Maybe it's because ACL Festival is a month earlier this year than it was last year but I feel like it's really sneaking up on me. I have so many preview posts to write and only a couple of weeks to publish them. If you have been keeping up with this site then you already know I'm a fan of Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr. Sure they have either the best or worst band name in indie-rock, depending on who you ask, but if you focus on the tunes themselves, there's nothing to complain about.
Their album is called In a Corporate World and it's out now on Warner Bros. records, making the title seem, somewhat, tongue-in-cheek. Trust me, after seeing their live-set on Emo's inside stage I can assure you these guys have their tongues firmly planted in their cheeks (so to speak). Their live performance is filled with gimmicks, which for Emo's inside seemed a bit excessive but for ACL Fest it should be perfect. They perform in NASCAR suits, they have a bubble machine, there are giant lit-up letters on the stage and then there are the great pop-tunes. If you're a fan of jangly rhythms, brain-tattooing melodies, simply harmonies and tight song structures then you should enjoy Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr - Nothing But Our Love video via YouTube
If you plan to attend ACL Fest make sure you arrive by 1pm Sunday because Dale Jr Jr is playing the Honda stage at 1:30pm. If you DON'T have tickets to the festival, you're in luck because there are STILL single-day passes available for Sunday. Sunday has a lot of great artists, including a festival-closing performance from, Album of Year winners, Arcade Fire. Maybe you've heard of them?
Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr - Morning Thought video via YouTube
Also, I almost didn't mention this since it's sold-out but I didn't want you to think I didn't know that Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr are ALSO scheduled to play an official ACL aftershow at Lambert's. For those of you lucky enough to have purchased tickets, you're in for a great, intimate show in a fantastic, under-appreciated venue.
