Austin City Limits Music Festival 2019 – Day 1, Weekend 2
Zilker Park, Austin, TX,
October 11, 2019
Review and Photos by Jim Chapin
Weekend two of the Austin City Limits Festival is usually a little more chill. Most of the surprises have been revealed and people are more relaxed, having witnessed their “must-sees” the previous weekend. But perhaps the “chillest” part of the fest was the weather … and it was a welcome addition! Last week’s sweltering Texas heat gave way to a bit of morning rain and temperatures that were downright cold (for Austin, anyway!), topping out at 57°F.
Overall, the lineup echoed last week’s, at least in terms of the headliners. The morning acts saw the most changes. The first act to take the big stage was Toronto-based band The Beaches who woke the crowd with their brand of glam/garage, rock while across the park on the Honda stage, British songstress Mahalia held court with her smooth jazzy vocals. Jane Ellen Bryant and Pike and Sutton represented Austin proudly on their respective stages, showing the non-austinites the incredible high-quality performances that can be found on any given night in “the live music capital of the world.”.
The Band CAMINO drew an impressive early crowd with their high-energy performance. Houses clearly enjoyed the change in the weather. Last week they had some pretty significant equipment failures that interrupted their performance due to the heat. Savannah Conley got things underway on the BMI stage with an impressive set that showed why she was named one of Rolling Stone’s “Artists You Need to Know.”
Back on the American Express stage, breakout indie pop band The Aces played a killer set. Singer Madison Beer kept the crowd waiting before she finally emerged in a fluorescent green sweatsuit. The thick clothing was necessary but it was obvious by the way she kept pulling at it that she was not overly comfortable wearing so much clothing.
Canadian-born Black Pistol Fire is based in Austin and quickly proved why they are one of the City’s premier live acts. Kevin McKeown and Eric Owen play with such intensity and passion that it’s easy to forget its just two guys playing on the massive stage. Tyler Childers brought the country to the Honda stage with an impressive performance that was void of any high energy histrionics. Instead, Childers let the music do the talking and the crowd ate it up.
Multi-instrumentalist King Princess came into the festival with a lot of buzz and it’s easy to see why. Backed by a band decked out all in white jumpsuits with pink trim and red hearts on their chests, she debuted some unreleased songs to a very enthusiastic and receptive crowd.
Dressed in white, K Flay killed it, playing her mixture of Hip-Hop and Rock. Flailing and dancing around the stage, she worked up some serious heat, removing her hoodie and performing in a thin t-shirt proving that the cold temperatures are no match for what she’s serving up.
Alt-Rock band The Score closed out the small BMI stage with a show that deserved a bit more room. Vocalist Eddie Anthony bopped, jumped and danced around the tight stage drawing in a good-sized crowd who were on their way to see Lil Uzi Vert on the Honda stage next door. Which brings us to the big question that was on everybody’s mind….will Lil Uzi Vert show up? Having cancelled his performance at last week’s fest, the crowd was hopeful he’d be feeling it today. Although he kept the masses waiting for a good 15 minutes, he eventually sauntered out to the stage to a rousing reception and proved why he attracts the crowds he does with a blistering Hip-Hop performance.
Jenny Lewis was clearly enjoying the break in the weather, decked out in a form-fitting sequined gown. She gave a strong, playful performance that showed why she is regarded as an artist’s artist.
And speaking of playful performances, Radiohead’s Thom Yorke gave an uncharacteristically “fun” show consisting of his solo work. The music was techno-trippy and Yorke danced around the stage, smiling and singing looking as though he hasn’t a care in the world.
Although Guns n’Roses is the bigger name appearing on this day, Australia’s Tame Impala definitely held their own, drawing a truly massive crowd to the Honda Stage. With a set awash in color, the band’s music can best be described as “chill.” And what a fitting way to end this day.
Weekend Two of the Austin City Limits Music Festival began on Friday, October 11, 2019. The day featured Guns N’Roses, Tame Impala. Thom Yorke Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes, Jenny Lewis, RL Grime, Lil Uzi Vert, The Comet is Coming, THE RACONTEURS, The Score, Kaytranada, K.Flay, TroyBoi, King Princess, Monsieur Perine, Ray Emmanuel, Tyler Childers, Black Pistol Fire, Cherry Glazerr, Friday Pilots Club, Jai Wolf, Bears & Lions, Madison Beer, Flamingosis, The Aces, Savannah Conley, Houses, The Band Camino, Pike and Sutton, Jane Ellen Bryant, The Beaches, Mahalia, and the School of Rock.
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