Five ACL Artists to check out
This year’s ACL Fest lineup is full of hidden gems.
The Austin City Limits Music Festival is rarely one to disappoint. This year’s lineup is a fresh fusion of rap, punk, EDM, soul, rock and more—every music lover’s dream. Austinites are happy to welcome everyone from rap headliners like Drake and beloved bands like Florence and the Machine, and The Strokes. But sometimes, we may be tempted to give all our energy to the big names and miss out on the smaller acts among all the fuss of festival going.
So, as you plan your ACL 2015 experience, include these must-see artists on your list of favorites.
Rhiannon Giddens
Rhiannon Giddens, formerly of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, has a unique voice that folk and country fans have to hear. She isn’t new to the music scene (Her former band is Grammy Award-winning.), yet something about her opera-influenced voice takes folk music to a new frontier. After nearly a decade with the beloved string band, in which she sang and played multiple instruments, Giddens released a solo album entitled Tomorrow is My Turn last year. See her at ACL Oct. 2 and 9.
Leon Bridges
Leon Bridges makes the kind of feel-good soul music that’s reminiscent of The Temptations and Otis Redding. It’s soul, it’s gospel, it’s retro and it tells a great story. The 26-year-old Fort Worth native released his first album, Coming Home, in July, after his debut single of the same name proved a viral hit. After a successful appearance at South By Southwest this year, Bridges will take on ACL Oct. 2 and 9.
Alabama Shakes
If you aren’t already listening to Alabama Shakes, welcome to the introductory course. The band is known for its uniquely Southern style of rock ’n’ roll that combines soul, rock, rhythm and blues, and sometimes punk. Lead singer Brittany Howard is a powerhouse who commands attention like beloved Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin. The group achieved mainstream success after its first album, Boys & Girls, was released in 2012. After a European tour and an astonishing performance at the 2013 Grammys, it became very hard to ignore this band. Listen to the latest album, Sound & Color, and don’t miss Alabama Shakes live at ACL Oct. 3.
Shakey Graves
Staying close to his Austin roots, Shakey Graves is a one-man band who fuses blues, country and rock ’n’ roll—and he does it effortlessly. Debuting his first album in 2011, Shakey Graves has caught the attention of alternative music lovers throughout the country. His voice is sultry and smooth, and he has the charm of all those bearded Austin boys who play in underground bars. Check out his latest album, And the War Came, and see him live at ACL Oct. 3 and 10.
Lion Babe
New York-based Lion Babe is what you get when neo-soul meets a hint of pop: dance-friendly beats and lyrics with depth. Jillian Hervey, daughter of actress Vanessa Williams, is a fiery front woman with a soulful sound that transcends all genres. Her bandmate, Lucas Goodman, produces upbeat tracks that make it hard not to move. The duo is known for its 2012 single Treat Me Like Fire, which landed them a record deal and the subsequent release of the EP Lion Babe in 2014. Fans are patiently awaiting the debut album, which is set to be released this year. In the meantime, catch Lion Babe at ACL Oct. 4 and 11.
Rhiannon Giddens photo by Dan Winters. Leon Bridges photo by Rambo. Shakey Graves photo by Nina Westervelt. Alabama Shakes photo by Brantley Gutierrez. Lion Babe photo by Chris O’Donovan.
Female Musicians Who Killed It at SXSW This Year
Eating Local at the Austin City Limits Music Festival
Share