Believe, Belong, Become. That is the motto for Howard Payne University. The small school in Brownwood is perhaps one of the unlikeliest places on earth to hatch the idea for the modern day music festival, yet one could argue that is exactly where it all started.
Let’s rewind to 1990. A handful of college baseball players think it’s a good idea to run through the girls’ dorm wearing nothing but their jockstraps. The players get caught and ultimately lose their scholarships. The childhood dream of playing major league baseball ends for one of those players.
Without a scholarship, that guy moves to Austin. He waits tables at Pappadeaux, bartends at Cain & Abel’s and eventually gets an internship at the Backyard, the live music venue off Bee Caves Road. The internship opens the door to bigger and better things - partner in La Zona Rosa, booking agent at Stubb’s, organizer of Austin’s A2K festival. He had found his calling.
Following the success of A2K, the guy turned his attention to a new idea….staging a major music festival in Austin and, well, you probably know the rest. The guy is Charlie Jones – better known as one of the three C’s of C3 Presents.
Over the last decade, Charlie has been a driving force in the music industry and, whether he realizes it or not, the embodiment of the Howard Payne motto: Believe, Belong, Become. He believed in his idea, belonged to every detail to ensure success and became synonymous with the model for some of the most successful musical events in the country, including ACL and Lollapalooza.
So, as we celebrate ACL’s 10th year this weekend, a special toast to Charlie. Who knew that an ill-timed dash through the girls’ dormitory could turn out so well.
As has become the annual tradition, the TEMBA Gazette is once again pleased to guide you through the ACL experience. This year’s panel spent countless hours researching the line-up and other important festival factors to ensure maximum enjoyment for all of you.
A special thanks to Brian Hopkins, TEMBA ’12, and Jeff Bock, TEMBA ’03, for serving on the panel of experts. And now the picks…
Brian Hopkins’ Recommendations
Brian used the current controversy on the Longhorn gridiron to help you overcome the gridlock that is the ACL grid.
The only thing more frustrating to Austinites than a Longhorn quarterback controversy is getting excited about two of your favorite bands playing ACL only to later find out they are scheduled at the same time. Therefore, in the spirit of the current football situation, I am going to break down each day's big competitions in the hope of making your decisions a little easier. The metrics used to decide each battle involved not just the quality of music, but the whole experience.
Friday: James Blake vs. Smith Westerns
James Blake made one of my favorite albums of the year, but I'm just not sure how well he will translate to Zilker Park. The value is in how intricately produced this dubstep artist's music is. When I saw him at Stubb's in March there was probably 2,000 people just quiet the whole time listening. Not sure he is going to scale to 100k. Still, if you're interested in great music, he may be the best going this weekend. On the other hand, the Smith Westerns seem built for a festival stage. A good old fashioned rock and roll band. To give you an idea of their sound, they were the first band signed to Wilco's new label.
Saturday: Telekinesis/Twin Shadow on the Google+ stage vs. The Antlers
A lot of people are excited about the closing acts on Saturday, but the openers are actually my favorites. Telekinesis and Twin Shadow play on the same stage with a 45 minute break in between. Antlers play on the other side of the park in that exact 45 minute window. Technically you could probably make all three. The reality is that running across Zilker in 100 degree heat when you still have another 10 hours in front of you isn't going to happen. Antlers make amazing music, but kind of a James Blake problem. I'm just not sure they are built for an outdoor festival. Their sound is like a super-slowed down Arcade Fire. A lot of build up that takes some patience. My experience is that while they were great at the Parish this spring, 100 degree heat doesn't lend itself to patience. Telekinesis is maybe an early 2000's indie-pop band. Their producer is the lead guitarist from Death Cab for Cutie, and the music is pretty similar. The only way of describing Twin Shadow is to picture what the most ridiculous looking, pretentious, indie rock band, looks like... and then multiply it by 10. I saw them three times over SXSW and enjoyed every experience. Their sound is similar to Bloc Party.
Sunday: Fleet Foxes vs. Manu Chao
I've heard great things about Fleet Foxes but haven't seen them live. Manu Chao has a huge international following and the crowd may be more fun than listening to the music. The deciding factor on this one is that Fleet Foxes is sandwiched on the same stage between Broken Social Scene and Arcade Fire- the two must-see shows of the weekend. While I would never advise someone to miss Manu Chao, the best option of the weekend is posting up early before the BSS show and just riding that stage through Arcade Fire.
Hopefully this helps, and while I won't be able to join everybody at the park this weekend, if anybody is going to either the Cut Copy/Twin Shadow/Diamond Rings after-show on Friday at Emo's or the Bright Eyes after-show on Saturday, please try to find me and say hi.
Thanks Brian. Excellent advice and, just so I’m clear, the fact that you work for Google can get me backstage at the Google + Stage for TV On The Radio, right?
Jeff Bock’s Recommendations
Kid Bock is a music warrior. He goes to all the major festivals and is the brains behind The Pulse, the respected music blog you can find here, www.pulseworthy.com. At press time, Jeff was en route to Austin from Tokyo. Upon arrival, he will head immediately to Zilker for this weekend’s festivities.
