September 15, 2007
ACL Fest Day One Wrap-Up: Part Two
Spoon (6:30pm): So here's the thing about Spoon: they're a studio band. And on record, they're pretty much bulletproof for this decade. But the band also have a deserved reputation as a sometimes shaky live act, and such was the case for the show's beginning today. Britt Daniel and the band emerged without opening music or much ceremony, plowing right into a half-dozen tracks from new album Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. But they felt somewhat tentative, even when they threw us a curveball by adding a four-piece horn section. Amongst all the new material, a couple of older favorites like "Jonathan Fisk" and "The Beast And Dragon, Adored" were thrown in to reward older fans. But everything changed with the first bars of the groove-laden "The Fitted Shirt." The band found their rhythm on that song and "I Turn My Camera On" and never looked back, focusing on older tunes during part two of the set to the approval of a huge AT&T stage crowd. Spoon are truly Austin's garage band made good, and while some jitters were evident early, it was nice to see them pull off a strong finish.
Dinner (7:20pm): For whatever reason, the line for Crunchy Chicken Cones at Hudson's was at least 100 people long, while next door, the queue for Salt Lick items was a mere 15 people. This made our decision easy, though we were sad when the patron in front of us grabbed the last sausage wrap until the next batch arrived 20 minutes later. Undaunted, we grabbed a pulled pork sandwich and ate and ran towards the Kaiser Chiefs.
Kaiser Chiefs (7:30pm): This was the indisputable highlight of day one. We arrived with only moderate expectations after feeling disappointed in this year's Yours Truly, Angry Mob. But the Kaisers have grown from a fun club act to a polished arena band since we last saw them in Summer 2005. Frontman Ricky Wilson was hellbent on winning new fans, and threw himself into the show with literally reckless adandon. Wilson fearlessly threw microphone stands in the air, swung his mic cord like a lasso, and charged into the front row of the crowd during the opening numbers. The new songs that sounded just OK on Angry Mob came across far better in a live setting, with the band selling the tunes as fun and punchy. The crowd was even inspired to pogo, and you had a sense we had all gone to England for 40 minutes. Unfortunately, Wilson's antics proved too much for him to sustain: after precariously climbing 30 feet up the stage scaffolding during "I Predict A Riot," he managed a safe descent, yet tripped and went crashing onto the stage while running back to the microphone. The fall seemed to twist or sprain his ankle, and all of the insane energy of the set's first half waned a little as the singer hobbled gamely through the rest of the show. Wilson couldn't help himself for long, though: by the closing number "Oh My God," he was trying to jump and dance along with the crowd on one leg! It was a treat to be so pleasantly surprised by an ACL set, and so we award the "didn't see it coming" spot of the day to the force of nature that The Kaiser Chiefs pulled off as a live act.
(Note: We love Bjork, and know she played last night. But we've seen her in a 250 seat venue, so our low energy level won out over watching her amongst a crowd of 25,000. It just wasn't going to beat the Harlem gig.)
The Killers (8:15pm): We sort of knew better than to look in on this, but it couldn't be helped. On our way out of the park, The Killers displayed a black-and-white five minute introductory video onto the screens—apparently, they were aliens beamed into a desert trailer park or something. It set the scene for the Queen-like scenario that ensued, as Brandon Flowers emerged dressed in a silver glitter suit complete with sparkle boots. A backdrop of white lights said "Sam's Town," but may as well have been borrowed from Moulin Rouge as it was so over-the-top and campy. We were exhausted, and the teenager and college-heavy crowd was getting a little obnoxious with shoving forward and spilling beer, so there was only patience enough to catch two songs before heading for the taxi ranks. "Sam's Town" and "When You Were Young" had the crowd's approval, and Flowers has (thankfully) learned how to work a large stage since we last saw him three years ago. But we couldn't help but feel that the best sets of the day had already happened for us, so we left to recharge for Saturday.
Photos via ACLFest.com. Multiple photographers credited.
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Too weak to stop and observe Bjork on your way out? Weak.
Previous commenter = asshole
thanks for writing this, i didn't get to see spoon or the chiefs.
Bjork was so intense, one of her speakers literally burst into flame. You missed out.
