Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Austin City Limits Sunday Preview

So with the return of artists like The Weeknd, D’Angelo, and eventually Frank Ocean this year, 2015 has officially become the year of RnB. You’re finally starting to see this genre take off and hit the mainstream with the meteoric rise of soulsters like Leon Bridges and Jidenna; two people who would have never made it through the front door of a music studio just 10 years ago. And this is nothing short of amazing news for us males who will be attending festivals that feature these artists, as this means that wet panties will be dropping like flies the very second night falls upon the sky.

Guys who have never been to this festival before should really come to Austin expecting Olympic Village level hooking up as girls can’t help but lose their minds the second Drake starts singing Best I’ve Ever Had. I honestly don’t think that Trojan is prepared for what’s coming in the next few weeks (no pun intended). All I know is that I’m walking in with a mason jar of penicillin and an airplane bottle of Jack Daniels and I’m going for broke! But enough about me, on to the artists…

First up at 11:45 is Austin’s own Night Drive. It’s too bad they stuck them with this time slot as this will be one of the better shows of the day. Their sound is similar to that of Twin Shadow; it’s synth heavy pop you can dance to. It honestly reminds me of the songs you hear playing during the final scene of a cool 80’s movie after the protagonist realizes that Johnny 5 is really alive. Do yourself a favor and check them out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emr_USVDSTU

Next up is Ume; they come on right after Night Drive at 12:30. They are another Austin product who produces grinding rock music with a female lead. She not only shreds on the guitar with her hair swirling like a possessed witch in a horror movie but she also has the ability to sing with the best of them. This will be an energetic show that will take you back to the days of when people actually played guitar solos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8QvtGGrmEk

But if it’s far too early for you to dance or rock out, then Waxahatchie might be a better option for you. You’re really going to this show to hear her clever but mournful lyrics on relationships as they are only occasionally accompanied with the sound of an acoustic guitar that gets plucks every now and then. Not the most exciting show but it could serve as a precursor for what’s coming later on in the night.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_BQ9m0kOeo

Now it’s time to check out the previously mentioned Jidenna, or as I like to call him, the wannabe Andre 3000 clone. He is the male response to Janelle Monae in that he makes quirky RnB music that you can dance to. I’m not the biggest fan of his mainly because it’s a bit too mainstream for me, but there’s certainly worse options out there. So I suggest checking him out as he definitely has the potential to blow up. He comes on at 12:45.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsiN0W15w0U

An alternative to Jidenna would be Lion Babe. If you want what at times sounds like a throwback to old school RnB with a quick glimpse into what its future can be, then this is definitely the show for you. The bumping electronic beats mixed with the lead singer’s hair are reason enough to check these guys out. Think early Erykay Badu. They also come on at 12:45.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-VET23C-9A

After this it’s a fairly rough afternoon with the choices that are available to you but B0rns is one artist you may want to check out as opposed to just sitting around in the tent and watching football (something I may wind up doing). B0rns is a kid who hails from Michigan but now lives in LA. His song Electric Love from his Candy EP has been played in nearly every commercial that’s ever been made but that’s mainly due to the fact that it’s early 2000’s pop at its finest. His gender bending voice blends perfectly with his electronic sound, but be prepared to fight off the horde of teenagers who will be on their way to see the Years and Years show. He comes on at 2:30.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYr96YYEaZY

Sylvan Esso follows him at 3:30. There’s not much to say about them except that they are the mellow indie version of Purity Ring. If pop electro music is your thing, then you should pop in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr5AIKRPIHo

Ben Howard follows them at 4:30. He provides you a few moving moments with his lyrics and his dreamy voice which has the ability to take you on a voyage into space (did I really just type that?) but overall this is way too mellow for an early evening slot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWlKZ6C7cDY

So as an alternative, I would suggest popping in on the Suffers. They thankfully fill the void that Sharon Jones (get well soon) and the Dap Kings left once she fell ill. Think of them as the female answer to Charles Bradley as they are a true throwback to classic RnB.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INMf4LVEZFQ

Thankfully Chance the Rapper is flying solo for ACL. I’m not the biggest fan of his work with the Social Experiment but some of his earlier work is serviceable. Chance is Chicago’s less talented version of De La Soul; he brings a slightly off style to the rap game but he does the chops that are necessary to take over the world if he ever got serious about his craft. He comes on at 5:30.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRv2_zAPrhc

Griz is one of the more intriguing artists playing this Sunday as he truly is trying and succeeding at something new. He’s a saxophonist that mixes funk with electronic dance music and the result will have you grooving with amazement. It’s not the greatest thing I’ve ever heard but I must admit that I find myself nodding my head quite a bit. He comes on at 6:30.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsSzq5h2-tc

I won’t waste your time talking about the headliners as I’m sure you’ve already formed your own opinion on them by now. But if you’re looking to potentially become someone’s baby daddy, then enjoy your time at The Weeknd.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsli2cjr7Bw
 

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