Austin City Limits Music Festival Returns Strong In 2021

Austin City Limits Music Festival made its triumphant return after sitting out a year due to the (still) ongoing pandemic. The 20th anniversary raised eyebrows as they decided to continue with the festival this year considering the high rates of COVID rates in the Austin area. Using the same blueprint that Lollapalooza used this year the festival implemented a mandatory vaccination proof to enter (or negative test within the past 72 hours). While the crowd did seem smaller the entertainment didn’t skip a beat as this years lineup boasted an array of some of musics best. The festival prides itself on the amazing music lineup year after year but it’s also the amazing amenities the fest offers such as world class food, amazing drink options and a plus this year that offered Bonus Tracks with q and a sessions with some amazing guests. We broke down our highlights from each day with some amazing photo galleries.

Friday Day One:

Highlights: Durand Jones and The Indications, Machine Gun Kelly, Leann Rimes, Remi Wolf, Megan Thee Stallion, Erykah Badu.

Day one started with a set from Durand Jones and The Indications, his performance was a perfect warm up for an amazing weekend, reaching into his bag of tricks, he pulled out all the soulful feels that reminded us why we fell in love with him a few years ago at SXSW. One of the most anticipated acts of the festival this year was Machine Gun Kelly who has gained recent fame for his transition to a more mellow emo punk sound. That topped with his tabloid worthy relationship with girlfriend Megan Fox has garnered attention on a daily basis. He even climbed the soundboard tower tangling only by his feet while singing and inducing the crowd into a frenzy. We took a trip down memory lane as we had a chance to catch the always charming LeAnn Rimes during her mid-day set as she seemed in high spirits as she tore through her chart topping catalog, one of the more underrated sets of the festival for us.

Durand Jones and The Indications

Machine Gun Kelly

Leann Rimes

Megan Thee Stallion

Erykah Badu

Saturday Day Two

Highlights: Gracie Abrams, Jade Bird, Remi Wolf, Phoebe Bridgers, Doja Cat, Jack Harlow, Rüfüs Du Sol, Bille Eilish

Day two got us up and early to catch some of the smaller acts that we can only imagine playing later slots in the near future. One of our favorites we discovered at SXSW a few years ago was Jade Bird and she continues to impress with a more pop-country style that is infectious and charming. Remi Wolf was a surprise as her high energy set was perfect for the mid-day crowd, we saw her last month here in Denver for The UMS and were excited to see her slay her set for a bigger audience. One of the acts we were most excited to see was Phoebe Bridgers, we did get a sneak peak of her set on Thursday at her ACL Live taping. The often outspoken artist delivers amazing live sets and carefully crafted lyrics that stir emotions. One of the festivals biggest draws was for the hit-worthy Doja Cat who managed to live to the hype with her well produced set. One of hip-hops rising stars Jack Harlow also delivered as his status as one of the best live acts continues to grow, it was at one point in which you could hear the whole crowd singing to his hit “WHATS POPPIN” that made for an amazing festival memory. The night wrapped up with Rüfüs Du Sol and Billie Eilish on the main stages.

Remi Wolf

Phoebe Bridgers

Doja Cat

Jack Harlow

Rüfüs Du Sol

Sunday Day Three

Highlights: Serena Isioma, Amber Mark, Jessie Murph, Tate McRae, Cautious Clay, Marc Rebillet, Karol G, Tyler The Creator

Our last day of the festival was filled with what we have coined he Tik Tok generation, social influencers who have harassed the power of social media to create a mass following. The weather remained amazing as we got a chance to check out more of the amazing amenities this festival has to offer, Austin Eats gave us a chance to sample some of the city’s best delicacies while the Beer Hall let us cool down with some amazing brews and needed shade. Some of the days best acts included Jessie Murph, Tate McRae, and Cautious Clay rounded up the early sets with noteworthy performances. The late afternoon/evening sets got kicked off by the “Loop Daddy” himself Marc Rebilet whose over the top performances did not disappoint. The Honda Stage welcomed Colombian artist Karol G who gave fans a bit of latin flavor with her dance infusing Reggaeton hits. Original headliner Da Baby was replaced over some controversial remarks about the LGBTQ community and rtaking his place was Tyler The Creator. Tyler put on one of the best sets of the festival with his customary quirky performances and flare for the dramatic. Many thanks to all who helped put this festival together this year considering the circumstances of an on-going pandemic, It gave us hope for three days that music is making a comeback and bringing people together once agin.

