ACL Fest 2014, Saturday

Saturday at ACL Fest drew big crowds. I only got close enough at a few shows to get decent pictures and video. Broken Bells were the highlight. I was at the back of the crowds for Iggy Azalea and Eminem.

It's been a great fest so far. Good weather and good times.

Iggy Azalea was booked on a side stage, and she was a crowd favorite. But she caused quite the late afternoon traffic jam with people coming across the park.

Broken Bells put on a great show, played everything I wanted to hear.

Strong vocals by Polica.

The Rosebuds are a cute pop band from North Carolina

Someone unleashed these beach balls which made for an interesting visual effect.

ACL Festival Kicks Off On a Beautiful Austin Day

The annual tradition of ACL Festival with my friends and our Basecamp, established with the first festival in 2002, continues. We purchased our badges only weeks after last year's fest ended, didn't know the lineup or much else about where we'd all be in the coming year. But we manage to get the core gang together year after year for great music, fun and friendship.

This year's fest has a good lineup, not of band's I love, but those I want to check out. Here are a few shots from Friday. The biggest anticipation is for The Replacements on Sunday, so stay tuned.

Headliner Beck put on a stellar show.

Bleachers was a fun crowd-pleaser.

I first saw Capital Cities at SXSW. Always a party.

There aren't many artists like St. Vincent, a rockin' guitarist with an interesting visual aesthetic.

 

Back in Austin

After 10 months in California, a glorious time of enrichment and fun, it was time to head back to Texas. I missed the music scene so much. As you can see from previous posts, I wasn't able to enjoy much music in San Francisco and Palo Alto. There were a few shows I missed in SF due to schedule constraints, and Palo Alto doesn't really have live music. So, I was like the kid-in-a-candy-store when I got back to Austin in June, making up for lost time.

Here's one big post on the summer music I have enjoyed since returning to Austin.

My first week back was a big one. One of my favorite places, Hole in the Wall, was celebrating its 40th anniversary, so I was happy to be back for some of those shows. I got to see Austin faves Lil Capn Travis, Moonlight Towers and Grand Champeen, which was all I needed to feel right at home again.

 

Then that same week, I was lucky that a Twitter friend at Austin City Limits came through with Jeff Tweedy tickets. It was great to hear those new songs that he plays with his solo band that includes his son Spencer. No photos at ACL, but it was great to enjoy the show from the floor and spend time with my friend Brent Adair!

My friends in Quiet Company played a great set at Empire Control Room - covering the entire Weezer album Pinkerton. It was a packed house, with both QC and Weezer fans enjoying the tunes.

And it's always great when my friend Neal Mehta plays. This show was at in.gredients anniversary party, the eastside bulk and natural grocery store. There were lots of kids and friends, a very excellent time.

More fun with friends, went to Whip Inn, the convenience store/Indian restaurant, to see Neal's friend's band Mesa Inn.

And, it's been great checking out Strange Brew a couple times, with shows featuring friends Johnny Goudie, Salim Nourallah and Joe Reyes. The second night featured Alex Dezen of the Damnwells.

I am so lucky to live in a place with so many amazingly talented people. It's good to be back!

Old 97's, The Fillmore, San Francisco, May 10, 2014

My year in California would not have been complete without a visit to the legendary Fillmore. I have been pretty lax about seeing shows this year, having missed a few due to scheduling conflicts and a non-existent music scene in Palo Alto. But when The Old 97's announced a Bay Area show, I knew I had to attend. Touring on their most recent release Most Messed Up, the 97's are riding high with a debut at #30 on Billboard and sold-out shows around the country.



The Fillmore is a really large room, and it was packed (sold out) for Rhett, Murry, Ken and Philip. My sister Judy was in town, and it was her first time seeing them. It was a great show, with new songs and old, the signature Old 97's energy and a roudy good time.

Photos aren't great, just from my iPhone and not too close up. But I hope these give you a sense of the excitement around these guys today!