Sweat. Thousands of people imitating hippies. Live music everywhere. This is Austin City Limits 2008. It’s a three-day festival held in a spacious park in Austin. The crowds are filled with music lovers ready to have a good time and enjoy live entertainment.
The lineup was impressive, bringing in big dogs such as Foo Fighters, Robert Plant with Alison Krauss and Gnarls Barkley. Every year, ACL brings together bands that would normally never play at the same show, and this year was no exception, ranging from hip-hop favorites N.E.R.D., to the always-exploratory Beck, and back to some country roots with Shooter Jennings.
Rushing onto the scene Friday afternoon we overheard Jakob Dylan singing with his current band, the Gold Mountain Rebels. But far away from his stage, we were unable to see how many people were listening. Mates of State performed at my first show of the day. They delivered their usual cheeriness, reminding everyone again just how happy and in love they are (the band consists of a husband and wife.) Hot Chip was said to put on a great performance, proving they are a name to remember.
Although Jenny Lewis has made a big name for herself, she was set up in a small tent rather than a stage this year. Because she released her second solo album (Rilo Kiley has been her band for many years) last week, everyone wanted to hear her new material; the tent was overflowing. Whether the fans were crooning over her or feeling her new sound, she was a success.
N.E.R.D. brought in the numbers on one of the main stages. They performed older-hits such as “Rock Star” and “She Wants to Move,” while introducing their newest album Seeing Sounds. Girls were shaking everything they had while singing every word they knew. Frontman Pharrell Williams brought about 20 girls onstage for over half of the show, letting them live their dream of dancing with him.
Saturday brought in diverse groups, touching on electronica pop and classic rock. Dreading a day of scorching heat and floating dust, we made our way to the park early. The Old 97’s sounds were drifting through the air, they had a crowd at their stage proving their native state’s support.
CSS came on mid-day to one of the biggest crowds yet. The Brazilian band blends electronica pop with alternative lyrics making their sound unlike anything else. The lead singer came out with her hair piled above her forehead in a bun and in a full body leotard, but it wasn’t enough to keep everyone entranced. Much of their sound blends together, making the show monotonous.
Erykah Badu shared her views on politics and how to make the world better during her performance. The Dallas local landed the biggest stage of the park, proving her popularity and stamina. She played a plethora from all of her past albums and introduced a song or two from her new release, New Amerykah.
MGMT stole the spotlight for the day. Their audience not only covered the entire front of their stage, but also spilled onto the neighboring one. Who knows whether people were familiar with their hit “Electric Feel” or were just told to see this band.
John Fogerty made a much-awaited appearance and reportedly didn’t disappoint.
Beck and Robert Plant had the same slot, perplexing fans on whom to see. Most stayed for a few songs at the Plant and Krauss stage, then trotted over to Beck for the finale. This was my decision as well. Plant and Krauss were too quiet. Yes, they’re making bluegrass music, but there’s no need for the somber mood.
Beck was the opposite. He opened with “Loser,” leading the way for more hits. He remixed “Devils Haircut” giving it new life. The crowds were either old enough to be his fans from the start, or they picked up on him along the way. He was a great choice for a headliner.
The last day of ACL was the hottest. Sweating helped me realize there’s no need to see every band. Among the greats were Against Me!, Silversun Pickups, Flyleaf and Gnarls Barkley.
Xavier Rudd was in a smaller tent and brought along a drummer. This Australian one-man band is known for his didgeridoo skills and multi-tasking. He played three separate didgeridoos, a keyboard, and what were possibly bongos. The instruments were hard to see over taller heads.
The talented set of twins, Tegan and Sara, delivered a balanced set. They played some acoustic songs along with their louder, more emotional tracks, such as “The Con.” Tegan started off a short-lived cover of Rihanna’s “Umbrella” at one point. The band was overlooked though because a lot of people were busy getting their spots for the Foo Fighters.
It’s typical to say that the headliner was the best, but Foo Fighters make it hard to say otherwise. Their hard-hitting melodies and meaningful lyrics had crowds of all ages rocking out with their fists in the air. “Everlong” and “Best of You” brought everyone to their feet. Dave Grohl was hilarious, pointing out fans to make fun of and cracking jokes between every song. The Foo, playing half an hour longer than planned, proved their passion for what they do and why they have been popular for so long.
ACL fulfilled my concert needs and paleness all in one weekend. Sunscreen is the plan for next year.
