Best Acts
Disclosure
My favorite dynamic duo did not disappoint. This was one act I was most looking forward to and they delivered the BEST performance of the weekend. Their lights and visuals were amazing and looked great along their music. They played a good combination of their first album along with their newest and I would call you crazy if you didn't fall in love with it. They brought out Lion Babe and performed their latest single "Hourglass" which was beautifully put on. I could and did go on and on about this show all weekend, one of the best shows I've ever seen at ACL.
The Weeknd
The Weeknd came and he delivered an awesome performance. Even though his headlining spot only was an hour long, he gave an incredible performance and had the crowd singing along with every song, myself included. He played all his hit radio singles as well as his new album music and songs from the popular Trilogy album. He was better than I would have ever expected and would even go to say he's probably the next Michael Jackson, without the dancing and way more vulgar lyrics. I'm not a big R&B fan, but I'm definitely a fan-girl for The Weeknd.
Run The Jewels
Run The Jewels has been an act that I've been dying to see. They've been mentioned in many blogs and music news articles as a must-see performance and one of the best acts at festivals; and let me tell you, they were not wrong. Never have I been to a rap show that could hype up a crowd of the masses quite like EL-P and Killer Mike. They really got the crowd going and made me wish that I was deep in the crowd ( I'm a back of the show kind of girl, I hate standing next to sweaty people in 94 degrees). Out of all the rap acts I've seen, not many can top Run The Jewels. Even in their solid black attire, with the sun setting right on them, they put on one of the greatest performances. Props to them, I could barely dance the entire time without dying of a heat stroke.
Worst Acts
Drake
Man... I was so disappointed by this one. I love Drake and was so excited to finally see him. I had warnings from other friends who had seen him at Weekend 1 or Coachella that he was boring, of course I didn't listen because I like to form my own opinions. Unfortunately, they were right. He opened with some weaker songs and anytime he played a hit, it was never the full song. I was not having fun and was actually getting frustrated. We left to go see Deadmau5 where I saw the same set he put on at Bonnaroo, and still had a better time than at Drake. After Deadmau5 ended, we went back to Drake to see that he had brought out J.Cole, still wasn't impressed. Finally, he started playing his heavier hitting songs, but by that point we left because we were so over it. Overall, really upset about his show. Lesson learned, I'm going to listen to my peers experiences.
I love Leon Bridges, he brings that old school 50's R&B sound and he's got a smooth voice and is one talented guy. Too bad his stage performance was boring. Due to the sound of his music, it's mellow and easy going and hard to enjoy in 94 degree weather. I ended up laying down and falling asleep at his show because it was just so boring. You can have a great voice and great music, but stage presence has a huge impact on getting the crowd to like you and Leon Bridges lost me
Halsey
This was an artist I decided to check out. I've only heard her name but never listened to her music. I have found so many new artists this way and usually am never disappointed, but Halsey was not that great. I don't if it was because the screaming high school girls all around me or Halsey's attitude that she was better than everyone on the stage, but she didn't have me sold. Her opening song was amazing but the rest was pretty mediocre. I honestly blame her fans for my terrible experience at this show.
ACL is a great festival filled with great people of all ages, great music, and priceless memories. I can't wait to go back and see what I get myself into!
-Blaze
