ACL 2014: Haerts

Sunday 11:30am.  I can't believe this band is slotted for the dreaded Sunday morning kickoff.  In 2012 Alt-J was accorded that "honor".  Why hide a great band at a time when nobody will be there?  I guess it's a reward for the die-hard festival people who show up early.  This is great Sunday morning wake-up music, too.

I saw these guys at SXSW in 2013 at Cedar Street and they were excellent.  A throwback 70s/80s sound, with a little ABBA, a little Berlin.  They're based in Brooklyn but members are from Germany, England, and the U.S.  I'm not sure why they haven't taken off yet.  There's certainly lots of buzz about them.

Definitely worth waking up early to see them.  I'm going to post three songs to convince you.

Call My Name

Wings

All the Days

ACL 2014: Beat Connection

Saturday 6:30pm.  Last band preview for Saturday.  This is a Seattle electro-pop band playing on the BMI stage.  This song reminds me a little of Prince but most of their music is more electro from what I've read.

Hesitation

ACL 2014: Bully

Saturday 4:30pm.  We're getting to the big acts now so not much more to cover for Saturday.  Playing in this timeslot is Interpol and Head and the Heart so we'll most likely choose one of them.  If we want to avoid the big crowds there's this trio from Nashville on the BMI stage.

I like this song.  Reminds me a little of Breeders, or a female-led Replacements.  They only have an EP out but have already played Bonnaroo and are now playing ACL.  Not a bad start.

Brainfreeze

ACL 2014: Rey Pila

Saturday at 2:30pm.  Another band from Mexico City but they reside in NYC now.  They are signed to Julian Casablanca's label and just toured with Albert Hammond, Jr.  They've also toured with TV on the Radio.  Here's a longer article on them.

This song is very glam 80s.  Reminds me of Roxy Music mixed with Bowie.  They're playing the small BMI stage at the same time as Trombone Shorty and Rebelution.

Alexander

ACL 2014: Falls

Saturday at 2:00pm.  This is probably my choice.  It's a duo from Sydney.  They've toured with Of Monsters and Men and Lumineers.  This is the only song I could find.  Very sweet.


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