This year's mud-filled Austin City Limits 2009 rocked the face off 100,000 Zilker park wanderers with a lineup that turned the grounds into a pit of progression.
And who said it never rains in Texas? Then what was that on ACL day two for eight hours straight?
Wet conditions aside, it was a triumphant introduction to many new bands and sounds. One of the biggest pushes came courtesy of the Sound & Jury competition — an online and live performance battle of the bands that included five rounds. Winners the Bright Light Social Hour released a new song as a free download during each round.
But it was buzz bands like Phoenix and Passion Pit that got audiences really moving. At one one point during his group's set, Passion Pit frontman Michael Angelakos thanked the crowd for choosing them over the other seven stages offering music at the same time. That's what ACL was like.
Meanwhile, Phoenix's Thomas Mars sported a grin throughout his band's entire set, hopping into the audience for high-fives and hugs right before leaving the stage.
Veteran (and a wildly diverse group of) artists like the Dave Matthews Band, Kings of Leon and John Legend also delivered during the fest.
Who needs umbrellas when you've got all this great music? —Carissa Bowlin
