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ACL scene report
If there are going to be major problems at the ACL Festival this year, they haven’t reared themselves yet. Unlike last year, when a fire erupted just a few hours into the first day, the festival’s kickoff has been smooth and, well, festive. Perhaps seeking escape from the week’s relentless financial and political roller coasters, festival-goers were ready for a good time.
By 2 p.m. the grounds were already packed as people rushed out of work to make the most of near-perfect festival weather. Breezes whipped through the crowd just at the right time during exuberant sets by What Made Milwaukee Famous, Vampire Weekend, Jamie Lidell and Gogol Bordello.
Food lines have moved quickly so far, with people packing the picnic tables and filling up the nearby WaMu Stage (aka the “FDIC Stage”), the only one at the festival covered by a tent. In fact, it was the hottest place at the festival late Friday afternoon as a swell of people crammed into the tent for Portland, Ore., troubador M. Ward and stayed for Jenny Lewis, lead singer of Rilo Kiley. No one seemed to let the financial troubles afflicting the stage’s sponsor, Washington Mutual, affect their mood.
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