ACL 2017: Grace VanderWaal

Saturday at 1pm.  I keep saying the bands are getting younger but this is a record.  I can't remember a 13 year-old playing ACL on a main stage before: she's playing the same stage that Lorde played. (Old RetailMeNot stage)  She won "America's Got Talent" and apparently has a huge online following.  When I searched on Amazon and typed "Grace" she was the first result, above "Graceland" and Grace Potter.  Ok.

Here's her new single which is more poppy than her older stuff.  Back in her younger days.  Ukelele is her signature instrument.

If we go see her we'll have a great view over her audience.

Moonlight

ACL 2017: Striking Matches

Saturday at 1pm.  This is a duo out of Nashville that has had nine of their songs performed on the TV show "Nashville".  Their album was produced by T Bone Burnett and they were picked "International Act of the Year" by the British Country Music Association.

Americana/country.  Wikipedia says they're a countrified Civil Wars. "Nothing But the Silence" fits that description.

A good choice for the old-school ACL/Sun Radio crowd.

When the Right One Comes Along

ACL 2017: Allan Rayman

Saturday at 1pm.  This is an R&B singer now in Toronto that purposely avoids any media coverage.  Lots of mystery surrounding who is and and what he's about.  Great strategy: he's going for the anti-marketing dollar.  Very smart.  That's a big market.  (HT Bill Hicks)

Not much online but one review of his live show said: "You NEED to see Allan Rayman and experience his music in a live setting. "  He's in the tent so it should have good sound.

"Tennessee" is his big song.  This one is interesting.  Nice beats.

27

ACL 2017: Mondo Cozmo

Saturday at 1pm.  I previewed this guy during SXSW.  He's ok.  Reminds me of "Rattle and Hum" era U2.  Some Oasis in there, especially on "Shine".  Of course, they're both following the Beatles and Dylan.  As does he.


Come With Me

ACL 2017: Pumarosa

Saturday at 1:00pm.  A few choices at this time.  First up is a band out of London signed to Universal Music.  Their debut album came out in May and is getting great reviews.  It reminds me of Siouxsie/The Motels/Foals/War on Drugs.  All right in my wheelhouse.  I really like what I've heard.  Their album isn't on Amazon yet the whole thing is on Soundcloud.  Strange.

I haven't listened to the other options but this is looking really good.  "Priestess" is the one that feels like Foals.

Dragonfly

ACL 2017: Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real

Friday at 5:15pm.  I skipped over this since we saw him in 2014 at the Heartbreaker Banquet and weren't too impressed.  We need to re-evaluate that opinion given his new album, which just came out.  While he was trying too hard to be a rock star then he has changed course and has put out a damn good album.  I recommend the whole thing.  It's getting positive reviews, too.

This is a good song. 

Just Outside of Austin

ACL 2017: MISSIO

Saturday at 12:15pm.  This is probably my choice.  Paul Cauthen, formerly of Sons of Fathers, is playing the tent but you thought he was too country when I posted about him for SXSW.  I wouldn't mind checking out a little of both of these.

This is a duo out of Austin that signed to RCA Records based on the success of this song.  I listened to a few other songs and am still undecided.  I hear a Nine Inch Nails influence but I think I've outgrown this style.  "Bottom of the Deep Blue Sea" is good, though. 


Middle Fingers

ACL 2017: Billy Raffoul

Saturday at 12:15pm.  The lull after the storm.  Not much sticking out during this time slot.  This is a singer-songwriter out of Canada that is signed to Interscope Records.  His press materials compare him to Jeff Buckley, Neil Young, and Joe Cocker.  Seems they're targeting the young female millennial with an earnest guitar-playing outsider.

There are only two songs listed: this anthemic song and a heartfelt love song about a bad boy that is trying to win back the girl he loves called "Dark Four Door".  Swoon.

Driver

ACL 2017: Blackfoot Gypsies

Saturday at 11:30am.  From Yard Dog to ACL.  We know these guys put on a hell of a show so this is most likely the choice.  Hopefully the singer won't be too hungover this early like during SXSW.  That didn't slow him down, though.

