If you crave low-end fuzz, psychedelic distortion, and a community that lives and breathes riff worship, RippleFest Texas isn’t just a music festival — it’s a four-day rite of passage. No corporate glitz, no overpriced pretzels. Just pure, unapologetic underground rock — doom, sludge, psych, and stoner — thundering through the humid Texas air.
Set in the gritty heart of Austin, RippleFest is where denim meets desert haze and every band feels like a religious experience. You’re not here to “check it out.” You’re here because this is the sound that raises your blood pressure. This is your scene.
Let’s break it down — so you don’t just show up. You show up ready.
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What Makes RippleFest Texas the Real Deal
RippleFest isn’t curated to “appeal to everyone.” It’s built like a stacked tube amp — gritty, loud, and absolutely uncompromising. It’s the kind of fest where a band might rip a 15-minute instrumental that takes you on a trip and leaves you staring at the stage, wondering what just happened.
What sets it apart? First, the label behind the madness — Ripple Music — is in it for the sound, not the charts. The bands that roll through here aren’t manufactured — they’re forged in garages, cranked out of custom pedals, and lit up under blood-red lights.
And then there’s the crowd. This isn’t a festival of casuals — it’s fans, musicians, vinyl collectors, and gearheads. People who know what it means when the kick drum hits just right, when the reverb blooms, when the first note of a Fu Manchu cover makes everyone lose their minds. You’ll swap stories with someone who saw Kyuss in ’95 and share beers with a band you just watched tear up the side stage.
2025 Lineup: Wall-to-Wall Riff Worship
The 2025 bill is shaping up to be one of RippleFest’s most crushing lineups to date. From pioneers to pedalboard wizards, the stages will be soaked in distortion and groove.
Here’s a taste of what’s coming:
- Unida – This special performance will feature Mark Sunshine on vocals, bringing a fresh edge to the band’s unmistakable desert rock sound. Heavy riffs, deep roots — Unida is ready to rumble.
- Mos Generator – Heavy, melodic, and criminally underrated. These guys bring the old-school edge and never miss.
- Steak – UK stoner rock with that wide-open feel and tone thick enough to chew.
- Kind – Raw and riff-driven, they’re the sonic punch you didn’t know you needed.
- Thunder Horse, Fostermother, Sundrifter – Names you’ll be dropping all year after they blow the roof off.
And that’s just scratching the surface. If you know the Ripple Music roster, you know you’re in good hands. If you don’t — by Sunday night, you will.
Want to get a head start on the fuzz and filth? We put together a full RippleFest Texas 2025 Playlist so you can roll into Austin already dialed in. Every band, every mood, all in one place—perfect for blasting on the road trip, pre-gaming your Airbnb, or decompressing on the way home with your ears still ringing.
The Venues: Where the Thunder Lives
RippleFest Texas 2025 is splitting the energy between two killer South Austin spots: The Far Out Lounge & Stage and Sagebrush. Each has its own vibe — and you’ll feel it as soon as you step in.
The Far Out Lounge & Stage
Picture this: twinkling string lights overhead, dust in the air, and a stage where wall-to-wall Orange cabs hum with anticipation. It’s outdoor, it’s gritty, and it sounds massive. You’ll find shade under oaks or bake in the sun with a Lone Star in hand — but the music? That’s why you’re here.
The layout gives you space to drift, dance, or plant your boots in front of the monitors and soak it in. You’ll grab tacos from a food truck, chase it with something hoppy from the beer tent, and maybe catch a conversation with someone who drove 900 miles to be here. Because people do.
Sagebrush
Intimate. Dimly lit. Straight-up honky-tonk with a dive bar edge — but that stage? It’s gonna be sacred ground for late-night sets and secret performances. You’re packed in tight, the sound slams into your chest, and the walls sweat right along with you.
When Sagebrush lights up, it feels like every amp is turned to 11 and the floor might give out — and no one’s leaving until the last note.
Ticketing Information
- Dates: September 18–21, 2025
- Tickets: Available through Eventbrite
- Pricing: Early bird 4-day passes start at $100.
- Afterparty: A special afterparty will be held at Sagebrush on September 21, 2025. Tickets for the afterparty are sold separately.
Where to Stay (That Won’t Blow Your Whole Beer Budget)
RippleFest crowds aren’t about five-star room service. You need a place to crash, stash your gear, and recover from a night of sonic destruction. Here are some solid spots near the venues that won’t kill your wallet or your vibe.
Motels and Budget Inns
- Red Roof PLUS+ Austin South – 10 minutes from The Far Out Lounge. Clean rooms, free parking, and pet-friendly if your tour buddy is four-legged. No frills, but no weird smells either.
- Super 8 by Wyndham Austin South – Walking distance to greasy breakfast joints and solid late-night taco trucks. Basic, but it gets the job done.
- Americas Best Value Inn Austin – A little more “vintage,” but cheap, close to downtown, and surrounded by food trucks and convenience stores.
Campgrounds for the DIY Crowd
- McKinney Falls State Park – Just 15 minutes southeast of the venue. Tent camping, trees for shade, and you can swim in Onion Creek between sets. There’s a fire pit if you bring a six-pack and a guitar.
- Austin East KOA – Friendly to RVs and road dogs. Offers cabins, restrooms, Wi-Fi, and a pool if you’re crashing in a van or retrofitted school bus.
Fuel Up: Food that Soaks Up Beer and Sweat
You’re going to need calories to survive the heat and the decibels. Fortunately, Austin doesn’t play around when it comes to grub. Here’s what’s close to the venues and worth tracking down.
Near The Far Out Lounge
- Habesha – Ethiopian food tucked into a strip center. Communal, spicy, and unexpected—just like a killer set from a band you didn’t know you needed.
