ACL 2023: Pre-festival summary

Here is my ranked schedule from Friday through Sunday in order of appearance.  This should make it easier to review each band before they go on stage.  Click the name to see the preview.  To see the spreadsheet in full-page click here.

ACL 2023: Labrinth

 Sunday at 7:15pm.  Right before Mumford and Sons.  Wikipedia says:

Labyrinth is an Italian power metal band formed in 1994 in Massa, Italy. The band underwent a change in style and themes after the departure of Olaf Thorsen in 2002.

An interview with the lead singer online starts with this:

A band that seriously need no introduction, Italian dragonslayers Labyrinth practically invented the style of music derived from there home land, and whilst releasing such monumental milestones of greatness as "Sons of Thunder" and "Return to Heaven Denied", Labyrinth should be considered amongst the greatest living performers of the style, along with bands like Helloween and Stratovarius, whose supreme influence in this genre was paramount.

Obviously they need no introduction. I'm not sure I agree that they invented a style of music. The songs I heard remind me of a mix between Iron Maiden and Judas Priest.  In the interview it is claimed their new stuff is slowed down and fans want a return to the sound of "Return to Heaven Denied".  Here are two songs from that album: "Moonlight" and "Thunder" (best I heard).

I'd watch some of this. Not sure you'll enjoy it.  Here they are live in 2002.  Make sure you watch until 1:10 when the guitar (and hair flinging) kicks in. Classic.  

ACL 2023: Death Grips

 Sunday at 7:15pm on the Barton Springs stage.  Wikipedia says:

Death Grips is an American experimental hip hop group formed in 2010 in Sacramento, California. The group consists of Stefan Burnett, also known as Ride (vocals, lyrics), Zach Hill (drums, production, lyrics), and Andy Morin (keyboards, production, lyrics). Though he is not the group's frontman, Hill has been credited with being the driving creative force behind the project.  Drawing from punk rock, electronic, noise, and industrial styles, the band's innovative and often difficult-to-categorize sound has earned critical acclaim and a cult following, while their aggressive performance style and cryptic interactions with their fans and the media have gained widespread notoriety.

Interesting tidbit: "The actor Robert Pattinson is a fan, friend, and collaborator of the band; he played guitar on the song "Birds" from Government Plates."  I think he's still dating Suki Waterhouse who plays at 3:15. I bet he shows up to play guitar with them.  Here's that song: "Birds"

ACL 2023: Cigarettes After Sex

Sunday at 7:15pm. The 6:15 timeslot has Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Hozier, and a techno DJ duo in the tent (Sidepiece). I'd like to see Yeah Yeah Yeahs. 

Three bands on at this time. I don't recognize any of them. Strange to not know the primetime headliners. I guess I'm old.

This is a dream pop band started by El Paso native Greg Gonzales. He has since relocated to Brooklyn. Wikipedia describes their sound:

The band is known for their ethereal, limerent and often dream-like musical style, lyrics often based on the themes of romance and love, as well as Gonzalez's voice, which has been described as "androgynous". While marketed as an ambient pop band, Cigarettes After Sex are also considered to be shoegaze, slowcore and indie rock.

It also mentions Mazzy Star. They did a Tiny Desk Concert and the intro says:

This comes close to the quietest Tiny Desk Concert we've ever had. The music Greg Gonzalez makes with his longtime bandmate Phillip Tubbs as Cigarettes After Sex is hushed. The common thread in these songs is minimalism, heard in both Greg's guitar and Philip's synth, that lay just under Greg Gonzalez's barely audible, somewhat spoken singing. Yet, somehow, this sound that barely exists holds together because of the strong melodies in these songs.

 Here's their big hit. 180M views!

ACL 2023: Little Simz

Sunday at 5:15pm.  Wikipedia says: "Simbiatu "Simbi" Abisola Abiola Ajikawo, better known by her stage name Little Simz, is a British-Nigerian rapper, singer and actress. "

Sometimes I Might Be Introvert won the Mercury Prize in 2022. It also was named BBC6's Album of the Year. 

