Austin City Limits Music Festival is coming up this weekend and next, and I’m chomping at the bit! I love spending the weekend going to epic concerts, exploring Austin and hanging with my friends. With legendary headliners like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jay-Z and Chance the Rapper, there is never a shortage of amazing music to be heard, but every year I end up wandering around Zilker Park looking to discover some new artist while waiting for the headliners to come on. This year I’m determined to actually find some of the unknown artists of ACL, so I’ve done some digging. If you’re like me, you’ll want to share in my exploration. So here are some unknown artists of ACL to check out:
Hamilton Leithauser: this artist has collaborated with former Vampire Weekend member, Rostam Batmanglij and been featured on Late Night with Stephen Colbert, yet he is still relatively unknown among the artists of ACL. His musical style ranges from country, to electronic with the use of synthesizers, to slow and quiet. Check out his concert both weekends on Friday at 3:15 p.m. on the Barton Springs stage.
Lemon Twigs: with a mixture of the Beach Boys and the Beatles, the Lemon Twigs is both a tribute to that era and a completely original sound. Brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario show off their quirky style, personas and sound in all their music, but it never fails to gain attention. Check them out both weekends on Friday at 3:15 p.m. on the Miller Lite stage.
Joseph: another band of siblings, Joseph is made up of sisters Allison, Megan and Natalie Closner, who named the band after their grandfather, Jo. Their emotive, folksy, yet pop-sounding music reminds me of today’s pop anthems. But there’s something genuine and raw sounding that keeps me interested. Check them out weekend one, Saturday at 3 p.m. on the Barton Springs stage.
Andrew McMahon: If you’ve heard “Cecilia and the Satellite,” you know Andrew McMahon. That song became a gold single and inspired him to keep writing, this time around New York City, resulting in his new album Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. It’s an upbeat, creative work that’ll get you up and dancing your heart out in the heart of Austin. Need another reason to love Andrew McMahon? “Cecilia and the Satellite” was written for his daughter, Cecilia. Catch him both weekends, on Friday at 2:15 p.m. on the American Express stage.
Brothers Osborne: A down-home country band, with a side of rock-n-roll, Brothers Osborne won “Vocal Duo of the Year” and “New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year” at the 52nd American Country Music awards. They’re based in Nashville and are shaking up the country music scene as a “twang and crunch duo.” Check them out both weekends on Sunday at 3:15 p.m. on the HomeAway stage.
This year seems to be the year of legacies, with Willie Nelson’s son, Lukas Nelson playing with his band, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, and Bob Markley’s grandson, Skip Marley, playing both weekends. Lukas Nelson is among the more known artists on this list, but he is definitely worth noting here because his concerts are energizing, powerful and different from other country artists out there. Check him out both weekends on Friday at 5:15 on the Miller Lite stage. As for Skip Marley, he combines reggae with a variety of other genres, always with poetic lyrics that are poignantly relevant. Pepsi may have done an inappropriate job with their recent campaign featuring Kendall Jenner, but their music choice in Skip Marley’s, “Lion” was right on message. Check him out both weekends on Sunday at 4:15 p.m. on the Tito’s stage.
Caitlyn Smith: Previously a songwriter for artists like Dolly Parton, Meghan Trainor and Garth Brooks, Caitlyn Smith has decided to take the stage herself. Her spectacular vocals, soulful and honest lyrics and silencing presence are a great change of pace among louder artists at ACL. Check her out Weekend One on Sunday at 3:15 p.m. on the BMI stage.
There are so many more artists to check out, like Spencer Ludwig, Jacob Banks, Big Wild, Nightly, Mondo Cozmo, Cody Jinks and the list goes on. Check out ACLFestival.com for a full schedule.