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.