by publius
The schedule for Austin City Limits (a ginormous music festival in early October) is out. You can see the schedule here.
So here's my bleg -- I need help plotting my listening strategy (which takes months of intense preparation). There are always several bands playing at once -- and I've never heard of a lot of them. So if there are any bands (esp. lesser-known bands) that you think are must-sees, I'd be much obliged.
Also, the most troubling conflict is Girl Talk and Sonic Youth (I've never seen either). Not sure what I'm supposed to do about that. The Lily Allen/Andrew Bird conflict is also problematic.
You must see Sonic Youth. That's a no brainer.
Posted by: noseeum | July 25, 2009 at 02:05 PM
Sonic Youth > some dude dancing behind a laptop. Infinitely.
Posted by: matttbastard | July 25, 2009 at 02:09 PM
Yes, yes. Sonic Youth over Girl Talk. Girl Talk is, shall we say, disappointing live. Also, see Blitzen Trapper. Stellar.
Posted by: Tom | July 25, 2009 at 02:12 PM
!!!, Clutch & Heartless Bastards are the rest of my must-see recs.
Posted by: matttbastard | July 25, 2009 at 02:13 PM
Andrew Bird is a treat, live.
Robyn Hitchcock would be on my schedule. Bon Iver, Mos Def, The Walkmen, too.
Posted by: cleek | July 25, 2009 at 02:24 PM
Friday: see Dr. Dog (if you don't know them, give a listen--great, Beatlesy rock). Phoenix and Daniel Johnston should both be great, so try to be at both those stages at once.
Saturday: Do not miss Grizzly Bear. I'd also highly recommend Bon Iver and Levon Helm. I'd be intrigued by the Soul Stirrers (classic gospel band that Sam Cooke used to be in) but I have no idea what they're doing now.
Sunday: WYSIWYG, for the most part. Passion Pit will be a dance party, so if that's your thing, check it out.
Have fun...
Posted by: Benjo | July 25, 2009 at 02:33 PM
Sonic Youth is hit and miss live depending on what they're up to and what you're in to but undoubtedly worth seeing once and probably better than girl talk (haven't seen it but I imagine the concept works good live).
Never been to SXSW but my understanding is that the best shows aren't on that list, generally. Also, I got dragged to see the Felice Bros once and it was incredibly bad. !!! was fun live but that was like 6 or 7 years ago I think? Trail of Dead was amazing like 8 years ago and horrible two years later but they were pissed at the concert promoter then I think.
You should probably go see the B52s too? I'm so out of touch.
Posted by: Zach | July 25, 2009 at 03:07 PM
Oh and I by hit and miss I mean when they hit it's one of the best shows you've ever been to.
Posted by: Zach | July 25, 2009 at 03:08 PM
Let me second Andrew Bird. He's very talented and puts on a great live show. And personally, I don't know if I'd ever leave the Dell stage: Blitzen Trapper/ Dr. Dog/ Andrew Bird Friday, Grizzly Bear/ Bon Iver/ the Decemberists Saturday. I'd also say the Dodos, they were the best "show I went to before ever listening to them" band.
Posted by: Fourthseven | July 25, 2009 at 03:37 PM
I'm pretty new to them but I'm really liking The Walkmen a lot.
Posted by: Jon | July 25, 2009 at 03:38 PM
SONIC YOUTH. Which is... damn, how old now?
Posted by: PaulW | July 25, 2009 at 04:40 PM
If you haven't seen either Sonic Youth or GT, I'd definitely go with SY.
Also, I'd recommend Medeski, Martin and Wood, I've seen them twice and they were great both times - definitely a must see if you like jazz of a less traditionalist variety.
Some general advice for festivals that I've learned over the years - if there's a schedule conflict, pick one band and stick with it. At least for me, if I go and try to compromise by seeing half of each set, I just end up disappointed and wanting more of each band. If you totally skip one band, its easier to forget what you are missing - ignorance being bliss and all that.
Posted by: ACS | July 25, 2009 at 05:29 PM
Handy "who to see" decision making guide:
Over 28 years old? Sonic Youth.
Under 28 years old? Girl Talk.
Over 28 years old and pretentious? Girl Talk.
Under 28 years old and pretentious? Sonic Youth.
Posted by: Michael T Sweeney | July 25, 2009 at 05:36 PM
Thirding Andrew Bird. I caught the end of a show in Toronto a few years ago and *really* enjoyed it, and I wish I'd managed to get there in time for the whole thing.
Posted by: tariqata | July 25, 2009 at 05:37 PM
I actually just saw Sonic Youth last weekend (they are, as noted above 28 years old), and it was a great show. They lagged a bit in energy in the middle, but with an easily 45 minute long main set and two 10-15 minute encore sets (which were explosive), that's not surprising.
