic Furs, your mental soundtrack may jump at a movie soundtrack hit. I happen to think of the darker tail end of new wave that crossed over into post-punk. Being at a show where there are equal numbers of people are unironically wearing Wham! shirts as there were wearing Sisters of Mercy shirts is about the best description of the Psych Furs split personality. “Pretty In Pink” and “Heartbreak Beat” versus “Love My Way” and “No Easy Street”, pop bangers to introspective mourning.

Opening the show, The Chameleons have their core back together. You may know them as The Chameleons UK due to publishing issues, Chameleons Vox due to the breakup, but they’re back at it. I caught a bit of Mark Burgess playing solo during SXSW, but the full band experience, getting Smithies and Burgess back at it, is what I wanted. Got it. If you don’t know the band well, have a listen to Script Of The Bridge and tell me it couldn’t be released today.

Click through for the piccies!

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