Feelings Re:ACL Fest 2010 (TLDR)

This was my first year attending Austin City Limits Festival proper. In years previous I had always just attended lots of pre-shows and after-shows at the clubs around town. However, this year I was (somehow) granted media credentials to the festival giving me access for all 3 days at no charge. Of course, I was very excited about this and I truly appreciate the opportunity. With that being said, it made me realize I am not cut-out for the music festival scene. I realized music festivals are for fans of festivals not, necessarily, fans of music.

With that, I did learn a few things from my experience this year that will change the way I attend next year, assuming I'm invited back that is. The first thing I learned is an old cliche, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. In this case I'm referring to the chair people. I'm focusing more on my personal comfort than the show and I think I'll have a better time.

Next year I'm picking a side a day. I'm going to plant a chair between two stages and watch the bands on the screens and I'm gonna love it. I'm going to have a cooler with sandwiches and if I do any interviews the bands will have to find my ridiculous flag. We'll snack, we'll chat about their latest album and maybe play a round of Boggle.

This strategy will also help me to get downtown after the fest more often. This year I only went to one show downtown, during the fest. I saw Amanda Blank at the Scoot Inn thanks to my friends over at Knuckle Rumbler.


Amanda Blank - I'm a Lady video via YouTube

Also, I've got a list after the break.

While this post may get me blacklisted in the city of Austin, as C3 Presents pretty much runs this town, I feel like I have to be myself and share with you the 50 things that bothered me the most at the fest. Also, as a true music fan I effing love lists and if you're reading this blog, you too love lists.

I also want to say that this list isn't exclusive to ACL, not by a LOOOOONG shot, these complaints would be valid at Stubb's, Coachella, or any other mass gathering of people for that matter.

So those are my disclaimers, hopefully there were enough of them.

1. Bros.
2. Shirtless, sweaty bros.
3. Shirtless, sweaty bros with terrible tattoos.
4. Tiny, bitchy girls who <3 said bros.
5. Excessive cigarette smoking.
6. Excessive pot smoking.
7. People who don't really enjoy music.
8. People who won't STFU.
9. People who get bent out of shape if you step on or near their blanket.
10. Chair-icade zone maze at the edge of the crowd
11. Capmetro not running extra busses throughout the city.
12. People constantly bumping into me while I'm watching a performance.
13. Sound-bleeding.
14. People taking terrible cellphone videos/pictures.
15. My personal lack of power and influence at such a large event.
16. Standing in a field with thousands of people to stare at a performance on a screen.
17. The Eagles are a headlining act in 2010?
18. The lack of intimacy (I'm spoiled my club shows).
19. Expensive-ass food.
20. Security people not knowing festival info.
21. Dangerously drunk people.
22. Spotty to non-existent cell service.
23. Corporate stage names.
24. The cost of Budweiser next to the Budweiser stage.
25. Trekking from stage to stage.
26. Hoards of casual music listeners jockeying to see the most bands.
27. Andy Langer/Jason Dick <--This one's a tie.
28. Who invited VH1?
29. People who thought M.I.A.'s set was "awesome".
30. Making me choose between two good artists playing at the same time.
31. Port-a-Johns marinating in the sun.
32. Port-a-Johns w/out toilet paper.
33. Clever flags obstructing my view.
34. Shoeless people.
35. Bootleg T-shirt salesmen who won't stop shouting.
36. Why is your grandpa here?
37. People who bring their babies.
38. Toddlers w/out ear protection.
39. Inconsiderate people.
40. People who litter despite the excessive number of proper receptacles.
41. People who try to run through the crowd.
42. People who try to talk on their cell phone in a loud-ass field.
43. People who throw cigarette butts on the ground.
44. Traffic.
45. Lack of cabs.
46. Too many days. Two days is plenty. I'm tired
47. I'm too misanthropic to enjoy a festival.
48. I'm too much of a hipster to enjoy an event, which allows so many people to attend.
49. Drunken security bros drunk on power and alcohol.
50. This post ruined any chance I had of ever getting a media pass again.

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Planning the FINAL day of ACL 2010

If you're as exhausted as I am the prospect of going back to Zilker for another long day is somewhat daunting but we're all just going to have to suck it up y'all. It's only one more day then we can relax until the next big fest in Austin...next month.

In order to serve my own laziness this post will be very short on words. In fact I'm just going to list my picks followed by sample video. So, let's plan out the final day of the fest shall we?

