Austin blues rockers, The Sideshow Tragedy, are a charismatic hybrid of Texas roots influence and an unhinged garage-influenced moxie. As this duo prepares to release their upcoming new album, The View From Nowhere, they are tantalizing fans with a music video for the album’s first single "Nobody." Tapping into their Texas upbringing, Nathan Singleton and Jeremy Harrell, showcase a rugged blue-collar life in their video by working the land, fixing trucks, and drinking in dirty bars. Lyrics like "There is nobody else out on the road tonight/ Just me and my memories looking for a fight" tap into the small-town rugged psyche that dominates the music. The Sideshow Tragedy will be playing a Tuesday night residency at Stay Gold at throughout October, for those in Austin looking for a good time.

While Jay Z and the Chili Peppers will grab the headliner time slots and majority of headlines at weekend 1 of ACL, there are a handful of Austin artists who were tapped to represent the local talent pool that are worth seeing as well. Most Austin festivals do a pretty good job of bringing in local talent, and ACL is no different. While well-known national bands like Spoon and perennial favorites like Asleep At The Wheel, are guaranteed to draw sizeable crowds – we want to spotlight our five up and coming local acts, who are snowballing with newfound momentum.

1. Mobley – (Saturday 11:30 AM @ Miller Lite Stage) 

A talent who cannot be placed neatly in a solitary genre box – Mobley blends R&B, electronica, and hip-hop for a unique twist that is credited and fortified by superior songwriting. Mobley has the most potential of any artist on this list, and possibly in the city of Austin.  See him now before you’re forced to use a binoculars to see him in a few years on the headliner stage;)

2. Capyac – (Saturday 12:15 PM @ Titos Stage)

Although orginally from Georgia, these electro dance wizards know how to get a funky dance party started. A large local following and magnetic stage show means that Capyac is sure to envelope you into their indie electro fold if you give them a chance.

3. Melat – (Sunday 12:30 PM @ Titos Stage)

An Ethiopian goddess whose voice is as smooth as it is seductive, Melat blends soul and R&B  with haunting and profound songwriting.  This voice is too serene to remain an Austin secret for much longer, so an early visit Sunday to the fest is definitely in order.

4. The Black Angels – (Saturday 5 PM @ Barton Springs Stage)

While the Black Angels are known internationally and have been purveying psychedelic rock for quite some time, they still have a transformative live show and a slew of hits to keep you slack-jawed for their entire set. They may not be a shiny new band, but Christian Bland is one of Austin’s most prolific songwriters for a reason, so don’t miss out.

5. Missio – (Friday 1:15 PM @ HomeAway Stage)

Many Austinites do not know that Missio is a local band, although you’ve almost undoubtedly heard them before, but that’s because they have rocketed to the national stage without having to play a decade in Austin bars. Dark moods, sinister lyrics, and addictive beats make this act definitely worth a listen at the festival.

Bringing a harmony that can only be created through shared DNA, the Boleys have created a sound on their recently released self-titled debut album that peaks and crashes with a magnetic urgency.  Influenced by classic rock artists as well as unique contemporary artists, the Boleys are a fusion of eclectic influences and sounds that are pushed through a Southern fried filter. Songs like "Learning" and "Purple Skies" are short staccato songs that thrash and wail with wanton abandon.  The Boleys are riding their new momentum into an October 13th show at Kick Butt Coffee with other artists like Dayeater, Naga Brujo, and Burn Ban. Catch his family act live on Friday the 13th!

Enchanting and magnetic, Lou Rebecca is a gift from Paris that has decidedly made her home in the Austin synth scene. Her self-titled debut album is an amalgam of disco, ambient and, avant-garde electronica that flow effortlessly together. Rebecca’s timeless pop sound is fortified with the artist’s air of mystique which is well choreographed and thought out. The elegance of Rebecca pairs well with her venerated label, Holodeck Records, who boasts a stable of genre-bending and eccentric talent. The future is bright for the mesmerizing young woman who is casting her spell over the city of Austin.

