Austin City Limits Festival Preview: Day Two, Part Deux

This is the halfway point, not just of Saturday, but of the entire weekend. Keepin up? Good, so much more to see and hear. Since this is part 2, it's 4:30 until the end.


The afternoon does not start out any easier than earlier in the day. Four choices
confront you: The Long Winters, an indie-pop outfit from the Pacific Northwest, provide beautiful melodies and harmonies over bouncy guitars. And if you recognize something about them, it's leader John Roderick, who has seen action with Harvey Danger and Western State Hurricanes. If not you cup of tea, check out the mix of Latin rock and blues of Los Lobos. With many years and albums between their break-out hit and now, they are no longer one-trick ponies, but who knows, maybe they will play La Bamba anyway. If you are in the mood for a more mellow start to your late afternoon, check out singer-songwriter Elvis Perkins on the tiny little stage near the Barton Creek entrance. Did you know he is Anthony Perkins (Psycho) son? Talent runs in the family. Now I am sure the majority of the crowd will be at the main stage checking out The Shins and their catchy melodies, walking the line between indie rock and pure pop. But of course we all know listening to The Shins will truly change your life.


The next hour is not so rough. In its current form, Calexico is like a mini-orchestra, but the band always revolves around singer Joey Burns and drummer John Convertino. Playing a wide range of musical styles and ACL veterans, they are sure to be a crowd favorite. On the opposite stage, singer-songwriter Aimee Mann belts out melodies that will stick with you all day long. And I know you all know her from a little one-hit wonder from the 80s by 'Til Tuesday. If you want the local flavor, check out Austin's own Charlie Sexton. He has been making music for years and will not disappoint.


Now I know everybody will be wanting to check out The Raconteurs, the latest Jack White project. Getting huge radio play, everybody will be singing along with "Steady As She Goes". I, however, will be checking out the Austin favorites, What Made Milwaukee Famous. If the buzz around this band is correct, they will blow up soon and big. Check them out! And for all you Dead Heads, Phish Heads, Parrot Heads, whatever head you want to be, The String Cheese Incident offers themselves up as an alternative to, well, the alternative rock on the other stages.


Heading into the home stretch, varying styles make the choices easier. The whisper soft vocals and lyrical guitar of Iron & Wine (watch for a possible walk-on by members of Calexico) go head to head with the Southern rock fueled sounds of Kings of Leon. A little off the main stream, Brazilian Girls kick out the dance grooves. And don't let the name fool you, they are not Brazilian, and there is only one female in the band. Also not the norm, Instrumental only Austin based Explosions In The Sky will send the crowd reeling with a powerful and cinematic sound.


And we are here at the end. Two stages, two very different acts. The Red-Headed Stranger finally comes to the Festival. Playing country music at some of its finest, Willie Nelson will have the throng in the the palm of his hand and wondering what song he will play next, but I doubt there will be a Julio walk-on for "All the Girls I've Loved Before". On the other side of the park, Massive Attack close down Saturday with pure electronica. And I hear rumors of special guests.

Thats it for day 2. Only one day left. Can you make it?

The Long Winters - Pushover
Elvis Perkins - Ash Wednesday
Los Lobos - This Time
The Shins - Girl On The Wing
Calexico - Cruel
Aimee Mann - Going Through The Motions
The Raconteurs - Steady As She Goes
What Made Milwaukee Famous - Almost Always Never
Iron & Wine - Jezebel
King of Leon - The Bucket
Explosions In The Sky - The Long Spring
Willie Nelson - Bubbles In My Beer
Massive Attack - Angel

Be sure to check out the rest of our site and our archives for a ton of ACL Fest coverage and so much more!