Austin City Limits 2017 Preview

While October might be cold up north, down in Austin it’s still warm – perfect time for Austin City Limits Festival, which comes for two weekends, Friday-Sunday, October 6th-8th...
Austin City Limits

Austin City Limits 2017 Preview

While October might be cold up north, down in Austin it’s still warm – perfect time for Austin City Limits Festival, which comes for two weekends, Friday-Sunday, October 6th-8th & October 13th-15th:

 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6th/13th

Honda Stage

The xx, 8:15 PM – 9:30 PM

Almost overnight, south London’s The xx (QRO photos) went from little known to massive acclaim. Even before debut record xx (QRO review) actually came out, the dark, post-punk revival act was garnering lots of attention (QRO photos at a festival). They quickly jumped from opening (QRO live review) to headlining, as they were overshadowing the headliners. They also saw Baria Qureshi depart (QRO photos with her), leaving them a three-piece (QRO photos at a festival): Romy Madley Croft, Oliver Sim, and Jamie Smith (who’s become famed DJ in his own right as Jamie xx – QRO photos at a festival).

Certainly subdued, they are much better suited for nighttime (QRO photos at a festival) than at chattering rock clubs (QRO video), but have found a way to make it work outdoors (QRO live review outdoors) and at festivals far and wide (QRO photos at a festival). The group (QRO photos) comes back to Austin City Limits Festival (QRO photos at a festival) behind this year’s I See You (QRO review) and big tour (QRO live review of U.K. tour kick-off), following 2012’s Coexist (QRO review).
The xx
The Revivalists, 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM

New Orleans seven-piece Americana rock band The Revivalists (QRO photos at a festival) were last year named one of Rolling Stone’s “10 Bands You Need To Know.”
The Revivalists
Crystal Castles, 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM

Most electronic acts are restrained on stage, even when their crowd is going nuts, but the duo of Ethan Kath & Alice Glass (QRO live review) long matched their audience’s fervor – which had gotten them booted from more than one stage, especially at festivals (QRO photos at a festival). Glass split in 2014, but Kath decided to keep the group going, recruiting replacement Edith Frances to a rather mixed reaction (QRO photos at a recent festival). So even if you fall on the ‘hate’ side of this love-them-or-hate-them act (from Canada, surprisingly…), show up for the spectacle… (QRO live review)
Crystal Castles
MUTEMATH (weekend one)/O.A.R. (weekend two), 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM

Putting some ambience and psychedelica into their alt-rock is New Orleans’ MUTEMATH (QRO live review), who have been building in success, acclaim, and sound, like on 2011’s Odd Soul (QRO review), and come back to Voodoo in after last year’s release of their first since Soul, Vitals. The band (QRO photos) blew up in 2007 with their video “Typical”, where the band performs the song backwards. The Gulf Coast band moves across the state line to return to Austin City Limits Festival.

While most of the band hails from Rockville (in nearby Maryland), Of a Revolution – abbreviated O.A.R. (QRO photos) – all formed at Ohio State University (QRO photos at an Ohio festival), and have gone on to have a successful career in both the mainstream and jam worlds, most recently last year’s career-spanning 20th anniversary compilation XX. They return to Austin City Limits Festival, after having last played it in the festival’s second year, 2003.
MUTEMATH


O.A.R.

Asleep at the Wheel (weekend one)/Dale and Ray (weekend two), 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

West Virginia-born, Austin-living Asleep At the Wheel having been bringing western swing since 1970, racking up not only nine Grammy Awards, but have also appeared at every single Austin City Limits Festival!

Asleep At the Wheel

Miller Lite Stage

Ryan Adams, 7:15 PM – 8:15 PM

The alt-country/rock artist broke out in the first years of this century/millennium when he went alone, finding major success in the country/rock mainstream, but Ryan Adams (QRO photos) eventually embraced his backing band, The Cardinals, and kept on writing. After 2008’s Cardinology and tour, Adams (QRO photos at a festival) announced he was leaving The Cardinals again, as well as going on a hiatus due to hearing loss and disillusionment with today’s music industry, but returned in 2011 with Ashes & Fire, 2014’s acclaimed self-titled record, 2015’s top-to-bottom cover of Taylor Swift’s 1989 (QRO review), and this year’s Prisoner (QRO review), and is now hitting the festival circuit (QRO photos at a festival). He returns to Austin City Limits Festival, after having played its first & third years back at the start of this century/millennium.
Ryan Adams
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM

