Austin City Limits Festival Preview: Day One, Part Two

Onward, brave music adventurers! If you forgot how we got here, check the previous ACL preview posts. This covers 4:30 until last show, Friday.

Tired yet? Well, you better not be, it is only halfway through day 1 and it is time to get crazy with Gnarls Barkley. This promises to be a raucous show and one of the most popular of the festival. I personally can't wait to see what costumes they have on for the show.

Gnarls will be hard to follow, but I think it is in the capable hands of Gomez, supporting one of the best albums so far this year, How We Operate. This is my must see for the day. On the opposite stage is the smoky voiced sounds of Alt-Country chanteuse Cat Power & the Memphis Rhythm Band. And if neither float your boat, check out the Latin sounds of Austin's own Del Castillo.

Gomez

Depending on your taste, this may be another time to check out a beverage or some of the booths. However, if you like the heavy rhythm and electronic melodies, check out Thievery Corporation. Guaranteed to make your body move.

Be prepared to run stage to stage from here on out, because the hits just keep on coming all over the park. Again, you must make a choice of who to see first. Sparklehorse delivers an ecletic sound of guitars, electronica, and noise from whatever they can find while Ray Lamontagne's raspy vocals, a la Tom Waits, sound out from across the park. Maybe GB will come on stage for his Crazy cover.

Ray Lamontagne

Starting just before these sets end is guitar god and ladies favorite John Mayer. Expect space to be limited in front of this stage, so get a good place. After checking out some of John's licks, hustle on over to the other Main Stage to catch a true legend and influence to many of the acts, Van Morrison. Eventhough he may play off the new album, some old favorites are sure to make the set.

John Mayer

That concludes day 1. Get in line for the shuttle or a cab, get home and get some rest. Tomorrow is another day. Oh, and shower too. No one wants to be around a grungy person.

Hopefully some of these songs can make the decisions easier.

Gnarls Barkley - Just A Thought
Cat Power - Lived In Bars
Gomez - girlshapedlovedrug
Del Castillo - Dias de Los Angeles
Thievery Corporation - Lebanese Blonde
Sparklehorse - Homecoming Queen
Ray Lamontagne - Crazy (GB Cover)
John Mayer - Comfortable
Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl


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