TV Torso


TV Torso - Live at the Parish video via YouTube


Warpaint


Warpaint - Stars video via YouTube

White Rabbits


White Rabbits - the Plot video via YouTube

Foals


Foals - Balloons video via YouTube

Portugal the Man


Portugal the Man - People Say video via YouTube

Make sure you catch The Morning Benders!! I love these guys enough to write these sentences about them!


the Morning Benders - All Day Daylight video via YouTube

Yeasayer


Yeasayer - Madder Red video via YouTube

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros


Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - 40 Day Dream video via YouTube

the Flaming Lips


the Flaming Lips - She Don't Use Jelly video via YouTube

the National


the National - Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks video via YouTube

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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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ACL Off-Site Noms

This post is aimed at the tourists but I welcome my fellow Austin residents to chime in. I thought some of you out of towners might be looking for some thoughts on our food offerings here in Austin. I don't claim to be any sort of expert on this subject and I won't attempt to cover the entire city, in fact I'm going to focus on the zip code in which I live and the zip code in which the festival occurs. If you're one of my Twitter followers then you already know I'm talking about #78704Life.

Austin has so many amazing places to eat it's going to be tough to narrow it down so I'll give you some categories. Let's start with an essential during a festival, 24-hr food. Austin has lots of choices for 24hr dining and I'll start with the place that pays my bills. Kerbey Lane Cafe has 5 locations including one on S. Lamar a short jaunt from the festival grounds. The menu is 6 pages and offers everything from enchiladas, sandwiches, fancy salads and apps to breakfast food. They are known for their frisbee-sized pancakes, which are offered in at least 5 varieties including a vegan option. They are also one of the best places in the city to get Chips and Queso. If you don't know what I mean my Chips and Queso then you haven't lived yet.


Kerbey Lane Cafe


Along the same lines you can find Magnolia Cafe over on S. Congress their menu offerings are almost identical to Kerbey's but the atmosphere is a bit more punk-rock. You can find a wide spectrum of patrons and employees at both restaurants. You can also expect to have to wait for a table as both restaurants are quite small and quite popular.


Magnolia Cafe

If you want some 24hr fast food, boy have we got you covered. Almost every fast-food chain in Austin has AT LEAST a 24hr drive thru but if you want the true Texas experience you have to get to the closest Whataburger. The location nearest to the festival is on S. 1st street where it meets Barton Springs Dr.


Whataburger

Taco Cabana's food pretty much sucks but it's 24hrs and when you're drunk it's like a little slice of heaven. I usually get quesadillas and I would avoid the enchiladas at all costs.


Taco Cabana

Carts:

You could dedicate an entire website to Austin cart food, it's extremely trendy right now and there are more of them popping up all over the place all the time. You'll find a lot of Austin's best food cart vendors inside the fest itself so I won't focus on them too much. HOWEVER, one of the most overlooked carts in the city is called, Lulu B's and it effing rules. They do Vietnamese-style sandwiches served on French bagettes. If you've seen the Great Food-Truck Race on the Food Network it's the same kind of food the Nom Noms truck was serving.

One of the most popular food trucks in the city is within walking distance of the festival on S. Lamar. It's called Gordoughs and they do giant, pricey, gourmet donuts. Yes, you read that correctly. Think bearclaws with bacon and you're getting close. I know it sounds odd but it is scrumptious.


Gordoughs

On the taco cart front, how can I not mention Torchy's Tacos? You should try to find their "original" (Moved half a block) location on S. 1st st. but they have non-cart locations throughout the city as well. This is a taqueria for gringos and they have some amazing chips and queso as well, but be prepared it's spicy yo.


Torchy's Tacos

Mexican Food:

Austin has roughly a hundred billion amazing Mexican restaurants and everyone has their favorites for various reasons. My personal favorite is Curra's Grill on Oltorf. This place is so good, I used to work there and was fired but I STILL eat there. They are known for their Tacos Al Pastor as well as the Conchinita Pibil. They DO charge for chips and salsa BUT if you ask for the salsa sampler you get to try their 14-16 salsa for free! A lot of people love their avocado margarita but I am not one of those people.


Curra's Grill

Guero's Taco Bar on S. Congress also has some great Mexican food but they have a higher cool quotient after being featured in a Quentin Tarrantino movie (Death Proof). It's located in the uber-hip South Congress shopping district, which you should check out even if you don't eat here.


