Weightless

OK, so here’s my final ACL post

Just to sum everything up:

Friday

I didn’t really have a game plan, so I walked around catching part of Cults’ and Delta Spirt’s sets (both I liked, but Delta Spirit a bit more).  I eventually ended up at the AMD stage for the latter part of my day to wait out the crowd for Bright Eyes.  Conor stuck to about the same setlist as the private AOL show I saw during SXSW this year.  What was really awesome was when he jumped in the crowd and totally let loose.  I left after Bright Eyes, seeing as Coldplay was immediately after and I didn’t want to be trampled on by the hardcore fans surrounding me (who had been there since 11 AM).

Saturday

Saturday was great. It was my first experience of staying at one single stage all day (meaning no bathroom/water/food runs) to keep my perfect spot at the front of the gates.  However, I did make friends around me who did leave to get food (for themselves AND me!) and in turn I saved their spots.  I had to sit through The Antlers, Young the Giant, Iron & Wine, and Cut Copy to see My Morning Jacket as the stage’s headliner.  The Antlers were alright, while Young the Giant was surprisingly entertaining— despite the cold downpour for the majority of their set.  Iron & Wine was okay, but I was really distracted with the whole Christian Bale thing happening in the background.  I loved Cut Copy, there was lots of dancing but also ear plugging.  Their bass was too loud compared to the previous acts. And then there was My Morning Jacket…who I now have a new found love for.

Sunday

Okay, so the whole point of Sunday was Arcade Fire.  I did not care about anything else.  I got to the park at exactly noon and bolted to the Budweiser stage, which was already getting crowded with people who had the same idea.  I also heard from someone sitting near me that when the doors opened at 11 AM, people ran to the Budweiser stage and that when they were running staffers working the food and drink booths were cheering them on yelling “RUN! RUN! RUN!”  This is all while someone got on sound and starting blaring the Star Wars theme.  I’m going to assume this story is true because it’s hilarious.  ANYWAYS, I sat through:

Graffiti6 (unknown band from England)

The Airborne Toxic Event (who covered both Springsteen and The Clash)

Broken Social Scene (who covered Modest Mouse)

and finally,

Fleet Foxes (who I couldn’t pay much attention to because I was too excited for Arcade Fire)

Then Arcade Fire comes on, and it was beautiful. Again, they mainly stuck to the same songs that they’ve been playing throughout the entire Suburbs’ tour— with the exception of “Speaking in Tongues.” I loved every moment being in the front row for that show, I can’t even explain.  (I was stage left in front of Sara and RRP.) Oh, and then Jack Black walked by after Arcade Fire left the stage.  I touched his shoulder.  His eyebrows are just as crazy in real life as they are in the movies.

you guys,

I touched Jack Black’s shoulder.

Also, Arcade Fire is beautiful.