Let's Plan ACL Fest Day 2

If you only have a 1-day pass for ACL Fest, Saturday is the day to have it. This is the day that has the most acts I enjoy playing at the same time, so I had to make some tough decisions. Let's start at the beginning shall we?

We'll start out our Saturday at the Austin Ventures stage at 11:20a where local outfit, Balmorhea will be starting things off for us.


Balmorhea - Rememberance video via YouTube


After Balmorhea we'll head over to the Budweiser stage for the Very Best who's set begins at 12:30p. It's a very early time slot for them but at least they were booked on the headlining stage.


the Very Best - Julia video via YouTube

By 1:30p we'll want to be over at the Honda stage to catch Mr. Pete Yorn.


Pete Yorn - Last Summer video via YouTube

It's back to the Austin Ventures stage at 2:20p where Two Door Cinema Club will be performing. These guys had the opening slot the last time Phoenix played Stubb's and I suspect they won over lots of local fans at that show.


Two Door Cinema Club - I Can Talk video via YouTube

At 3:30p it's off to the Zync Card stage to catch the Black Lips making out with each other. No seriously, this is what punk is like in Atlanta (not really), they spit in the air and catch it in their mouths and they cartoonishly make-out with one another while playing solos. In otherwords it's not to be missed.


Black Lips - Short Fuse video via YouTube

I really want to see a lot of people at the Austin Ventures stage for Local Natives 4:30p set. However, Silversun Pickups put on such an amazing live show that I'm going to have to officially pick the Budweiser stage for your 4:30p time slot. Pretty much any stage you choose from 4:30-5:30 on Saturday is going to be effing awesome.


Silversun Pickups - The Royal We video via YouTube

Although a lot of people think the XX are boring in a live setting they are still who I'm going to see at 5:30p. They'll be performing on the Zync Card stage, but don't expect them to jump around like performing monkeys. They WILL be static but what would you expect from their minimalist sound?


the XX - Basic Space video via YouTube

The 6:30p time slot pits gypsy-punk against dance-punk and you know this blogger likes to dance. Did you know that? It's true. That's why I'll be over at the Budweiser stage to catch LCD Soundsystem. Talk about a great band for the dusk time-slot. Holla!


LCD Soundsystem - Bye Bye Bayou video via YouTube

At 7:30p it's back to the Honda stage for one of the most fun acts of the entire festival, Brooklyn 2-piece Matt and Kim.


Matt and Kim - Camera video via YouTube

At 8:30p I'll be visiting the AMD stage to see M.I.A.. I'm not going to lie her live performance can be very hit or miss let's hope she's inspired by a semi-headlining slot and she tears it up. We'll let time be the judge of that.


M.I.A. - XXXO video via YouTube

Finally after M.I.A. I'll be catching the end of Muse's set.

So, that's my Saturday at the fest.

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Silversun Pickups Videos

As you may recall, Silversun Pickups played a sold-out show at Stubb's Monday night and a certain blogger you may know was in attendance. It was my first time seeing Silversun Pickups perform but I have been a fan of their albums. The live show was energetic, with some very basic but beautiful lighting. The band was neither static nor corny, all in all a highly enjoyable experience. Luckily, those of you who missed them on Monday night will have another chance to catch SSPU in October when the band plays Austin City Limits Festival. In the meantime, feel free to wet your appetites with the videos I shot from the *ahem* VIP section.


Silversun Pickups - Little Lover's So Polite video via YouTube

It was my first time in Stubb's VIP balcony and I must say it was pretty nice. There is a bar in that area, and there are even risers to help more people see. I didn't always have a great vantage point and there were a few d-bags up there but both of these factors are to be expected no matter where you are at any venue.


Silversun Pickups - video via YouTube

The above video was the last song the band played, when asked about collapsing at the show's end the drummer responded, "I just wanted to lie down." and after that bombastic performance I can't blame him. I'd be downright tuckered. Who am I kidding? I'd be downright tuckered after the first 12 bars of the first song.

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