The other option is local band Tomar and the FCs who will also be rocking.

Under My Skin

ACL 2017: Ought

Saturday at 11:30am.  This is the indie hipster choice.  It's a band out of Montreal that plays post-punk/alternative rock.  Carol likes them and I think she said she saw them in Amsterdam.  Reminds me of Television mixed with Wall of Voodoo.  His voice is very similar to Stan Ridgway's.  "The Weather Song" has gotten some airplay.

Beautiful Blue Sky

ACL 2017: Xavier Omär

Saturday at 11:30am.  Another day, another series of conflicts in the morning.  Another reason to start early and leave early.  There are four good options at this time.  First is this singer from San Antonio.  Smooth soul.  He also played Lollapalooza.  "Afraid" is good.

Blind Man

ACL 2017: Solange

Friday at 7:15pm.  Since we're seeing Ryan Adams the week before at Stubb's we could check out Solange on the new Barton Springs stage across the road.  The sound should be good as it's far from the other stages.  That's good because she is mellow.  Not what I expected.

As you know I don't have eclectic taste so only know Solange as Beyonce's sister.  However, her last album was picked #1 in 2016 by Pitchfork.  Plus, it was produced by Raphael Saadiq who also coordinates music for "Insecure".  Given that I thought I'd give it a try and have listened to the album a couple times.  It's nice.  Mellow neo-soul.  Great for a road trip or chilling out.  I wouldn't mind checking her out.

Here's the album if you want to listen.

I like this song.  "Don't Touch My Hair" is good, too.

Don't Wish Me Well

ACL 2017: The Revivalists

Friday at 6:15pm.  The other option is this band out of New Orleans.  They're described as roots rock/jam band/indie rock.  Comparisons are to Dave Matthews Band and O.A.R.  Their hit getting airplay is "Wish I Knew You." 

This song reminds me a little of Citizen Cope and was on World Cafe. I like it.

Upright

ACL 2017: Bonobo (Live)

Friday at 6:15pm.  This is a nice surprise.  I was expecting another techno DJ.  It's the moniker of Simon Green, a musician/DJ/producer out of Brighton, England.  He actually tours with a live band composed of a singer, keyboardist, guitarist, saxophonist, string section, synth, and drummer. (hence the Live in the band name).  He plays downtempo instrumentals.  They're playing in the tent so if we just want to chill and catch a mellow show this could be nice.  Much better than Foster the People. "Black Sands" is a pretty song.

Kerala

ACL 2017: Ten Fé

Friday at 5:15pm.  This is probably my choice.  It is a duo out of London.  The other options are Lukas Nelson and Eagles of Death Metal.

Soft rock/yacht rock.  Nothing groundbreaking but it's a nice sound.  This song reminds me of Fleetwood Mac mixed with Chris Isaac.  "Follow" is a nice song, too.

Turn

ACL 2017: Skepta

Friday at 5:15pm.  This isn't really our thing but it makes me realize how out of touch I am.  This is the moniker of Joseph Junior Adenuga, an artist/rapper/songwriter/producer out of Tottenham in London.  His album won the Mercury Prize in 2016, beating out such unknowns as David Bowie and Radiohead.  Nike has collaborated with him to create his own shoe and Mick Jagger recorded a song with him.  He is listed as one of the most influential people in the U.K.

This is a more mellow song.

Ladies Hit Squad

ACL 2017: Vulfpeck

Friday at 4:15.  The dancing is starting earlier this year.  At this time we have Crystal Castles, who played in 2012 and you didn't like.   "Vanished" isn't bad, though.  Another option is producer/DJ Big Wild.  He plays mellow dance stuff.  "I Just Wanna" is a good representation of his style.

My choice is this band originally out of Michigan that is now in L.A.  They've been around since 2011 but this is the first I've heard of them.  They play old-school funk and soul. For the soul check out "Wait for the Moment".  For funk check out:


Back Pocket

ACL 2017: Two Feet

Friday at 3:15pm.  ACL announced the new layout of the stages and there are some changes.  The small BMI stage was moved to where we saw Lewis Del Mar and that big stage has moved across Barton Springs Rd. to where the Box Office used to be.  The road is now actually part of the festival grounds and there are entrances at both ends of it.  We'll be walking a lot more now.

