The crowd was buzzing as I walked into Antone’s last night. Six bands were left standing from more than 700 entrants in this year’s Dell Sound and the Jury contest. After weeks of voting, fans and celebrity judges had finally narrowed down the selection to the six … however, there could be only one winner.
After great early performances in the evening from bands such as Quiet Company, 60 Tigres and T-Bird & the Breaks, the final act from Austin’s own The Steps brought the house down.
With plenty of supportive fans on hand, The Steps took the stage and electrified the audience. Battling and playing through technical difficulties during their set, The Steps proved they had the talent and presence to handle the pressure and still kill it on stage.
The Steps (Photo by Marleigh Jones)
With the win, Will Thompson (vocals and guitar), Sam Thompson (lead guitar), Stephen Ross (bass) and Z Lynch (drums) have earned the right to take the Dell Stage front and center for this weekend’s Austin City Limits music festival. Congratulations!
The Steps will be first on the Dell ACL Stage for Friday. For the rest of the stage lineup, please refer to the following list:
Friday, Sept. 26
11:45 a.m. — The Steps
1:30 p.m. — Yeasayer
3:30 p.m. — Jamie Lidell
5:30 p.m. — Slightly Stoopid
7:30 p.m. — G. Love & Special Sauce
Saturday, Sept. 27
11:45 a.m. — Langhorne Slim
1:30 p.m. — José González
3:30 p.m. — Man Man
5:30 p.m. — Spiritualized
7:30 p.m. — Iron & Wine
Sunday, Sept. 28
11:45 a.m. — AA Bondy
1:30 p.m. — Octopus Project
3:30 p.m. — Against Me!
5:30 p.m. — Blues Traveler
7:30 p.m. — Band of Horses
The Dell Dome will also be a hub of activity during the festival. Take a look at what the Austin American-Statesman had to say earlier today in its piece headlined “Inside the Dell Dome: music, mirth and ping-pong.”
Which act are you most excited to see during the festival?
September 25th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Our group of 7 is planning to camp between the Dell and AT&T Stages as most of the bands we want to see are at one of those venues. After 6 years, we have decided this is the most efficient way to visit the festival. You miss a lot of music when you move a lot. Can’t wait to see Gogol Bordello!
September 26th, 2008 at 8:33 am
@Deborah:
6 years wow.. you are certainly a veteran. I’m looking forward to seeing Gogol Bordello as well, they really know how to put on a great show!
Thanks for the comment.
Chris
September 26th, 2008 at 11:06 am
@Deborah-
Gogol Bordello is playing?????
WOW! I wish I could make it!