"Introvert" was on that album. Great song.

"Boss" was in an episode of Insecure.

She did an episode of Tiny Desk (Home) Concert for that album. She also did a Tiny Desk Concert back in 2017. That's a good one.  She may be my first choice.

This song is getting lots of airplay on KUTX. It's from her latest album that came out in December.

ACL 2023: Korey Kent

Sunday at 5:15pm on the BMI stage. Country. He's originally from Oklahoma but now lives in Frisco, Texas. As this article states: 

Corey Kent is 28 years old, married and a father to three kids, age five, two and one...Kent's new Blacktop album is a study in contrast. A decade in Nashville with little to show for it made him patient, but it also taught him a few hard lessons. Most of these came through friends who made poor decisions and paid for it. The road life is filled with temptation, and he knows it.

This article says he joined a Western Swing band at 11 years-old and toured around the country. It eventually disbanded and he moved to Nashville to make it big. When that failed he moved to Texas and started making music he wanted to play while working at a pavement company. His hit song below went viral and Nashville came calling.

"Something's Gonna Kill Me" is his latest single.  

This is his big hit that got him signed to RCA Records Nashville. I can see why. Good song. Great lyrics:

She ain't living for a diamond ring

Just living like the rock'n'roll song she sings out loud

We're burnin' it down

Blazin' up a trail of smoke

Wherever we are, wherever we go

Yeah, that's where she calls home 

ACL 2023: Iván Cornejo

Sunday at 5:15pm. Four acts on at this time. The Breeders are probably my first choice. They play the Barton Springs stage.

This is a 19 year-old from Riverside, California. He won Best New Artist at the Latin Grammys in 2022 and his debut album was chosen as one of the best albums of 2021 by the New York Times according to Wikipedia.

I like his guitar playing. "El Greñas Mentado" is good.  "Aquí Te Espero" is his newest single. It's more of a mellow ballad.

This was his big hit.  After that success there was a bidding war to sign him and he chose to sign with Interscope Records according to this article.

ACL 2023: Niall Horan

Sunday at 4:15pm. Former One Direction member.  Playful pop. This stage also has Hozier and Mumford and Sons.  Good musical synergy.

ACL 2023: Yves Tumor

Sunday at 4:30pm on the Tito's stage. Three bands on at this time. M83 is probably first choice.

Every year ACL books at least one band that defies convention.  According to Wikipedia:

Sean Lee Bowie, best known by the recording alias Yves Tumor, is an American musician and producer of experimental music, born in Miami, Florida and currently based in Turin, Italy...Raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, Tumor started making music at age 16 as an outlet away from "dull, conservative surroundings." Tumor is self-taught, and plays drums, bass, guitar, and keyboards. Describing its experience growing up in Tennessee as unpleasant, Yves moved at age 20 to San Diego, and then after college, to Los Angeles.

Sounds pretty normal so far. Um, no. Reviews call the music  "spellbinding art rock", and a "Romantic, corporeal, gothy" offering that disrupts "hierarchies of gender, race, desire...and performance" via its "intense magnification and worship of life, death and spirituality."

Art rock is a good term for it. "Gospel for a New Century" has a good sound.

"God is a Circle" has a TV on the Radio feel.

 If anything this show should be a visual spectacle.

ACL 2023: Celisse

Sunday at 3:15 on the Tito's stage. We have to check this out. She was on CBS Morning News where they called her the "Go-to guitarist for some of music's biggest names." She performed with Brandi Carlisle for her ACL TV taping, Lizzo (on SNL), and Joni Mitchell (who compared her to Jimi Hendrix.), to name a few.

The clip says she doesn't just play guitar, she shreds. It also shows that she has a tattoo of Sister Rosetta Tharpe on her arm.

She has toured in "Wicked" and played on Broadway in "Godspell" but gave up a career in theater to play guitar. Now she's releasing her first album.

