Jake Bugg

The ACL lineup is out.  I won't be previewing for awhile but here's a test to try out Soundcloud.  Spotify requires a subscription to listen on mobile devices so maybe this will work.  I'm not sure all the artists will be on Soundcloud but we'll see.  There are apps for iphone and Android and it appears to be free.

Jake Bugg was at SXSW and is getting airplay with this song.  A big hit in the UK:

Two Fingers

Chvrches

This band from Scotland was a big hit at SXSW.  They're coming to Mohawk June 5th.  Tickets on sale this morning.  Their new EP is streaming on Pitchfork.  It is excellent.  The last song, a remix of "Recover", is great.  For fans of Metric/Phoenix.

Recover-EP

Band list

Still processing everything.  The rundown: 43 bands in 4 days, with one band seen twice, so 44 shows. Here's the list:


Wednesday

@Lamberts
Roadkill Ghost Choir
@Molotov
Shoes
@J Blacks
Jesca Hoop
@Molotov
The Trishas
@Dogwood
Mike Scott and Steve Wickham of The Waterboys
@Empire Control Room
MØ
@White Swan
Besnard Lakes (briefly)
@Mellow Johnnys
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
@Tap Room
Jamie N Commons
Rush Midnight
Poolside
Selebrities

Thursday
@Heartbreaker Banquet in Luck, TX
Lonesome Heroes (Chapel)
The Happen-Ins
The Tumbleweeds (Chapel)
Houndmouth
Diamond Rugs
Elle King
Phosphorescent
Shovels and Rope
Michael Kiwanuka
Jim James

Friday
@Mellow Johnnys
Suuns
@Cedar Street
Brodka
Haerts
@Mellow Johnnys
Telekinesis
@Waterloo
Richard Thompson
@Lucys
Lonesome Heroes
@Brew Exchange
Slow Magic
Humans
@Waterloo
The Mavericks
@Javelina
Rosco Bandana
Hollis Brown
The Giving Tree Band

Saturday
@Whole Foods
OK Sweetheart
@Auditorium Shores
Nikki Bluhm and the Gramblers
@Yard Dog
Ian Moore and the Lossy Coils
Ken Stringfellow
Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis
@St. Vincent dePaul
Whiskey Sisters
@Zax
Ruth Moody
Eliza Gilkyson
@Jo's/San Jose
Heartless Bastards
Dawes

Big Acts

As you know, I have a love it/hate it opinion about big acts showing up at SXSW.  On the one hand, it takes away buzz and conversation from the bands trying to make a name for themselves.  SXSW is supposed to be about discovering new acts.  On the other hand, I like that all the big acts suck most of the publicity away from smaller acts so I have a chance to get into showcases.  The more people standing in line for 2 hours to see Diddy the less are trying to get into the showcase I want to see.

This year has your typical big acts once again.  Here is a rundown of some of them:

Depeche Mode

Natalie Maines

Dave Grohl along with Stevie Nicks, John Fogerty, Rick Springfield, Lee Ving of Fear, Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick), Brad Wilk of Rage Against The Machine, Corey Taylor of Slipknot and Stone Sour, Chris Goss of Masters of Reality and Alain Johannes are slated to take the stage for the show at Stubbs, with The Meat Puppets as their opening act.  Whew.

Green Day

Justin Timberlake?

Diddy, of course.

Smashing Pumpkins?

Iggy and the Stooges.  Again.

Nice Cave and the Bad Seeds

Meat Puppets

The Specials

Vampire Weekend

...and probably a few surprises.

Jake Bugg

Another option for Saturday is the Rolling Stone party at La Zona Rosa.  Bands include Free Energy, Gus and Scout (at the Rolling Stones party? who would have guessed.), Surfer Blood, and Jake Bugg.

The next British star to hit the states, this is a young kid (19 yo) that just blew up in England.  His debut album came out in England in October and went straight to number one.  It's easy to see why.  This song reminds me of Johnny Goudie.  Beatles/pop sound.

Two Fingers