Guero's Taco Bar

I generally do more drinking than eating at Polvos on S. 1st st but they have some excellent food as well.


Polvos

BBQ:

This category is kind of tricky since I'm focusing, exclusively on 78704. Firstly you should know Austin's best BBQ joint isn't really in Austin proper it's Southwest of the city and it's called Salt Lick BBQ. Luckily, they'll be on-site for ACL Fest and they also have an airport location. However, Green Mesquite BBQ also does some great BBQ and they're spitting distance from the fest. They were featured on the Food Network and I was actually in that episode. All of my friends wait tables there so mention Bloggy if you want, but it won't really get you special treatment.


Green Mesquite

Burgers:

My, personal, favorite burger in Austin is not located in the '04 but that doesn't mean the '04 doesn't have some fantastic burgers. I'm a big fan of Fran's Burgers on S. Congress but you MUST order your burger on the jalapeno sourdough bread or else the trip is pointless. This place has been featured on the tv show Friday Night Lights, which really has nothing to do with anything I just thought you should know. Oh yeah, Fran's also has some great fried mushrooms.


Fran's Hamburgers

Not too far from the festival grounds on S. Lamar you'll find a bar in a strip mall called, Black Sheep Lodge. They have one of the best burgers in all of Texas, according to Texas monthly magazine, but they don't have a lot of parking so I'd take the bus if I were you.


Black Sheep Lodge

Pizza:

You'll have to wait for a table but Homeslice Pizza on S. Congress is my favorite pizza in the city. The pies are huge, New York-style and the dining room is ridiculously clever. The sign on the Men's room is a pizza slice while the Ladie's room is a whole pizza with a slice missing. Get it? They also do pizza by the slice until very late at night, I want to say 3am but it might only be until 2am.


Homeslice Pizza

Just a bit further on S. Congress you'll find Southside Flying Pizza, they do a slightly more gourmet pizza with funkier toppings and such. They also deliver anywhere in the '04 (but it takes forever(shhhh)).


Southside Flying Pizza

The last pizza I'll recommend is in one of the most unlikely places. It's called Giovanni's Pizza and it used to be a food cart. However, it has since moved into a gas station. That's right, a Valero at the corner of S. Lamar and Barton Skyway has some of my favorite pizza in the city. Crazy right?

So Fancy I'll Never Afford It:

You could walk from the festival to Uchi on S. Lamar. It's the top-rated restaurant in the city and their chef was on Iron Chef! Whoa! In case you couldn't tell from the name it's a Japanese restaurant and it's the kind of place you go for an experience, not just a meal. Expect to spend around $100/person though.


Uchi

A bit further south on S. Lamar you'll find Olivia. They have a freakin' garden out back and the menu changes daily based on what they acquire for the freshest ingredients. Luckily they'll have a more wallet-friendly selection on the festival grounds as well.


Olivia

Dessert:

We all know cupcakes are ridiculously trendy but don't deny yourselves the pleasure of a dessert from Hey Cupcake!. This place is also in the trendy S. Congress shopping district and it's hard to miss with a giant, pink-frosted cupcake on the roof of an airstream trailer.


Hey Cupcake!

A bit further south on S. Congress, there's an Amy's Ice Cream location. Think Coldestone creamery except funky with more local flavors. Make sure the person who is serving you does something fancy like throwing the ice cream, if they don't tell them you expect some sort of a show and they will oblige. Also, look for the trivia question on the menu the questions are google-able and earn you a free crush-in!


Amy's Ice Cream

So there's a few food suggestion from Bloggy, feel free to chime in Austinites. That's what the comments section is for!

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Planning Day 1 of ACL Fest 2010

Alright, so I've already told you about some cool official, and unofficial after-shows. We've also broken down some of the toughest decisions regarding bands playing simultaneously on different stages. So, here's the part where I tell you my choices for the whole effing day! I'm going to break it down in to two strategies. The first ACL Fest strategy involves camping out at one stage all day so that you can get a good spot in the crowd. If that's how you want to rock the fest on Friday, then I recommend you hang out at the AMD stage. I wouldn't, necessarily enjoy every single artist who will be playing that stage but it has the highest ratio of bands I care about to bands I couldn't care less about.

The second strategy involves lots of traversing Zilker park. That's the strategy I'll most likely be partaking in. So let's break it down minute by minute. Personally, I'll be waiting tables from 6:00am-2:00pm so I won't be at the Fest as soon as the gates open but I'll break it down as if I would be just for you.

