Progressive pop pioneers, The Decemberists, make their ACL debut. Next, Explosions in the Sky, well known for the movie scores, appears in a powerful live stage performance.
Femi Kuti is more than a musician. This Nigerian political activist plays music to inspire change. And yet, his music continues to be upbeat with an African beat.
Arcade Fire has gained critical acclaim for their indie rock in Canada. Their two albums, Neon Bible and Funeral, provide plenty of songs to entertain the ACL crowd.
Paolo Nutini, who has found great success in the UK, debuts on ACL with his soulful renditions from his popular album. Next, Austin's own Grupo Fantasma explores the funky side of Latin music with a high energy stage show.
Lucinda Williams has received numerous awards for her songwriting and singing. In this episode, she introduces the Austin audience to her newest set of masterful songs. Next, Old Crow Medicine Show plays old-time string music with a rock and roll twist.
England’s Bloc Party take the stage with their grooving, politically charged postpunk as presented on its second album A Weekend in the City. Austin electro rock duo Ghostland Observatory follows with the kind of kinetic performance on which they’ve built a national reputation.
Reunited after 12 years, New Zealand favorite Crowded House makes its first television appearance since the mid-90s supporting its new album Time On Earth.
Kings of Leon, a Nashville band of brothers, appears in the ACL studio for a rocking good time. Next, Texas legend Roky Erickson plays the psychedelic rock and roll he's been playing for 40 years.
Country superstar Brad Paisley brings his award winning guitar skills, singing talent, and songwriting to the ACL stage. Next, Dierks Bentley is a singer on the rise.
The festival celebrates the current resurgence of bluegrass music with fans of all ages. Yet as its name suggests, the festival includes music and performers that go far beyond bluegrass. Every summer since 2001, the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, which is free to the public, draws hundreds of thousands of music-lovers to the meadows of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park to hear music that includes traditional bluegrass, alternative country, and many performers who cross the standard genre lines. The 2007 festival drew an estimated 500,000 fans.