No offense, y'all, but why bother review pieces of a set? This post isn't the worst of the lot floating around out there, but . . . someone's got to stay and put their 2 cents in for Bjork, for crying out loud.
killers were awesome. i guess the reviewer is some old fart with something against what most young ppl like
great reviews, tom
Kaiser Chiefs were the "didn't see it coming" for me as well.
As were Gotan Project...quite stunning.
And Bjorks set wasn't nearly as enthralling as at Coachella, except for the flaming speaker...that was great and should have spelled out BJORK! in flames...
We must never forget the Girl in the Pink Killers Shirt.
bjork was amazing. one should never pass her show up. afterwards I caught grizzly bear which was surprisingly great. I saw the killers singer there. I then bought Yellow House and have now been sold after sort of avoiding the name for awhile now. Great harmonies. Art Brut on the other hand was terrible.
The Killers were not awesome, they were okay a few years ago, but havev since gone downhill from their mediocre status. Its not that people are old, its that they have better taste in music other than just following the MTV crowd. If something were missed, it would be the QOTSA show.
Any Austinite that even considered going to the Spoon stage instead of the QOTSA stage should be ashamed. I've seen Spoon at least 5 times now, and I didn't even like them before Girls Can Tell. But to skip on on Bjork? Unforgivable.
Bjork?
Bjoring.
I've seen videos of the Killers right when 'Hot Fuss' came out, and I honestly had no interest seeing them as they seemed to be lifeless live. Reading your post makes me interested in trying to see them the next time around, as I liked the newer album much more than the first one.
I also have a question for the smart people here. I've gotten my grubby hands on a STAFF (Art) wristband for tomorrow from some guy at work (gave it to me for free!). Does anyone here know what makes this one different compared to normal wristbands?
spoon was a great show
re: comment 11...
you dont even like spoon yet you've seen them 5 times?!?!?!
who sees a band they dont like more than once?
okay, benefit of the doubt, maybe a couple of times due to circumstances, but really... c'mon.
that being said i've been a huge spoon fan for 10 years and the set on friday was mediocre at best. every other (of the many) show of their's that i've seen has been amazing, so i was more than a little dissapointed...
comment 11 is right on. I've seen Spoon around 10 times (most recently Thursday night) and they are never amazing. (Which Tom obviously knew, but chose to go see them for some reason anyhow?) Queens, on the other hand, is always a sick band. Anyone watching Spoon missed out.
I'm hoping to get other opinions/reviews for the other days...
oh brother......bands suck
So is Spoon a studio band or a garage band?
When did I ever say I didn't like Spoon? Sweet Jesus, can we apply for a national trust to do something about the reading comprehension in this town?
I did not like Spoon before Girls Can Tell.
That is because I did not hear hear Spoon before Girls Can Tell.
Once I heard Girls Can Tell I bought Series of Sneaks and liked Spoon.
I liked Spoon thereafter.
Since that time (which is pretty late in the Spoon game in Austin) I have gone to Spoon shows off and on when they've played. I'm not obsessed with going to every show nor (in recent years) would I be able to afford such a luxury nor (in recent years) have I particularly enjoyed them as they are filled with 30 year old men trolling for 16 year old girls. I don't really like watching teens bump and grind as The Delicate Place plays.
So, although I like Spoon a lot and haven't seen them play any songs from Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, and would LOVE to go to one of their shows any day the week, I'd rather not pass up the once in a lifetime opportunity to see QOTSA. I can see Spoon, like Cats, now and forever - about once or twice a year in Austin. QOTSA, as mentioned, have got to be sick live and their music is pretty much great, and even if it's not it's loud and fast and dirty and good. And not dirty like 16 year olds grinding to The Delicate Place. Dirty like 1kie 16 year olds grinding to Do It Again.
By the way, since my opinion matters so much to everyone, I have seen Spoon start off shaky and start off strong, but I've enjoyed the opportunity to see live them every time I have. Sure, there's not a lot of banter, but their definitely a band where if the crowd is into it and appreciative, they match that energy and feed off it to make a more enjoyable experience for everyone. They're definitely a studio band now, not a garage band, but they've always played well live every time I've seen them, even if they seemed a little nervous at first.
When we get that trust, maybe we can also do something about my own poor proofing skills.
