We will be covering the 2015 ACL Festival officially next weekend and will have a more extensive list of band picks and also daily bands to check out on each day of the festival. For Weekend One, we just wanted to highlight some of the less well known bands that will only be playing on weekend one. Personally, the best part about ACL is not the big headliners the festival brings, but the emerging artists that the festival recognizes.
Yes, for some of these artists you will have to get up early for, but that is what you have to do to actually go out and discover great new artists. We are doing this by schedule by day to make it;s easier for anyone planning their weekend. Have a blast this weekend and stay safe. Also, if you aren’t able to make ACL, you can stream the festival online via Red Bull TV. You can find more info on the artists if you click on their name.
FRIDAY
AMERICAN AQUARIUM 12:15-1:00pm BMI Stage
American Aquarium is a rock/alt-country band from Raliegh, NC. Their most recent album Wolves has possibly been their best to date. The band is comprised of BJ Barham-Vocals/Rhythm Guitar, Ryan Johnson-Lead Guitar, Whit Wright-Pedal Steel, Bill Corbin-Bass, Kevin McClain-Drums, Colin Dimeo-Lead Guitar.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/179671112″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”120″ iframe=”true” /]
RESIDUAL KID 1:30pm-1:55pm Austin Kiddie Limits
Don’t let the stage name fool you. These kids are right up there with full grown adults creating some awesome grunge rock with punk influences. They started playing super young, and they haven’t even graduated high school yet. (they are between 14 and 16 now). The recently traveled to Europe and are working on an upcoming EP and will no doubt rock the stage. The Austin based trio is comprised of brothers Max (bass) and Ben Redman (Drums) and Deven Ivy (drummer, guitarist, vocalist).
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/62139858″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”120″ iframe=”true” /]
MAGGIE KOERNER 4p-5p BMI Stage
Maggie’s sophomore album Neutral Ground is a tribute to her transition from her hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana to New Orleans and its beautiful and bittersweet effects. The album is drenched in the hybrid of soul, alt pop and rock ‘n’ roll that Maggie has become known for. On Neutral Ground, Maggie cuts straight to the underlying honesty and supernatural vibes of each song with the slap of a steel drum and the howl of a lyric.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/142589600″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”120″ iframe=”true” /]
SONS OF BILL 6p-7p BMI Stage
Wilco-esque Sons of Bill are from Charlottesville, VA and they are creating some lovely Americana sounds. The band is comprised of brothers James, Sam and Abe Wilson along with Seth Green on bass and Todd Wellons on drums. If we were going to be at ACL this weekend, we would definitely check this band out.
SATURDAY
WATERS 12-12:45pm Miller Lite Stage
Waters is creating some great indie pop/rock out of San Francisco. The band is comprised of Van Pierszalowski, Brian DaMert, Greg Sellin, Andrew Wales, and Sara DaMert. They have a new album What’s Real that came out earlier this year with some great tunes including the popular “Got To My Head”
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/224943643″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”120″ iframe=”true” /]
MIKAELA DAVIS 12:45p-1:30pm BMI Stage
Mikaela Davis is a harpist/singer-songwriter from Rochester, New York who burst onto the scene following her amazing YouTube covers of Sufjan Stevens. Since releasing her latest EP Fortune Teller, she has showcased at SXSW and toured the east coast. She is melding the beauty of the harp into an alternative soundscape that is fresh, new and captivating.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/123084188″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”120″ iframe=”true” /]
SOL CAT 2:30pm-3:30pm BMI Stage
Sol Cat is from Nashville and they just released a new EP titled Dos. They have previously attended SXSW and their elastic guitars ‘n’ grooves mixed with synth is a winning formula. The band is a great crossover of rock and pop. We suspect their live show would be pretty awesome as well.
RESIDUAL KID 4-4:30pm Austin Kiddie Limits (Yes, they play twice)
SUNDAY
WAXAHATCHEE 12-12:45pm Miller Lite Stage
If you follow this blog, there is no shortage of posts about Waxahatchee (aka Katie Crutchfield). We are actually quite surprised she has a 12pm stage time but she is definitely one to arrive early for. The Alabama native is not one to miss live. We can’t sing her praises enough.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/185103374″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
BOOM FOREST 12-12:45pm HomeAway Stage
Boom Forest is folky experimental rock and the fact that this band originally from Baraboo, WI is playing ACL this year is a testament to their talent. Boom Forest is the project of John Paul Roney who is now based in Nashville. For years Roney traveled the country without recorded music, simply to practice the folk tradition of the wondering bard. If you’ve already seen Katie Crutchfield, check out Boom Forest or try and catch both.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/116857806″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”120″ iframe=”true” /]
YEARS & YEARS 2:30-3:10pm Austin Ventures Stage
We are not exactly sure why Years & Years hasn’t taken the USA by storm yet, but we are sure it will happen soon. They are already massive in their native UK. The London trio are creating some upbeat yet soul filled pop.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/204947739″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Follow The Revue On...
Share This Article On...
