#ACLFRIDAY

 

FLying Lotus

As the sun set, Steven Ellison set fire to the Samsung stage. Ellison, known by his stage name Flying Lotus, performed an experimental multi-genre amalgamation of sound, effortlessly combining hip-hop, EDM, pop and rock to start the night off right. Later on, Flying Lotus donned his “rap alter ego” Captain Murphey and proceeded to lay down several tracks from his 2012 self-headed rap side project Duality.

When he isn’t on tour at shows like Austin City Limits, Flying Lotus produces songs for artists such as Mac Miller and Kendrick Lamar in addition to recording episodes of “Why?” with Hannibal Buress as the in-studio disc jockey.

 

Major Laser

As Diplo, Jillionare and Walshy Fire took to the Honda stage, a hush grew over the crowd. After a pause, a low tempo beat began to build as the trio started inciting a chant in the crown, “When I say Major, you say Laser!”

“Major”

“Laser”

“Major”

“Laser”

“And when the beat bump, you jump!”

Moments later, the highly energetic crowd was being hit with waves of reggae, house, dancehall and moombahton music. Accompanying their performance was a spectacular fire and laser show, as well as several alternating background visuals that seemed to aid in the hypnotic trance created by the groups sounds.

 

#ACLSATURDAY

 

Cage The Elephant

Having dominated the radio in both the U.S. and UK for nearly a decade, alternative blues rock group Cage The Elephant has made a name for themselves by being true rock stars. The group boasts catchy songs the audience can sing along to, high energy on stage antics and charisma so thick you could cut it with a knife. The onstage chemistry shown by brothers Matthew Shultz (vocals) and Brad Shultz (lead guitar) was akin to watching “The Blues Brothers”, while drummer Jared Champion and bassist Daniel Tichenor kept pace, occasionally breaking into a solo that showcased just how deep the talent runs in these four rockers. They performed hits such as “Trouble”, “Come a Little Closer”, “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked” and “Punchin’ Bag”, all of which were echoed by the audience.

 

Kendrick Lamar

The 29-year-old Compton-based rapper and self-proclaimed revolutionary Kendrick Lamar shook the Samsung stage Saturday night as a sea of people bobbed and rocked to his high-power performance. Having performed at ACL in 2015, Lamar knew how energetic and eager his audience would be at hearing he was headlining, and he did not disappoint. Kendrick rapped hits such as “MAAD City”, “Alright” and “King Kunta” before bringing out fellow Black Hippy member Schoolboy Q to perform “That Part” and “Collard Greens”.