Austin City Limits Day 3 Preview

I know that at most music festivals only the headliners have enough time to do what has become the tired and played out tradition of the forced encore. I’m sure that it was cool back in the 80’s when Prince or Michael Jackson would put on such an awesome performance that everyone in the venue was literally begging them for more. But we must remember that this was also the age when screaming girls would pass out at the beginning of shows (why don’t we see this anymore) , people would raise lighters during a slow song thinking that it was cool and adding to the atmosphere, and you would also brag to your friends about which concerts you were going to. Concerts?!?! I’m so happy that we just call them shows now; I mean I’m sure there was a time when people would pay money to see Andrew Lloyd Webber and his pals perform but then and only then could you call it a concert! But I digress, only one rant at a time.

The first hipster band that comes out on stage, rolls their eyes while letting out a disgusted sigh, and says “Ugh! We don’t do encores” is instantly my new favorite band! Seriously, most bands don’t put on a good enough show these days to even deserve our fake applause for more. We only do this because in most cases  they’ve left us so underwhelmed that we just want them to come out and play their most popular song to help make up for it. And why didn’t Jay Z’s song Encore put an end to this lame trend like his song Death of the Autotuner did to T-Pain’s career?  I’m just saying, I really hope a few bands read this and take it to heart; do something different that doesn’t include the stupid misspelling of your name. Speaking of…

The first band I will check out is Haerts; a ridiculous little pop band that is nowhere near as cool as the lovely ladies from Seattle (Heart) are but they give it their best try. There’s really nothing too memorable about them or their sound so I will probably just pop in for half of Nostalgia’s set too. Nostalgia is a dramatic emo band whose music would be the perfect soundtrack to an indie Danish love film. In either case you’re really just choosing a band to provide you background music as you try and figure out your plan for the day. They both play at 11:30 on the Miller Lite and the RetailMeNot stage respectively.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pto_MOylvEY

M0 is a ”cute in the right light” foreigner who can sing and has pretty catchy songs that you can dance to. She plays on the Honda Stage at 12:15.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFrth4NFogc

Next up is Vic Mensa, he is a stoned hip hop artist out of Chicago who brings a smooth flow whether he’s rapping or singing, that matches his beats which are dripping with RnB flavor. It’s a style that reminds you of the fun and love able Pharcyde from back in the day. But to simply put him in this box isn't fair to his music or his style because he has a few jams that have thumping house elements in them and he can still switch it up and have a song that’s drowning in 808 beats. Please show up and check him out to help support creativity in hip hop. He comes on at 1:00 on the RetailMeNot stage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLp7M5SMBkQ

AFI was the music industry's idea of rock for kids in the late 90's and early 2000's. I think I was still in my angry and fresh out of college old man phase in regards to music then, so I never fell for the trick. But if you want to take a trip down memory lane, by all means stop by the Honda Stage at 2:00.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSNyOYT3dJ8

Kongos is just a lot of instruments on stage that don't quite make you want to punch yourself. So as you can see, I don't think too highly of them but I'd pop in for a song or two. They play the Samsung Galaxy stage at 2:00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz2GVlQkn4Q

Bernhoft is probably the most interesting option of this time slot with his soul pop music; Euros singing soul always intrigues me. I'm not saying that it's the greatest thing in the world but he can really sing and I'm just wondering how far he'll take it in regards to borrowing Motown's sound. To the point of coming on stage with black face? Let's hope not. He plays the BMI stage at 2.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjEsAEsYCw4

Jhene Aiko has been experiencing the ups and downs of life in the music industry since she was a teenager. But now it looks as though she has finally found her niche' as she has the female Anthony Hamilton/T-Pain thing going on by always appearing on other people's tracks but not quite seeing her solo stuff blow up. She definitely has the talent to blow up though as the little I have heard of her sounds promising. If I were you, I'd pop in just to hear something other than indie pop for a change.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00bumpN0Mhw

Cults is just Lo-fi rock with a female lead and Fitz and the Tantrums sounds like they should be more fun live than they actually are. Neither option is that great but at least Fitz is indie pop that you can shake your booty to with Michael and Noelle sharing the vocals duty. Their band uses a lot of keys and they have weird streaks in their hair, so at least you have that to entertain you. The Cults come on at 3 and Fitz plays at 4.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXeLGCxJwhw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGBLlFMn9Xc

Phantogram may be the best show of the day. Their songs Fall in Love and When I'm Small have been tearing up the airwaves and commercials for quite a while now. I saw them perform earlier in the year and their performance was nothing short of spectacular. Sarah and Josh combine to bring you an electronic party that will have you dancing for the full 60 minute set. They come on at 5.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W97JLBc7C8k

You can also see the talented Jenny Lewis if you're looking to score points with your girlfriend and hopefully get laid that night. It's just hard to get me to watch singer-songwriters or light indie rock live because it puts me to sleep.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcmyYYA32V4

I'll see the alternative rock pioneers The Replacements over Spoon mainly because Spoon plays Austin all of the time. And then I'll head on over to see Chromeo (who are always underwhelming) before the Great Divide happens. What's the Great Divide you ask? Well that's when all of the old people with their lawn chairs and prescribed pain pills head on over to see Pearl Jam while the younger kids go dance to Zedd and Calvin Harris. By the way, with a name like that, how is Calvin not black? Oh well, I guess Kelly Anderson is a pretty white name, so I guess you never know.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wigclcg3stc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__jVv4jX6rs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxxstCcJlsc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEh3zEMYKzA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs-XZ_dN4Hc

Anyway, enjoy the festival you degenerates. Enjoy!