Rivaling Sean Lennon and Jakob Dylan in fatherly shadows to get out of, Austin’s beloved Willie Nelson’s own son Lukas (QRO photos of them together at the elder Wilson’s 80th birthday celebration) has established his own country name with his band, Promise of the Real (QRO photos).
Lukas Nelson
The Lemon Twigs, 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM

Catch the sunny indie-rock of The Lemon Twigs (QRO photos at a festival), who all attended the same high school as Billy Joel.
The Lemon Twigs
Also:

Sigrid (weekend one)/COIN (weekend two), 1:15 PM – 2:15 PMQRO photos of Sigrid at a festival

The Wild Now (weekend one)/Annabelle Chairlegs (weekend two), 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM

Sigrid

Barton Springs Stage

Solange, 7:15 PM – 8:15 PM

While originally known as being little sister to Beyoncé (and her fight with her brother-in-law – and Friday headliner (see below) – Jay-Z, captured on an elevator camera), Solange Knowles (QRO photos outdoors at a festival) has pipes (QRO photos headlining a festival) and stage presence all her own, as she’s more than proved, like with last year’s A Seat At the Table, and recent high-brow acclaim as well.
Solange
Royal Blood (weekend one)/Eagles of Death Metal (weekend two), 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM

Embrace the fast-rising blues-garage of Manchester’s Royal Blood (QRO photos at a U.K. festival), as they play their second Austin City Limits Festival in three years (QRO photos at Austin City Limits Festival ’15).

Not a death metal act but a sort of cross between the genre and the Eagles, Eagles of Death Metal (QRO photos) are formed around Jesse Hughes and Josh Homme, though the latter rarely performs live thanks to his commitments to acts like Queens of the Stone Age.

In 2015 these Eagles (QRO photos at a festival) became famous in the most tragic of ways, as their set at Le Bataclan in Paris was one of the sites of the terrorist attacks in that city. But now this band soars even higher.
Royal Blood


Eagles of Death Metal

Hamilton Leithauser, 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM

The ‘wise old men’ of the Brooklyn indie scene have long been The Walkmen (QRO live review), who virtually invented it. They were such staples that, of course, they had to go on an “extreme hiatus” in 2013, with various members starting various other projects. Frontman/singer Hamilton Leithauser has stepped into solo shoes with 2014 solo release Black Hours (QRO review), though he’s since done team-ups, 2015’s Dear God with The Walkmen’s Paul Maroon, and last year’s I Had a Dream That You Were Mine with Vampire Weekend’s Rostam Batmangli.
Hamilton Leithauser
(Sandy) Alex G, 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM

When he’s not playing guitar for Frank Ocean, Alexander Giannascoli both shorts & lengthens his name as (Sandy) Alex G (QRO photos at a festival).
(Sandy) Alex G
Also:

Twin Limb (weekend one)/Twelve’Len (weekend two), 11:45 AM – 12:30 PMQRO photos of Twin Limb

Twin Limb

Austin Kiddie Limits Stage

Lori Henriques (weekend one)/The Okee Dokee Brothers (weekend two), 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM

School of Rock (weekend one)/Pointed Man Band (weekend two), 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM

The Barton Hills Choir (weekend one)/School of Rock (weekend two), 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM

School of Rock


Pointed Man Band


Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage

Silent Disco, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM



Bonobo, 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM

While most DJs-as-artists are pretty new in the indiesphere, Simon Green (QRO photos at a festival) has been spinning for over a decade as Bonobo (QRO live review), and plays live at Austin City Limits Festival.
Bonobo
Big Wild, 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM

After a trip to Big Sur in California, Boston DJ Jackson Stell became Big Wild.
Big Wild
Valerie June, 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM

From the hills of Tennessee, Valerie June (QRO photos a festival) was first exposed to music in the church, and expanded her sound into roots-folk and blues while in Memphis, where she was featured on MTV’s $5 Cover, which explored struggling artists in Memphis. That led to the self-releasing artist finally getting a record deal for 2013’s Pushin’ Against the Stone, which featured several songs co-written with Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. She comes back to Austin City Limits Festival behind her follow-up, The Order of Time.
Valerie June
The Band of Heathens, 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Austenites Colin Brooks, Ed Jurdi & Gordy Quist originally just shared a stage to serve as each other’s backing band, but by 2008 as The Band of Heathens they had one of the Top Ten most played Americana records on the radio, and played both Austin City Limits Music Festival and then a taping of the show. They play their fourth ACL Festival behind last year’s Duende.
The Band of Heathens
Also:

