Austin City Limits Day 2: The Cure, Kings Of Leon, Haim REVIEW

The sun beared down strong – with the chance of showers – as punters entered Zilker Park in Austin, Texas for the second day of the sold out Austin City Limits Music Festival, on a night that was headlined by Kings of Leon and iconic UK outfit The Cure.

Crowds were slower to enter the festival than on day one, though early sets from bands like Parquet Courts, Mona and Deap Vally proved the festival’s second day to be one of the most jam packed. High profile clashes over the event’s eight stages included Portugal. the Man and Silversun Pickups, Grimes and The Joy Formidable as well as the two headlining artists.

Recent visitors to Australia, Haim continued their hyped world tour, and brought about one of the first big crowds of the day. Fellow Splendour attendees Little Green Cars also impressed, in what was their second American tour since their time in Australia. Meanwhile, Passion Pit had the festival singing and dancing along to tracks like “Sleepyhead” ahead of hip hop artist Kendrick Lamar and the headlining performances.

The well-established names weren’t the only buzzed about artists at the event, however, and at stages like the BMI stage and the Austin Ventures stage, both locals and visitors alike arrived in their droves to discover new talent or support their local up-and-comers. New Orleans artist Colin Lake made a considerable impact, as did the heavier sounds of Canada’s Reignwolf, who will reportedly be in Australia later this year. Local Austinites The Bright Light Social Hour performed to great appraise as the sun set and Justin Vernon’s The Shouting Matches were a celebrated lineup addition, in a project that reunites the singer, best known for his work with Bon Iver, with Phil Cook of Megafaun.

Performing an epic two hour set, The Cure were one of the most anticipated performances of the weekend and did not disappoint festival attendees with a hit filled set that included “Friday I’m in Love”, “Just Like Heaven”, “The Lovecats” and “Boys Don’t Cry” which closed out the night. The full setlist can be found below. Kings of Leon peformed simultaneously and had the crowd singing along to material new and old, with “The Bucket” and “Taper Girl Jean” being early highlights.

Thankfully the rain sayed at bay – though a cold wind blew in in it’s place as the sun set – and other highlights from the day included Wilco, Junip and Lissie. The festival finishes up tomorrow night with Thom Yorke’s Atoms For Peace set to deliver a two hour set and Lionel Richie a surprising choice to close things out, alongside an appearance by Australia’s Tame Impala. The festival repeats next weekend and will be live streamed. Check aclfestival.com for all the details and stay tuned to Noise 11 and the AU review for all the news, reviews, photo galleries and interviews from the event.

The Cure Setlist
Plainsong
Pictures of You
Lullaby
High
The End of the World
Lovesong
Just Like Heaven
From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea
Fascination Street
The Walk
Mint Car
Friday I’m in Love
Doing the Unstuck
Trust
Want
The Hungry Ghost
Wrong Number
One Hundred Years
Disintegration