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Dave Grohl with Them Crooked Vultures
I missed most of the other early bands as we were busy at the Paste Media Tent doing video interviews with artists for a later website A/V feature. I lost count on how many bands came by to talk with us but they included Raphael Saadiq, The Low Anthem, Mishka, Todd Snider, The Parlor Mob, Daniel Johnston, The Wood Brothers, Thievery Corporation, Jesse Woods and Reckless Kelly.
Everyone agreed that the day's weather was the best anyone can remember in the entire history of the festival. I heard that the ACL folks spent a couple million bucks on putting in new grass at Zilker Park. It was gorgeous, and I saw more than a few fans walking barefoot. But rain is on the way.
I got out to hear more bands later:
Raphael Saadiq--Whoa. What a show! This guy liberates the best from the masters, like James Brown for the moves and Smokey Robinson for the smooth and Motown for the groove, then sucker punches you with a killer version of The Stooge's "Search and Destroy". The whole band had an early sixties, black suit and tie look, though Saadiq began shedding garments as he worked the crowd. And the man does work.
Nelo--a Sound & Jury loser a few years ago, they won over a big crowd to officially start the festival.
Todd Snider--He fools you with his simple, Texas singer-songwriter style by throwing out some pretty deep lyrics. And some pretty funny ones. He told some great stories between songs--something about being a "peace loving, pot smoking, porn watching, lazy-ass hippie."
Them Crooked Vultures--This was the band that got all the buzz because of who was in it: Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters on drums, Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones on bass and Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme on guitar. I listened from behind the stage for awhile. They sounded good but not sure yet if the whole is better than the parts.
Kings of Leon--I pooped out and heard a few notes before leaving for the night. Missed the big moment of Eddie Vedder joining the band. But I saw a replay on youtube.
Photos taken by Jason McElweenie at ACL 2009
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well, you missed The Avett Brothers put on a show placing somewhere around the top 5 category.
TCV:"I listened from behind the stage for awhile."
"I pooped out and heard a few notes before leaving for the night. Missed the big moment of Eddie Vedder joining the band. But I saw a replay on youtube."
What? You are a writer (for Paste!) covering ACLF...come on now! This is not only a dream job, but one that should be treated with reverence and responsibility.
Take a few hits of God's basil, drink a beer or two, enjoy yourself and then write your review.
Not able to be there and obviously jealous!
Lesley Boulant
OHIO
I am thoroughly disappointed with the lack of coverage of ACL. Phoenix played an incredible show for upwards of 40,000 people. Ghostland Observatory stole the show from dave matthews and eddie vedder rocked with Kings Of Leon and this is all thats published? Where's the back stage gossip and commentary of all of the crazy cool moments that I didn't see? I thought this was a legitimate music magazine.
the second paragraph states:
"I missed most of the other early bands as we were busy at the Paste Media Tent doing video interviews with artists for a later website A/V feature..."
point being, it is a real music magazine, but this is a little blurb before the report comes out.
give them a break! they're busy people!