If you haven’t gotten K’NAAN’s infectious “Wavin’ Flag” stuck in your head yet, you will soon. When the World Cup begins in June, the song will be played on TV and online broadcasts, commercials, and at all FIFA matches and events. K’NAAN recorded a new, remixed version of the song for the World Cup, which you can see here. Kudos to FIFA for making such a great song selection! K’NAAN is a super nice guy who deserves success on this level, and we couldn’t be happier for him!
It’s that time again…we’re starting to generate our upcoming season’s talent wishlist. Who would you like to see on ACL this year? Our rough guidelines: needs to be an artist/band who is touring nationally or has a VERY strong regional following; has music distributed nationally (other than just digitally - i.e. we can go to a music store and purchase a CD); and should be someone who has a new record coming out and/or is touring in 2010. There should be some amount of buzz and media coverage around the band if they are up-and-coming; of course we are always looking for established legacy artists as well. Also, we try not to repeat acts we’ve already had on the show for 3-4 years.
ACL Associate Producer Leslie Nichols has been taking suggestions from her Twitter followers; here’s a list of what they’ve come up with so far. Chime in with your own suggestions! And, if you aren’t already, be sure to follow Leslie on Twitter at @TheOtherLeslie - she live tweets taping days and always has the best inside scoop on ACL.
Adam Taylor
Alice in Chains
Amos Lee
Ani Difranco
Aretha Franklin
Band of Horses
Beach House
Beastie Boys
Beirut
Belle & Sebastian
Ben Gibbard
Big Smith
Blur
Bob Mould with special guests Richard Thompson, Jeff Tweedy & Ron Sexsmith
In an episode that says as much about AUSTIN CITY LIMITS as any previously recorded episode in the show’s 35-year history, ACL is proud to premiere its first all hip-hop show. The January 16 episode pairs rising Somali-Canadian rapper K’NAAN with the accomplished, renowned Mos Def for an hour of provocative, cutting-edge music.
“On the same day that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum declared ACL a ‘historic rock and roll landmark,’ we made history once again when we recorded our first-ever ACL hip hop show,” said show producer Terry Lickona of the October 1 taping. “I was surprised that both K’NAAN and Mos Def were very familiar with ACL’s history, and honored to be the first true rappers to perform on our stage (Mos admitted to having ‘a little butterflies’). No matter the genre, their music comes from the heart and connects with the heart. K’NAAN is on the verge of stardom, and Mos is already a legend. Whether you’re a fan or not, their music is universal and irresistible.”
Mos Def
Delivering a set that was as moving as it was entertaining, K’NAAN wowed the audience on hand. The young rapper delivered his “richly detailed rhymes” (Entertainment Weekly) with the grace of a seasoned ACL veteran, not the ACL novice he actually was. Mos Def reminded the audience of what an accomplished artist he is from the moment he stepped on stage. Accompanied by two DJ’s, he filled the room with his talent and exuberance performing songs from his recently acclaimed solo album The Ecstatic and more.
What do you think of ACL’s foray into hip hop? It certainly speaks to the continued diversification of Austin City Limits. More on that to come soon!
Some of the musicians featured in Music in the Kitchen got together for a delightful meal made from recipes they contributed to the book! To purchase Music in the Kitchen, click here.
Check out #2 on this end-of-decade list from Austin 360, the website affiliated with our local daily.
Of course, not everyone agress with Patrick Caldwell’s assertion that ACL’s musical expansion is a good thing, as some of our fans remind us. Most of you seem happy with it, and we certainly are. Sound off below and let us know what you think!
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