Just finished the last day of the Austin City Limits music festival for 2005. Here were my highlights:

Tortoise completely blew me away. I had seen them about 4 years ago, and remember really liking it, but this was incredible. I knew I would like the show, but assumed it wouldn’t be the best of the festival. By the second song I knew I had been wrong. I watched Johnny Herndon (one of the drummers) a lot and I’ve never seen a more incredible show by a drummer. Wow. They played mostly their up-beat songs, and did them very intensely, which worked well on the diverse crowd.

Arcade Fire suprised me. I had heard they put on an excellent live show, but this went beyond my expectations.

Death Cab for Cutie put on an excellent show. They were my favourite band at the festival but I’ve seen them many times before so I can’t say I was suprised by anything. I don’t mean to downplay it, it was an amazing show.

Thievery Corporation suprised me as well. Went to see them on a friends recommendation and I will have to pick up some of their albums now.

Bloc Party is a new band to me that put on a great show. I will have to pick up their albums too.