Here she is performing live. Here she is performing "All Along the Watchtower" with Dave Matthews. Oh, she played with Jon Batiste for his Tiny Desk Concert.  Yes, she shreds. I can already hear the roar of the crowd in the tent.

ACL 2023: Del Water Gap

Sunday at 3:15pm. Indie pop from Brooklyn-based Samuel Holden Jaffe.  He went to NYU music school with Maggie Rogers. She was in Del Water Gap for awhile, too.

Here he is on Late Night with Seth Meyers playing "Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat".

Not bad. Probably not my first choice, though.

ACL 2023: Suki Waterhouse

Sunday at 3:15pm. Five bands playing at this time. There's Morgan Wade on the Barton Springs stage and Caramelo Haze on the BMI stage. We've seen both of them. 

I only know Suki Waterhouse from "Daisy Jones and the Six" and her modeling/celebrity. I hadn't really listened to her music.  She released a few singles over the years but her first album came out less than a year ago on Sub Pop Records. 

"Good Looking" was her first hit.

Kind of a mix between Mazzy Star and Lana Del Ray. She even covered "Fade into You". "Nostalgia" is good. Her music is better than I expected. I guess I was expecting bubblegum pop.

ACL 2023: Kevin Kaarl

 Sunday at 2pm. This article has a nice summary:

In the vibrant landscape of Mexico’s music scene, a shining star has emerged, captivating audiences with his soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Kevin Kaarl, the young singer-songwriter hailing from Chihuahua, has rapidly ascended to prominence, leaving an indelible mark on the industry with his unique sound and relatable storytelling.

With a distinctive blend of folk sensibilities and modern pop elements, Kevin Kaarl’s music strikes a chord that resonates deeply with listeners. 

 This song has 235M views. Wow. Indie folk sound.

ACL 2023: Quin NFN

Sunday at 2pm on the Tito's stage.  Another example that shows I'm out of touch.  This is 22 year-old Austin rapper Quinlan McAfee.  An article in Texas Monthly from 2019 says: "With a signed record deal, millions of video views, and an upcoming SXSW show, Quin has become a leader of the Austin rap scene."

He's even been on the cover of Austin Chronicle. 

This song has 15M views on Youtube.  

ACL 2023: Dope Lemon

Sunday at 2:15pm.  Three choices at this time.  First up is the moniker of our old friend Angus Stone! It's his solo project outside of Angus and Julia Stone who we saw at SXSW (Buffalo Billiards in 2009). 

He has released 4 albums under this moniker.  The latest just came out. "Kimosabè" is his latest single. Nice.

"Marinade" is another old song from his first album.  The video is straight from "Moonrise Kingdom"

Here's one of his older songs.  One Youtube comment says: "This song makes me feel cooler than I really am.".  Right on.

ACL 2023: Penny & Sparrow

Sunday at 1:30pm. Local indie folk from Austin. They played Old Settler's in 2019 (The Jason Isbell year) but I don't think we saw them.  I don't recall. They played the Bluebonnet stage at 4:50pm Saturday. 

According to Allmusic:

Penny & Sparrow formed while members Andy Baxter and Kyle Jahnke were living as roommates at the University of Texas in Austin. The two friends began writing and singing together in 2011...They signed a record deal with Single Lock Records, an Alabama-based label co-founded by John Paul White (the Civil Wars) and Ben Tanner (Alabama Shakes). Both White and Tanner would end up co-producing Penny & Sparrow's 2016 label debut, Let a Lover Drown You, which they recorded in historic Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

"Bed Down" came from that album.  Bon Iver sound.

I've heard their name and see that they play around town but never really listened to them. You probably know them. 

Most of their songs are really mellow.  This is a little more upbeat. Sweet video, too.

