The Austin City Limits (ACL) Festival wrapped up its final day with a vibrant array of musical performances that captivated festival-goers from all walks of life.
Opening the Beatbox stage, the Austin trio The Point delivered an electrifying performance that showcased their unique fusion of world music.
As the sun blazed overhead, they performed selections from their recently released deluxe version of their debut LP, Maldito Animal.
The audience was treated to a captivating medley of Saharan surf, Sri Lankan blues, and psychedelic conjunto soul, a testament to the trio’s diverse influences.
The band comprises talented musicians: Joe Roddy, the son of iconic rockabilly figure Ted Roddy, guitarist Jack Montesinos, who shared the stage with legends like James Burton in his youth, and drummer Nico Leophonte, whose credentials include working with the likes of the Fabulous Thunderbirds and Bo Diddley.
Throughout their nine-song set, they navigated new material with ease, including the frenetic energy of “Itis” and the jazzy vibes of “OBIRWY.”
In addition, they surprised the audience with a soulful mid-set moment during their song “Leaving,” demonstrating their ability to weave together global roots music into an entirely new tapestry.
The Point drew in the crowd and emphasized their intention to take listeners on an unforgettable musical journey.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles trio julie brought a different flavor to the festival with their emo-tinged “nügaze” sound.
The band’s live performance captured an intense aesthetic with Dillon Lee’s unconventional hairstyle and the haunting harmonies of guitarist Keyan Pourzand and bassist Alexandria Elizabeth.
After initially drawing in the crowd with their energetic opener “catalogue,” which launched their set, the band favored the mellower sound of their earlier singles, including “april’s bloom” and “flutter.”
Despite the overwhelming feedback from their final song “lochness,” the audience was left wanting more, as their desire for an encore did not prompt a return to the stage from julie, leaving a lasting impression.
On the Beatbox stage, Lucius also captivated the crowd with their dynamic vocal pairing and engaging performances.
Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, known for their harmonic power, showcased their unique art with synchronized vocals and carefully curated visual stage designs.
They performed both new tracks from their self-titled fourth album and fan favorites, creating a spiritual ambiance for the Sunday afternoon slot.
The highlight of their set came with a surprise moment during the new song “Stranger Danger,” where the vocal split left the crowd in awe.
Lucius further delighted fans with their energetic track “Gold Rush,” receiving a particularly enthusiastic response for “Dusty Trails,” a staple from their earlier work.
The show ended on a high note with a fierce performance of “Genevieve,” featuring an exhilarating cowbell breakdown.
In stark contrast, Midnight Generation took the stage to keep the disco spirit alive amidst a hazy Sunday evening.
Dressed in matching outfits, the Mexican ensemble thrummed with energy, engaging the audience drawn to their upbeat sound infused with modern pop elements.
Their opening number, “Energy,” from their latest album Tender Love, set a lively tone, demonstrating their ability to mix classic disco influences with contemporary rhythms.
Although the group struggled to maintain momentum due to their relatively static stage presence, they nonetheless managed to keep the crowd engaged with their infectious beats.
As the tent filled with festival-goers embracing the disco theme, the quintet offered a nostalgic homage to classic sounds while keeping their own style vibrant.
Feid, the Colombian sensation, brought a unique flair to the T-Mobile stage, showcasing his charisma among a young audience on Sunday.
However, Feid’s performance raised questions regarding engagement, as the Autotuned support and orchestrated visuals struggled to connect with the crowd compared to past headliners.
Songs like “Amor de mi Vida” brought moments of warmth, yet applause diminished as the set went on, contrasting sharply with the anticipatory atmosphere of previous performers.
The spectacle of a giant green head overshadowing Feid did little to enhance the authenticity of his act, ultimately leaving audience members contemplating the nature of modern performances.
Finally, Michael Angelakos of Passion Pit made an emotional return to the stage, greeting fans with heartfelt gratitude before diving into a powerful set.
Kicking off his performance with a tribute to his mother navigating Lewy body dementia, he struck a heartfelt tone with listeners before morphing into a reimagined rendition of “Sleepyhead.”
Fans, tightly packed in the tent, revelled in the nostalgic beats of earlier tracks while welcoming new material like “Brothers to the End” that he dedicated to his sibling.
Throughout his electrifying show, Angelakos emotionally resonated with the audience as he transformed from a seated performer to a passionate, energetic frontman by the end of the set.
Passion Pit’s return was a testament to resilience and the healing power of music, wrapping up a weekend filled with diverse sounds and memorable performances at ACL Fest 2023.
image source from：austinchronicle
