Ryan Bingham

The other 4:30 act is a staple on KGSR with "Weary Kind" and "Hallelujah". Most of what I knew of his was slow ballads. I'll share something different. This was the first song he played at Stubb's and it got the crowd hootin' and hollerin'. He can redneck with the best of them. This song reminds me of "Guitar Town" era Steve Earle, right down to the anti-establishment lyrics.

Dollar a Day

Broken Social Scene

ACL books average acts from 2:30-4:30 on Sunday and then puts two good acts at 4:30. So we have another decision to make. Fortunately we saw both of them just recently: Ryan Bingham at Stubb's on May 21st and Broken Social Scene at LZR on February 18th. Both were great shows. I'll play something from both since I can't decide.

Broken Social Scene is a Canadian "collective" from Toronto, but its core is 2 guys. Feist used to be with them but she's gone on to bigger things. Their songs vary from peppy to mellow but their show is mostly upbeat. Can't go wrong seeing them. This is my favorite song of theirs.

Texico Bitches

Nick 13

Playing next to AWOLNATION on the Austin Ventures stage at 3:45 on Sunday is Nick 13. He's a solo musician that plays old country/Americana in the tradition of Buck Owens or Roy Orbison. This is my bet for worst bleed-over from another stage. His music is going to be inaudible with the bass beats from next door. Still may be a good alternative to the hip-hop of Chiddy Bang.

Carry My Body Down

AWOLNATION

There are two bands in the 3:30-4:40 slot on Sunday that may be worth checking out. Two very different bands. Both are solo projects. I'll start with AWOLNATION since it's Friday and this is most definitely a Friday kind of song. Even if we don't go see them I have a feeling we'll be able to hear them everywhere. LOUD bass. Electronica/rock. He was at SXSW and also played LZR back in April to a packed house. This will be a rave scene. Check the video from LZR below, too.

Sail

The Walkmen

2:30 to 4:30 on Sunday is a dead zone for me. Nothing really sticks out at this point. At 2:30 you've got MONA (U2 wannabes), Airborne Toxic Event (generic rock) and The Walkmen. I'll flip a coin...

The Walkmen have been around awhile and I think they even played ACL a few years ago. Originally from D.C., they met at St. Albans Prep School (Al Gore, Neil Bush, John D. Rockefeller V, etc. You get the picture) but now are in NYC. Their sound is similar to other Northeast bands (Strokes, Real Estate, Interpol, White Rabbits). I listened to "You & Me", one of their recent albums, and liked this song the best.

Canadian Girl

The Head and the Heart

You shouldn't vote until you've heard all the options. I said there were 3 bands in this 1:30 scheduling dilemma. The third is Seattle's The Head and the Heart. We saw them at SXSW and they were great. They're riding a wave of popularity that includes an ACL taping while they're here.

Lost in my Mind

Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr

Sunday at 1:30 is another scheduling dilemma. There's not really anything I want to see between 2:30 and 4:30 yet there are 3 bands I want to see at 1:30. The Greencards are originally from Australia but got popular while living in Austin a couple years ago. They moved on to Nashville to make it big and are back playing ACL. Good bluegrass sound. They play at 1:20 on the Austin Ventures stage.

The 2nd band I'd like to see is Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr. Two guys from Detroit who play endearing pop. We saw them at SXSW and they were great. Quite a show to see. They dress up in NASCAR outfits and have a great time on stage. The music is good, too. This song is straight-up Paul McCartney pop.

Simple Girl

The Vaccines

We have a new sponsor at ACL. The Zilker stage (originally the Heineken stage) is now the Google+ stage. My suggestion for basecamp on Sunday is between the Google+ stage and the Bud Light stage.

Assuming we get there by 12:30 on Sunday, my vote is The Vaccines. I'm not a big fan of their style but they could be good live. They just formed last year but exploded in the U.K. and are now touring the U.S. They were at SXSW, too. They're compared to the Ramones and the Jesus and Mary Chain but I hear some Strokes influence, too. At least in this song.

Post Break-Up Sex

Yellow Ostrich

On to Sunday. I'm not sure about this band. They're playing in the "hip indie band" slot of early Sunday morning so ACL must like them. 11:45 may be too early for me. They were the buzz at SXSW. Barsuk just re-released their first album so expect more buzz.

