Category: Episode Recap

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Encore Broadcast Episode Recap News

ACL Encore: Sonic Youth & the Black Keys

This weekend Austin City Limits presents one of our most electrifying encore episodes featuring Sonic Youth and the Black Keys.

After sixteen studio albums and receiving critical acclaim in both the indie and mainstream worlds over the course of more than a quarter century, Sonic Youth really needs no introduction. With songs almost predominantly from the most recent album, The Eternal, Sonic Youth take no prisoners in this episode taped in 2010.

Watch Sonic Youth “No Way” (Preview) on PBS. See more from Austin City Limits.

Although not sharing in the same expansive catalog (yet), the Black Keys — with seven studio albums under their belts — are most certainly on their way to the same immortality. After garnering much attention from their 2010 album, Brothers, The Black Keys play most of the hits off this record, with a few older tunes mixed in.

Watch The Black Keys “Tighten Up” on PBS. See more from Austin City Limits.

While differing in genres and style, both Sonic Youth and the Black Keys have redefined the traditional sound of the guitar and have earned special places in rock history. Be sure to check your local listings for showtimes to see this special episode and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr to keep up with updates on tapings and airings!

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Episode Recap Featured News

Coldplay takes ACL to Paradise

This weekend we are excited to present a special episode featuring Coldplay.  Recorded last September, the performance features the band debuting several new songs off their latest release Mylo Xyloto, including “Paradise,” “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” and “Hurts Like Heaven,” as well as old favorites like  “Viva La Vida.”

MTV News called it a special night “when a band with a major arsenal finds a way to take its giant energy and squeeze it down into a much smaller space, without losing any of their arena-packing magic.”

Originally presented as a New Year’s Eve special to ring in 2012, the Coldplay show was a milestone for Austin City Limits. Coldplay gave us an extra-special performance, and we’re thrilled to bring it back this spring.

Coldplay performs on Austin City Limits

You can see for yourself this Saturday – check your local listings for the time your PBS station will broadcast this awesome episode. You can also go here for biographical info, pictures and the setlist. Don’t forget to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr pages and to sign up for our newsletter for more ACL TV sweet stuff. Next week: a guitar-saturated encore episode with Sonic Youth and the Black Keys.

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Encore Broadcast Episode Recap News

This weekend: Cheap Trick

It’s one thing to be a band that is cited to be a heavy influence for both rock and alt rock bands alike during the late 80s and early 90s such as Guns N’ Roses, Pearl Jam, Weezer, Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins, and countless others. It’s an entirely different argument to continue to be a relevant band that still tours (39 years and counting) while simultaneously being one of the most covered bands all time. Hits such as “I Want You to Want Me” and “Surrender” have been featured on many commercials and soundtracks and played countless times, yet every time we hear Robin Zander sing out some of the most recognized song lyrics of our time, we can’t help but stop and give it our full attention.

Cheap Trick could have easily slid into the land where bands go to retire and after a stagnant period of time (and with the right monetary offer) return for a reunion tour, but that has never been an option for this group. They simply don’t see the need to quit. Rick Nielsen once likened their music to a coffee table book in the way that it seems to have an immediate impact for each person who comes in contact with it. Every album they have adds to the diversity of this “book” in a way that can connect with many different types of people on several levels. This couldn’t have developed had they quit years ago and it’s a process that gets better with time.

Speaking of time, it seems to have barely touched their live performance. You won’t see four aging men playing stale hits when you tune in to this Saturday’s encore episode. Whether it’s Tom Petersson rocking out on a 12-string bass with a bedazzled peacock adorning the body or Nielsen throwing out at least 100 picks into the audience all while dancing in front of black and white checkered amps, the group made sure to put a dent on their Austin City Limits debut in 2010.

Be sure to check your local listings for show times and you can find more clips and information about their taping here. This is an encore episode you won’t want to miss.

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Episode Recap News

Season 37, Episode 12: Wilco

“When people ask what kind of music Austin City Limits stands for,” executive producer Terry Lickona says, “ there’s one band that sums it up better than any other – Wilco!” Airing this Saturday, February 4, our fourth episode featuring this veteran modern rock band shows exactly why ACL holds Jeff Tweedy and company in such high esteem. Concentrating on its latest release The Whole Love, the Chicago sextet puts such stellar tracks as “Art of Almost,” “Open Mind” and “Dawned On Me” through their paces with near-perfect poise. It’s not all the new album, of course, as the band also drops a few deep cuts like “Bull Black Nova” and “War On War” into the set. And as the icing on an already delicious cake, Wilco tourmate Nick Lowe drops by with his classic “Cruel to Be Kind,” backed by the boys themselves.