You'll want to start at the Zync Card stage at 11:45 to catch Vonnegutt. They are featured on the latest Big Boi single and they have a very high break-out act potential. Their sound is very MTV-friendly and I feel like the tweens are going to love them. Think Gym Class Heroes.


Vonnegutt - Bright Eyes video via YouTube


Around 12:20 you should hit the Austin Ventures stage to check out Charlie Mars. It will be quite the jump in genre from Vonnegutt but isn't that what a festival is all about? Going from hip-hip-pop to sensitive-singer-songwriter simply by walking a few steps?


Charlie Mars - Like a Bird, Like a Plane video via YouTube

You'll probably have to leave C. Mars set before he is completely through to catch the Soft Pack back at the Zync Card stage. They go on from 1:00-2:00.


the Soft Pack - C'Mon video via YouTube

From 2:00-3:00 you'll want to slide on over to the Budweiser stage to catch the Mountain Goats beautiful, pastoral, folk-rock.


the Mountain Goats - This Year video via YouTube

We'll be back at the Zync Card stage by 3:00 to catch Bloggy favs, Girls. In this Blogger's opinion they deserve a time slot closer to sunset. I mean have you heard the song Laura? It's effing genius!


Girls - Laura video via YouTube

At 4:00 it's all the way over to the AMD stage in time for the Black Keys. I'm excited to see how these 2 dudes work a big-ass festival crowd. Will we feel the sexual energy all the way in the back (so to speak)?


the Black Keys - Tighten Up video via YouTube

The 5:00 o'clock time slot is a tough decision for me, as I mentioned in a previous post but I'm going to vote we head back to the Zync Card stage to see the Sword blow the minds of many, many local fans and hopefully lots of tourist-types too. These guys are local heroes so I expect this stage will have quite the crowd by 5pm.


the Sword - How Heavy This Axe video via YouTube

Speaking of local heroes, after the Sword are through we head back to the AMD stage in time for Spoon's 6pm set.


Spoon - Written In Reverse video via YouTube

At 7:00 alt-rock legends, Sonic Youth will take to the Honda stage, so you know where I'll be.


Sonic Youth - 100% video via YouTube

This last decision might be controversial but I vote we check out the Strokes at the AMD stage. Phish will be starting their headlining set at the same time on the Budweiser stage but chances are once the Strokes have played every song they've ever written +2 covers, Phish will just be approaching the 3rd song of their set. In otherwords you can catch both acts...or you could leave the festival grounds before all the dirty hippies clog up the public transit system. That's your call.


the Strokes - Reptilia video via YouTube

So, there you have it. Those are Bloggy's picks for day 1 of the fest, enjoy and I'll see you there!


Phish - You Enjoy Myself (part 2) video via YouTube

By the way, is anyone else bothered by the names of these stages? I would be will to pay $20 more per ticket if they weren't corporately named. Sure makes me appreciate FunFunFun Fest naming their stages after colors. This post was brought to you via these ads ---------->


FunFunFun Fest - 2009 Re-Cap video via YouTube

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Band Vs. Band at ACL Fest

A festival like ACL, which takes place in a central location won't have as many tough choices as say, SXSW but there are multiple stages so you're still going to have to make some tough decisions every now and again. I'll be posting my picks for each day of the fest the day before each day...does that make sense? Firstly though I want to highlight some of the tougher choices when making your picks this year. For me, Saturday has the most conflicts but I'll try to go chronologically.

The first hipster music conflict I notice of the festival is the pitting of Miike Snow against Girls. For me, I definitely am leaning towards Girls since I'm such a big fan of theirs HOWEVER I have already seen them play before whereas Miike Snow I have not seen. Miike Snow played several times during SXSW, even at some events I attended but they were never playing while I was in attendance. So, I guess it comes down to whether you want to rock out or electro out? Dance out? Pop out? Not really sure how I would classify the Snow sound.


Miike Snow - Silvia video via YouTube


The next major conflict for Friday is, Beach House Vs. local metal heroes, The Sword. These artists are on complete opposite ends of the musical spectrum and while I adore Beach House especially their latest LP, Teen Dream, the Austinite in me says I have to support The Sword. Besides, I really don't think the Nyquil-pop of Beach House is well-suited for the festival experience.