When I first heard them I thought they sounded too much like other experimental indie bands out there like Dirty Projectors or Animal Collective. Now that I've listened again I think there's more to it. They've got a romantic quirkiness like the Modern Lovers, and good pop sensibilities, too.

Whale

My Morning Jacket

Now we arrive at the dilemma of the festival: MMJ or Stevie Wonder?

Arguments for Stevie:
1. He's a legend
2. He never tours
3. Great songs (Setlist from Bonnaroo last year)
Arguments against:
1. It's going to be beyond packed
2. Unless you're up close the sound will be bad
3. Radio has overplayed his music and it's not as enjoyable now. Plus, RHCP's versions of "Higher Ground" and "Superstition" have ruined those songs for me.

Arguments for MMJ:
1. I've never seen them live
2. Supposed to be incredible live
3. It's by the basecamp
4. Will not be crowded
5. Jim James
6. Get to hear "Smokin from Shootin" (attached). He played this with Monsters of Folk at ACL last year and I think it was the highlight of the festival for me. Just incredible.

Arguments against:
1. Will miss Stevie Wonder

Smokin from Shootin

Chromeo

Saturday at 6pm is Cut Copy of course. One of the best live dance acts I've ever seen. Just a great time. We'll have to get up close for them.

That brings us to 7pm. TV on the Radio is great. However, I've seen them a lot, including at ACL. Plus, they're playing on the other side of the park from Cut Copy. I've also seen Court Yard Hounds. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band with Del McCoury is going to be overflowing with old-timers waiting to see Stevie Wonder.

Chromeo is playing on the stage next to Cut Copy (which is also my proposed spot for basecamp). They're a duo from Montreal that plays retro 80s synth/funk. I like it. Totally 80s MTV. Should be a fun follow-up to Cut Copy.

Needy Girl

Wanda Jackson

After the deluge at 4pm there's not much at 5pm on Saturday. Skrillex is a DJ like Girl Talk that plays electronic stuff. (They hate being called DJs though.) Fitz and the Tantrums are all over the radio. I'll check them out but have a feeling I'll have heard enough after 3 songs. Gillian Welch plays at 5:30 so maybe check her out.

I'm looking forward to seeing Wanda Jackson at 5:45. Known as the "Queen of Rockabilly", she was one of the pioneers of rock-n-roll. After rockabilly faded in the 60s she moved onto country and gospel but thanks to Jack White her career is rejuvenated and she is reviving her old sound. I hope she sticks to the old stuff. Love this song.

I Gotta Know

The Moondoggies

As if there weren't enough conflicts at 4pm on Saturday, The Moondoggies play the Austin Ventures stage at 4:30. Another Seattle band mining the popularity of the retro sound of Fleet Foxes. They're closer to America and CSNY, though. I like what I hear. May have to catch a little of their set.

It's a Shame

Abigail Washburn

On the tent stage at 4pm on Saturday is Abigail Washburn. A banjo player originally, she now heads her own band. Bluegrass/folk but her latest album puts her closer to the mainstream. It was produced by Tucker Martine who has also produced Spoon, My Morning Jacket, and the Decemberists, among others. Her album even has appearances from members of some of those bands. If you want to avoid the crowds and see someone that will be playing the big stages someday, check her out.

City of Refuge

Iron and Wine

On the other big stage at 4:00 on Saturday is Iron and Wine. Now calls Austin home but he never plays here. Mellow like Bon Iver, folky like Fleet Foxes. Huge with the young ladies apparently: songs featured on Garden State, the O.C., Grey's Anatomy, Ugly Betty, and Twilight, to name a few. This will be packed with teens and tweens.

Tree by the River

Alison Krauss and Union Station

Saturday at 4pm has 3 bands that all should be good so I'm going to post all of them and decide who to see that day. First up is already a legend in the bluegrass/country genre and she's not even that old. From her songs on the "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou" soundtrack to her collaboration with Robert Plant last year, she hasn't slowed down. Should be a very good show. With Gillian Welch playing later and then Del McCoury after that, us old-timers can't complain about ACL selling out for the young demographic this year.


The Lucky One

Black Dub

Saturday at 3pm is all mellow stuff. City and Colour is singer-songwriter that gets repetitive in my opinion. Alexander is Alexander Ebert from Edwarde Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes. His solo music is essentially the same as the band but without the good singles. It didn't do much for me.

