ACL Festival Preview: First Aid Kit

Photo Credit: Neil Krug

If you've been reading this site for awhile then you may recall that I featured, Swedish band, First Aid Kit the last time they played ACL Festival. Like many people, I was first introduced to the band when they posted their cover of Fleet Foxes' Tiger Mountain Peasant Song. Their beautiful harmonies and tender performance immediately won me over. Their latest record, The Lion's Roar has earned them a lot of buzz. They are getting airplay on Adult Contemporary radio and people are starting to know who they are. Their time-slot is still quite early on in the festival considering how their star has risen since their last time playing ACL Fest. You can catch First Aid Kit Friday, on the Honda Stage at 1:15pm. Having seen them before, I can assure you that seeing them perform is worth the hassle of getting to Zilker early.


First Aid Kit - Wolf video via YouTube

I know there are people who feel like they can't go to ACL Fest from gates open until gate close but since I am focused on seeing smaller bands on the rise, I recommend that if you're going to cut your day short, leave during the headliners and catch the early bands. Not only will you have less crowd to deal with at the beginning of the day, you'll have an easier time getting out of the festival if you leave during the headliners.

Read more!

ACL Aftershow Officialness

So, I'm sure you've heard by now that the OFFICIAL after-shows for Austin City Limits Festival have been announced/gone on sale. You can get the complete list by clicking either of the above links, but let me tell you which shows I'd be most interested in checking out. If I could only attend 1 after-show I would see the show at La Zona Rosa with Sonic Youth and Warpaint. Not only because Sonic Youth are legends and this show is a rare opportunity but ALSO because Warpaint are effing awesome and will be legends in the future. Well, maybe not legends but you never know? They do kick some majah ass y'all.


Warpaint - Stars video via YouTube


Is it in poor-taste to post a video hosted on the SXSW YouTube channel when writing a post about ACL Fest? Oh well.

If I went to TWO ACL after-shows this year, I would go see Sonic Youth and the other show I would see would have to be...dang I just realized my top 3 after-shows are all taking place at the same time on October 9th. How do you like that? Even in the after-show experience you're forced to choose which stage you want to commit to. I'm still sticking with my number one choice cause it's at La Zona Rosa. My number 2 choice, the same night, is at Stubb's and, personally, I'd rather be at LZR than Stubb's. If you feel the opposite then you should see the Black Keys with Foals Oct. 9th. Have you listened to the Black Keys' latest, Brothers yet? They just keep getting better y'all.


the Black Keys - Tighten Up video via YouTube

My number 3 choice, also on October 9th is two bands I've seen already this year, both of whom I really loved. Girls will be playing Emo's with the Soft Pack.


Girls - Lust For Life video via YouTube

For the rest of my choices I'll just choose one show per night to make things easier. Wednesday night, before the fest, is all about the Strokes at Stubb's. Hate all you want but every track on their first LP is an effing jam and will be awesome to see performed live.


the Strokes - the Modern Age video via YouTube

Thursday night before the fest has to go to, hometown heroes, Spoon. I had the pleasure of enjoying their Austin City Limits television taping earlier this year and it was pure perfection.


Spoon - Nobody Gets Me But You video via YouTube

I must also give a nod to, lesser-known act, First Aid Kit who is playing a show with Ferraby Lionheart on Thursday night as well.


First Aid Kit - Tiger Mountain Peasant Song video via YouTube

Friday night, the first true night of "after-show", is kind of a toss-up for me. None of the shows on this particular night are un-missable in my opinion. I know a lot of you will disagree with that but this isn't your blog is it? *Evil Laugh Goes Here* For me it's a tie between seeing the Black Lips and seeing Deadmau5. It kind of just depends on what sort of experience you're looking for. Now, Monsters of Folk are also playing that night, but I feel like they're much better as a concept than a reality. I like the idea of those musicians coming together but I'm quite underwhelmed with the actual results ya know?


Black Lips - Drugs video via YouTube

Now we're up to Saturday Oct. 9th, which is where I began this post. So that's my Bloggy Advice re:ACL after-shows. Thoughts? Opinions? Congratulations?

Read more!