Serena Isioma

Amber Mark

Tate Mcrae

Cautious Clay

Marc Rebillet

Karol G

Tyler The Creator

The Best of Austin City Limits: Weekend Two Dominated By The Headliners Including Radiohead, Kendrick Lamar and LCD Soundsystem

America has become the hotbed for music festivals all around the world. It seems like nowadays you can find yourself at a festival on any given weekend throughout the year. We have covered a fair share of fest ourselves throughout the years, safe to say nothing compares to The Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin, Texas. Having covered the fest for a few years now, this year the lineup was probably one of the best in recent history. we had a chance to roam around and capture some of the best moments from both weekends. We picked our favorites from the slew of artist that provided for three days of amazing music.

FRIDAY

Raury:

People here in Denver will recognize the name as he recently played a Red Bull Sound Select show at Larimer Lounge not long ago. His mid-day set on Friday packed in the Home Away stage, the talented R&B (folk, hip hop) singer from Atlanta was energetic and delivered a soulful set that had the crowd swooning when it was all set and done. Cut from the same thread as Pharell, we expect big things from the up and coming artist.

Banks and Steelz:

Super groups have always been hit or miss. Often enough when you mix two different dynamics you never know what to expect. In the case of Banks and Steelz you mix in one part Interpol and one part Wu Tang Clan. At first it sounds like a recipe for disaster but upon listening to them live it gives you one of the most intriguing sounds of the year. Paul banks serenades you with his distinct voice while The RZA's sharp lyrics and production complete one another to form a bond of musical mastery. Their early set had many in the crowd bobbing their head to the unexpected beat.

Flight Facilities:

We are always on the hunt to check out new music that we never heard before. Catching them in a festival is more gratifying as to the fact that you know they are going to push the boundaries for an unforgettable set. Friday took us to catch Flight Facilities. We gotta admit we were flying into this one blind (pun intended). Their upbeat dance anthems were enough to sway us into a good time. Featuring guest vocalist throughout their set the duo consists of Hugo Gruzman and James Lyell. Flanked by a pyramid stage and adorned in full flight pilot outfits it was the first early dance party of the day.

Foals:

The lads from across the pond continue to impress overtime we see them. I would say we have seen them close to 4-5 times in the last year and a half. We were fortunate enough to catch them while here in Austin for an ACL Live tapping. Their Friday set was pretty energetic as frontman Yannis Philippakis gives every ounce of energy during their live shows. A packed stage saw the band perform a mix of all of their albums including favorites "Inhaler", "Mountain At My Gates", and the ever dance friendly "My Number".

Radiohead:

The anticipation for this performance has been slowly simmering since they were first announced as headliners for this fest. While we have been following the various dates on the tour including many festival stops, it would bare no comparison to seeing them live. The Friday night headliners provided for, what has to be one of the tours best sets in terms of songs they played. They managed to play a rather "fan favorite friendly" set from beginning to end. Flanked by the brothers Greenwood, Ed O'Brien and Phil Selway along with Portishead drummer Clive Deamer, the band ripped through the two hour set taking us through past generations of songs such as "Let Down", "Just",  "My Iron Lung", and "Paranoid Android". The set relied heavily on material from In Rainbows including "All I Need", "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi", "Bodysnatchers", "Nude", and "Reckoner". The performance also marked a special occasion for Mr. Thom Yorke as he celebrated a birthday as well, the thousands in attendance took time to sing him the traditional Happy Birthday ballad that Yorke accepted with graciousness.

Saturday

Saint Motel:

We have seen some major strides by these fellas. It was not long ago they were playing smaller venues across the country, Saturday they wowed the masses with one of the most suprising sets of the day. Well done Saint Motel, not long before you guys get that primetime slot at night.

Andra Day:

This was one of our favorite sets of the day. Andra Day channeled her inner Nina Simone and Billie Holiday for an amazing set in what was the hottest performance of the weekend. Sweltering heat did not keep her from delivering a knockout soulful punch.

LL Cool J and Z Trip

What can we say two legends honing their own respected craft we have come to love. The precision turntablism of Z Trip and old school hip hop of LL Cool J on the same stage. LL played all the hits which took us back to the Round Away Girl days to the Mama Said Knock You Out days. Looking like he hasn't missed a step, LL managed to entertain the crowd during the duration of his epic set.