I opted for QotSA over Spoon, having seen the latter plenty of times, but... it was a lame show. The technical competence was there but there just wasn't a lot of energy. I was mightily disappointed. Even the stage banter was bad.
Hope I'm not bursting the bubble of any QotSA fans who had a great time. If so, I'm happy for you. But I was let down.
I didn't see either because I have no money for music festivals, but given the choice, like I said up there, I'd have gone for QOTSA.
All I have to say is that Bjork was incredible and you really missed out, austinist.
great commentary on what u did see. I glad i didnt passup the one in a lifetime shot at seeing Bjork for the Killers (all ive heard is that their set was ok, not Great).
I never seen Bjork live, and i wont ever forget it.
The Brass choir sounded awazing, and it was refreshing expierence hearing her songs with that mixed with her electonica beats. Was not a slow or boring show at all especially considering the amount of older upbeat songs she performed i.e. Army of Me was awesome!
Highlights for me were
Hidden Place, Joga, Immature, Army of Me, Earth intruders, Wanderlust, Hyperballad, Pluto and Declare Independence.
DID anyone check out M.I.A.?
She put on a great and fun show. To short, and it id feel like it was rushed but I had alot of fun dancing and watching her.
What'd you say in that last sentence?
The ACL Festival should be renamed to the AKL (Austin Kiddie Limits) Festival. I resent that Charles Attal and all other promoters will not listen to reason and change the date of this to avoid the stifling heat. Umbrellas are nice but if you have to give out fans at the entrance you should know that people suffer to see the music when the suffering could be avoided completely if only the dates would be changed to a resonable time of year. This is an issue each and every year but since it sells well to the younger crowd who can better stand the heat; the powers that be don't give a shit. I'm not gonna pay $150 so that I can run to the nearest shade tree and sit in a chair for 3 days listening to mediocre bands. I went for one day to see QOTSA and it was too hot facing the west at 6:30 p.m. No wonder there was little energy. We were all sweating like pigs. The Fest was boring. Jazz Fest in New Orleans is all ages and seasoned festival goers are there and it is an "experience". ACL has no heart in it; no commardarie; just a limp vacant hot crowd. Just look at all the picutures; everyone is 20. Oh well, next year, I'll book my ticket for Jazz Fest which is a logical time for the south/April/May. You won't get my money again!!! Get down ACL!!!
I'm sure not everyone there was 20. I think it's more likely that photographers were taking pictures of the people they thought looked nice rather than the actual crowd.
#27 Did you complain when Dylan plugged in at Newport?
#29, You're so funny. I don't listen to Bob Dylan. I went to see QOTSA, geek. Go rock out to some Killers (lame). How old are you anyway? Watch your sarcasm, you'll keep having b-days too if your lucky. But you may not be a true music lover which never goes away whether you are 16 or 38. Also #28, I WENT to the Fest one day and I SAW the crowd. It's not just pictures. In fact there were more teens there than I've ever seen before. I thought I was at an after school special. But that's cool, ya'll can have ACL and Bob Dylan, Tom Petty. I have money and can see music anywhere. My point is that greed is making us all suffer from the heat, and they rave about how fantastic everything is. Maybe this is the only festival you know but it is not in any way comparable to the other major 4.
#29, #27 here. I'm 29.
Are all those clubs on Red River also greedy because they start shows on Tuesday nights so the headliners go on at 1am and people like me (and you, I would assume) can't always go because we have to work in the morning?
I can't believe you're actually complaining that more and more teenagers are at a festival with some great bands playing. Those same teenagers could be at home, in the dark playing videogames. Or they could be listening to Britney Spears and other prepackaged shittastic music.
Or they could be working which is just what this generation of cyber brats needs.
I actually agree with you, 27. They should move the festival to a more reasonable season. The fact that they put it at the end of summer shows us a couple of things about Mr. Attal.
1. He has never been outside in Austin for more than 5 minutes.
2. He doesn't care if people die on his dime.
I just said a couple so that's all you're getting.
How many people have died because of the sun/heat at ACL Fest in the past 6 years?
Bjork was the best show that I have ever seen. It was raw art and she had a good message. "Alot of people left early because their souls couldn't handle it," as John put it...the guy next to me. It was my birthday that evening, and I couldn't have thought of a better way to spend it!