 Sprung from the melting pot of musical influence that can be found in the UT dorms, Bad Rituals is a quartet of varying instrumentation that have unapologetically fused hip-hop, psych-rock, reggae, and funk into their own unique sound. Zach Black and Daryl Uberoi came together to form the core songwriting engine for Bad Rituals and their rap lyrics and serrated guitars are closer to Rage Against the Machine, as opposed to Limp Bizkit or other rap/rock phonies. Having played together for five years, Bad Rituals has finally come through with a self-titled EP that was recorded at Fifth Street Studios and released on September 1st, 2017. Bad Rituals has confidence, energy, and youth on their side – and there is no reason their music won’t be reaching a larger audience anytime soon.

 A trio of frenetic musicians that believe in the power of upbeat tempos and multiple harmonies, Dayeater is an unending ball of energy. Gutarist, Jesse Lee, shreds through multi-faceted tracks while bassist, Chris Brockett, keeps them running on a straight track. The music is energizing and their live shows back that up with maximum effort given. Versatility lines the band’s past work but their upcoming album should bring their production to a zenith. The crew plays Kick Butt Coffee on September 8th and they seem keen to share their newer songs for the fans who attend.

Some of Austin’s best bands took action on short notice to put together a show that would help raise money for the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation. Do512 presents Black Joe Lewis, The Octopus Project, Robert Ellis, Walker Lukens, The Deer, and Otis the Destroyer who will all be taking the stage at the Mohawk on Friday, September 1st. If the circumstances hadn’t been so dire and bleak for bringing this all-star lineup together, a show like this might be celebrated as the best local lineup of the year. The fact is that most of us here in Austin feel useless, since most of us can only donate to help the flood victims. This show offers an outlet to come together and show solidarity with our fellow Texan while also helping bring some monetary aid and supplies to the relief effort.

Donations of diapers,formula, blankets, pillows, toiletries, cleaning, supplies, first aid kits, new socks, new undergarments, bottled water and non-perishable food will be accepted as well.

To make a monetary donation, check out this site: https://ghcf.org/hurricane-relief

A quartet that dips deep into the blues-influenced well of Texas rock music, Cowboy Diplomacy embraces a sound as big as the state they claim as home. Ian Cohran(Guitar, Vocals), Brad Bentley (Bass), Zac Walden (Lead Guitar), and Matt Leslie (Drums) have taken the Austin live music scene by storm and continue to impress as their stature grows.  Having recorded "No Alibi" at 601 Studios and having it mastered by Howie Weinberg (Wilco, Spoon), Cowboy Diplomacy is using Austin’s broad resources to hone their sound. With brash bluesy vocals and titanic guitar squeals, Cowboy Diplomacy’s "No Alibi" is a larger than life anthem that will bring crowds out wherever they play.

With a name that reflects his background, Tugaloo Blue taks his Ozark upbringing into a new realm of musical expression.  Bluegrass and hip-hop have rarely met each other in a fluid and listenable way, but for this 21-year old upstart, it comes naturally. A fiddle player from the age of 2 years old, Tugaloo Blue’s music reflects his Branson, Missouri roots. Collins 26 is the first release from a musician that took his college experience to explore musically rather than in the classroom. Named after Tugaloo’s college dorm address, Collins 26 is the debut release for an artist determined to exist outside the lines of what’s been done before.

The infectious guitars and pop-infused rhythms of mid-2000’s rock continues to reintroduce itself through the charismatic incarnate bands like Spectral Sea. Tenured musicians who cycled through a slew of different acts throughout the years, Spectral Sea brings together an eclectic amalgam of rock n’ roll talent. This local quartet has found their voice as they ride the release of their debut Ep Stop/Start. Their first single "Three Vultures" tips the hat to the popular SoCal sounding, emo vocal stylings of the 2000’s pop-punk scene. Singer, Al Behnke, navigates the song structure with a creative discipline that emphasizes the pounding chorus’ zeniths and isolates the fragile and jangled guitar work.  Spectral Sea plays 9:30 PM on Sunday, August 6th at the Mohawk as they continue to pound the pavement, making sure their name stays on the tips of Austinite’s lips.