Carson McHone (weekend one)/The Bishops (weekend two), 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Disciples of Chris (weekend one)/Shields of Faith (weekend two), 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM

Carson McHone

BMI Stage

La Femme (weekend one)/Ten Fé (weekend two), 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM

Spencer Ludwig (weekend one)/Two Feet (weekend two), 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM

The Aces (weekend one)/NIGHTLY (weekend two), 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM

Jonny P (weekend one)/Liz Cooper & The Stampede (weekend two), 11:45 AM – 12:30 PMQRO photos of Liz Cooper & The Stampede

Liz Cooper

HomeAway Stage

Martin Garrix, 7:15 PM – 8:15 PM

At just twenty years of age, Amsterdam’s Martin Garrix is already a major up-and-coming-and-already-there DJ.
Martin Garrix
Skepta, 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM

Austin City Limits Festival definitely needs some U.K. grime rap, and it recruited one of the key figures in the scene, north London’s Skepta (QRO photos at a festival), who’s coming off of winning the Mercury Prize last year for his fourth studio album, Konnichiwa.
Skepta
James Vincent McMorrow, 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM

Irish songwriter James Vincent McMorrow (QRO photos) has been hypnotizing his listeners with his ethereal vocals and timeless melodies. Last year he released third record We Move – and his cover of Chris Isaak’s classic “Wicked Game” was used in the trailer for the sixth season of Game of Thrones.
James Vincent McMorrow
Also:

Missio (weekend one)/Muna (weekend two), 1:15 PM – 2:15 PMQRO photos of MUNA

Welles, 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM

Missio

American Express Stage

Jay-Z, 8:15 PM – 10:00 PM

You already know Jay-Z. Everybody already knows Jay-Z. The rapper basically redefined the term ‘music mogul’ with his massive empire that’s included everything from Brooklyn’s Barclays Center (QRO venue review) to sports agency to clothing to even music (QRO album review). He holds the record for the most number one albums by a solo artist on the U.S. Billboard 200 – “Empire State of Mind” is the biggest New York song since “New York, New York”.

Oh, and in case you somehow didn’t know, he’s married to the one-and-only Beyoncé, as the biggest power couple in music.
Jay-Z
Foster the People, 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM

Los Angeles’ Foster the People (QRO photos at a festival) came out of nowhere in 2010 with viral hit “Pumped Up Kicks”, followed that up with the Top Ten debut Torches (QRO review). Their listener- and dancer-friendly electronic sounds (QRO photos at a festival) aren’t exactly revelatory, but are sure to set the crowd on fire (QRO live review). They come back to Austin City Limits Festival (QRO photos at a festival) for a big show (QRO photos at a festival) behind 2014’s Supermodel (QRO review) and this year’s Sacred Hearts Club.
Foster the People
Vulfpeck, 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM

The minimalistic, raw funk of Vulfpeck (QRO photos at a festival) comes to Austin City Limits Festival.
Vulfpeck
Andrew McMahon In the Wilderness, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM

Frontman of Something Corporate and then Jack’s Mannequin (QRO live review), Andrew McMahon’s emotional piano has since gone solo (QRO photos) and In the Wilderness (QRO photos at a festival).
Andrew McMahon
Also:

Methyl Ethel (weekend one)/Ron Gallo (weekend two), 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM
Methyl Ethel

 

 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7th/14th

Honda Stage

Chance the Rapper, 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Two mixtapes, 2012’s 10 Day and 2013’s Acid Rap, have launched Chicago’s Chance the Rapper (QRO photos at a festival) into the big time (like an endearing Kit Kat commercial, and his Chicago-sponsored South-by-Southwest showcase in 2015 was shut down due to massive overcrowding – QRO recap). He comes to Austin (QRO photos) to headline Austin City Limits Festival (QRO photos at a festival) behind his latest collaboration, last year’s team-up with Jeremih, Merry Christmas Lil’ Mama, and his Grammy-winning mixtape, Coloring Book. Book was the first streaming-only album ever to get a Grammy nomination, let alone a win – oh, and he also won the Grammys for Best New Artist and Best Rap Performance!
Chance the Rapper
Cut Copy (weekend one)/Glass Animals (weekend two), 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