The Sword - Tres Brujas video via YouTube

The final conflict of Saturday pits the old-guard of alt--rock against the new guard of blog-rock. The legendary, Sonic Youth are playing the same time as Vampire Weekend. Do you want to rock or do you want to twee-rock? Personally, I had the chance to see VW before their first LP on the Mohawk's inside stage and I don't see anything topping that. However, I will (hopefully(*fingers crossed)) be in attendance when Sonic Youth tapes their Austin City Limits Television performance Thursday night. In otherwords by Saturday I will have seen both artists. In either case, you have to pick the legends simply because you can. Sorry, vee dubs, maybe next year?


Sonic Youth - Sacred Trickster video via YouTube

Saturday has lots of conflicts so I'm going to keep it more brief. The conflicts start early (12:15p) when First Aid Kit and the Very Best take stage simultaneously. I vote the Very Best based on having fun at a festival. Also, it's quite likely we'll see Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend at the Very Best's set as he lends vocals to the title track from their LP.


the Very Best - Warm Heart of Africa video via YouTube

The always handsome, Pete Yorn will be playing while BOTH Ninjasonik and Two Door Cinema Club perform. I'll probably skip Ninjasonik despite really enjoying them, simply because I caught them at SXSW this year.


Ninjasonik - Negative Thinking in Tight Pants video via YouTube

4:30p-5:30p on Saturday is going to be the toughest hour of the whole festival. I literally like EVERY artists playing at that time. Silversun Pickups, Broken Bells, Local Natives, AND Dan Black are all playing at the same time?!?! Damn, that's going to be a tough decision. I have actually seen all of those artists already this year but that doesn't mean I don't want to see them all again?!?! I want Local Natives to get a good crowd, but SSPU were soooo effing good and a festival is really where they shine. I'm not going to pick a horse in this race, I'm going to just let the fest lead me.


Dan Black - U + Me = video via YouTube

That's not the end of Saturday's conflicts though, not even close. We've got, Gogol Bordello playing at the same time as LCD Soundsytem.


LCD Soundsytem - I Can Change video via YouTube

Then at 7:30p on Saturday both Matt & Kim and Deadmau5 will take to their respective stages.


Matt and Kim - Silver Tiles video via YouTube

Finally M.I.A. and Muse are playing at the same time. Personally, I have seen M.I.A. twice (on here first tour(natch)) and I have never seen Muse so I'll most likely be checking out Muse. For you, who knows? Might be a tougher call to make. On the bright side, Muse's set time is 30 minutes longer than M.I.A.'s, also her new material pretty much sucks soooo...


Muse - Sunburn video via YouTube

On to Sunday, the Lord's day, lucky for us there are far fewer conflicts on the fest's final day. Unfortunately (or fortunately) MOST of the conflicts are early in the day when it SHOULD be easier to move from stage to stage. There are THREE Bloggy favs all playing at the same time between 11:30a-12:30p on Saturday. Two local favs, TV Torso and Shearwater will both be performing while Warpaint performs at another stage.


Shearwater - Hidden Lakes video via YouTube

A little later you'll have to choose between Ted Leo or White Rabbits.


Ted Leo - A Bottle of Buckie video via YouTube

Finally the toughest VS. of the day, will you choose Band of Horses? Or would you rather see the Flaming Lips? I did hear a nasty little rumor that the Lips and Spoon swapped slots, which would mean Spoon and BOH would be playing at the same time. To either scenario I say, dang.


the Flaming Lips - The Sparrow Looks Up at the Machine video via YouTube

So those are the time conflicts as I see them, stay tuned for the next few days and I'll break down who you should see and/or where you might see me at the fest.

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ACL Week Aftershow Picks

Is it me or are the "after-shows" starting earlier and early every year of ACL Fest? They used to happen after the show, now you can catch some of the headline names from the fest as early as Wednesday night. Some of the best after-shows this year are the ones that aren't affiliated with the fest at all. I'm sure the 3 Charlies are loving that. Although, the most pre of all the pre-shows is an official performance by the Strokes happening at Stubb's, which is sold-out incidentally. Don't let that deter you though, the Pavement show I saw last week was also sold-out and if you recall I purchased a scalped ticket for less than half the face value. My advice is to wait until the headliner has begun playing and then offer the scalper a 20 spot, then can take it or leave it but if they give you a hard time just remind them that the show has started and see how they react. Worst-case scenario, you listen from the top deck of that parking structure across the street from Stubb's, ain't nothin' wrong with that.


the Strokes - NYC Cops video via YouTube


Thursday night is the first night with lots of really good official (pre)after-shows including, but not limited to, Spoon, Neon Indian and many, many more. I want to highlight First Aid Kit though, because they are playing the fest but their sound will be much better suited for Stubb's inside stage, which is where you can catch them Thursday night. Tickets for that show are only $10 bucks and are still available as of the writing of this post.


