Friday

Another year, another successful Austin City Limits Music Festival. We had a chance to make our way to our favorite music city destination last month to enjoy the second weekend of the beloved festival (nothing compares). This years lineup comprised of one the better ones we have had a chance to cover. From Sir Paul, to Metallica, to Arctic Monkeys there was a vibe for all to enjoy. The Austin weather played a huge role as it cooperated despite predictions of rain storms.

We got our weekend started on Friday with our first performance from Reignwolf who brought an early rock onslaught to the Honda Stage. Onwards we went to catch an amazing set from ALVVAYS (who we saw just this past Summer in Denver). A soothing yet energetic set from the band had us off to a great start. One of the bands on our must see was David Byrne, the former Talking Heads frontman has been touring with what many have called one of the best productions of the year. Let’s just say he didn’t disappoint and put on one of the best performances of the weekend. Soon after the Byrne performance we headed across the park to catch long time favorite Lily Allen perform some of her classics mixed in with a few newer songs. Highlight of her set was the dedication of her famous song “Fuck You” to our current POTUS, everybody ate it up and sang at the top of their lungs. Our last act of day one was Texas(now based in LA) hip-hop outfit Brockhampton. The collective managed to put on one of the most hyped performances of the weekend. Their style of hip hop resembles part Odd Future part Wu Tang Clan. The crowd was one of the most active as they sang word for word many of the bands songs.

Reignwolf

ALVVAYS

David Byrne

Lily Allen

Khalid

BROCKHAMPTON

Saturday

Day two began with a bang as latin songstress Mon Laferte gave the audience a rousing set with dance moves and tight rhythmic percussions to accompany her beautiful voice. One of the highlights of our weekend. Up next was Japanese Breakfast, the indie darlings have been making a name for themselves all summer and this was our first time seeing them live….they did not dissapoint. One of the performances we got to live stream during weekend one of the festival was Brandi Carlile who was absolutely brilliant. It was only fitting for us to catch her golden hour set as she steamrolled through her catalog even bringing up Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready to join in on the fun. One of our favorite albums this year Negro Swan has been on repeat at the office and we had our chance to catch Blood Orange for the first time. Dev Hynes is the mastermind behind this project and their performance was nothing short of amazing.

Mon Laferte

Japanese Breakfast

Brandi Carlile

Blood Orange

Sunday

The last day of a festival is always the hardest, you are sunburnt, your feet hurt, your muscles ache, but for us we have been doing this for far too long to let that get in the way of enjoying perhaps the best music festival in the country. Our final day started with a couple portrait sessions with Thunderpussy and Shakey Graves. Our first act was Parquet Courts who surprisingly we have never seen live. hey responded with high energy and powerful guitar riffs that sent the great into a frenzy. The set of the weekend would have to go to Janelle Monae, we were lucky enough to see her in Denver a few months ago and already knew what to expect. Her flare for fashion and dance made this performance one that will have people talking for years. The dancing continued as we trekked across to catch Tinashe perform with her dancers, a fun set with her belting out her lyrics with a smile that would not disappear. Another one of our favorite sets of the festival. One of hip hops most underrated emcees Vince Staples had the chance to hype the crowd on the main stage before Travis Scott. Flanked with no production Staples danced across the stage from side to side rapping to the already massive crowd, the set could have used a few more theatrics to be honest. We crossed over Barton Springs road to capture Shakey Graves as his crowd swelled way past the point of no return (could have commanded a bigger stage with no effort). He managed to slay us with his alt rock style we have come to love. Finally the main event for the day took stage. Blasting off the heels of his recently released Astroworld, Travis Scott gave his home state a performance for the ages. In a surprise move he even managed to bring out NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal for a song. The massive crowd, filled with the younger generation of fans managed to create a huge presence. All in all this would have to go down as one of the best lineups in recent year. Photo restrictions kept us from photographing Paul McCartney, Metallica and Arctic Monkeys.