The international electro-dance scene has seriously touched Down Under, and one of the biggest acts coming out of Australia these days is Melbourne’s Cut Copy (QRO live review). Breaking through in 2007 with the acclaimed In Ghost Colours (QRO review), Cut Copy (QRO photos outdoors) followed that up in 2011 with Zonoscope (QRO review). While some think it was a step down, no one can argue that their live show is anything less than electric (QRO live review). They come back to Austin City Limits Festival (QRO photos at a festival) just after the release of Haiku From Zero.

Out of Oxford and discovered by Adele’s producer, Glass Animals (QRO photos) bring their more mixed indie (QRO photos outdoors) on last year’s sophomore release How To Be a Human Being back to Austin City Limits Festival (QRO live review).
Cut Copy


Glass Animals

Cody Jinks, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Denton, Texas’ Cody Jinks had a hit country album last year, I’m Not the Devil.
Cody Jinks
Car Seat Headrest, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

After a series of solo, self-released Bandcamp records (named literally 1, 2, 3, 4 and more), Will Toledo’s Car Seat Headrest (QRO photos at a festival) graduated to a full band & Matador signing for 2015’s Teens of Style and last year’s Teens of Denial.
Car Seat Headrest
Also:

MUNA (weekend one)/Missio (weekend two), 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM QRO photos of MUNA

MUNA

Miller Lite Stage

Spoon, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

As The Tick would shout, “Spoon!!!” Austin’s own Spoon (QRO live review outdoors) has been turning heads in the indie-sphere for a while with their trademark indie-rock, but with 2007’s Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (QRO review), 2010’s Transference (QRO review) & 2014’s They Want My Soul (QRO review), the group (QRO photos at a festival) has launched into the stratosphere, including headlining at New York’s ultra-upscale Radio City Music Hall (QRO live review). A festival veteran (QRO photos at a festival), including headlining fests (QRO photos headlining a festival), they come back to play their umpteenth Austin City Limits Festival (QRO photos at Austin City Limits Festival ’14), now behind last spring’s release of Hot Thoughts (QRO review). Three cheers for “The Underdog” (QRO video)!
Spoon
Angel Olsen, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Angel Olsen (QRO photos at a festival) began her career singing back up for Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy & The Cairo Gang (QRO live review), but has since found her own beautiful voice.
Angel Olsen
Benjamin Booker, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

The neo-garage of Benjamin Booker (QRO photos at a festival) isn’t that special, but has gotten him attention. He returns to Austin City Limits Festival for a second time.
Benjamin Booker
Also:

Pumarosa, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Mobley (weekend one)/Tomar & The FCs (weekend two), 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM

Pumarosa

Barton Springs Stage

Tove Lo, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Out of Stockholm, Ebba Tove Lesa Nilsson – a.k.a. Tove Lo (QRO photos at a festival) – has written for numerous other artists like Icona Pop, Ellie Goulding, and Hilary Duff, but 2013 hit single “Habits” has made her a leading lady all of her own (QRO live review).
Tove Lo
The Black Angels, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Austin’s great music scene has many dimensions, but the band that opened up the psychedelic side of the Live Music Capitol of the World is The Black Angels (QRO spotlight on). The group (QRO photos), fronted by Alex Mass (QRO interview), bring the psych-rock of 2013’s Indigo Meadow (QRO review) and 2010’s Phosphene Dream (QRO review) back to Austin City Limits Festival (QRO photos outdoors at a festival), after previously playing America (QRO live review) & Europe (QRO photos at a European festival), not to mention their own Austin psych fest, Levitation (QRO photos at Levitation ’15). They come home (QRO live review) to play their third Austin City Limits Festival, now behind this year’s Death Song.
The Black Angels
Joseph (weekend one)/Tash Sultana (weekend two), 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Sisters Allison, Meagan, and Natalie Closner form Portland’s Joseph (QRO photos) have been getting serious notice for their folk sound, including at festivals (QRO photos at a festival).
Joseph
Mondo Cozmo, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

This festival season, one of the most ubiquitous performers has been Josh Ostrander, a.k.a. Mondo Cozmo (QRO photos at a 2017 festival). He’d previously run in acts Laguardia and Eastern Conference Champions, but now is operating solo (QRO photos).
Mondo Cozmo
Also:

