Music

En Orbita Festival Cements Chile’s Status As a Mecca For Psych Rock

Lead Photo: Photo by Nino Andres

For some time now, Chile has become a world-class psych rock mecca, thanks to Föllakzoid and The Holydrug Couple (among many others), bands that have been flipping trippy guitar music on its head, wowing music fans all over (just ask Henry Rollins). The trend keeps growing, and now, to slap another seal of approval on the country’s music taste, Chilean psych is getting its own festival.

En Orbita Festival will mark the beginning of international festival season, taking place on January 9 at Rinconada El Salto in Santiago. The lineup is the stuff of dreams, featuring living legends like Brazil’s Os Mutantes, The Sonics from the U.S., as well as Peru’s chicha cult heroes Los Mirlos and seminal Chilean folk rockers Los Jaivas. The Dandy Warhols will also represent the more contemporary alternative side of psych, while more recent bands like A Place to Bury Strangers, Dead Meadow (presented by Burger Records), and newer bands like Crocodiles and Radio Moscow will provide stellar garage and psych sets.

The local scene will be justly represented with Föllakzoid (who will be collaborating live with Atom), The Holydrug Couple, Camila Moreno, Magaly Fields, and many more. If you’re a serious fan of contemporary guitar music, with an interest in both veterans and new artists breaking the rules, this is a festival you do not want to miss. Presale tickets are available. For more info visit the festival’s site here.