The ACL and Dell Lounge sponsored Sound & the Jury contest is already underway. Bands are submitting their applications for registration through August 22, using their social networking online and off to promote their participation. Fans vote online to keep their favorites in the competition, and at the end of it all a lucky winner takes the stage at ACL. For more information or to submit your band to the contest, visit the Sound &......

This morning, Austin City Limits Festival organizers released the schedule for 2008. The lineup, featuring acts like Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Spiritualized, Foo Fighters, Beck and Manu Chao, is notable this year thanks to its extremely strong middle section (the "heat of the day" section, as we like to call it) and offers acts like MGMT, Patty Griffin, Hot Chip and Duffy, as well as two quip-worthy local acts, Okkervil River and White Denim. ...

It's official: Foo Fighters, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss and John Fogerty take top billing along with Beck, Manu Chao, David Byrne, The Raconteurs, The Mars Volta, Gnarls Barkley, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, N.E.R.D., Erykah Badu, Robert Earl Keen, and Parry Griffin rounding out tier one. ...

ACL Fest lineup to be announced April 15. Rodney Reed's lawyers argued before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals today. New federal study will figure the environmental impact of coal plants north of Austin. Texas Monthly publisher upset over new City Manager's appointment to head EMS. Wildfire in the Valley covers 25,000 acres and causes hundreds of people to evacuate their homes....

Looks like ACL Fest organizers have chosen Groundhog Day to release their mildly discounted multi-passes. 3-day passes priced at $150 including service charges are on sale now at ACLFest.com. ...