Xavier Omär, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PMQRO photos at a festival

Xavier Omär

Austin Kiddie Limits Stage

Sleepy Man (weekend one)/Pointed Man Band (weekend two), 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Lori Henriques (weekend one)/Kupira Marimba (weekend two), 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Rattletree (weekend one)/The Barton Hills Choir (weekend two), 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM

Pointed Man Band

Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage

Silent Disco, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM



Alison Wonderland (weekend one)/Getter (weekend two), 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Sydney’s Alex Sholler began as a classically trained cellist, but has since stepped through the looking glass to become world-known DJ Alison Wonderland.

If you want to see a DJ who’s said, “fuck local openers” and if he weren’t a musician, he’d be a porn star, catch Getter.
Alison Wonderland


Getter

Thundercat (weekend one)/Nick Hakim (weekend two), 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Known for his psychedelic excursions, Thundercat (QRO photos at a festival) recently worked with the likes of Flying Lotus on his newest album, Until the Quiet Comes. He has been compared to the likes of Jaco Pastorius for his precise and experimental basslines, and returns to Austin City Limits Festival.
Thundercat
Also:

Parker Millsap, 2:15 PM – 3:00 PMQRO photos at a festival

Allan Rayman, 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM

CAPYAC (weekend one)/Paul Cauthen (weekend two), 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM

Pastor Cedric B. West & The Electrifying Relatives (weekend one)/Bells of Joy (weekend two), 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM

Parker Millsap

BMI Stage

Luke Combs (weekend one)/Karen Elson (weekend two), 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

R.LUM.R (weekend one)/Dreamers (weekend two), 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Traveller (weekend one)/Blackfoot Gypsies (weekend two), 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Devon Gilfillian (weekend one)/Blackfoot Gypsies (weekend two), 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM

Dreamers

HomeAway Stage

RÜFÜS DU SOL, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Sydney’s RÜFÜS DU SOL – a group, not a person – come over to Austin City Limits Festival behind last year’s Bloom, which like 2013 debut Atlas hit number one in their native Australia.
RÜFÜS DU SOL
Russ, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

This year rapper Russ Vitale finally released his debut record, There’s Really a Wolf, after a whole slew of mixtapes.
Russ
Also:

DREAMCAR, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Grace VanderWaal, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Ought, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM

DREAMCAR

American Express Stage

Red Hot Chili Peppers, 8:10 PM – 10:00 PM

How can you be into music and not know the Red Hot Chili Peppers? RHCP (QRO photos) emerged from the same sweaty Los Angeles eighties music scene that gave birth to Jane’s Addiction & more, and the Peppers (QRO photos) mix alt-rock with the funkified bass of the one-and-only Flea plus the sexy energy of singular frontman Anthony Kiedis. Along with drummer/Will Ferrell-look-alike Chad Smith and guitarist John Frusciante, the band racked up awards and record sales with such classics as Mother’s Milk, Blood Sugar Sex Magik, “Higher Ground”, “Under the Bridge”, and much more. Frusciante left in 1992 to be replaced by Jane’s Addiction’s own Dave Navarro, before Frusciante returned in 1999 for the band’s biggest selling record ever, Californication.

More recently, Frusciante has left again, to focus on his solo work (QRO review), replaced by upgraded touring guitarist Josh Klinghoffer for 2011’s I’m In You (QRO review) and this year’s The Getaway (QRO review). Ain’t nothin’ stoppin’ the Red Hot Chili Peppers (QRO photos), who play only their second Austin City Limits Festival.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Ice Cube, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Ice Cube (QRO photos at a festival) is one of the most significant figures in rap. He was one of the core members of the seminal N.W.A., whose life story just came to the silver screen in Straight Outta Compton. While Cube has done much more since then, including a solo career and many acting gigs, he comes to Austin City Limits Festival working on his next album, Everythangs Corrupt.
Ice Cube
LĪVE, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

You remember LĪVE as a hit nineties act, with their album Throwing Copper and “Lightning Crashes”. More recently, singer Ed Kowalczyk split with the band in 2009, a new singer was recruited & new album released, but last year Kowalczyk returned for the full Live experience.
LĪVE
A$AP Ferg, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