We will post Jeff’s recommendations on the online version of my commentary (www.trentsrunningcommentary.blogspot.com) when he returns.
Trent Thurman’s Recommendations
Before my picks, let’s clear one thing up. Contrary to rumor, I was not, repeat NOT, at the Regal Theater in Chicago when Little Stevie Wonder recorded Fingertips in 1962. Are we clear? Good.
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| Madeline Follin of Cults during SXSW 2011 |
Best Way to Start the Festival: CULTS. This East Village duo was on my list for SXSW in March, though they were still relatively unknown. I saw them in the back lot of Urban Outfitters with about 50 other people and knew their nostalgic, 60s-inspired sound would soon attract a larger audience. It has. Since SXSW, Cults has released its debut album on the Columbia label and is currently touring with Foster the People. I can think of few ways I would rather start ACL than listening to Madeline Follin belting out Go Outside. Friday at 11:45 AM, Honda Stage
Best Band Named After a State Park: HA HA TONKA. This Missouri indie rock group has been around for a while, but Friday will be the first time I’ll get the chance to see them live. I first heard the group in 2007 with the release of Buckle in the Bible Belt and have been a fan ever since. Relentless road warriors, they played nearly 200 shows last year and have opened for the Meat Puppets and Violent Femmes to name just a few. If you’re bummed about Old Crow Medicine Show cancelling their ACL appearance, you’ll be more than satisfied with the Ozark folk-rooted sound coming from these guys. Friday at 12:45, BMI Stage
Best Recommendation from my son, Sam: REPTAR. If a band hails from Athens, Georgia, I automatically take notice. When I first heard REPTAR’s Blastoff blaring from Sam’s bedroom, I knew he was on to something. Sure enough, the group created a lot of buzz during SXSW and recently recorded under producer Ben Allen, who has worked with such big names as Gnarls Barkley, Animal Collective, the Beastie Boys, Matt & Kim and P. Diddy. I’ve told Sam to save me a spot, since I’ll be running over from Ha Ha Tonka. Friday at 1:20 PM, Austin Ventures Stage
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| Foster the People, SXSW 2011 |
Best Musical Guilty Pleasure: FOSTER THE PEOPLE. Ugh. I don’t want to admit that I like this band, but, alas, I do. I almost included them on my SXSW recommendations in March, but was convinced that the catchy Pumped Up Kicks was merely a one hit wonder. That didn’t stop me from seeing them perform an intimate set at Shangri La in front of 100 or so people in March and then again in early summer at a Waterloo in-store performance. Songs like Helena Beat and Houdini prove these California guys have staying power. How much have things changed for these guys since SXSW? 35,000 fans came to see them at Lollapalooza. Expect a huge turnout this weekend as well. Oh, and if you are looking for me, I’ll be the one who is not a teenage girl. Friday at 5:30 PM, Google + Stage
Best Opportunity to See A Legend Not Named Stevie Wonder: TIE: MAVIS STAPLES & WANDA JACKSON. I have a rule. If someone is performing who was at one time on the Stax label, go see them. This rule applies to Mavis Staples who, as part of the legendary Staples Singers, brought us R&B standards such as I’ll Take YouThere and Respect Yourself. I have another rule. If someone is performing who once performed with Elvis, go see them. This rule applies to the Queen of Rockabilly, 73-year-old Wanda Jackson, who not only played with Elvis, but also dated him. Mavis Staples plays Friday at 7:30, Vista Equity Stage and Wanda Jackson plays Saturday at 5:45 on the Austin Ventures Stage
Best Group You’ve Probably Never Heard Of, But Will Soon: LITTLE HURRICANE. This self-described “dirty blues” band from San Diego was formed when Tone Catalano placed a Craigslist ad for a drummer and found Celeste Spina. Since that time, little hurricane has taken San Diego by storm, garnering the Best New Artist award at the 2010 San Diego Music Awards and releasing their debut album, Homewrecker, at the end of last year. Sunday at 12:20, Austin Ventures Stage
Best Reminder of the Hell Breaking Loose Gate Crashing Melee During SXSW: DEATH FROM ABOVE 1979. One of several black eyes for SXSW was the chaos that erupted shortly after Death From Above 1979 began their ‘secret’ reunion show on the tiny back patio at Beauty Bar in March. Fences fell, police were called, beer was thrown, mace was sprayed and rioting ensued. Not the best way to kick-off a reunion tour, but the other tour dates - which included performances at both Coachella and the Donau Festival - went off without incident for this Toronto-based duo. Here’s the chance to see what should have been in March. Sunday at 5:30, Honda Stage
Best Beer Tent: LEFT OF THE BUD LIGHT STAGE. Head to the northeast corner of the park where our own Jenna Gelgand, TEMBA ’13, will be behind the counter. Incidentally, I’ll be in that area around 2:20 on Sunday waiting on The Airborne Toxic Event should anyone have the urge to buy me a beer. Just text me.
Best of the Rest (Others Worth Seeing): Kurt Vile & The Violators, Smith Westerns, Telekinesis, Skrillex, Cut Copy, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Jr.
See you at the park!
