The longtime yearly Chicago Psychfest 16 has seemingly upped its own heady game with a rare appearance by stoney-folk deity Gary Higgins!

Friday, March 6

Hideout and Plastic Crimewave via CPF are honored and thrilled to present this absolute legend, who hasn't left his East Coast haunts for Chicago (or many other places) since 2008. Higgins recorded his beautiful, laid-back, dark/sunny, baroque/fried album, Red Hash, in 1972 Connecticut--and he'll be playing many smokey cuts off the revered private press platter. Reissued by Drag City Records, the now-classic LP was released as Higgins went to jail for dealing weed on March 6, 1973--exactly 53 years before this unique appearance, with veteran collaborator Dave VanDebogart on second lilting guitar.

Anna Johnson's unique and soaring blend of experimental electronics, Celtic folk, and psyche textures have her playing all over the world. This set will be aided by the local supergroup of Paige Naylor (synth/vox), Ben Baker Billington (drums), and Andrew Scott Young (bass).

The Singleman Affair has been bringing his pastoral take on loner acoustics to recordings and stages since thee early aughts, and he will return to his ele-mental roots with this special set of early material—augmented by double-duty-ing Andrew Scott Young-bass, Don Ogilvie-percussion/vocal duties, and Beth Yates-flute.

DJ Psychedalex Kerner simply has the best astral folkin' stash in Chi-towne, and will keep the dreamy vinyl vibes tight all night.

Saturday Mar.7

Natural Information Society's revolutionary grooves need little introduction, as they have been on the vanguard of ecstatic minimalism, earthen rhythms, and avant freak-funk since 2010. The longtime quartet of devotional bassist/Guimbri player Joshua Abrams, harmonia-sorceress Lisa Alvarado, percussion wizard Mikel Patrick Avery, and bass-clarinetist Jason Stein will vibrationally transport, ala their latest sidelong-voyage LP, Perseverance Flow.

Glyders also need no intro, as they have been brandishing their dusty, motorik, groove-laments since 2014. They've brought their live energy and cowgirl in the sands boogie to Drag City as well, for their space-chooglin' LP, Forever.

Shravan Raghuram has been tearing up the regional exploratory music scene on a near sonic pilgrimage level, jamming in a plethora of far-out configurations that range from cosmic jazz, rockist rumble, to honed trances. He'll be appearing in a duo with woodwindist Kevin King, in a setting of drums and flute.

--We're happy to have sponsors in Uprise, an upstart independent craft cannabis company just launched in IL, and Torn Light Records, who have the best stocked selection of sights and sounds in town.