The Austin City Limits festival has confirmed their second Sunday headliner: Manu Chao. Chao will perform in his La Ventura trio format, which is a more acoustic-based show than some of his past Austin and ACL appearances. Chao fills the void in the top tier of the schedule for early Sunday evening; the French artist who sings in roughly a half dozen language is a stadium rock act in many parts of the world, so he'll likely have no trouble entertaining Zilker Park opposite the more mellow sounds of Fleet Foxes across the park. Friday's schedule also had a late addition in Philadelphia's Kurt Vile, an indie rock artist who has received raves in Pitchfork and The Onion for his latest Matador release Smoke Ring For My Halo. Sunday passes are still available at aclfestival.com; Friday tickets are now sold out. more ›

In 2006, Ghostland Observatory was meticulously plying its trade on the club scene when one afternoon performance at the Austin City Limits Music Festival changed the duo’s career trajectory drastically. Fast forward to 2010. This time around, effervescent soul outfit T Bird and the Breaks seems destined for glory come October. A quick glance at the crowd at any of its shows offers evidence of the band’s draw among all demographics. It’s hardly surprising given the universal appeal of the troupe’s savvy soul sound. The band may have gained a decent amount of recognition and played a few choice concerts in town already, but it’s that ever prestigious spot at ACL Fest that could well be the ticket to the big time. more ›

Before Sarah Palin put it on the map, Wasillia, Alaska's biggest export, arguably was Portugal. the Man. Though they moved to Portland shortly after forming, the band took the years of experience they had playing with other groups, most notably post-hardcore outfit Anatomy of A Ghost, and created their own musical path. And that path is just as eclectic and diverse as the band is prolific. more ›

Last year, before they'd even released a record, the back story of Girls frontman Christopher Owens had become the subject of interminable blog palaver, pop-psychologizing and myth-making. It is a compelling narrative: Owens was a second-generation member in the Children of God cult, before running away at sixteen. His dad left, his brother died, and at times his mother was forced to prostitute herself to entice new members into the cult. After leaving, he lived as a Texas gutter-punk until landing with a West Texas millionaire; he then moved to San Francisco, played in some punk bands, met local musician and producer JR White, and recorded an album with him. more ›

If the reception for Fleet Foxes in 2008 and The Avett Brothers in 2009 at ACL is any indication, then Dawes should expect to leave this year's festival with an entire city in their back pocket. This is because the California band play the same brand of earthy, low-key, folk music that has been a recipe for success in the indie community within the last few years. more ›

Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam, better known in the world of songs and mud-flinging as M.I.A., is two things for sure: 1. a dance music whirlwind capable of throwing down some of the catchiest fire-starting political statements, and 2. a proven lightning rod for criticism. It's not just in her over-the-top public persona, complete with multiple and potentially narcissistic variations on her name, but her willingness to engage in back and forth shit-talking via twitter, that makes her a compelling character. Some fallout: after being a critical darling since her debut in 2005, her newest album, /\/\ /\ Y /\ (a statement on the joys of creative typography only a postmodern e.e. cummings could love), has been panned in all the right places despite the fact that a few of its tracks are among the year's most infectious. See "XXXO" and "Born Free" for proof she's still got it. more ›

Nashville garage rockers The Ettes play their raw blend of rock with no gimmicks and no concern for being part of a scene, but with plenty of hooks. Led by energetic vocalist/guitarist Lindsay "Coco" Hames, the four piece have put out four albums since their 2005 debut, Eat The Night, and released what is arguably their best and most cohesive album, Do You Want Power, last year to generally favorable reviews. more ›

Sometimes, being in the right place at the right time can be just what an indie band needs to break big. Over the last several years, a sizable number of relatively unknown groups have achieved mainstream consciousness by having their music featured in commercials, TV shows, and movies. Oftentimes referred to as "The OC Effect" (based on the timely explosion of Death Cab for Cutie via Seth Cohen), one song placed in the right ad or soundtrack can cement you a spot on the radars of everyone from tweens to soccer moms, and everyone in between. Just ask The Temper Trap. more ›

By the time U.K.’s FOALS take the stage for their ACL Fest set at Zilker Park on Sunday, they may well be the winners of the prestigious Mercury Prize for 2010. They are going up against luminaries like Paul Weller and peers such as The xx so this is no sure thing, but just the nomination itself speaks volumes about their undoubted talent. more ›

When James Murphy isn't running DFA Records, he's the mastermind behind the undeniably influential outfit known as LCD Soundsystem. At this point, most people have at least heard of Murphy and his dance punk project, but this kind of set is particularly interesting within the context of ACL, a festival that maintains is relevance largely due to its recognition of well-aged acts. It's nothing short of amazing that Murphy & Co. will perform at the same festival as Phish and The Eagles. more ›

