When the legendary Texas psychedelic rocker Roky Erickson died on May 31, American music lost one of its great Outsider artists. With the 13th Floor Elevators, Erickson was the unmistakable voice of one the most bracingly savage, musical and weird of all the psychedelic rock groups of the ’60s. He had one more miracle in store, coming back from years of debilitating mental illness to reclaim his mantle and reap some of the adulation that had only grown in his years away. On May 31, the Huichica East festival lost something else: its headliner.
Roky Erickson’s death precipitated Huichica’s move from the Dutchess County farm that has been its New York home to the big back room at BSP in Kingston. It also led the organizers to shorten it to a one-day festival, one held in Erickson’s honor and memory.
The headliners that remain share certain enigmatic traits with Roky Erickson. Huichica East’s other big-name act is Destroyer, the nom de indie of Dan Bejar, minority writer in the New Pornographers and prolific solo artist under the Destroyer alias. Destroyer’s most recent release, 2017’s Ken, is a lush, densely poetic hybrid electro affair. As usual, his lyrics reward close attention, which is why the fact that his Huichica set is solo is possibly more feature than bug.
The rich micro-festival bill is rounded out by Helado Negro, the ambient pop project of Roberto Carlos Lange, the tireless festival regulars Mail the Horse, Kingston’s Shana Falana, Howlin Rain and more. Tickets cost a flat $45 for the people.
Huichica East Festival, Saturday, Aug. 10, 1-11:30 p.m., $45, BSP, 323 Wall St., Kingston, https://hudson.huichica.com