Wilco at ACL: Behind the Scenes “War On War” from Jonathan Jackson on Vimeo.

Tune in this Saturday, Feb. 4, to catch all the Wilco action for yourself. Hit the episode page for more info, and your local listings for exact airtimes. Keep up with your favorite music television show on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr pages, and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter. Next week: an encore episode featuring the one and only Jimmy Cliff.

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Episode Recap

Season 37, Episode 11: Florence + the Machine & Lykke Li

Austin City Limits made its name by showcasing the best American music, but, as you’ve no doubt noticed, over the past several years we’ve hardly limited ourselves to North American borders. This Saturday, 1/28, you can see some of the best music coming out of Europe, as we present Florence + the Machine and Lykke Li.

Exploding out of the U.K., Florence + the Machine brought their unique vision of rock – incorporating everything from gutsy vocals to ethereal harp to raging guitars – to our stage for a packed afternoon show. Twin anthems “Dog Days Are Over” and “What the Water Gave to Me” raised the roof as Florence Welch twirled across the stage like a beat-besotted ballerina. Florence fans already know the score – it’s time for newbies to check out this musical force of nature.

Florence + The Machine “The Dog Days are Over” from Austin City Limits on Vimeo.

Lykke Li’s music is more difficult to pin down, but that makes her work all the more enticing. The Swedish chanteuse (ACL’s first Scandinavian artist) deftly mixes elements of girl group pop, steamy soul and stately torch song for an otherworldly sound all her own. “Get Some,” “I Follow Rivers” and the gorgeous, instantly memorable “Sadness is a Blessing” highlight this heavenly half-hour – tune in to hear Lykke Li’s distinctive sonic signature for yourself.

Lykke Li “Sadness is a Blessing” from Austin City Limits on Vimeo.

It’s a night of refreshingly unique indie rock on ACL this Saturday 1/28 – check the episode page  for more goodies, and your local listings for exact airtimes. Keep up with ACL on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr pages.  Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter for even more info on your favorite show. Next week: the return of the one and only Wilco.

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Episode Recap

ACL Season 37, Episode 10: Fleet Foxes & Joanna Newsom

Folk music has long been a staple of Austin City Limits. That said, to call either Fleet Foxes or Joanna Newsom simply “folk” is to do them a disservice. As you’ll see when these iconoclasts’ joint episode airs on Saturday, January 20th, there’s much more to these artists than just acoustic instruments.

The first half of this weekend’s episode spotlights the strong songcraft and delicate instrumental interplay of Fleet Foxes. The Seattle sextet interweaves lush vocal harmonies and arrangements that feature everything from 12-string guitar to mandolin to bass clarinet. The band emphasizes its latest record Helplessness Blues, with inspired performances of “Sim Sala Bim” and “The Shrine/An Argument.” But the Foxes’ popular first LP represents with “Your Protector” and the fan-favorite “Blue Ridge Mountains.” It’s a tight set that proves Fleet Foxes has earned their acclaim.

Fleet Foxes “Helplessness Blues” from Austin City Limits on Vimeo.

The second half showcases the daring experimentalism and uncommon musicality of Joanna Newsom. Wielding her harp like a paintbrush and singing like a delirious angel, Newsom leads her unique ensemble (strings, trombone, tamboura, kaval, banjo) through a set drawn mostly from her latest album Have One On Me, including the title track and the mesmerizing “Good Intentions Paving Company.” While you could throw words like “psychedelic” and “folk” and “classical” around when talking about Joanna Newsom, it’s better to simply experience her special sound and vision for yourself.

Joanna Newsom “Bridges and Balloons” from Austin City Limits on Vimeo.

The Fleet Foxes/Joanna Newsom show hits the airwaves this Saturday, January 20 – check your local PBS listings for showtimes. Head over to the episode page for more goodies – pics, setlists, bio info. Don’t forget to check out our Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr pages regularly, or to sign up for our e-newsletter. Next week: Florence + the Machine and Lykke Li!