- Radio Coffee & Beer – Craft coffee in the morning, local beer at night, and food trucks serving everything from breakfast tacos to fried chicken. Chill outdoor space, usually a dog or two napping under the tables.
- Little Darlin’ – Backyard bar vibe with solid burgers, cold beer, and shady picnic tables. A favorite for pre-gaming with locals and bands alike.
Late-Night Grub
- Rosita’s Al Pastor – The real deal. This taco truck on East Riverside slings tacos deep into the night. Cash-only, no drama.
- Whataburger – It’s Texas. You’ll end up here eventually.
What to Drink (Besides What You Smuggled in)
Breweries Worth the Buzz
- St. Elmo Brewing Co. – Located in The Yard, practically next door to The Far Out Lounge. Crisp Kölsch, a beefy IPA, and a killer little food truck out back. You’ll probably end up here between sets.
- Independence Brewing Co. – A little further out, but worth it for a shady beer garden and solid local vibes. Live music some nights, good merch.
- Meanwhile Brewing – Massive space with live music, a soccer field, and plenty of food truck options. The pale ales hit just right in the Texas heat.
- 512 Brewing – One of Austin’s OG craft breweries. Strong porters, heavy stouts, and an industrial space that fits the RippleFest mood.
- Nomadic Beerworks – Small, weird, wonderful. Saisons and sours for the adventurous. Just a short scooter ride from the venue.
Pre-Game or Cool Down: Bars With Real Grit
- Giddy Ups – Classic South Austin honky tonk. Cheap drinks, friendly crowd, occasional live sets. Just down the road from the venue.
- Hotel Vegas – Not actually a hotel. This dive is all about dirty rock shows and heavy pours. Don’t leave without grabbing a Lone Star and hitting the patio.
- Drinks Lounge – Cocktails on the cheap and vintage pinball machines. It’s not fancy, and that’s why it rules.
- C-Boy’s Heart & Soul – If you want to class it up just a little while still keeping your boots on, this place is a South Congress favorite. Retro lounge upstairs with the occasional psych-rock set.
Record Stores for Crate Diggers
You came for the music—don’t leave without some wax. Austin’s crate-digging scene is alive and well, especially if you’re chasing psych, doom, garage, or obscure reissues.
- End of an Ear – South Austin’s sanctuary for obscure psych, doom, prog, and local releases. Knowledgeable staff, solid used section, occasional in-stores.
- Breakaway Records – Vintage vibes and walls of vinyl. Great for soul, funk, and garage rock. Their $3 bins are a goldmine if you dig deep.
- Waterloo Records – The city’s most iconic shop. It’s more polished, but their selection is deep and they’re solid for grabbing new releases.
- Antone’s Record Shop – Bluesy roots, but with a killer collection of classic rock and lesser-known finds. Bonus: they’re connected to the legendary music venue of the same name.
Get Around Without Losing Your Mind
Parking is tight, especially near the venues. Here’s how to stay mobile:
- Rideshare – Uber and Lyft both work well in Austin, but expect surge pricing at peak hours. It’s worth splitting with friends, especially at night.
- CapMetro Buses – Cheap and reliable. The 801 and 1 buses get you up and down South Congress with ease.
- Scooters – Lime, Bird, and Spin are everywhere. Great for short rides from your motel to the venue or brewery. Just watch out for potholes.
- Bike Rentals – Austin’s bike lanes are decent, especially around South Congress and Riverside. Look for B-Cycle kiosks or rent from a local shop if you’re staying longer.
Explore Austin Beyond the Stage
Whether you’re rolling into town a day early, killing time before the festival starts, or hanging around for a few days after the last encore, Austin has more than enough to keep the energy flowing. You don’t have to leave the rock-and-roll state of mind to soak in the weirdness this city runs on.
- Barton Springs Pool – Ice-cold, spring-fed, and surrounded by laid-back locals, this is the best way to recover from a long drive or recharge after the final set. The water’s never warm, and that’s exactly the point.
- South Congress – Thrift stores, vintage records, tattoo parlors, street musicians, and late-night food trucks all stacked along one walkable stretch. Grab a cheap breakfast taco, snag a bootleg tee, or just watch the chaos roll by.
- Lady Bird Lake Trail – Need some space to breathe after four days of wall-to-wall sound? This trail loops around the lake with plenty of places to sit, sip something cold, and watch the city hum.
- Zilker Park – Spread out under the trees and crash in the grass with a burrito and a speaker. It’s low-key, open-air, and just close enough to feel like you haven’t left the festival completely behind.
- Cheer Up Charlies – A little bit glam, a little bit grunge. This colorful dive off Red River throws all kinds of offbeat shows—from synth-pop to sludge—so you never know who might be playing. Worth checking if the party’s not quite over for you.
Final Thoughts
RippleFest Texas isn’t just about seeing a few bands. It’s about community, grit, sweat, volume, and living for the fuzz. You’ll meet folks who drove cross-country in beat-up vans, fans who know every deep cut, and musicians who hang out at the bar after their set. This is stoner rock’s spiritual home—so show up ready to dive in, get loud, and lose yourself in the riffs.
If you want to go home with clean shoes and quiet ears, you’re in the wrong place.
Stay Tuned for the Latest from RippleFest Texas. Keep your eyes on the official channels so you don’t miss a single lineup update, schedule drop, or surprise set announcement:
Facebook: facebook.com/RippleFestTexas
Instagram: instagram.com/ripplefesttexas
Been to RippleFest before? Drop a comment and pass the torch—what blew your mind last time, what should newcomers absolutely not miss, and what’s your go-to move for surviving four days of riffs and heat? Your advice could be the difference between a good time and a legendary one.
Check out our other festival scene guides for more dark and heavy events you won’t want to miss.
*Note: The artwork featured in this article is custom-created and not affiliated with the festival.