The thrill of the early hours of day one at the Austin City Limits Music Festival is nearly upon you. Yeah, you know the feeling. Your mind is eagerly processing the promise of three days of continuous live music, inevitable good times, and relentless shenanigans. The positive vibes have enveloped your very being even as you enter the largely vacant Zilker Park almost impatiently before noon, looking for an initial burst of euphony to send you on your way. Your first stop should most certainly be the Lady Bird Lake Stage, where GIVERS’ sunny-side-up pop tunes are sure to magnify all that optimism. The band members evoke passion from the moment they take the stage; their enticing melodies and tantalizing rhythms will have you dancing with joy in no time. Heck, you’ll probably be wishing you could bottle their irrepressible zeal for quick little boosts of energy at regular intervals throughout the weekend. more ›

L.A.-based Local Natives seem to have come from nowhere, but a little digging into the group’s past proves that they’ve been paying dues for quite some time. Their debut full-length, Gorilla Manor, was first only released in the U.K. and hardly made a blip in the U.S., but their time spent in obscurity didn’t last very long. more ›

We discovered yesterday that Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is investigating C3 regarding their radius clause, included in the Lollapalooza contracts for bands. more ›

This year's Austin City Limits festival headliners have been announced, and the list includes Muse, The Eagles, Phish, The Flaming Lips, M.I.A., and The Strokes. The festival takes place from October 8th through the 10th at Zilker Park. more ›

It was quite the change from years past. The dusty fields replaced by a lush green meadow and now, the insistent rain to ensure that heat exhaustion was no longer an issue. A wet day two at the 2009 Austin City Limits Music Festival was never going to dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd, already enjoying Flogging Molly at the AMD Stage despite the relentless downpour during the late afternoon hours. En route to the Xbox 360 Stage for …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead’s set at 5 p.m., we couldn’t help but admire the assorted rain gear, casting color below the grey sky. …Trail of Dead has been around for over a decade, starting out with just Conrad Keely and Jason Reece in the mid-90’s and plying their trade as a six-piece of late. Their catalogue encompasses a few different genres but the underlying aspect is that these guys just plain rock out. Be it ethereal soundscapes, punk thrashers, epic prog-rock, or the occasional tender ballad, …Trail of Dead deliver an amazing live show, two drummers and all. The locals kicked off with “Will You Smile Again?” and what followed was a 50 minute blitzkrieg consisting of choice tracks from the band’s extensive discography. Reece and Keely swapped vocal duties at times, each showcasing his distinct style via “Days Of Being Wild” and “How Near, How Far” respectively. While Keely seemed content swaying side to side, Reece pranced all over the stage like a man possessed, pounding his drums, picking up the guitar when needed, jumping down to the photo pit to sing to his audience, and even playing cheerleader occasionally. The highlight had to be the raucous “A Perfect Teenhood” although we were pleased that fellow Madonna selection “Clair De Lune” was included. All in all the band was in fine form and it is heartening to see them get some love from their hometown. They deserve it. more ›

There was a definite buzz in the air. And the excitement was palpable. You don’t get too many opportunities to witness legends from bands like The Beatles, The Doors, or in this case Led Zeppelin, live in concert and it wasn’t surprising that the eager crowd included a good chunk of our city’s media personnel. Plus there were a handful of local luminaries in attendance -- Spoon’s Jim Eno sat directly behind us while Lance Armstrong, in the section to our left, seemed to enjoy himself throughout. But the star power tonight was undoubtedly on stage. more ›

Thievery Corporation’s unique musical formula blends beats and grooves from all over the world, resulting in diverse, invigorating concoctions that transport the listener to exotic spots across the globe, be it a comfortable South American cafe, a mysterious Middle Eastern lounge, or a crowded Indian bazaar. Lucky for us, we get to enjoy it all in the cozy confines of Austin’s city limits this weekend. more ›

Nostalgia can pervade in a number of ways. There’s the undeniable scent of objects from the past that can take us down memory lane in a flash, and of course, straightforward outlets such as a photograph or a home video can easily transport us back to a romanticized time and place. Music works pretty well too. Listening to a record you enjoyed repeatedly as a child can help you reminisce endlessly. And then there are bands that just bleed a certain era. Prescott Curlywolf would fall into this final category -- you barely get through a handful of PC’s gritty powerpop ditties before you pine for Austin in the mid to late 90’s. more ›

Think you’ve had it hard before at eleven forty-five am during ACL Festival? Stumbling your way into the blaring Zilker Park sun after the after-show after-party is rough on anyone, but right this moment there are five bands working their asses off in hopeful anticipation of playing to the pitiable ACL crowd at that very hour. The Sound and the Jury, ACL Festival’s annual battle of the bands, is down to the final five contestants. They have been battling it out in venues both physical and digital for months now, trying to network and self-promote their way onto the Dell stage the winners will share with industry goliaths like Andrew Bird, Phoenix, the Decemberists, and Bon Iver this Friday. more ›

Austinites sure are going to be spoilt for choice this weekend. If ten plus hours a day of live music on eight stages at Zilker Park isn’t enough, we get to pick from a plethora of mouth-watering late night gigs to satisfy our yearning ears. And since this turbulent economy has everyone pinching pennies, we’re offering our readers a chance to win tickets to two choice aftershows in town this Friday. more ›

