ACL 2022 – Weekend One Preview

We know ACL may not always be our cup of tea top to bottom, lineups drifting towards tiktok stars and Youtube trends in recent year. That does not mean you won’t be void of awesome goodness and refreshing moments of zen along with a big dose of nostalgia to come over the top and sneak up on you having a good time. Here comes a list of things you should consider if you happen to find yourself with a wristband for Austin City Limits 2022 Weekend One.

Nation of Language – Friday 1pm @ Miller Lite – First thing I will see, they might be my favorite band on the lineup. This duo, now fully fleshed out as a four piece, bring together so much of what I love about synth pop and 80’s wave hits. Songs sometimes build, sometimes simmer darkly, but their set at Levitation last year was so good.

Genesis Owusu – Friday 4pm @ Tito’s – I make it a point to hit the tent midday at some point to see something I wouldn’t normally pursue. Owusu blends elements of R&B, hip-hop, disco slow jams and straight up hype jams. I’m curious. Check out “Whip Cracker” and try to categorize.

Big Boi – Saturday 6:15 @ Honda – Big glasses, bounce.

The War on Drugs – Saturday @ T-Mobile 7:15 – These songs want wide open spaces to expand out towards, find a spot out by the chair line, reflect on the days events. This stage tends to deliver in the later hours somewhat isolated from the crossover of noise as Diplo floods the hill at Miller Lite.

Dehd – Sunday 1:15 @ T-Mobile – A tight trio delivering well-crafted lo-fi pop songs locked down with underlying synths and an ever present catchy chorus. The only bummer is that locals Darkbird and Caleb de Casper are at the same time. That would have been a nice one-two-three punch, but I am going to take Dehd this round.

Buffalo Nichols – Sunday 1:45 @ Tito’s – Carl “Buffalo” Nichols did some moving, both geographically and musically. Where it has landed him is Austin, trying to rebuild the foundation of the blues, a noble effort to connect the history of the music to a new generation. #tenttheory

MUNA – Sunday 3pm @ Barton Springs – Buzz

Spoon – Sunday 4pm @ Honda – Why not?

ZHU – Sunday 7pm @ Miller Lite – Who knows how this will go, but there are some really strong deep house jams by Zhu lately, so go check it out, get your shimmy on and I’ll report back for next weekend.

Here’s a fancy playlist with some of these artists and more —-

 

Fest Pics: ACL 2021 In Review

We are a little bit clear of ACL 2021’s two weekends. We dealt with the mental gymnastics required to attend both weekends during a pandemic. Proof of a negative test or full vaccination likely meant that Zilker Park was the safest place in Austin. But then again, a lot of people are liars.

So difficult to let go of being safe, yet so easy to get caught up in the moment.

Let’s get on to some thoughts a few photos.

Read more

ACL 2019: Sunday In Pictures

The humidity returned. Record high temperatures were recorded. There was nowhere to hide. It was hot. I guess we have to move the fest back another month?

Day three was pretty chill for me. Plenty of fun shooting to do, though. Going into the fest, Sunday was all about Idles. Instead, I experienced several gems hiding around that powerhouse performance. From mellow to nostalgic to charming, Sunday’s photos include Otis The Destroyer, Thomas Csorba, Faye Webster, Idles, Banks, Third Eye Blind, Kacey Musgraves and a shot of the biggest crowd ever for side stage performance. No, I did not shoot Lizzo as after I checked out TEB and Kacey, the crowd waiting for Lizzo was so huge that making it through before the pit closed was not looking possible without a jet pack. It was crazy.

Read more

ACL 2019: Saturday In Pictures

Next. It was still hot. It was a dry heat, but who am I kidding. Electrolytes, it’s what plants crave.

As Billie Eilish fans sat in pools of sweat, I spent the day chasing the music. It was a good day. The dust started to rise and survival was the utmost priority,. Besides, we had Bayonne, Taylor Bennett, Superet, Men I Trust, Patrick Droney, Brittany Howard, Bones UK, Gary Clark Jr., James Blake and The Cure to keep us on task. No photos of GnR (sorry 19yo me), Metric (sorry RayRay or Eilish (sorry Nathan) due to artist restricted pits and rights grabs release (looking at you Emily). I made up for it with even moar Cure. See more via the Read More.

Read more

ACL 2019 Festival Updates

Are you attending? Are you dreading the heat? It will be a dry heat. Like that helps…

While we aren’t as excited about the lineup this year versus last, my fest schedule is still full with either artists I want to see and shoot. That means staying hydrated while staying in motion and as you are making the stage to stage pilgrimages, there are some news bits that ACL sent out that you should pay attention to. Click through for the full skinny and a bag policy cheat sheet, but here a few highlights.

HI, HOW ARE YOU LOUNGE: Jumping on the Daniel Johnston thing for a good reason, there’ll be a lounge area to decompress and here about the Hi, How Are You Project.

BONUS TRACKS STAGE: I am going to call this the podcast stage. Lookup the schedule for interviews and discussion panels.

BEER HALL BITES: Two-for-One zone, now, get a beer and snack. Pretzels and beer cheese, carb up and protein intake, perfect.

MORE ENTRY LANES: Ramping up flow in, but y’all think hard about bringing a bag. Load up your pockets. Make one person that is reliable carry through the gear and buy them beers (and water).

Read more

ACL 2018 Schedule Available

…but you need to download the app.

Go here on your mobile device or push that install if you are so inclined.

Who will you miss when you see Chuhvurches? Deftones on Weekend One, Disturbed on Weekend Two.

David Byrne or Golden Dawn? If your out-of-town buddies haven’t been in the Arkestra and have seen Byrne, you know the answer.

Blood Orange or Sharon Van Etten? Pleased to say, that may the worst conflict.

But check out the app and opt in for updates and news as schedules are bound to be updated and you want the news when it lands.

ACL 2017: Lineup By Day

…and single day tickets are going on sale Friday.

Here is a link to the ACL website for your internet reading.

The lineup by day is the normal precursor to single day tickets. Weekend one only, Cut Copy will be on Saturday. What has two thumbs and has a wife that will be at ACL on Saturday of Weekend One? This guy.

It seems that they have a fairly well-balanced spread of ATH faves in he mid-tier headliner levels. The XX, Bonobo, Crystal Castles and Hamilton Leithauser are on Friday. Spoon, aforementioned Cut Copy (WE1), Angel Olsen, Car Seat Headrest, Ought are on Saturday. Gorillaz, Run The Jewels, Portugal Guy and First Aid Kit will ease you back into the work week.

1 2 3 4