Concert Review: 2006 Austin City Limits Festival - Day One
Published September 18, 2006
Those people who are into music but usually overlook the Austin City Limits Festival in Austin, Texas are missing a well-run, immensely efficient, and musically inspiring event. Beginning in the summer of 2002, the event has been a catalyst for showcasing both indie bands and well known acts in an atmosphere that is as friendly as the city it resides in. The food court is a who's who of Austin restaurants and with that fresh local food comes a good value as well. The following is a recap of day one of the 2006 ACL Festival.
After attending last year’s event, which was chock full of more popular bands and featured a heavier British fare, I was interested to see how this year’s festival would compare.
The weather cooperated with an early morning shower followed by a mild 96-degree sun-laden day. The grounds at Zilker Park actually showed signs of greenery, compared to last year, which was reminiscent of the migration of Okies during the height of the dust bowl.
We checked out Ted Leo and the Pharmacists for the first act, and they impressed with a high-energy set that delved into swatches of mod, power pop, and Clash-like reggae. Ted’s on-stage banter reflected his dry Jersey wit and he ended his set with a microphone-banging blood trail on his forehead.
Wolf Parade was next, and the Montreal-based band lived up to most of the hype surrounding them, pushing through a set that featured rousing rockers, synth pulsing rhythms, and a Nick Cave look- and sound-alike on vocals/guitar. Unfortunately for the members of the band, the lead keyboard player seems to have a bit of a Billy Corgan problem, directing the sound guy and his fellow players through a litany of seemingly useless tweaks (“I need more Jupiter?”). Furthermore, the knob twiddler who produces the “ambience” for the Wolf Parade needs to take his Moog machine and boxes of wires a little less seriously.
- Concert Review: 2006 Austin City Limits Festival - Day One
- Published: September 18, 2006
- Type: Review
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Alternative Rock, Music: Indie Rock, Music: Live Concerts, Music: Rock
- Writer: Chimpanjesus
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Comments on this articleComments
Ditto DJR, Guster's set was fantastic, and they keep on getting better.
"They keep on getting better". They have been around for 15 years. Enough said.
Somewhere along the Canadian shield, a maple tree is crying syrup over your slander. Or maybe, it's the strains of Guster.
They have been around for 15 years. Enough said.
Inanity at its finest. Way to say nothing.
Fantastic volley, my good man . Guster would be proud.
I'd say it's on the level of "enough said." What, exactly, was your point? That a band that has been around 15 years shouldn't still be getting better? Are you trying to suggest they aren't getting better?
To your original line about them becoming a Led Zep covers band- where do you even get that? Midtempo boring hellfire? Guster is one of the fun, high energy concerts of the year and their songs are have much more range than "midtempo." They write great melodies and utilize harmony in wonderful ways.
This entire "discussion" is the result of a string of snarky non sequitirs. You were probably just trying to be hip and clever and didn't think anyone would actually challenge your silliness. I can understand if you're embarrassed and looking for a way out. What better way to do that by simply telling everyone else they didn't say anything? I've used that one myself when I got painted in to a corner, too.
Shazam! I am going to call my old buddy from Mass, Adam Gardner, and let him know how fervent a fan base they have. Great Job!
Run and do that- but they kind of already know.
I have been writing about them and their great new album all summer long (here are just two examples because our software won't allow all the URLs in one comment to reduce spamming: this was about their album, and this was about and a few of my favorite of their songs) and they seem to have stumbled onto it here on the site (see comments section to see what I mean).
I find it interesting you still haven't actually made an attempt to bolster, defend, or expound upon that baseless slam.
I am an enigma.
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/52981)
John Mayer is the devil but you could not be more wrong about Guster.