Who: Austin City Limits Festival, Day 1
When: October 12, 2012
Where: Zilker Park/ Austin, TX
With: Taryn, Tristan, Steph, Darrell, Peter, Mike
Of Note: My mind was blown...
So, since we've already discussed all my emotions, let's jump right into the music. There is no way I can give a comprehensive overview of all the amazing bands I saw, so I'm going to summarize the stand out moments - if you have questions about a band I haven't addressed, leave 'em in the comments!
Day 1
The Wombats, Quiet Corral, River City Extension, Delta Spirit, Ben Howard, Tegan & Sarah, Alabama Shakes, Florence + the Machine, M83, The Black Keys
I was SO excited to see the Wombats. Like, I feel like I have been listening to The Wombats forever. They did not disappoint and were a fabulous way to kick off the festival. They had a pretty big crowd for 11:30am on a Friday and everyone was super into them. They also had approximately 100 equipment malfunctions leading to some of the best rock star snark I've heard: "We're actually professionals. People pay us to do this. Yes, people pay us to go around and really just fuck things up." Taryn thought it was hilarious that everyone sang along with "Let's Dance to Joy Division", which I had serenaded her with in the elevator that morning. They were cute, quirky, British and super duper good. Yay for The Wombats!!
Quite Corral ended their set in a drumline/ drum off thing. I loved it. Taryn was not quite as impressed. River City Extension looked like they were having an AMAZING time on stage and rocked so hard that their lead singer lost both his hipster hat AND his hipster glasses.
Ben Howard is the dreamiest dreamboat ever to dreamboat. I discovered him through is killer cover of 'Call Me Maybe' (below), but his entire 'Every Kingdom' album is incredible. He had such a commanding stage presence, though the set & instrumentation was a lot simpler than most of the other acts. His voice is magic. (I'm not sure the rest of the group shared my same level of psychotic enthusiasm but, trust me. He's incredible.)
I talk a lot about "that moment" of my live music experiences, the one where everything is perfect and right with the world...the moment you hold on to and think about months later when you're in a stupid meeting and need to remember something incredible. Florence + the Machine delivered that moment on Day 1. Their whole set was just so good. Florence Welch is such a commanding presence - all vocal power and flowing gown. I was so excited to hear 'Cosmic Love' and 'Heartlines'. But, the moment came at the end of the set, when they closed with 'Shake it Out' and 'Dog Days are Over'. At the beginning of 'Dog Days', she indicated that it was a tradition and the plinky beginning of the song started. She started to hop up and down. The whole crowd started to hop up and down. It built and built and built until the song seemingly erupted out of the anticipation. That was the moment - being in that crowd clap-clap/clapping while singing along like a fool and bopping around like crazy. It felt like being enveloped in joy.
I was distracted through the majority of the Black Keys' set because Dan had a huge hole in the crotch of his pants. It was pretty intense to be in a crowd of that many people screaming "ba da da da da" during 'Howling For You'. They had an ENORMOUS disco ball.
When: October 12, 2012
Where: Zilker Park/ Austin, TX
With: Taryn, Tristan, Steph, Darrell, Peter, Mike
Of Note: My mind was blown...
So, since we've already discussed all my emotions, let's jump right into the music. There is no way I can give a comprehensive overview of all the amazing bands I saw, so I'm going to summarize the stand out moments - if you have questions about a band I haven't addressed, leave 'em in the comments!
Day 1
The Wombats, Quiet Corral, River City Extension, Delta Spirit, Ben Howard, Tegan & Sarah, Alabama Shakes, Florence + the Machine, M83, The Black Keys
I was SO excited to see the Wombats. Like, I feel like I have been listening to The Wombats forever. They did not disappoint and were a fabulous way to kick off the festival. They had a pretty big crowd for 11:30am on a Friday and everyone was super into them. They also had approximately 100 equipment malfunctions leading to some of the best rock star snark I've heard: "We're actually professionals. People pay us to do this. Yes, people pay us to go around and really just fuck things up." Taryn thought it was hilarious that everyone sang along with "Let's Dance to Joy Division", which I had serenaded her with in the elevator that morning. They were cute, quirky, British and super duper good. Yay for The Wombats!!
Quite Corral ended their set in a drumline/ drum off thing. I loved it. Taryn was not quite as impressed. River City Extension looked like they were having an AMAZING time on stage and rocked so hard that their lead singer lost both his hipster hat AND his hipster glasses.
Ben Howard is the dreamiest dreamboat ever to dreamboat. I discovered him through is killer cover of 'Call Me Maybe' (below), but his entire 'Every Kingdom' album is incredible. He had such a commanding stage presence, though the set & instrumentation was a lot simpler than most of the other acts. His voice is magic. (I'm not sure the rest of the group shared my same level of psychotic enthusiasm but, trust me. He's incredible.)
I talk a lot about "that moment" of my live music experiences, the one where everything is perfect and right with the world...the moment you hold on to and think about months later when you're in a stupid meeting and need to remember something incredible. Florence + the Machine delivered that moment on Day 1. Their whole set was just so good. Florence Welch is such a commanding presence - all vocal power and flowing gown. I was so excited to hear 'Cosmic Love' and 'Heartlines'. But, the moment came at the end of the set, when they closed with 'Shake it Out' and 'Dog Days are Over'. At the beginning of 'Dog Days', she indicated that it was a tradition and the plinky beginning of the song started. She started to hop up and down. The whole crowd started to hop up and down. It built and built and built until the song seemingly erupted out of the anticipation. That was the moment - being in that crowd clap-clap/clapping while singing along like a fool and bopping around like crazy. It felt like being enveloped in joy.
I was distracted through the majority of the Black Keys' set because Dan had a huge hole in the crotch of his pants. It was pretty intense to be in a crowd of that many people screaming "ba da da da da" during 'Howling For You'. They had an ENORMOUS disco ball.
The Wombats!
Ben Howard!!
The Black Keys' GIANT Disco Ball
Comments
Post a Comment