ACL 2023: Randall King

 Sunday at 1:30pm on the Barton Springs stage.  Country.  Saving Country Music says:

If you want to hear the continuation of country music that sounds like the stuff George Strait and Alan Jackson released in the late 80’s into the 90’s, Randall King takes the crown. This isn’t “90’s INSPIRED” country. This isn’t some retro gimmick or hipster put-on. Randall King was born and raised on this stuff, and lives and breathes it every day.

I think he's taking a dig at Midland there. 

His voice is a lot like George Strait.  "Hey Moon" is an older song.

This is a newer song. Wear your cowboy boots.

ACL 2023: Corook

Sunday at 1:30pm on the BMI stage. Indie pop.  It's the moniker of Corinne Savage. Originally from Pittsburgh, they attended Berklee College of Music and now reside in Nashville.

According to Wikipedia, they went viral on TikTok with "If I Were A Fish" and "It's Ok!".  Good lyrics.

Quirky.

Here's their latest single. Phoebe Bridgers sound. 

ACL 2023: Mimi Webb

Sunday at 1:30pm. 4 bands on at this time. This is a 23 year-old singer from England.  Pop. Her breakout came via TikTok when "Before I Go" went viral in 2020.  Nice voice.

This is from her latest album.

ACL 2023: Madison Cunningham

Sunday at 12:45pm. I guess I should know this artist. Her first album was nominated for a Best Americana Album Grammy and her 2nd album won the Grammy for Best Folk Album.  She opened for My Morning Jacket at Moody Amphitheater.

Wikipedia says:

In 2017, Cunningham joined the cast of American Public Media's show Live from Here, presented by Chris Thile, of whom she became a frequent collaborator. She also toured with multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird, being credited for vocals in his 2019 album, My Finest Work Yet.

She's hanging with some big names. 

Here is her Tiny Desk Concert. 

"Sunshine Over the Counter" reminds me of Joni Mitchell.

This was the 2nd song from the Tiny Desk Concert. The video has her playing all the instruments. It's good.

ACL 2023: Sisi

Sunday at 1pm on the Tito's stage. 3 bands on at this time.  We saw Michigander at High Noon during SXSW and he put on a good show.  Great indie-pop songs.

This article describes the next artist:

Teesside-based singer-songwriter Sisi is only 18 but has already made her mark by winning the Young Songwriter of the Year (UK and Ireland) for 2022. Her new single Fallen Angel is a cool, understated pop song that’s likely to further enhance Sisi’s growing reputation as one to watch.

Sisi cites Afropop and garage as two of the many influences on her music.

Teesside is Northern England and includes Middlesbrough. 

"I Know" is her live for the BBC. 

Here is her new single.

ACL 2023: Leon III

Sunday at noon. The Moriah Sisters are the 4th band on at this time. Gospel singers playing the Tito's tent. They've done Stubb's Gospel Brunch as well. 

The final choice is this duo out of Austin. Their bio on Youtube says:

Leon III (say it “Leon the Third”) is Andy Stepanian (vocals, guitar, songwriter) and Mason Brent (guitar, bass, banjo) along with a revolving cast of studio and live players...Many know Stepanian and Brent from their other band, Wrinkle Neck Mules, a 19+ year old project with a cult-like following that, to date, has 7 albums of cerebral country and bluegrass-leaning rock under it’s belt. They also collaborate on Howler Brothers, a popular outdoor clothing line based in Austin, Texas, which they help operate and which bears their artistic imprimatur.

They call themselves psych-folk.  "Fly Migrator" has the psych feel for sure. It's almost 10 minutes long. A good mellow way to start the day.

This has a Pink Floyd feel.

 

ACL 2023: Kathryn Legendre

Sunday at noon. Five bands on at this time. There's Katy Kirby who we saw open for Andy Shauf. She was good. "Jupiter" is one of her singles. She performed solo as the opener so if she has a full band it may be worth checking her out.  Also playing is Myron Elkins.  I previewed him for SXSW in 2022.  I like his voice.

This singer-songwriter is a fixture in the local Austin country scene. She plays Sagebrush and White Horse regularly but we've never seen her.  At least I can't recall seeing her. She's playing the Barton Springs stage.