From out of the acclaimed hip-hop collective A$AP Mob, A$AP Ferg (QRO photos) has made his own name (QRO photos at a festival), most recently with last year’s sophomore solo record, Always Strive and Prosper.
A$AP Ferg
Also:

Ásgeir, 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM

Billy Raffoul, 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM
Ásgeir

 

 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8th/15th

Honda Stage

Gorillaz, 8:15 PM – 9:30 PM

Once upon a time, Damon Albarn (QRO solo album review) was only known as the singer for nineties Britpop greats Blur (QRO album review). Then came the new century/millennium – and Gorillaz. His team-up with artist Jamie Hewlett fashioned the first ‘virtual band’ – cartoon-esque characters that made up the band, with their own identities, and no relation to any actual musical contributors, as Albarn recruited guest start after guest star.

After 2010’s The Fall (QRO review), Albarn & Hewlett had a falling out, and Gorillaz seemed done. But this year the band has returned in force with the strong Humanz (QRO review), with a new slew of guest stars. Austin City Limits Festival headlining set is one of the few U.S. shows by Gorillaz, so expect guest stars – along with animated likes of Murdoc, Noodle, 2-D, and Russel.
Gorillaz
Run the Jewels, 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM

El-P blew up the Brooklyn rap scene with 2013’s Cancer 4 Cure (QRO review of release party), and brought about his team-up with Killer Mike (QRO photos at a festival) for 2012’s ‘Into the Wild’ tour. Mike & P have deepened that connection (QRO photos at a festival), working together as Run the Jewels (QRO photos at a festival) for two critically acclaimed records, most recently 2015’s Run the Jewels 2 and this year’s critically- and commercially-acclaimed Run the Jewels 3. It’s been really enjoyable watching this duo just love life as they get bigger & bigger (QRO photos from this year), as they come back to Austin City Limits Festival (QRO photos at a festival) for the second time in three years (QRO photos at Austin City Limits Festival ’15).
Run the Jewels
D.R.A.M., 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM

Shelley Marshaun Massenberg-Smith Does Real Ass Music as D.R.A.M. (QRO photos).
D.R.A.M.
Danny Brown, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM

Detroit rapper Danny Brown (QRO photos at a festival) earned serious critical acclaim in 2011 with XXX, SPIN’s hip-hop album of the year (QRO photos at SPIN party). He’s since gotten even bigger (QRO live review), even as he got older with 2013’s Old and last year’s Atrocity Exhibition.
Danny Brown
Also:

Bibi Bourelly, 12:30 PM – 1:15 PMQRO photos at an Austin festival

Bibi Bourelly

Miller Lite Stage

Vance Joy, 7:15 PM – 8:15 PM

From the other side of the world, Melbourne’s Vance Joy (QRO photos) is the rare footballer (that’s soccer to you yanks) turned singer (QRO photos at a festival), who plays his second Austin City Limits Festival in three years.
Vance Joy
The Growlers, 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM

From Dana Point in California, The Growlers (QRO photos at a festival) mix major effects with sixties psychedelic rock to make ‘Beach Goth’, as they come to the beaches of Lady Bird Lake for Austin City Limits Festival.
The Growlers
SuperDuperKyle (weekend one)/BROODS (weekend two), 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM

New Zealand brother-and-sister duo BROODS (QRO photos at a festival) come back to Austin City Limits Festival (QRO photos at Austin City Limits Festival ’14) off of last year’s sophomore full-length Conscious.
BROODS
Also:

Middle Kids, 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM

Amy Shark, 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM

Middle Kids

Barton Springs Stage

ZHU, 7:15 PM – 8:15 PM

Electronic producer/musician Steve Zhu managed to stay anonymous until two years ago, but has blown up as ZHU. He comes after last year’s release of his debut album, Generationwhy.
ZHU
Louis the Child, 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM

While their name & electronica might make you think of France, duo Louis the Child actually hails from a high school in suburban Chicago.
Louis the Child
Whitney, 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM

Shortly after Max Kakacek & Julien Ehrlich’s young Smith Westerns (QRO photos at a festival) broke up, the pair formed their new outfit, Whitney (QRO photos at a festival). And they’ve certainly grown up, as debut Light Upon the Lake was one of the best records of last year (QRO Top Albums of 2016).
Whitney
Also:

Jacob Banks (weekend one)/Day Wave (weekend two), 1:15 PM – 2:15 PMQRO photos of Jacob Banks

