Whenever I looked at the lineup, there wasn’t one band that I was dying to see. What about the headliners? I get it. To me though, those aren’t the ones I push and fight my way through a sea of sweaty strangers for. I prefer the more intimate crowds. Less people = Nicer ambience. Fact. I’ve been in such a music funk lately. More or less, I let Taylor decide which bands to see. Now, me and my Itunes are a bit more happier. 

Fool’s Gold -Only knew one song. Got there right when they started playing it. It was like the music gods knew. Plus, the crowd knew how to have fun.

Charles Bradley - By far the best performance I saw at ACL and maybe ever. He was so genuinely grateful for everyone supporting him. The love he radiated was infectious. He’s such a soulful man. It’s hard not to love him.

Kanye West - I already made my rant about Kanye. He was typical Kanye. Longest song he sang was about him being a douchebag, which lasted a good 10+ minutes. Needless to say, I’m glad I saw him live. The show was good, glutenous in every flashy way possible, but good. Major disappointment: no Jay-Z.

Alexander - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes were the band I looked forward to most last ACL. Alexander and the continuous shivers of happiness were hard not to love. I was lucky enough to see the show from backstage. Happy, singing in the rain, beautiful. All of the above. 

Fitz & The Tantrums - Went to the show not knowing who they were, turned out I did, sort of. Their most famous song is in the background of a Hoodie Allen mixtape. So for the rest of the song, I kept hearing Hoodie rapping in my heard. Needless to say, I downloaded their album after the festival. Not a disappointment.

Wanda Jackson -“The Queen of Rockabilly”, What a name dropper. But hey, she dated Elvis! I’d do the same thing. 

Gillian Welch -She sounded good from the ground I was lying on from exhaustion.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band & The Dell McCoury Band -You scream I scream We all scream for ICE CREAM! Honestly, you can NOT go wrong with 12 different instruments on one stage throwing ice cream into the crowd. The end.

Stevie Wonder - Disappointed in myself that I didn’t really pay attention to him more. Yeah, I know, once in a lifetime chance to see his greatness. But he was typical, awesome, head swaying Stevie with a keytar.

Awolnation - I found it ironic that their song “Sail” was the theme song for my SXSW this year. I wasn’t able to see them at SXSW so I saw them at ACL, which only brought back memories of SXSW. Why does my life revolve around SXSW? I don’t mind. They rocked it. 

Chiddy Bang - Saw them at some little club during SXSW. They sucked then, still do. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love chiddy bang songs, mixes, anything their hands touch, but live, no thanks. 

Arcade Fire - Auhh-mazzing. The whole show. Yes, yes.. and yes.