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Before I start this blog, let me make this clear: I love Austin and I love Austin City Limits Music Festival. If I get to live in this city for the rest of my life and go to ACL every year, I will be beyond happy.  Having said that, God help me, I want to be in Chicago right now.

I bought my 3-day pass to ACL way back in November, long before the lineup was announced. When the list was finally posted in May, I got really excited. How could I not? The National? Grace Potter and the Nocturnals? Broken Bells? Awesome, awesome and awesome. Then I made the mistake of checking out Lollapalooza’s lineup. ACL, I love you and can’t wait for you to come, but Lolla puts you to shame. I don’t really have the means or the time to attend Lolla this year; I’m too busy visiting snowball stands and writing blogs here at Sweet Leaf. Therefore I’m going to have to be a little sad this coming August 6^th, 7^th and 8^th.

However there is something you, the reader and Lolla attendee, can do to help. While at Lolla, go to the shows that I’m most sad about missing, and while you’re there, focus really hard. Maybe all the fun and awesomeness you’re experiencing will somehow travel to me all the way in Austin, Texas. Vicarious experiences are better than no experiences at all.

So if you’re nice enough and valiant enough to help me out in this endeavor, here are the bands you need to see:

Deer Tick- I’m not usually a big country fan, but these guys are amazing. Try listening to “Smith Hill” without getting chills down your spine when the chorus starts. Lead singer John McCauley is an incredible songwriter and a really engaging personality. Definitely a must-see.

Erykah Badu-I saw Erykah at ACL two years ago and she blew the roof off. She was really pregnant and opted out of the costume theme that her band had, wearing instead a smiley face t-shirt and sweat pants, but she still had more energy than almost anyone at that entire festival. She is the essence of cool, and if you’re not familiar with her music, go for her hair alone. She can pull of some ‘dos that no one else would even try.

Mumford & Sons- Sigh No More, Mumford & Sons’ debut album is probably my favorite album of the year so far. They take folk rock to the extreme and create gorgeous soaring melodies. I dare you to find someone who can pack as much emotion into a song as Marcus Mumford does in “I Gave You All.” The pain I feel for not being able to see them is almost equal to the pain the band puts in their lyrics (“Weep for yourself, my man, you’ll never be what is in your heart.” Ouch).

Lady Gaga- Why? I think the better question is why not? I can’t say I’m the biggest fan of her songs. “Alejandro” is pretty catchy, but I’m not that big on any of her others. Nonetheless, it’s impossible for that show to be anything but crazy. She’s such a strange person and she comes up with the weirdest stuff (did you see her Kermit the Frog dress?). You will definitely walk away from that concert with some stories to tell.

Arcade Fire- This band is at the top of my list. I wasn’t able to make it to ACL three years ago when they performed, and still regret it. I have never heard from anyone—friend, acquaintance or critic—that did not recognize Arcade Fire’s live performance as amazing. I’ve heard the words “religious experience” more than once. They put so much into every song and their sound is always unique. This is certainly a performance that you can’t miss.

So those are the highlights. When you’re at Lollapalooza early next month, make sure you go to those shows and while you’re there, send those psychic vibes my way. I’ll do the same for you when ACL comes around.

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