As this year's ACL Festival begins to fade into our collective memories, we thought to revisit the fun times again through a look at Steve Hopson's photos. Featured here are Cee-Lo, Elbow, Aloe Blacc, Coldplay, Manu Chao and some of Austin many music lovers. More of Steve's ACL photos can be seen here. more ›

With one of Austin's favorite outdoor festivals now ten years old, we decided to take a look back at the Austin City Limits Music Festival's Grade School Years. So we rummaged through Austinist photographer Steve Hopson's ACL Tribute page for the highlight photos of mud pits, dust bowls, nosebleeds, grassy lawns, art projects, music lovers and headliners that got us to where we are now. 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 ›

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 ›

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 ›

New York’s The Walkmen took the stage at ACL on the Xbox 360 stage just after peak heatstroke hours (although the sun on this first day of this year’s festival was a lot more forgiving than previous), somewhere around 3:30pm, and kicked into gear with a relaxed island feel. “Louisiana”, the first single from 2006’s A Hundred Miles Off, soothed the crowd with singer Hamilton Leithauser’s lazy afternoon vocals and acoustic guitar. Horn blasts from the four-person section rose over top and mixed with the beach-drinking beat and keys to create a ripe fun-in-the-sun atmosphere as our star peaked out between the clouds periodically through a veil of strung together cloud puffs. A myriad of shakers, rolling and stomping percussion, guitar twinkling, breezy triangle, and a mix of light and heavy flows followed. The Walkmen played a tune in the works from their forthcoming sixth studio album to be released next year, which was a slow and easy ramble and whistler. Then, they broke into Bows + Arrows’ “The Rat” and the group went right into the full-blown, rocking, dance-inciting, guitar-driven favorite for a knee-bouncing crowd shaking their hands in the air and singing the memorable chorus. 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 ›

Let's spare ourselves too much talk of bands that have been around the block for a decade or more, and take a look at some bands we may still be talking about ten years from now. Some you may have heard, some you may have heard of, and some this weekend may provide the perfect opportunity to discover for the first time. Basically, if we had to come up with a list of two acts every day that you absolutely must check out, especially those that are still mired in those not-standing-room-only (and potentially right up-close) daytime slots, this could be the list. 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 ›

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 ›

With the Austin City Limits Music Festival approaching, Dell Lounge’s annual The Sound and the Jury contest is fast gaining momentum once again. This year’s five finalists, Andrew Tinker, The Bright Light Social Hour, The Bubbles, Mobley, and OK Sweetheart will battle it out next Wednesday (the 30th) at Antone’s for the coveted Dell Stage spot at the fest. The Steps were victorious last year, and this Thursday at Stubb’s, the Austin360 Concert Series give you the opportunity to check up on the winning band from the first installment of the competition in 2007. 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 ›

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 ›

Here’s the start of a horror movie, starring the lineup Sunday’s lineup on the Austin City Limits BMI Stage (not that the lineup is horrifying, or anything): We open on a run-down house in rural Mississippi. The house is owned by five brothers, played by the five members of Colour Revolt. The brothers, a scraggly, rough-hewn bunch, are sitting on their front porch, listening to a variety show on an antique radio (voices and music provided by The Belleville Outfit), when five strangers crest the hill approaching the house. It’s the members of South Austin Jug Band and The Massacoustics, playing road-tripping college friends, headed to New Orleans but terribly lost and out of gas. Suddenly, the ghostly image of a woman (Elizabeth Wills) appears between the house and the travelers. She knows of the danger that lies ahead of them. “Fly away,” she warns. “Fly away!” more ›

As another Austin City Limits Music Festival approaches, all attendees get an opportunity to check out acts they may already be fans of, or discover music that could be the new soundtrack to their lives. The AT&T Blue Room Stage boasts considerably diverse line-ups on all three days and we're here to prep you for the barrage of live music that can be expected on that stage. Austin based Dan Dyer has been compared to legends like Stevie Wonder and Al Green, and he kicks things off on Friday at 11:45 a.m. on Day One with soothing soul music, tinged with elements of gospel and blues. more ›

Austin is a town full of music lovers and there’s no reason a family should have to pass up the Austin City Limits Music Festival just because they couldn’t find a babysitter for the weekend. Instead, ensure that your kids are adequately prepared for the sun and the crowd, but take them with you. ACL Fest, along with H-E-B, once again brings us Austin Kiddie Limits this year. more ›

Austinist is pleased to bring you the chance to win a pair of tickets to Saturday evening’s sold out Rodrigo y Gabriela show at La Zona Rosa. Astute guitarists both, Rodrigo Sánchez and Gabriela Quintero spent some time plying their trade in a metal band (Tierra Acida) in Mexico before striking the right chords under their current moniker. The duo’s discography consists of Foc (2001), re-Foc (2003), Live: Manchester and Dublin (2004), and 2006’s self-titled effort; their instrumental takes on Metallica’s “Orion” and Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway To Heaven” are already semi-cult classics. more ›

Local outfit Color & Light returns to saturate Stubb’s on Saturday with a ready supply of the soaring melodies and sizzling guitars that pace their inspirational crescendos. more ›

Image from Tom Brosseau’s MySpace Nickel Creek & Tom BrosseauSaturday, November 17Stubbs (801 Red River)$25 Advance; Doors 7 p.m.[info] | [tickets] Singer-songwriter Tom Brosseau brings heartfelt lyricism and mellow melodies to Stubb’s on Saturday. Hailing from Grand Forks, North Dakota, Brosseau’s high pitched voice and gentle guitar complement his sincere storytelling perfectly, and has found him at least one fan in a certain Natalie Portman. Portman picked Brosseau’s “Plaid Lined Jacket” (along with tracks by... more ›

Image courtesy of Tegan and Sara’s MySpace Tegan and SaraWednesday, November 7Stubbs (801 Red River)$18 (Advance) / $20 (Day Of Show), 7 p.m.[info] | [tickets]It’s not the middle of SxSW, it’s not the weekend of Austin City Limits Music Festival, heck it’s not even Fun Fun Fun Fest anymore, but November 7th might just be one of those evenings where the stars align to bring our city a number of ridiculously appealing concerts. Symphonic rock... more ›

If you can't view the Flash slideshow above, an alternate version appears after the jump. Less than a week after the Austin City Limits Music Festival packed up its gear for another year, La Grave Field in Fort Worth hosted the 2007 Wall Of Sound Festival. Presented by Spune and co-sponsored by Coors Light, the Fort Worth Weekly, and yours truly (among others), the event kicked off bright n' early on the 22nd of... more ›

So the 2007 Austin City Limits Music Festival has come and gone but you still haven’t had enough music. Thankfully, the 2007 Wall Of Sound Festival is just around the corner. Besides catching headliners such as Explosions In The Sky, Midlake, and Ghostland Observatory, be sure to check out Spectrum. The brainchild of Spacemen 3’s Sonic Boom (a.k.a. Peter Kember), the act will be performing new songs while Spacemen 3 era tracks are also promised.... more ›