Billy Raffoul, 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM

Pell, 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM

Jacob Banks

Austin Kiddie Limits Stage

Q Brothers (weekend one)/The Okee Dokee Brothers (weekend two), 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Sleepy Man (weekend one)/Q Brothers (weekend two), 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM

School of Rock, 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM

Q Brothers


School of Rock


Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage

Silent Disco, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM



BADBADNOTGOOD, 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM

The Toronto trio BADBADNOTGOOD (QRO photos at a Toronto festival) are known for incorporating hip-hop into their music, and have collaborated with the Odd Future likes of Tyler, the Creator and Frank Ocean, and most recently the one-and-only Ghostface Killah (QRO photos together at a festival).
BADBADNOTGOOD
Also:

Skip Marley, 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM

Ragin Fyah, 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM

Jamila Woods, 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Mélat (weekend one)/Midland (weekend two), 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

The Lands Band (weekend one)/Kings of Harmony +1 (weekend two), 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM

Jamila Woods

BMI Stage

AJR, 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM

White Reaper, 5:15 PM – 6:15 PMQRO White Reaper album review

Caitlyn Smith (weekend one)/Songhoy Blues (weekend two), 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM

Charlotte Cardin (weekend one)/Tucker Beathard (weekend two), 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM

Devin Dawson (weekend one)/Okey Dokey (weekend two), 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM

White Reaper


Songhoy Blues


HomeAway Stage

Portugal. The Man, 7:15 PM – 8:15 PM

ACL draws from even farther up north with Alaska’s Portugal. The Man (QRO photos at a festival). The rambling grunge outfit garnered new fans with 2007 sophomore release Church Mouth (QRO review), and its unhinged alt-rock (QRO live review), though slipped somewhat since then, even while finally playing Europe (QRO photos at a European festival) and becoming a festival favorite (QRO photos at a festival). Their major label debut In the Mountain In the Cloud (QRO review) was more psych-lite, but they still bring it live (QRO live review), and even went Down Under (QRO photos at a festival) after 2013’s release of follow-up Evil Friends (QRO review), hitting both the festival circuit (QRO photos at a 2013 festival) and live gigs (QRO 2013 live review). They come back to Austin City Limits Festival touring this year’s hit Woodstock (QRO review).
Portugal. The Man
First Aid Kit, 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM

Sweden’s woods-y sister act First Aid Kit (QRO live review) come back to Austin City Limits Festival (QRO photos at a festival) for a third time, behind 2014’s Stay Gold (QRO review), their follow-up to 2012’s The Lion’s Roar (QRO review).
First Aid Kit
Also:

Brothers Osborne, 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM

Sam Dew, 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM

Tank & The Bangas, 11:45 AM – 12:30 PMQRO photos at a festival

Tank & The Bangas

American Express Stage

The Killers, 8:15 PM – 10:00 PM

The Killers (QRO photos) broke out of their Las Vegas home in 2004 with debut Hot Fuss and great singles “Somebody Told Me” and “Mr. Brightside” – and have failed to match that since. 2006’s attempt at greatness Sam’s Town didn’t make it, and after 2008’s middling Day & Age (QRO review) singer Brandon Flowers went solo for his own middling work. But the group has since come back (QRO photos) with 2012’s Battle Born (QRO review) and the upcoming Wonderful Wonderful – and they still play Hot Fuss live (QRO live review).
The Killers
The Head and The Heart, 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM

Things have been seriously booming for The Head and The Heart (QRO live review). The Seattle alt-folk/pop band (QRO photos outdoors) was signed by Sub Pop (QRO photos outdoors), named their city’s best new band by Seattle Weekly, opened for everybody from Dave Matthews to Death Cab for Cutie. They since graduated to headlining status (QRO live review) behind 2013’s sweet Let’s Be Still (QRO review) – though their crowds never were (QRO photos at a festival). They come back to Austin City Limits Festival (QRO photos at a festival) behind last year’s Signs of Light (QRO review).
The Head and The Heart
Milky Chance, 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM

Mixing folk with reggae and even electronica is the fast-rising German duo Milky Chance (QRO photos at a festival).
Milky Chance
Also:

Rainbow Kitten Surprise, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM

Deap Vally, 12:30 PM – 1:15 PMQRO photos
Deap Vally

 

 

For festival website, go here: https://www.aclfestival.com/

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