Occasionally I get an email from a friend about to embark on a music festival weekend, seeking advice on what bands to check out. I’m always flattered and usually eager (to the point that my boss should be concerned) to dive head first into the lineup and/or schedule to start curating my fantasy music experience.
Seeing as how these events are always chock-o-block with seasoned artists as well as top rookie prospects, it never hurts to have a second opinion on what acts will maximize the dollars spent on the astronomical ticket prices.
Hence, I’ve decided to publish my picks for this year’s Austin City Limits festival, to be held September 16th – 18th (Awe shit yo!…that’s TOMORROW!!). I’ve charted a course for each day and even placed an asterisk* by the “band of the day.” Note: My schedule is highly dependent on the ability to manipulate the space-time continuum. Please don’t hold me responsible for scheduling that warrants Outlook warnings like “this appointment is adjacent to another event” or “this event occurs in the past”.
Also, for the full schedule click here.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
11:45 Cults* – Who would have thought New York could have spawned such a great art-school dropout duo crafting wonderful indie pop? Oh….everyone.
12:30 Theophilus London – Best dressed avant rapper in the game. And that’s his real name, too!
***BEER GARDEN***
2:30 Delta Spirit – A nice dose of rock to propel you through the afternoon sun stroke.
3:30 Smith Westerns – but only if the beer garden doesn’t sing its sweet siren song.
4:30 Big Boi – Sir Luscious Leftfoot’s beats from the ATL will bring rap balance back to your day.
5:30 Foster the People – The hype-tastic trio has garnered much praise and radio play for their highly accessible debut album, Torches.
6:10 Bright Eyes – Either cut out early from F.t.P. or BYODelorean and travel 20 minutes back in time to catch Conor’s earnest yelps.
7:10 Santigold – Haven’t heard much from this Artiste since her self-titled release (as “Santogold”) back in 2008, but you can still hear her in the background of Bud Lime commercials.
8:30 Kanye – Mr. West may have a gigantic ego and very few stage manners, but when it’s his show, he is at the top of the game with nobody to call him down. Wouldn’t miss an opportunity to catch his antics, even if it’s only on the Jumbotron.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
An Horse, Cold War Kids, Ray LaMontagne
Best Name: Francisca Valenzuela – All I can picture is the fat Dodgers pitcher in a wig singing terrible mariachi karaoke.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
***REST***
12:30 The Antlers – Given their #1 fan in SD a while back, not sure I’ll ever see them again in my town.
1:15 Twin Shadow – A little electonic/soul/chillwave to diversify the mix.
2:00 J Roddy Walston & the Business* – Probably the best party rock you’re likely to see at the festival. They will knock your dick in the dirt, pick you up, clean you off, and do it again.
***NAP ON THE GRASS***
4:00 Iron & Wine – The softest way to come to from your nap. Sam Beam will croon, you will swoon.
5:00 Fitz & the Tantrums – No more fussy baby since you just had a nap. This pop/soul group will put the rhythm in your step.
6:00 Cut Copy – In the studio these Aussies produce some of the most danceable tracks I’ve heard. Never seen them live so I’d be hoping their sound and energy translate to the great outdoors.
7:00 Chromeo vs. TV on the Radio – Too difficult to pick, so just go back to the beer garden.
8:00 My Morning Jacket – If you’re not crawling by now, MMJ will jam you to bed.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Skrillex, Cee Lo
Best Name: Recess Monkey – So what if they’re playing the Kids’ stage, that name is hysterical.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
***TAKE DRUGS TO STAY AWAKE***
12:20 Little Hurricane – San Diego blues/rock duo self-describes as “one hot mess”. Curious much?
1:30 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. – Plug ‘n Play indie pop band from Detroit with a penchant for really killer cover songs. I’ve personally witnessed powerful renditions of Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love” and Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”.
2:30 The Walkmen – For anyone keeping tracks (just me) they are the most oft-featured band in my mixes. Their live show, specifically frontman Hamilton Leithauser’s howl, is something to behold.
***MORE DRUGS?***
4:30 Broken Social Scene – The Canadian collective has so many members you might be able to sneak on stage and play tambourine.
5:30 Death from Above 1979* – If heroin tooks steroids and then injected itself into a rabid wolf, you’d have one half of this recently revived ROCK outfit. Multiply by two and you have the band of the festival.
6:30 Fleet Foxes – because you’re gonna need to come down from all those drugs and DFA ’79.
***FIND A HAMMOCK***
8:30 Arcade Fire – My vote for band of the decade or “band of the most recent 10 years” if you’re concerned with crossing over from the 00’s. Their flawless sound, honest effort and sheer numbers never disappoint. Do yourself a solid and see them before you die….if you haven’t by now.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
The Head and the Heart, Joseph Arthur, Elbow, Social Distortion
Best Name: The Durdens – with their hit “Operation Mayhem”
CONGRATULATIONS, YOU MADE IT!!
You may be malnourished, dirty, sunburned and suffering from extreme bouts of withdrawal, but damnit you just saw some really great music!!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
TALKING POINTS
If anybody is actually attending ACL 2011, I would love to hear your thoughts. Please comment below on the bands you’re looking forward to or about the bands you thought outshined the sun!
If anyone has tickets to an upcoming festival or is even considering attending a festival and would like to see what my dumbass has to say, gimme a shout and I’ll try to help another festival-specific post.
Once you’re inside those festival gates, it’s all about survival. Check out my Not-To-Do Lists below to help you emerge on the other side of the weekend intact.
RELATED POSTS
Coachella | The Not-To-Do List
Coachella | Not-To-Do Pt. 2
The Desert Dual | Coachella(s)
Jay-Z & Kanye | Watch The Throne
