September 24, 2005

Day 2

Day 2 started out rough when we found out that Kathleen Edwards had canceled. Not to complain (since the hurricane has inconvenienced so many people in so many serious ways), but three of the groups we wanted to see had to cancel. That happens.

Another impact of the hurricane (we suspect) is that the winds picked up. It is our 4th ACL and the first that was windy and gritty. I feel like I inhaled dirt today. And on top of that, the promised cooler weather just didn't materialize. We bailed a little early to recuperate and get ready for tomorrow. Tomorrow's venues include Wilco, Rachel Yamagata, Arcade Fire, Cold Play and a few others. Long day.

Today lacked the kind of musical magic that tends to moderate for the day. At least for me. Martin Sexton was good, and Robert Randolph (and the family band) were quite good. JT Van Zant (Townes' son) was good and we saw a few others that were fun.

But as the joke goes--the worst live music is probably better than work! :) Live music is amazing and that is why we keep coming. One other thought (as I try to put today in some kind of context) about the festival: the variety of people and good bands kind of makes you feel better about the world. The radio is filled with crap, and the famous musicians (I mean, "musicians") often suck. When popular country is dominated by Toby Keith and Kenney Chesney, and pop music is Ashley Simpson and others, how nice to see good singer-songwriters or bands that really play music. Robert Randolph--during one song--played the pedal steel, bass guitar, and drums. And all of them well. Extremely well. Wow!

Well, that is all for now. I hope everyone is well.

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