Providence's Deer Tick started out as a one-man band, but have become a quartet over the past few years. Incorporating influences such as Roy Orbison, Richie Valens, and early Van Morrison, the group plays a fairly minimal and gritty brand of rock that is just as classic as it is indie. Singer/chief songwriter John McCauley's vocals are raspy and full of cigarettes and whisky, lending themselves well to tales of sadness and desperation. The tunes sound capable of appealing equally well to urban hipsters and aging Creedence fans, and frankly, if Quentin Tarantino ever makes a Vietnam movie, these guys will totally be on the soundtrack. The group are touring behind 2009 sophomore album Born On Flag Day, which has made some noise due to both the band's relentless touring and the catchy lead track "Easy" finding a home on a number of music blogs and satellite radio stations. more ›

New York’s Coheed and Cambria has been ascending the throne of 21st century prog-rock with each successive record, gaining admirers in the not-so-dissimilar realms of metal music and comic books, and acquiring a fan base that boasts a wide ranging age demographic as evidenced by the crowd at their set at Lollapalooza this year. The Amory Wars saga, the brainchild of singer, guitarist, and songwriter Claudio Sanchez, is the running theme throughout their albums and takes us to Heaven’s Fence where we learn about Claudio Kilgannon (“The Crowing”) and the tragic tale of his parents Coheed Kilgannon (“The Beast”) and Cambria Kilgannon (“The Knowledge”). The story ended in their fourth album Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume Two: No World For Tomorrow; the upcoming record will bring us back to the very beginning. We touched base with Sanchez over email last week to check up on his influences and for an update on the much anticipated fifth full-length. more ›

Come the first weekend of October, Austin City Limits Music Festival will once again take over our town, with thousands enjoying the likes of Pearl Jam, Kings Of Leon, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs on the newly laid lush green grass of Zilker Park. Although this gathering of top notch talent in one spot is appealing to most, some might prefer to dodge the relentless crowds and the sweltering heat and save themselves for the plethora of official aftershows scattered around downtown Austin all weekend. The late night gigs also offer a second opportunity to watch a band you may have missed because of a conflict, or perhaps the festival set was so darned early, you just couldn’t get there in time. Both The Raveonettes (Saturday) and Here We Go Magic (Sunday) are scheduled for 1:15 p.m. sets on the Xbox 360 Stage. However, night owls rest assured, both bands will perform at The Parish Room once the sun has set and dusk has set in. more ›

The actual sets didn't matter. They just didn't. more ›

As the dust settled on another ACL Fest, a storm of a different kind brewed at the Austin Ventures stage where local act White Denim turned in a whirlwind performance. The band eased into their set via "Migration Wind," a breezy instrumental piece that gradually gathered momentum and showcased James Petralli's prowess on the guitar. "All You Really Have To Do" followed immediately, and by the time "Mess Your Hair Up" arrived, the audience was pumping their fists in conjunction with each Petralli howl, clearly invigorated by the sonic explosion. more ›

After having already enjoyed CSS’ set at the AT&T Blue Room, we waded through a sea of people to return to our spot for the electro-psychedelia of Brooklyn’s MGMT. The excited audience patiently clapped along during the first track “Pieces Of What” and came alive when “Electric Feel,” complete with the stellar falsetto chorus, sent bolts of funk through north west Zilker. more ›

As the early bands battled it out for immediate attention during the hectic opening hours of the 2008 Austin City Limits Music Festival, local four piece The Strange Boys calmly transported us to decades past with a flurry of garage-pop ditties. Bringing back memories aplenty of bands we've witnessed via the historical catalog of footage from The Ed Sullivan Show, the band's demeanor, attitude, and style all tied in perfectly with their sugary sweet melodies. more ›

The 2008 Austin City Limits Music Festival is finally here! We hope you’ve been enjoying our various stage previews. Even if you’re not attending the day time revelry at Zilker Park, there are plenty of options to choose from during the evening hours. (Read our ACL Fest after-shows roundup here.) Most weekend live music activities will probably revolve around the plethora of acts in town for the fest but there’s so much more going on; a couple of shows definitely merit a quick mention. more ›

The Dell Lounge once again gave a number of bands (700 by last count) a chance to play this year’s Austin City Limits Music Festival via The Sound and the Jury battle of the bands. The “battle” started out online with fans voting on artists in the pool through three rounds; we’ve finally reached “The Grand Finale” (or Round 4) with the competition now moving to a live venue where a panel of judges from the industry and audience votes will decide the winner. more ›

After enjoying a number of quality acts on Day One at the AT&T Blue Room Stage, head back there because Day Two is just as inviting. The Austin City Limits Music Festival continues to bring in respectable artists from all over the world and you can start your second day at the fest with a smorgasbord of sounds courtesy of Iceland’s Mugison (a.k.a. Örn Elías Guðmundsson). The son of a karaoke singer, and in the past, a one man show in concert, Mugison’s has favored a full band of late as compared to his earlier days behind his laptop. Either way, a variety of genres, and pure entertainment is the result. more ›