By Kalena Reynolds | Editor-in-Chief, Sophia Monson | Opinion Editor, Arden Berry | Arts & Life Editor
The third day of Austin City Limits was as hot and dusty as ever, but the refreshing beats we heard throughout the day kept us cool.
Joshua Jensen
Despite some technical difficulties, Joshua Jensen offered a pleasing pop-folk blend. In each song, the backing vocals almost cascaded across Jensen’s main vocals.
Jensen currently has two songs out, “Hoping” and “People Were Singing,” and he sang both. The folky jams both elicited audience participation with clapping and singing along. Jensen also demonstrated an impressive range of skills throughout his set by singing, playing guitar and going crazy on the keyboard.
Jensen also brought out his three sisters to sing “Cold Water” by Bob Nolan, which was a heartwarming moment. The sisters’ high harmonies created a cool contrast with Jensen’s melody.
Though his discography is currently limited, Jensen is one to look out for for folk-pop fans.
Saint Motel
Lead vocalist A. J. Jackson came out in a cowboy hat and red western jacket. The set garnered a crowd of fans that grooved along to the dance-worthy music as workers in the front sprayed water to help the crowd through the afternoon sun beating down.
Jackson’s vocals were great, but the trumpets and saxophones included in the set stood out and rang out across the gathered crowd.
The two audience favorites were “Cold Cold Man” and “My Type.” For “My Type,” Jackson made his way out to the audience as he held his microphone out toward fans to sing along to the iconic chorus.
While the set was not anything crazy, it was a nice return to early 2010s beats and a great opportunity to dance.
Geese
Geese’s set started off slow, then took off about halfway through.
The indie-rock group’s start was a bit plain. The band members lacked movement. However, once they really got going in the direction of rock, the set became much more dynamic. The only thing missing was flashing lights, but the timing of the set before the sunset might have rendered any lights used ineffective.
Overall, as a live rock band, Geese was great.
Blood Orange
It’s safe to say, Blood Orange packed the BeatBox stage’s dusty lawn. From barricade to nosebleeds, fans were pressed close to dance along to the group’s alternative R&B tunes.
Disappointingly, the sound engineering left much to be desired. The bass was cranked so loudly it was difficult to make out any other part of the songs. While we all can appreciate a heavy baseline, it’s usually best enjoyed with the rest of the band in accompaniment.
The War on Drugs
After struggling to hear Blood Orange through a packed crowd, we made our way over to the Snapchat Stage for indie rock band The War on Drugs. The band offered music that simultaneously rocked hard and was easy to listen to.
The War on Drugs released their first song since 2022 titled “Who’s That” on Sept. 9. The song sounds like a classic 80s rock song, and lead singer Adam Granduciel has the perfect voice for the genre.
Whether live or on a playlist, The War on Drugs is a solid group with the kind of beats that make you want to lie down and stare at the sky while you contemplate life.
The xx
After two days of nonstop dancing, The xx was the perfect way to close out the dust-filled weekend in Austin. Romy Madley Croft, the dual-vocalist for The xx, rocked her signature sleek bob with her grunge-chic style for the headlining spot on the T-Mobile stage.
The set opened with “Crystalised.” Fog filled the stage, creating a glowing haze around Croft and her co-vocalist Oliver Sim. Immediately, the band’s ultra-curated instrumentation injected a wave of nostalgia throughout the crowd.
Festival-goers swayed in unison as dreamy, melodic guitar and independent bass lines crafted a surreal experience for the audience.
The xx’s minimalist sound but maximally emotional tone overtook the crowd, leaving a feeling of bittersweet nostalgia for the conclusion of the festival.