Melanie Martinez

A crowd favorite Melanie Martinez delivered her style of bubble gum pop to the rather younger crowd in the audience. Flanked by a stage resembling an infants nursery Martinez had the crowd swooning with hits "Cry Baby" and "Pity Party". One of the more enjoyable sets of the Saturday early evening.

Kendrick Lamar

The prince of hip hop was ready to make his headlining performance on the main stage one for those to talk about for years to come. Reaching from his catalog of hits Lamar gave the crowd an unforgettable performance. Not bad for a guy who was playing a much smaller stage only a few years ago. With a much more mature style and richer sound thanks to a full band Lamar tore through staples like "Backseat Freestyle", "King Kunta", and "Alright".

SUNDAY

Margo Price:

Country music's next biggest star laid into a great performance on Sunday as Margo Price continues to take a name for herself in her specific genre. Price entertained an early afternoon crowd with her hits "Four Years of Chances", and "Hands of Time". It won't be long until she becomes a mainstay on the festival circuit playing the main stage.

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats

Denver boys Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats have been making a name for themselves among the festival circuit. Touring non-stop for the latter half of the last two years Rateliff and the boys have been dancing up a storm all along the way. With that throwback chiseled sound of yesteryear, the band makes it a point that you will dance throughout their whole set. Such was the case with their late afternoon Sunday set. With a new record coming soon we cannot wait to see these guys again here in Denver.

LCD Soundsystem

Putting the finishing touches on their festival circuit James Murphy and company closed out the 2016 Austin City Limits Music Festival in grand fashion. A dance party of epic proportions they didn't hold back as the crowd ate up every ounce of energy emitting from the Brooklyn band. Hits such as "All My Friends", "Dance Yrself Clean", and "Daft Punk Is Playing At My House" were a perfect ending to an otherwise perfect festival. Set among the banks of Zilker Park, ACL continues to make for the most fun music festival in the world. Until next year Austin.

Music | Austin City Limits Music Festival | Saturday (Day Two) | Review and Photos

The sun setting on a wonderful day two of the festival. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

Day two of the festival had us up early to catch some amazing sets, one thing that sets this festival apart from others is the fact that we get to hear bands play earlier sets that then end up becoming household names in a couple years. First on the agenda was the smooth, romantic sounds of Father John Misty who as always put it all on display. With heartfelt lyrics and emotional and sometimes sexually driven gyrating it had everybody in the crowd hot (and not from the sun). He took his antics to the crowd as they only fed his energy for the rest of his set.

Mandy Lee of Misterwives.(Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

Mandy Lee of Misterwives.(Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

We love music al acts that feed off the energy of the crowd, one particular band we have been following for some time now is Misterwives (in fact we will be seeing them in Denver this coming Friday). Mandy Lee lead singer controls the stage from the opening numbers prancing and dancing non stop through the whole set. The infectious pop lyrics resonated with the younger crowd as a few radio favorite hits could be heard sung in unison through their set. A fun energetic band, we are always a sucker for their bubble gum laced songs that bring us nothing but joy.

Josh Dun of twenty one pilots (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

Tyler Joseph of twenty one pilots (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

One of the most talked about buzz bands of this year would certainly be twenty one pilots. In fact we got a chance to see them recently during their epic performance at Red Rocks just a few short weeks ago. Talk about all out energy. the duo of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun play a unique combination of an indie-spoken word hybrid that channels early Beastie Boys mixed in with a little Eminem all while slaying drums and even a mandolin make an appearance. The duo had the most crowded stage for all of the early sets, and while temperatures reached the upper 90's the band played an almost flawless set while the crowd ate it all up.. Truly a performance that will be talked about in the future from this up and coming duo.

A$AP Rocky has been on our radar for a long time now and for many he can beat a hit or miss act. We've been following A$AP since his early days during his small SXSW sets in the past. An artist who has truly grown from the perspective of not only a well versed rapper, but also an overall performer. A$AP weekend two performance was absolutely brilliant. Performing in what seemed a throwback 50's diner setup he blasted through many of his well known hits that have put him at the top of hip hop's elite classification. Riding the tails of his new album it gave the audience a chance to listen to one of the best albums this year live and a performance that truly resonated and got the crowd hyped for the rest of the night. The night ended with memorable sets from Drake and deadmau5 who played opposite ends of each others headlining stages.