Austin City Limits Line-up is here!

Well, as of midnight on Monday the folks at C3 concerts released this year's ACL line-up to the masses that care. Of course I am part of that mass that wanted had to know who was playing this year, since Kristen and I made the commitment to go to the festival together this year, which will also mark the first concert we have gone to since we saw John Mayer about five years ago together. So I am very excited to go back to ACL for the third year in a row, but very excited that Kristen is coming with me on this adventure. I get to see some great bands and mark them off my bucket list, and by the looks of the line-up see some band that I have never heard of which is always a great experience. Also I have to toot my own horn and let the few of you that read this know that I picked 14 bands that are going to be there. So that makes me still feel I could be a rock writer in my later years in my life. So I am thinking that I should give some of you a quick list of bands I want to see after my first look at the line up, of course I have a whole summer to listen to the bands I have never heard of, so this list will be a lot longer when September rolls around.

So let me start with Friday of ACL:

1. Kanye West- He is on my bucket list and I can't wait to see him live, I have heard he puts on a great show.
   
2. NAS & Damian Marley- That album is a great mash up of Hip Hop and Reggae.
   
3. Bright Eyes- I just want to see the hype about Conor Oberst. I actually do like the new album a little.
   
4. Ray LaMontagne- Kristen and I both can't wait to see him live. I am very excited about this one.
   
5. Santigold- I really love Santigold and this is her one Festival appearance this year, so hopefully she brings her A game.
   
6. Big Boi- Outkast has always been one of my favorite hip hop groups, also on my bucket list. If I get ½ of Outkast I will be happy.
   
7. Old Crow Medicine Show- I hear they are great live, so I have to check them out.
   
8. Cold War Kids- I have been loving this band for a while, and so excited to see them live.
   
9. Delta Spirit- Just got their new album, and also watched them live on TV, so I am excited to see them live.
   
10. Foster the People- I love the song Pumped Up Kicks, hopefully they don't pull a Cage the Elephant and suck live.
    
11. Smith Westerns- I am starting to really like their album, so the same feeling above, hope they translate well live.
    
12. Mavis Staples- who doesn't love an old school R&B singer?
    
13. Theophilus London- Very interested in seeing how he is live.
    
14. Ha Ha Tonka- They made big waves at SXSW, so I am very interested to see them.
    
15. Pretty Lights- I am not usually a big electro person, but I keep hearing good things about this band.
    

Saturday at ACL:

1. My Morning Jacket- I cannot wait to see them live, they put on amazing live shows. Sorry Stevie Wonder, but I am catching MMJ for a little while, but don't worry I will try to come over and see you before we leave.
   
2. Cee Lo- Kristen and I are both pumped to see him. I am hoping for some type of outrageous costume when he comes on stage.
   
3. Cut Copy- I do love their new album, so I am hoping for a good show from them.
   
4. TV on The Radio- I am very surprised to see them in the lineup after their bassist passed away, but I am very stoked to see them live. Bucket list performer #6 is being marked off now.
   
5. Iron & Wine- This is one of the bands I really can't wait to see. Bucket list performer #7 on the weekend.
   
6. Fitz and the Tantrums-Just by listening to their first single, this should be a very fun time watching them.
   
7. Young the Giant- Really love their new album.
   
8. J. Roddy Walston and the Business- They play some great music, should be a good time.
   
9. Preservation Hall Jazz Band- how can you go wrong with some New Orleans Jazz?
   
10. City and the Colour- A nice mellow time.
    

Sunday at ACL:

1. Arcade Fire- Amazing live show can't wait! Bucket list performer #7.
   
2. Fleet Foxes- I have loved their first two albums, also ready to see them live.
   
3. Social Distortion- How do you not want to see some rock legends on stage?
   
4. Empire of the Sun- I have heard their live show is very theatrical, so this should be fun to watch.
   
5. Broken Social Scene- to be honest I haven't heard much of their stuff, but people keep telling me how great they are.
   
6. Death from Above 1979- I have heard their live show is chaotic, crazy, and the past spring involved riot police and tear gas. YES……Sign me up!
   
7. The Airborne Toxic Event- I have really liked their first two albums, so I will have to catch them on Sunday.
   
8. Elbow- love their new album, hope it translates well live.
   
9. The Walkmen- have liked them every since they were on the O.C. (yes I own the O.C., everyone has a guilty pleasure), so I am ready to see them live.
   
10. Chiddy Bang- one of the best new hip hop acts out, and I do love my hip-hop.
    
11. Gomez- kristen and I love this band, and they have a new album coming out soon.
    
12. AWOLNATION- love their single Sail; really hope they are good live.
    
13. Hayes Carll- yes, he is country music, and yes I have him on my list. I will listen to country at times, and Hayes is actually really good.
    
14. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.- I keep hearing good things about this band, so I will check them out.
    
15. The head and the heart- I have listened to them a little, so I will go check them out.
    
16. MONA- I keep hearing their first single and think Kings of Leon, so I will be interested to see them live.
    

Well that is my list and it gives those of you that are interested in listening to some new music a jumping off point. Of course this list will change about a million times before September.