You’ve heard the saying, “Everything’s bigger in Texas.” It’s true. The boots. The hair. The belt buckles. The conservative population. The beer bellies. And, no exception, the music festivals.
Rising to the Texas occasion is yet another new music fest in the Lone Star State, Fort Worth’s Clearfork Music Festival, which is set to make a dynamic second run next Saturday, August 30. After last year’s successful, albeit more quaint debut, the event is back and resoundingly bigger in 2014 with appearances from popular Austin-based acts like Bright Light Social Hour, The Black Angels, and Wild Child, as well as local favorites and up-and-comers Burning Hotels and Larry G(ee), all taking place alongside the Trinity River in the heart of downtown Fort Worth. A new location and a larger, not to mention pretty impressive lineup—that’s what you call beating the sophomore slump, folks.
While last year’s festival hosted acts almost entirely from the 817, highlights of this year’s lineup include headliners Bright Light Social Hour and The Black Angels, two Austin-bred psychedelic rock bands recently making waves with their quirky, innovative takes on rock n’ roll. Both have spent recent years touring nationally, on stages as large as Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits, promising a fine-tuned set and a super-charged show.
Quite on another end of the musical spectrum, also set to perform is Wild Child, another top act in ATX also turning some pretty important heads lately. The “indie powerhouse” has been hailed Best Indie and Best Folk Band at the Austin Music Awards, and has been acclaimed by NPR, Paste magazine and Daytrotter, among others.
The sextet is known for masterfully melding an eclectic collection of instrumentals—violin, cello, piano, bass, ukulele, cello, banjo, and horns—to produce a cross-genre sound uniquely their own. Combined with lead singer Kelsey Wilson’s sultry, vintage-inspired vocals, it’s called music to the ears, in my book.
Despite Clearfork Fest’s overwhelmingly Austinite lineup, not to be overlooked, however, are Dallas-Fort Worth’s own gems as well. The festival boasts electro-pop band Burning Hotels—whose synth-heavy, “sex wave” sound may just turn you on—and Larry G(ee), a modern soulman with an effortless, retro-tinged cool and funk beyond his years, plus several other local and regional acts worth checking out.
That said, watch out, Austin. The Fort Worth music scene might just give you a run for your money—and your talent.
So hey, Fort Worth—bring your floaties and your blankets, pocket your beer change, and dab on some sunscreen while you’re at it, ’cause Clearfork Fest 2014 promises the good tunes and good vibes needed to get your Labor Day weekend off to a great start.