ACL 2023: Noah Kahan

Saturday at 7pm. This slot also has Tove Lo and Bob Moses playing.  They've both played SXSW and ACL but we've never seen them live. We may want to wander from stage to stage before heading out.

This 26 year-old singer-songwriter from Vermont has blown up recently. He played Emo's in January and is now playing before Foo Fighters in a prime timeslot. 

According to Wikipedia he cites some of his inspirations as Paul Simon, Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), Counting Crows, Hozier, and Mumford & Sons.

He sings on Joy Oladokun's song "We're All Gonna Die". 

This song gets lots of airplay on KUTX.

Updates: Ok he's really blowing up. He's playing Moody Center in June. He's also playing Fenway Park TWICE next summer. He even has a song with Zach Bryan now: "Sarah's Place".

I listened to "Stick Season", his massive breakthrough album. It reminds me of Langhorne Slim with a little Band of Horses mixed in (especially on "Everywhere, Everything"). I like it. I think we should make this the first choice just to see what he's all about. Based on the frenzy it could be massively overcrowded on the T-Mobile stage.

ACL 2023: Coi Leray

 Saturday at 5:15pm on the Barton Springs stage.  According to Wikipedia:

Coi Leray Collins was born on May 11, 1997 in Boston, Massachusetts, and raised in Hackensack, New Jersey. She is the daughter of rapper and media mogul Benzino. 

Her breakthrough song was "No More Parties". 

This is her new hit.  She samples from Grandmaster Flash's "The Message".

Fun dancing.

ACL 2023: New West

Saturday at 5pm on the BMI stage.  Tanya Tucker is on at this time so that's my first choice. Three other bands playing at this time. We saw Poolside at SXSW in 2013 at Tap Room.  Mellow tunes.

This is a "collective" out of Toronto. Strange name for a band from Eastern Canada. They call themselves a collective instead of a band for some reason. It's just 4 guys.  When I think of collectives I think of New Pornographers or Elephant 6. 

"IYKYK" is a new song. Coldplay vibes.

This was their breakthrough hit.

ACL 2023: Sudan Archives

Saturday at 4pm on the Tito's stage. She's well known and has already taped an Austin City Limits episode but I wanted to listen to more of her songs.  I found a Tiny Desk Concert that is good. In the notes Bob Boilen says he first saw her at Cheer Up Charlie's during SXSW in 2018.  I looked and she played Wednesday at 5:15pm.  We were at Blackheart that day and saw Mt. Joy. What a coincidence. Both bands are now playing in same time slot at ACL.

I like this song.  It's the last song in her Tiny Desk Concert, too.

ACL 2023: Rina Sawayama

Saturday at 4pm.  This time also has Sudan Archives (on the Tito's stage! That will be insane.) and Mt. Joy.  

This singer/model/actress is originally from Japan but grew up in London. She was in the latest John Wick sequel. 

"Hold the Girl" reminds me of Lady Gaga.

Pop. This was the best I heard.

ACL 2023: Snõõper

 Saturday at 3pm on the BMI stage.  Pitchfork has a good introduction:

Before Jack White signed them to Third Man, Snõõper staked their claim in Tennessee’s DIY scene as the sound of egg punk in the 2020s: fast riffs, fun antics, and no-fucks-given misfit pride. While Indiana torchbearers the Coneheads and Liquids played hardcore-inspired weirdo punk in a Hardee’s parking lot, Snõõper raided the arts and crafts closet. At live shows, the Nashville five-piece rip through minute-long songs, perform choreography in matching tracksuits, and march bug-eyed papier mâché puppets around the stage as singer Blair Tramel curls a comically large cardboard dumbbell. The goal, as guitarist Connor Cummins put it: “Go as crazy as possible for 30 minutes.” A band with an insatiable desire to shred and a keen eye for bold visual aesthetics? Of course the guy who co-founded the White Stripes couldn’t call dibs fast enough. Snõõper’s debut, Super Snõõper, is a highlight in the world of “Devo-core,” with unpredictable riffs and voltaic singing that strike just the right balance of delightful and detached.