This time slot has The Lemon Twigs, who could be interesting and fun, Deer Tick Hamilton Leithauser, James Vincent McMorrow, and this artist from New York.  He has a couple EPs out but has played Bonnaroo and now ACL.  He's on the newly configured BMI stage.

He reminds me of Alt-J.  I like what I've heard.  "Her Life" reminds me of Lewis del Mar.

For some reason this song is labeled Explicit.

Go Fuck Yourself

ACL 2017: Andrew McMahon and the Wilderness

Friday at 2:15pm.  This time slot has Valerie June in the tent.  We saw her in 2013 on the BMI stage.  It's her, O.A.R., or this guy.  More pop for the kids.  I blame Fun.  Another time slot with few alternatives.

Cecilia and the Satellite

ACL 2017: Nightly

Friday at 1:15pm.  This is an alt-pop band originally from Philadelphia but now out of Nashville that is signed to Interscope Records.  A little poppy for my taste.  I'm sure they'll be a hit with the kids.  "Honest" isn't bad.

The Band of Heathens play the tent at 1:30 so we've got that as an option, too.

XO

ACL 2017: MUNA

Friday at 1:15pm.  "Dark pop" from a female trio out of L.A.  Most of the songs I've listened to are too poppy for me but these songs are a little more mellow.  They identify as queer and avoid gender-based pronouns in their songs.  That's what Wikipedia says.  They've been opening for Harry Styles on tour (former One Direction member.  Kate's favorite band.)

If U Love Me Now


Winterbreak

ACL 2017: (Sandy) Alex G

Friday at 1:15.  The 12:30 time slot has Dale and Ray (collaboration between Dale Watson and Ray Benson) and Ron Gallo. I'll skip previews for those.  The next slot has a few options.  One is a band called COIN out of Nashville that is New Wave pop.  I listened to one song and couldn't finish it.

This is Alexander Giannascoli, a singer-songwriter out of Philadelphia.  Pitchfork compared him to Elliot Smith and really liked his album.  Could be worth checking out.  Americana/folk sound.

Powerful Man


Here's a video for "Bobby"

Proud

ACL 2017: Liz Cooper and The Stampedes

Friday at 11:45am.  Playing the BMI stage is this band out of Nashville.  Four options at this time and they all sound good to me.  It would be nice if ACL spaced out the similar genres instead of booking them all at the same time.  There are going to be time slots with no good options for us while this time has four. 

Motions

ACL 2017: Annabelle Chairlegs

Friday at 11:45am.  Another option at this time is a band originally from Sante Fe that relocated to Austin.  Psychedelic folk.  Mellow.  Nice. I like what I've heard.  They play Saturday, September 2nd at Hotel Vegas.  Same night as My Jerusalem.

Pipeline

ACL 2017: Twelve'len

Friday at 11:45am.  This is a singer out of Florida that cites Marvin Gaye and Al Green as his influences.  Not bad.  He only has a couple songs out but was booked for ACL.  Must mean something.

Human Gods is on Amazon and it's pretty good.  Definitely hear the Marvin Gaye influence on it.

Star Dust

ACL 2017: Welles

Friday at 11:45am

As you know, the schedules are out.  Just a quick look and I realize there are a lot of bands I've never heard of.  Either I'm out of touch or ACL just keeps finding newer, non-popular (yet) acts they don't have to pay much.  Hopefully after I get through the previews we'll find some bands worth checking out.  Right now there's not much I see that sticks out.

First up is the moniker of Jehsea Welles (yes, that is supposedly his name).  He's originally from Arkansas (who from Arkansas would pick Jehsea as a name?) but now resides in Nashville.  He played Bonnaroo and now plays ACL.

This is his first single.  It has that John Lennon feel.  I listened to a couple other songs and like his sound.  Nice mellow start to the day.

Life Like Mine

Video