I agree that the Lily Allen/Andrew Bird conflict is distressing, but I suspect that Andrew Bird features a much chiller but more pretentious audience, while Lily Allen probably has some truly annoying people at the show but an overall more eclectic mix. I find that the folks at a show heavily influences my enjoyment, though, which may be less of a factor for you. . .
Posted by: Joe Thomas | July 25, 2009 at 06:13 PM
Michael wins the thread so far.
Posted by: publius | July 25, 2009 at 06:16 PM
I tried to see Girl Talk at Lollapalooza last year. He was on one of the smaller stages but had a huge crowd. By the time he started playing, you could barely stick a knife between two adjacent people. I don't normally think of myself as claustrophobic, but I freaked at being packed in so tight, and left, slowly. I spent the rest of that block listening to The National on the lawn.
Posted by: hwestiii | July 25, 2009 at 06:59 PM
Those guys/gals in Sonic Youth are surely pushing 60 by now, so better see them while they are still alive and their voices still work.
Posted by: kth | July 25, 2009 at 07:03 PM
Umteenth vote for Sonic Youth (Michael's comment is funny at the end, but really a band is either good or it's not, regardless of age). Also, haven't heard this Robyn Hitchcock band, but, live music being a gamble, I'd bet on him.
What is 'Poi Dog' doing there?? Over 40? See Chuck Mangione. Under 40? See Poi Dog Pondering. The are the musical equiv. of oatmeal without salt.
Posted by: jonnybutter | July 25, 2009 at 07:35 PM
Sonic Youth beats Girl Talk just as Andrew Bird beats Lily Allen.
Other bands that I would try to go to are: Avett Brothers, Daniel Johnston, Dr. Dog, Bon Iver, and Grizzly Bear.
Posted by: Jennifer | July 25, 2009 at 08:28 PM
I was considering going just to see The Virgins live. So, consider that my vote. Not sure who they're in conflict with (haven't clicked through to the sched - comment and run, that's my style :)
Sujal
Posted by: sujal | July 25, 2009 at 08:41 PM
I humbly submit the Henry Clay People as a band worth seeing. If you can find it, they did a song called "The Man in the River Bed" that was very striking, and I think they're on to something in general.
Posted by: Martin | July 26, 2009 at 12:49 AM
The Walkmen are great. I don't know about seeing them at 3:30 in the afternoon, though. That's nighttime music if I've ever heard it. But still great.
Other than that, the Bon Iver-Decemberists evening sounds like heaven.
Posted by: Mike | July 26, 2009 at 01:43 AM
Thievery corp, Ghostland Observatory, And as for Sonic Youth vs Girl Talk, that's a tough one. Passed up Sonic Youth tonight, but that was more sex related.
Posted by: bago | July 26, 2009 at 08:15 AM
Not so into !!!, myself (saw them at the Hideout for the big Touch and Go anniversary party a few years back), but it's not like they're against anything tremendous. I'd recommend checking out Mos Def, who's a great live performer and whose most recent album has been getting some tremendous press.
Posted by: snarkout | July 26, 2009 at 09:45 AM
I second Thievery corp and Mos Def. "And you shall know us by the trail of the dead ...." is also pretty good. Depending on mood and travel distances (I don't know Austin at all), you might want to consider spending an hour with them on Saturday before heading over to see Mos Def.
Posted by: von | July 26, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Publius,
If you choose to see the B-52s over Clutch (they play at the same time) I'll never type at you again. YOU. MUST. SEE. CLUTCH.
Posted by: hairshirthedonist | July 26, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Make some time to see the Low Anthem. I saw them in my friend's living room in Pittsburgh. One of those shows that just makes you happy.
Posted by: Colin | July 26, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Avoid Girl Talk. Just saw him in Ottawa and it was just a dude hitting 'play' on his laptop and then dancing. LAME.
Posted by: Andrew | July 26, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Absolutely see Fri. -- (1) Asleep at the Wheel (2) John Legend (he's from my town, Springfield OH & he's fantastic) and (3) Kings of Leon, and see (4) Medeski, Martin & Wood and (5) Poi Dog Pondering if you can, and I vote for Lily Allen over Andrew Bird; Sat. -- And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead are very cool; Sun. -- (1) The B-52's are a no-brainer and (2) Arctic Monkeys are excellent live, and Sonic Youth over Girl Talk, no contest for me if I could go. Also, I just heard some Brett Dennen on the score of the cool indie film "Sherman's Way" and he sounded very interesting, kinda like Devendra Banhart, if you like him.