First Aid Kit - Tiger Mountain Peasant Song video via YouTube

Other than that, I'd go unofficial Thursday night and see Talib Kweli at the Scoot Inn. Do I really need to explain why? Kweli is a lyrical genius and any opportunity we have to hear his words live is a blessing. If he never did anything other than the Black Star album with Mos Def he would STILL be a legend. Tickets for Kweli are ALSO available as of the writing of this post. Props to my friends and comrades over at Knuckle Rumbler for that booking.


Blackstar - Definition video via YouTube

Speaking of the KR kids, if you want to run into me Friday night, I'll be kickin it with the Knucks at another great booking for the Scoot, with Miss Amanda Blank. If you don't know who she is, it's time to get schooled, she is one of my favorite female emcee's. Her lyrics, are filthy, nimble and often hilarious to boot. You can still grab tickets for A. Blank at the Scoot Friday night and I recommend you do so.


Santigold - I'm a Lady (Diplo Remix) featuring Amanda Blank video via YouTube

For Saturday I want to highlight another small name from the fest, who you have probably never heard of but you probably will in the future. Beats Antique are playing the festival but they'll be playing very early in the day most likely to a small crowd. Their official after-show at Momo's is a great way to catch the band in a more intimate setting. Plus it will be a great story when they start to take off you can be that guy who saw them way back when, in that little hole in the wall club away from the Red River scene.


Beats Antique - Miss Levine video via YouTube

Sunday night, you tourists need to check out Austin post-rockers Markov, who will be opening for Rival Schools at Red 7. This show starts around the same time as the Eagles' ACL set so feel free to ditch Zilker and head downtown for some youthful rockers who are, shall we say, relevant? Seriously, how did the Eagles end up at ACL? I promise if I run in to them at the festival I will ask them for all of us, "Why are you here Don Henley?"


Markov - Rain Inside video via Nites Blog via YouTube

Holy crapezoid! Can't believe I forgot to mention the unofficial after-party happening Saturday night at Beauty Bar featuring, Bloggy favs, Sleigh Bells. I guess I kind of forgot about this show because it's going to be so effing hard to get into. The deal is, you have to RSVP for a chance to pay at the door. They are not selling tickets ahead of time so it's basically first come, first served. In otherwords this show is basically for the people who WON'T be attending the fest. I think most of us who will be at the fest have a very low probability of getting in the door. Lucky for us I already saw Sleigh Bells in March and shot this video. The downside is I was on stage and the monitor sound was terrible so you can't really hear the vocals. C'est la vie.


Sleigh Bells - Treats video via YouTube

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Videos from Last Week

So, I feel like I have so much to plan, organize and write within the next week. By this point next week we will already be in the ACL Fest pre-show zone but to be honest, I'm not ready to write about all of that just yet. In year's past I have not attended the fest itself, focusing my energies on pre and after-shows but 2010 is the year of Bloggy and I'll be on the festival grounds making fun of Andy Langer every chance I get. Seriously A. Langer, Dawes? Wake me up when your favorite artists are finished performing.

In the meantime I wanted to show you some videos I shot last week. I'm going in reverse chronological order. I was sitting at home Tuesday night feeling ill, broke and generally bummed because I didn't acquire entry to the sold-out Pavement show at Stubb's. I was resigned to catching up on Tivo when I decided I couldn't sit at home and not try to see Pavement. I mean, how many more opportunities will I have to see them perform live? Not very many. So I grabbed 2 bucks for the bus and $20 for a ticket and headed downtown. For those of you who planned ahead you paid roughly $50 for your ticket. I arrived at Stubb's as Pavement was starting their first song, I spotted a scalper and asked him how much. It went something like this:

"Need a ticket?"

"Yeah, how much?"

"$50"

"I have $20"

"$30"

"Listen the show has started, do you want the $20 or not"

*Hands me ticket*

I was inside midway through their 2nd song. Unfortunately, I didn't really jockey for position to get good video so you can't really see the band in this footage, but they were up there, trust me. Also, take note of all the talking, how can people pay $50 for a once in a lifetime show just to talk through the whole effing set? STFU!!


