This is fine.
After the recent release of Dance Called Memory, anticipation for a solid night out (supported by B. Gray’s earlier attendance in SLC) from Nation of Language seemed a guarantee. I got the added bonus of getting to see one of my personal favorites, Deeper, open the night up too!
Check in for some brief words and rad photos!
Sunday at Austin City Limits Festival was pretty photogenic. I took too many photos (again), but that’s cool. It was fun. Over three days, I clicked in 18 miles on the grounds. That is quite a bit of meandering.
For Sunday, we had no headliners to contend with as both were closed pits, but the card up to then had planty of entertainment. From local hiphop, to 2010’s indie mainstays, we got a good dose of festival life. Bands for Sunday: Hey, Nothing (solid again), Geto Gala, The Dare (one man hype machine), Chuwi (Puerto Rico is America, really good), Wet Leg (festival set on lock), Gigi Perez (not my thing, but I get it), Passion Pit (big crowd, small tent) and Phantogram (okay, cool).
Click through, y’all…
Today, we have the big gallery from Saturday at Austin City Limits Festival‘s first weekend. It is another big one and features our chosen headliner for the fest, The Strokes. Yes, Julian was being inconvenienced by being on stage. But, any other behavior would be unexpected and signs of trouble at home.
The big list of performers captured, whether with intent or as a way to have some fun holding my camera, is as follows: Inoha (San Antonio getting it right early), Next of Kin (perfect tent set), Ocean Alley (Aussie pop), Modest Mouse (nice), Magalena Bay (buzzy blue), The Backseat Lovers (not my jam, but I get the appeal), Japanese Breakfast (festival set is getting super tight) and The Strokes (Julian’s parole hearing).
I’ll take a moment to give props to ACL for the sound this year. The Strokes were loud all the way to the hill. Also, the crowd for Sabrina was not what I thought it would have been. Is there fatigue setting in for fans of the girl pop jet set? Anyway, click through…
Right back at it after three days of Levitation, I spent last weekend out shooting Austin City Limits 2025 Weekend One. Admittedly, the lineups don’t suit our norms around here, but there are some throwbacks, a few locals and a some new names to create eye candy. After all, how can I turn down a chance to photograph Empire of the Sun?
The Friday edition brings photos from around grounds, including some bonus stuff that looks cool, of Asleep at the Wheel (tradition), Spill Tab, Good Neighbors (britpop), Amble (Irish folkpop), Nike Youre (flyby shots at BMI), Panda Bear (vibes), King Princess, The Favors (Finneas and Ashe), MJ Lenderman, Role Model (tiktok C&W?), Cage the Elephant (fire and jump shots), Empire of the Sun (costume changes) and Dr. Dog (all the hits).
Click through…
As I get ready to head out and photograph another three day festival weekend, we have another gallery from Levitation 2025.
It is big gallery, we had some photogenic sets that included smashed guitars, Austin legends and legendary indie. Bands featuring in the gallery – Daiistar, Population II, A Place to Bury Strangers (I got dizzy from the strobes, rad), Diles No Me Maten, Frankie and the Witch Fingers (really tight set), Upchuck, The Black Angels (thanks for the Reverb), Being Dead (always clever fun), Built to Spill, Destroyer (smooth) and Pavement (legends). It was a lot to take in.
Click through, it is a big one…
Next batch of images from Levitation 2025 are ready for your consumption. Saturday was more of a blend of genres; from legacy shoegaze to new acts causing the buzz to Indie all-stars, there was a little something for everyone. We had a dance party or two and definitely took in some seriously good songs along the way.
Click through, we have HooverIII (just a crowd grab, but sounded great), Yin Yin, Wednesday (buzz), Model Actriz (blistering set), Blonde Redhead, Swervedriver, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Raveonettes, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, La Femme and TV on the Radio (and whoaholyshit they were good).
Levitation has a new home. The Palmer Events Center played host to create a focal point for the line up that spanned prog-metal to shoegaze to slacker indie. Today’s gallery will feature some snaps from around the grounds for the heaviest day for the lineup.
On the bill – Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol, The Sword, Secret Chiefs, Acid Bath, The Armed, Mastodon
Click on through for a few thoughts and your new favorite photos.
Hopefully you have already heard the news that there is a brand new Weakened Friends LP on the way, but in case you haven’t, well, here we are. I’ve been writing about the band since around 2017, just before they dropped Common Blah; I even managed to book them at an impromptu SXSW show…so if I’m being honest, they’re one of my favorite acts of the current pop rock circle. Sonia and Annie play with abandon, offering listeners this forceful sincerity that you can’t escape; I think this song captures that energy perfectly as they smash into the chorus with such melodic ferocity that I’m already anticipating cranking this up for some air drumming at a stoplight near you. Feels Like Hell will be out this October through Don Giovanni.
SXSW officially opens today, though the music doesn’t roll out until the weekend. With that in mind, we’d like to re-introduce you to Snacktime, who’ve taken the time to fill out our little mini-survey in regards to their adventure to our town. I love how they claim to be channeling Prince, Parliament and Sly/Family Stone in their sound, which bodes well for audiences looking to have a great time. Meet the group below!
I know SXSW has made some errors, and it’s hard to support something so massive in the current climate. But, one thing I’ve always appreciated it that a lot of country’s send their favorite artists abroad to spread the word on their art scenes…and Scotland’s Cloth is one such group we’re excited to get to know better when they make their way next week. They’ve got a new record titled Pink Silence coming out in April, so take a quick read below and get to know them!
