Amanda’s posted her tentative ACL Festival schedule for this weekend, and as her consort/beerjockey for the weekend, I quite like her schedule. If you want to see a full list of the bands I’m interested in, go to the schedule page and enter code ACL1317906.
As I think about who excites me the most, I realize there’s a funny development in musicfestivology: electronic acts have consistently competed with or even outshined traditional acts lately. Last year at ACL, I felt Bloc Party ruled the weekend, but Thievery Corporation put on a surprising top 5 performance. They provided a constant rotation of vocalists and instruments, including some wicked sitar work. The whole crowd was dancing pretty vigorously; considering it was around 5pm on a 105-degree day, this was no small feat. Mouse on Mars also came off rather well.
Recently, I mentioned we saw RJD2 at an outdoor show, and his work at the tables was riveting. A small-venue show by mellow emo kids Say Hi to Your Mom was also surprisingly energetic. I can’t think of the last time I was disappointed after watching a quality electronic/synth-y act perform.
If you make all your music on keyboards and/or software, you have to reinvent yourself on the stage. That creative challenge seems to be producing some of the best live acts around. This weekend, I anticipate Gnarls Barkely (aka Danger Mouse), Massive Attack, Thievery Corp (again) and other button-pushers will provide some of the most viscerally satisfying shows.
C’mon, Marc-y Marc. I know you’ve got the moves. Maybe somebody will sample “The Freaks Come Out At Night” and you will be powerless to resist.
I think it’s hip hop, mostly. I think that our generation is tired of the notion that there are walls between genres and we’re tearing them down. Which is bringing the 60s back, but better hopefully. More diverse.