I think that about sums it up.  "Running" has the Devo-core sound.  Here's another.

 

ACL 2023: Amaarae

Saturday at 3:15 on the Barton Springs stage.  This is the moniker of Ama Serwah Genfi, a Ghanaian-American singer-songwriter. She is known for her fusion of Pop, R&B, Afrobeats, and Alté music according to Wikipedia.   It says she was born in Bronx, New York to Ama Bawuah and Kwadwo Boateng Genfi and was raised between Atlanta and Accra, Ghana.

Here is her Tiny Desk Concert.  Nice sound.  I like the horns. I could be talked into watching her set.

Her latest album, Fountain Baby, is Ranked #2 for the year on Metacritic. Damn. I just listened to the whole thing and it is really good. "Reckless & Sweet" is a great song and so is "Wasted Eyes". There's not a bad track on it. I think this is my first choice now.

This is her big hit.  Kali Uchis joined her in a remix of it.  I wonder if she'll stick around and perform on stage with her.

ACL 2023: Gus Dapperton

Saturday at 3pm.  Basically 5 artists on at this time. Calder Allen is playing the Tito's stage and Ben Kweller is on the Miller Lite stage. I'm fine with either of them.  

This is the moniker of Brendan Patrick Rice.  He's originally from New Jersey but moved to NYC and now resides in L.A. 

He's called bedroom pop. His new stuff is more straight-up pop in the Justin Timberlake style, though.  Listen to his new song "Homebody" then compare it to his older hit below.  It has a Smiths guitar groove and more of a bedroom pop sound.

ACL 2023: Declan McKenna

Saturday at 2pm. Another English singer/songwriter. I previewed him before SXSW in 2016. 

According to Wikipedia: "He is a vegan and supports Tottenham Hotspur F.C." 

Indie pop/rock. His first hit was "Brazil". It's nice.  He was a kid then.  

"Beautiful Faces" has a very Kinks sound while "Be An Astronaut" is very Bowie sounding.

He just released this new single and has a new album coming out soon.

ACL 2023: Jessie Ware

Saturday at 2pm. Three acts on at this time.  Angel White is on the Tito's stage at 1:45pm. I previewed him for SXSW and we saw him at Luck Reunion. He was entertaining.

This is an English singer/songwriter with 5 albums out. Dance/pop. She seems to be popular in England. According to Wikipedia: "Ware has been nominated for a total of six Brit Awards including one for Best New Artist and four for British Female Solo Artist."

Her latest single is "Free Yourself". Nice throwback dance beats. 

She did a Tiny Desk Concert as well. The stripped-down sound highlights her voice. 

This is her biggest hit from 11 years ago.

ACL 2023: Eddie Zuko

Saturday at 1:30pm on the Barton Springs stage.  The title of this article sums it up: "Meet Eddie Zuko, the Mexican-American Singer Mixing Hip-Hop, Reggae & Rock en Español". 

"Still" went viral on Tiktok and I guess it's what got him recognized. He has been playing for years but hasn't released a full album yet.

This was the best I heard. Others have a more reggae beat.

ACL 2023: Eloise

Saturday at 1:15pm.  Rattlesnake Milk and Devon Gilfillian are both playing at this time. The third choice is this singer born in London but raised in rural Normandy, France.  Her bio calls her music "breezy, acoustic soul...entrancing, jazz-tinged cadence...honeyed tones."  Ones to Watch calls it "a trip to the sublime, a momentary escape from this world into an ethereal dreamscape."

Mellow tunes. She would be great to see in a small, quiet venue.  Of course ACL put Rattlesnake Milk on the BMI stage across from her so the sound bleed could be distracting. I still don't understand why they moved the BMI stage to that location.

 "Enough" is good.