I think I'll check out Black Dub, which is Daniel Lanois' latest side-project. (Produced U2, Peter Gabriel, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, etc.) This is a bluesy/funky style of music with a female lead singer. Supposed to be really good live. Lanois is a great guitarist so worth checking out at least for that.

I Believe in You

Phosphorescent

Saturday at 2pm has 3 bands playing the main stages. Young the Giant is generic, radio-friendly rock. All the young party people will be there. J. Roddy Walston and the Business is Southern Rock. All the older party people will be there. I think I'll be with the boring music snobs watching Phosphorescent. Originally from Alabama, he now makes his home in Brooklyn and sings Gram Parsons inspired country folk. He's touring with My Morning Jacket, has made a cover album of Willie Nelson songs, and also covers Townes Van Zandt and Neil Young. He also sounds a little like M. Ward.

The Mermaid Parade

The Belle Brigade

Saturday at 1:15 has two good bands opposite each other. I wish Twin Shadow was playing at 2pm. We saw the final song of their set at SXSW and it looked like the crowd enjoyed the show. Oh well. I am not missing The Belle Brigade. They were one of the top shows I saw at SXSW and I'm really looking forward to seeing them again. This is a good song but the song that blew me away was "Losers" which is their show-ender. It's something you need to experience live so I'll make you wait.

Sweet Louise

The Antlers

Moving on to Saturday. My choice for basecamp is the hill between the AMD and Honda stages. Almost all the bands I want to see are on those two stages. The first one is at 12:30 on the Honda stage: The Antlers. A Brooklyn band, they are a perfect way to start a Saturday festival day. Mellow mood music. And damn good. I just listened to their latest album and really like it. This is the last song on it and I hear it's their closing song. It's supposed to be even better live. We can sleep late on Sunday but need to make this one.

Putting the Dog to Sleep

Kanye West

I know, you've heard of Kanye West. No need to preview a headliner. Well I'd like to reacquaint you with Kanye the musician. I for one am guilty of letting his antics, out-sized personality, and media reports overshadow my opinion of him in the negative. His grandstanding at SXSW turned me off. So when I heard he was coming to ACL I was underwhelmed. But as part of this project I decided to do some listening to his music.

Wow. Did you realize that he has put out 5 albums and 3 of them have been voted #1 in the annual Pazz and Jop poll? That is unprecedented for any musician. Plus, along with the critical acclaim he is hugely successful commercially. Live? His Coachella show this year has been called one of the greatest sets in the history of the festival. He is in a class by himself.

Enough hype? Well listen to this song. Sample lyrics:

"Lost in translation with a whole fuckin' nation
They say I was the abomination of Obama's nation
Well that's a pretty bad way to start a conversation
At the end of the day goddamn it I'm killin' this shit
I know damn well ya'll feelin' this shit"

Damn straight I'm feelin' it. Pure adrenaline rush. He kills it.

Power

Mavis Staples

The well-known bands/songwriters are playing Friday before the headliners so I won't bother discussing them. Instead I'll touch on two playing the smaller stages that are worth checking out. Gary Clark, Jr. is well regarded in Austin and still plays often but the Dallas reader should go watch him play. Amazing guitar player. Great blues artist. He plays at 6:30 on the BMI stage.

My pick for Friday base-camp closes out with Mavis Staples. She's a legend in the gospel/R&B world and has sung with practically all the bands in the Rock Hall-of-Fame: The Band, Dylan, Ray Charles, you name it. Her latest album was produced by Jeff Tweedy and takes her sound back to the roots of Americana. She just did a duet with Patty Griffin so maybe we'll get a surprise guest. She covers Randy Newman and Allen Toussaint, too. What more could you want? Should be a good show.

You are Not Alone

Charles Bradley

After that brief intermission, previews are back. We're up to Friday at 5:30pm. Cold War Kids and Foster the People are playing opposite each other. Since this blog is meant to share music and not for criticism I'll stop there.

Charles Bradley is a feel-good story that NPR is going to love. He grew up on the streets of Brooklyn (probably not Park Slope or Prospect Heights, though!) In the spirit of other soul revival bands like Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, he's following in the footsteps of people like James Brown, Otis Redding, and Al Green. Read his Wikipedia page for the background. He and his band play the tent stage at 6pm. His album is already on some of the Top-10 lists for 2011 so you'll be hearing more about him soon.

No Time for Dreaming