Posted by: editorbob | July 26, 2009 at 02:30 PM
Also, the most troubling conflict is Girl Talk and Sonic Youth
Also, the troubling conflict between chicken shit and chicken salad.
Posted by: DJA | July 26, 2009 at 04:44 PM
I saw Sonic Youth last year and was...bored. Sorry, I've just never connected with them, and it's not for lack of trying.
You can never go wrong with Robyn Hitchcock. Never. The latest Venus 3 album was a letdown compared to the first one, but you can always count on a good show.
Never seen the B-52's but I've been told that they still kick butt on stage.
Lily Allen strikes me as a hit-or-miss proposition...when she first hit it big in the UK there were tales in the tabloids of her being a wasted, shambling mess on stage. Maybe she's cleaned up her act. But lots of great songs that seem tailor-made for a summer festival. Andrew Bird, on the other hand, I always imagine smirking and doing little ironic air-quotes with his fingers while he's singing. Gotta give this one to Lily.
I'd KILL to see Kings of Leon.
Oh, and de gustibus non est disputandum.
That is all.
Posted by: Uncle Kvetch | July 26, 2009 at 05:10 PM
Another vote for Blitzen Trapper. I'd say the Devotchka/Decemberists would be another dilemma, with me probably deciding on Devotchka (probably less crowds and still put on a great show). Reverend Payton's Big Damn Band was pretty good if you're into that kind of music.
Posted by: mcmillan | July 26, 2009 at 08:40 PM
SY easy cheesy. Girl Talk is mashups for people that don't want to ride a hook, the anti-James Brown. Blech.
On day 1, consider the Walkmen and Phoenix. I like Dr. Dog, but the guys voice can grate, and I don't know if they are good live, but I know the other two are.
On day 2, you have an interesting choice between Devotchka and Decemberists. I know there is a backlash against the Decemberists, and Devotchka are great live and can be a little bit epic at times.
On day 3, I would consider Heartless Bastards, but I don't love their new one, and since they had a complete lineup revamp, I don't know what the old stuff would sound like, therefore, B-52s.
Toadies were one hit wonders but are from Texas, so I wonder if they might do a good show having been around for a long time. Likewise David Garza got radio play for 10 minutes about 10 years ago and then dropped by his label, but is also from Texas and I bet is a good show.
Posted by: Pinko Punko | July 27, 2009 at 12:09 AM
publius:
The only thing I feel particularly strongly about is that you MUST see Todd Snider on Friday. It's worth it as much for the stories he tells BETWEEN the songs as it is for the songs. He's reputed to go as long as 18 minutes between songs. That's the thing about singer-songwriters: they tend to be story tellers. Anyway, here's a fine example. Another one here.
Other than that, the only thing that really caught my eye was John Legend, also on Friday.
Posted by: tgirsch | July 27, 2009 at 09:48 AM
I'd like to recommend Sam Roberts... an old school rock and roll band from Montreal. Old school means that the songs as performed are not CCs of the songs as recorded; in short, they're a band, not just a bunch of players backing up some singer dude. Also, ...and you will know us by the trail of the dead was good when I saw them up here in Krusty the K-town a few years back at the Grad Club.
And yeah, I'd go see Clutch.
Posted by: polyorchnid octopunch | July 27, 2009 at 03:06 PM
I'm a big appreciater of Poi Dog, but they're not for everyone.
I saw Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians in Orlando 'round about spring of 1992, and they were really, really good. Haven't listened to much of their stuff since then, though, although I did run to Globe of Frogs and Fegmania (the latter of which contains some of the more surreal liner notes I've ever encountered) for quite a few years.
Posted by: Slartibartfast | July 27, 2009 at 03:35 PM
Robyn H. utterly dominates my iTunes library. i'm up to 566 RH songs right now. i've seen him at least six times. i guess you could say i'm a fan.
and note that the current RH band (the Venus Three) is most of the current R.E.M. touring band with Robyn instead of Micheal Stipe: Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey (Young Fresh Fellows, Minus Five), Bill Rieflin (Ministry, KFMDM). and they totally rock, live.
Cats Cradle show, from a couple months ago.
Posted by: cleek | July 27, 2009 at 03:48 PM
Yes, but do you turn yourself on in the dark?
Posted by: Slartibartfast | July 27, 2009 at 03:57 PM
no, but i often dream of trains when i'm alone.
Posted by: cleek | July 27, 2009 at 04:31 PM
I'd say see Kings of Leon. Those boys can play some rock n roll.
Posted by: Eric Martin | July 31, 2009 at 12:05 AM