Pavement - Grounded video via YouTube


Before, Pavement I caught Jamie Lidell at Antone's. I had seen him on his tour for Jim but his sound is much different on this Compass tour. In fact, not one member of the Jim band was in the Compass band. There was no horn section and things were more rock and less soul. Props to J. Lidell's new keys player though, that dude while not so easy on the eyes, was an amazing musician with some serious chops. All in all I would say the performance was less fun than during the last tour but much tighter with much greater musicianship. The song I captured was actually from the Jim LP but it has definitely been re-interpreted for his new band. If you don't watch the whole video you need to skip to the last minute that's where the amazing happens. *chills*


Jamie Lidell - Another Day video via YouTube

Opening for Jamie Lidell was up-and-coming artist, Twin Shadow. I received a preview copy of his forthcoming LP and I really dug it but the songs were even more impressive in a live setting. The tunes are already very atmospheric but in person they have a mesmerizing energy that really draws you in. The following video was the first song the band performed and it really won the crowd over. You could feel a definite shift in vibe from when the song began until when it ended. Make sure you catch Twin Shadow if and when they hit your town. I expect them back in Austin for SXSW 2011...or sooner.


Twin Shadow - Shooting Holes at the Moon video via YouTube

You can find one more video from Twin Shadow over on the Bloggy F*c*book. Look for all my ACL writing soon. See you at the fest?

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Twin Shadow with Jamie Lidell at Antones

Just wanted y'all to have the heads up about a show going down at Antone's this Friday night. Bloggy fav, Jamie Lidell has brought his tour stateside and he's tagged up-and-coming artist, Twin Shadow to go along for the ride. Make sure you arrive early enough to catch Twin Shadow's set because you're going to hear that name a lot more often in the near future. His album, Forget was produced by Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear and mixes 80's synth textures with warbly beats and new-wave soul. Tickets for Friday's show at Antone's are still available but I'd expect a packed house if I were you.


Twin Shadow - Castles in the Snow via YouTube


As for Jamie Lidell his new album explores new sonic textures, which are a far cry from the slick-soul sound of Jim. Expect more electronic experimentation in the music it self but Jamie still wails. Trust me, I had the chance to catch his Austin City Limits Festival aftershow at the Parish last year (or was it 2 years ago?) and he put on a great show. He's assembled a strange-looking crew of extremely tight, in-the-pocket musicians. For my money I can't think of a better way to spend my Friday night in Austin.


Jamie Lidell - I Wanna Be Your Telephone video via YouTube

I'm planning on bringing my Mom to the show, that's right I'm bring my Mom you got a problem with it? Anyway, I bought her a copy of Jim back when it came out and it has become one of her most listened to albums. I don't have the heart to tell her how his sound has changed, but I'm sure he'll still play a few gems like this one:


Jamie Lidell - Little Bit of Feel Good video via YouTube

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Weekend Plans

It's officially the freakin' weekin' and it's time to have you some fun. There aren't a lot of "marquee names" hitting Austin this weekend but there are still lots of great shows to to see. You can catch the perennial ska band, the Skatalites at Flamingo Cantina but if we're being honest it's actually "the Skatalites". Currently they only have 2/9th of their founding members but they are still a great ska band.


the Skatalites - Simmer Down video via YouTube

Or maybe Japanese, all-female, indie-rock is more your fancy, in which case you should head on over to Red 7 for the Shonen Knife show.


Shonen Knife - Top Of the World video via YouTube


If you like your indie-rock to be more on the local tip there are TWO great shows for you to check out. The Bright Light Social Hour are having a show at Antone's tonight in celebration of the release of their debut LP.


Bright Light Social Hour - video via YouTube

If you'd rather stay in touch with the Red River scene, while still keeping your indie-rock local, you're a very particular person. Luckily the Laughing are doing a show at the Mohawk tonight. That show will be on the Mohawk's inside stage and White Dress will be kicking things off at 10p.


White Dress - video via Cannibal Cheerleader via YouTube

For your Saturday night, I have but one word for you Dungen. Somehow, tickets are still available for this show. They'll set you back $10 and if I were you I'd get on that ASAP because I expect this show to sell out before the doors ($12) open Saturday night.


Dungen - Skill I Allt video via YouTube

What are you up to this weekend? Sleepy Sun at the Parish?


Sleepy Sun - New Age video via YouTube

Whitman at ND?


Whitman - Cul-de-Sac video via YouTube

Goin' to see a movie?

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