With nearly 150 acts performing over the course of two weekends it can be daunting to sift through so many bands to build your best ACL Fest schedule. KUTX to the rescue!
We tapped the expertise of a few of our music hosts to help you create your best schedule for discovering new music and creating the best live music experience. One thing is for sure, your ACL Fest experience will be incomplete without seeing Alabama Shakes, Run the Jewels, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Wolf Alice.
Elizabeth McQueen, Saturday midday host (10 a.m.-2 p.m.)
- Unknown Mortal Orchestra — These American and New Zealand rockers have managed to write the catchiest, hip shaking-est songs about the ambivalence that polyamory creates. Check out their performance of “So Good at Being in Trouble” on VuHaus.
Weekend 1, Sat. 5:30 p.m. | Weekend 2 Sat. 5:30 p.m.
- Father John Misty makes me feel it all at once — the light, the dark, the discomfort and the joy — and I’m ready to feel it all when I see him play. Watch his Studio 1A acoustic performance of “Hotel Lobby.”
Weekend 1, Sat. 2:20 p.m. | Weekend 2 Sat. 2:20 p.m
- Alabama Shakes — I NEED to see Brittany Howard do her thing. Watch them do their thing for KCRW on NPR Music.
Weekend 1, Sat. 6:20 p.m.
- Shakey Graves — I’ve only ever seen his one-man act in a tiny club. I can’t wait to see what he’s like with a band in front of a festival crowd. Enjoy his performance of “Dearly Departed” for Philadelphia’s WXPN on VuHaus, then catch his headlining act at KUTX Live at the Four Seasons next Friday, Oct. 9.
Weekend 1, Sat. 3:20 p.m. | Weekend 2, Sat. 3:20 p.m.
- Riders Against the Storm — I want to watch as they spread their love and magic and openness to folks at ACL Fest.
Weekend 2, Sat. 11:45 a.m.
Rick McNulty, host of Left of the Dial (7-11 pm Fridays) and Saturday afternoon host (2-6 p.m.)
- Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s new album is terrific and not enough people know about it, so you stand a good chance of finding a diamond in the rough at Zilker Park. Pro tip: learn the lyrics to the song “Multi-Love” so you can holler along when Ruban Nielson sings “Austin” and “Uchiko” in the same sentence. Watch their performance of “Multi-Love” on VuHaus.
Weekend 1, Sat. 5:30 p.m. | Weekend 2 Sat. 5:30 p.m.
- Wolf Alice — Thunderous rock in a petite package, these Brits are coming into their own and have the power to be a future festival headliner. They have loads of hooks and LOUD guitars in every song, which is an essential ingredient for a good time at the park. Check out this NPR review of “My Love Is Cool,” then watch their “Moaning Lisa Smile” performance for New York’s WFUV on VuHaus.
Weekend 2, Fri. 3 p.m.
- Alabama Shakes –You should see this band as much as possible before they become too popular – and believe me, they’re on their way. It’s one thing to listen to the records, and an entirely different experience watching Brittany Howard perform in person. Note: they’re only performing at ACL during the first weekend.
Weekend 1, Sat. 6:20 p.m.
- TV On the Radio don’t tend to tour that often and they’re at an interesting point in their career. They’re almost ready for arenas rather than smaller venues, and yet they remain intimate on-stage. And the new album is a treasure. Watch them perform “Happy Idiot” at KCRW in Los Angeles on VuHaus.
Weekend 1, Sat. 7:20 p.m. | Weekend 2, Sat. 7:20 p.m.
- Run The Jewels — There’s nothing like seeing a new artist while their star is rising. Run The Jewels are unafraid and this could be a raucous scene, which is perfect for a hip hop show. And who knows how many friends El-P and Killer Mike will bring along with them? Promises to be a good party.
Weekend 1, Fri. 5 p.m. | Weekend 2, Fri. 5 p.m.
Art Levy, producer and Sunday midday host (10 a.m.-2 p.m.)
- Kurt Vile & The Violators — Recommended if you need a little Zilker zone-out. Check out his “Pretty Pimpin” performance on LA’s KCRW on VuHaus.
Weekend 1, Sun. 5:30 p.m. | Weekend 2, Sun. 5:30 p.m.
- Run The Jewels — Recommended if you’d like some politics to balance out the corporate sponsors.
Weekend 1, Fri. 5 p.m. | Weekend 2, Fri. 5 p.m.
- Sylvan Esso — Recommended if you’d like songs stuck in your head for weeks after the fest. Watch their performance of “Coffee” on VuHaus.
Weekend 1, Sun. 3:30 p.m. | Weekend 2, Sun. 3:30 p.m
- Dwight Yoakam — Recommended if you’d like to see an old cowboy showing the young bucks how it’s done.
Weekend 1, Sun. 7:30 p.m. | Weekend 2, Sun. 7:30 p.m.
- Wolf Alice — Recommended if you need some “R-A-W-K” in your life. Listen to them play “Giant Peach” at KEXP Seattle.
Weekend 2, Fri. 3 p.m.