Flying under the radar and hailing from Waco, The Dimaggoios are pumping adrenaline through their amphetamined post-punk pop. Vocalist and guitarist, Brian, projects a unique falsetto vocal styling that is akin to Matt Bellamy of Muse. The ebb and flow of their music is theatrical and bombastic, with inspiring builds and euphoric choruses. Songs like "Fast Trip" don’t leave room for navel-gazing, and the staccatto guitar riffs keep the listener on edge. The quartet has an upcoming show at the Mohawk with other local bands Honeyrude and The First Part on August 3rd. Get out and experience the Dimaggios firsthand!

 Float Fest is a bold endeavor that has paid off once again. Bringing thousands of music-loving Texans to the Cool River Ranch in San Marcos, in the middle of a scorching deadbeat Summer, has liability written all over it.  However the festival founder, Marcus Federman, along with his crack team have pulled off another spectacular festival weekend for the fourth year in a row.

The festival, which has grown larger every year, hit a new high this year in terms of the lineup, attendance, and overall production.  While an increase in ticket pricing, long entry lines, and scorching weather threatened to stem the flow of attendees- those setbacks were overshadowed by the impressive lineup and galvanizing atmosphere that made the slight inconveniences worthwhile.

The lineup of music acts were split down the middle, with half of them local and the other half national headliners:

Best 3 Local Performances: 

Sweet Spirit – Fresh off the road on their national tour, Sweet Spirit crashed back into the Austin crowd with a raucous performance on Sunday afternoon.  Lead singer, Sabrina Ellis, showed her trademark spunk while guitarist, Andrew Cashen, smashed guitars. Tearing through a hit list of songs like “The Power”, “Baby When I Close My Eyes” and “Rebel, Rebel” their performance was a refreshing shot of energy on a torrid day.

Walker Lukens – Playing with his band that looks straight out of a modeling agency, Walker Lukens proved his eclectic pop prowess while wearing a white suit in 100 degree heat on Sunday afternoon.  The emotive songwriter captured the crowd with emphatic songs like “Every Night” and “Lifted” while charming the pants off everyone simultaneously.  Walker’s charisma and music skills make his appeal undeniable and his songs make his future bright.

 Ume – While this local hard rocking trio played at the peak of heat wave on Sunday, they still managed to rattle the audience’s skulls in a good way. Lead singer, Lauren ‘LL’, demonstrates that big things can come in small packages with her whirring guitar and banshee-like vocals.  These Austin veterans continue to impress with their dedication to devastatingly awesome music and their longevity in making it. 

Best 3 Headliner Performances:

Cage the Elephant – This bluesy rock band form Bowling Green, TN is the embodiment of the rock n’ roll spirit.  Lead singer, Matt Shultz, parades around the stage like Jagger in his prime.  The passion, urgency, and exuberance of each band member creates a synergistic explosion of unparalleled proportions.  This young sextet stole Sunday night from Weezer and MGMT, as their brilliance couldn’t be contained.

Passion Pit – Michael Angelakos might be stepping away from music for a hiatus but his Saturday night performance showed that he and his band are still at the top of their game. Crushing songs like “I’ll Be Alright” and “Lifted Up” are the nectar from which pop hook-loving millenials feed.  Angelakos is a great example of a veteran artist who doesn’t take anything or any show for granted by giving his all on every song.

Mac Miller – While I have to admit, I was not a fan of Mac Miller prior to seeing his live show, the Pittsburgh rapper is persuasive in his power to impress.  Commanding a large crowd that hung to every lyric, Miller weaved in popular samples to his music that created something like a block party. While there might be more talented musicians and rappers in the world, no one can say that Mac Miller doesn’t know how to throw down.

3 Performance Let-Downs:

MGMT – Uninspired and mopey, MGMT came out flaccid and flat-lined in front of a crowd the desperately wanted to dance with them.

Mike Jones – The Houston rapper dropped the ball for the second year in a row. Jones seemed out of it and passed the mic to his posse for the majority of the show.

Neon Indian – More of a personal preference, but Alan Palomo chose to play all of his newer tracks, which aren’t bad, but refuses to acknowledge his Chill Wave roots that got him there.

Float Fest still remains a favorite for campers, tubers, and vibers who find reasons to attend that are not directly related to the music. Expect more stages, bigger headliners, and more extra-curricular activities as this atypical festival continues to blossom. Kudos must be paid to a team that somehow found a way to succeed in the Texas Summer in a city dominated by ACL and SXSW.