Props to Tom for some fantastic ACL Music Festival tips. We had an amazing time this weekend, it was just what the doctor ordered. Well, figuratively speaking, anyway -- I'm pretty sure the doctor didn't order triple-digit weather and 20mph winds that turned Zilker Park into a giant dust-bowl.
Friday -- Keane was absolutely fantastic and a great way to start things off. Caught the end of Blues Traveler on the way to the Black Crowes, worming our way through the crowd in oppressive 90-degree evening temperatures. After "She Talks to Angels" we made our way behind the sound booth to listen in not so dense a crowd. This simple act made the show 8 times more enjoyable, as it did not involve being surrounded by the armpit smells of 8 or 9 prepubescent boys.
Saturday -- Caught the tail end of Aqualung while walking in, then a bit of Buddy Guy. Death Cab for Cutie was good, but standing in line for shaved ice proved far better, overall. That particular venture toward hydration was prompted by the collapse of two young girls with heat stroke directly to our right. Dude, it's 101 degrees -- try eating or drinking something. Without purging.
Listened to the Walkmen while awaiting Jet; during a lull, a Huey flew over the venue and their lead singer shouted, "Look! It's Oasis!" Laughter ensued. Jet was amazing, definitely a highlight, although I'd always assumed they were British? Hmm. While waiting for Oasis, I realized that I was sweating mud. So much for Hurricane Rita.
Oasis took the stage, and zzzzzzzzz...we left after two songs. Liam really needs to, I don't know, enunciate. I'm told that after we left, he made Noel re-start a song because, "Man, you're doing it all wrong." As fun as it would've been to watch those two fight first-hand, I just couldn't take them anyzzzzzzzz....
Sunday -- After rocking 6th Street all night, we made our way back to the park. Dejected when we realized Rachael Yamagata had just finished, we made our way to Rilo Kiley's stage for some fun folksy weirdness. It was 108 degrees when Jason Mraz took the mike, and at risk of sounding like a rabid fangirl, I'll stick my neck out and say that his was the most exciting performance I saw all weekend. That guy is crazy talented, and he scored major points for his duet with Rachael Yamagata.
By the time the sun set, the dust clouds were obscuring both vision and breathing. We made the executive decision not to stick around for Coldplay and risk permanent damage to our lungs. If you think I'm exaggerating the level of dust out there, e-mail me and I will explain, in graphic detail, the horrible places where I found dirt last night in the shower.
Health issues aside, it was a great weekend -- many thanks to the fine people of Austin for organizing another stellar show!
5 comments:
Please promise me that you were just kidding and will never tell anyone "in graphic detail, the horrible places where I found dirt last night in the shower"
Don't worry Tom, I don't think I even know names to call those parts.
that rules out all the body parts we learned in elementary. that also rules out all the body parts we learned in a single day with 30 other people of our same gender in 7th grade.
We don't get that kind of news down here, what happened??
I remember the name, but I'm afraid to say I can't place the face...guess it's time to dig out the yearbooks. How very strange and sad.
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