Sonic Youth

Friday at 7 is a tough one. Robert Randolph puts on a great show that's perfect for ACL. Ryan Bingham should also be a great show. Vampire Weekend didn't impress last time I saw them. I'm leaning towards Sonic Youth at first. We'll see depending on the mood.

Teen Age Riot

Girls

Playing opposite Miike Snow Friday so not on my list but still a good band. His voice reminds me of Elvis Costello. The rest of the album is a little 60s Beach Boys throwback sound.

Laura

Beach House

Not sure how these guys are going to go over with the crowd after the Black Keys and before Spoon. Extremely mellow dream pop. Band of Heathens are playing next to them at the Austin Ventures Stage. We'll see how they do.

Apple Orchard

The Black Keys

Friday at 4pm. True rock-n-roll to kick off the evening. Should be packed. The whole album is good so I'll choose this song for Leana (because she likes it):

Next Girl

Sleep Over

This is a new local band playing tonight at Emo's. Kind of a Twin Peaks feel. Mellow. Pretty cool

Sleep Over

Angus and Julia Stone

A band near and dear to Leana and me. We saw them 2 years ago at SXSW and they put on a great show. Unfortunately they are against Miike Snow and the Black Keys but I still plan on catching some of their set. Great brother-sister act from Australia.

The Beast

Miike Snow (again)

Friday at 3pm is my most anticipated show. I already posted Sylvia so here's a new one. Great album and should be a fun show.

Animal

The Mountain Goats

ACL Friday at 2pm after Hockey. This is for "those who wear aspirations of worldliness on their sleeves" to paraphrase the NYT. The hipster band for hipster bands.

No Children

The Soft Pack

Continuing the ACL preview. Playing opposite Hockey on Friday is The Soft Pack. Guitar rock. This song is pretty good.

Answer to Yourself

Beach Fossils

These guys opened for Here We Go Magic last night. A little too much reverb on the vocals but I like the guitar sound. Reminds me of old New Order, or Real Estate.

Daydream

Hockey

Here's my stab at an ACL preview by timeslot. First up on Friday at 1 is Hockey. They opened for Phoenix in December and put on a really good show. Very spirited stuff. A good way to start the festival.

Too Fake