Plan your day with our critics' picks

JOE GROSS' PICKS

FRIDAY

Jones Family Singers (11:30 a.m. WaMu): Might as well start off your day with a benediction from this gospel group, whose performances are so well known for their wonder-working power, their placement here should be considered front loading. The only downside is that they may spoil you for the rest of the festival.

Lunch - It's chicken cone time! Or is it fish taco time?

Yeasayer (1:30 p.m. Dell): I'm going to try to catch at least part of this indie rock buzz band who made a huge impression at last year's South by Southwest. If I'm feeling it (or feel that their fake Talking Heads music is worth watching when the real thing is here) I'll stay, if not, I'll head over to ...

The Strange Boys (1:50 p.m. Austin Ventures): This garage rock band haunts Beerland with its striped T-shirted, Beatle-booted, straight-out-of-'66 bash-and-strum. I'm curious to see if the band can work a big stage the way they rock tiny ones.

Vampire Weekend (2:30 p.m. AMD): Speaking of buzz bands (and guys who probably really like David Byrne, for that matter), Vampire Weekend's Afro-pop-infused, white-shoe indie rock has managed to sell about 300,000 copies, an astonishing number for a debut independent album in a brutal economy.

Del tha Funky Homosapien (3:30 p.m. AT&T Blue Room): Since 1991's wonderful debut album "I Wish My Brother George Was Here," Del has carved out a singular place for himself in hip-hop, whether futzing with vintage funk, rapping with Gorillaz or running his own label. (I will likely split my time between this and British soulster Jamie Lidell at 3:30 p.m. on the Dell stage — may the best man win.)

Patty Griffin (4:30 p.m. AMD); Bobby Bare Jr.(4:40 p.m. BMI). I'm torn between the Austin homegirl and the rocker. Griffin is a songwriter's songwriter and her voice can find 40 different shades of heartbreak, but there's not much there that, you know, rawks. Bare Jr. does very much rock, blending country roots with indie rock guitars.

Dinner: You may be at Hot Chip (5:30 p.m. AT&T Blue Room) or Jenny Lewis(5:45 p.m. WaMu). I will be at a food stand. Or, rather, in line at a food stand.

David Byrne (6:30 p.m. AT&T): One of the belles of the ball, for my money. The former Talking Heads frontman goes back to the Afro-funk that made him (and, to a certain extent, producer Brian Eno, who is not at ACL) famous. Expect plenty of "Once in a Lifetime," "I Zimbra" and possibly very, very unfortunate dancing.

Antibalas (7:15 p.m. WaMu): Continue getting on the good foot with this Brooklyn-based Afrofunk troupe, who are far better than the phrase "Brooklyn-based Afrofunk troupe" should ever be. It's the closest thing to a concert by the Afrobeat inventor Fela Anikulapo Kuti that you have this weekend.

Alejandro Escovedo(7:45 p.m. Austin Ventures): One of Austin's favorite sons plays what we hope will be a triumphant set. His 2008 album "Real Animal" is his most rocking (and best received) in years and, in spite of numerous health problems, he's playing his most energetic shows in forever.

SATURDAY

Fleet Foxes (12:30 p.m. AMD): Beach Boys harmonies and ornate guitar figures have made these guys a soft rock buzz band. This sort of sun worship strikes me as an excellent way to start a Saturday.

Lunch:Food could go well with a set from Austin rap lifer Bavu Blakes(1:50 p.m. Austin Ventures), who promises to bring a full band and mix in rock and soul moves with his boom-bap hip-hop.

Sharon Jones (2:30 p.m. AMD): Speaking of funk, Sharon Jones and her Dap-Kings seem to have come straight out of Memphis '67: drum-head tight soul grooves played with the force of a moving train. It's physically impossible not to dance at her gigs.

CSS (3:30 p.m. AT&T Blue Room): Speaking of dancing, this Brazilian outfit blends disco's bounce, electro's crackle and rock's thud into an ecstatic, Portuguese-inflected mix. Sadly, their new album "Donkey" isn't the mind-blower that was their still-electrifying 2006 debut "Cansei de Ser Sexy," but word has it the new songs come alive on stage.

Black Joe Lewis (4 p.m., Austin Ventures): He still adores everything about James Brown, from the horn blasts to the stage moves, but he's also down with gnarly guitar sounds and garage punk's swagger. With an album coming out on Lost Highway next year, it's time to show and prove.

Erykah Badu (4:30 p.m. AT&T): Since about 1997, her eclectic musical urges have made her R&B's most idiosyncratic artist. After seeing her in "Before The Music Dies" and "Dave Chapelle's Block Party," I'm sure she's the funniest. Both of which means she wins.

Spiritualized(5:30 p.m. Dell): Jason Pierce has been harping on this God-as-narcotic-as-love trinity for nearly 20 years, and "Songs in A&E," his first album of new material in five years, is a gorgeous summation of everything he's learned from all three elements.

John Fogerty (6:30 p.m. AMD) For about 18 months from 1969 to 1970, Creedence Clearwater Revival was the world's greatest rock band. They remain one of the top 10, period. No amount of subpar solo material can ever change that. Nuff said.

Tough choices: Grab some dinner, then contemplatethe year's roughest patch of overlapping acts: Iron and Wine (7:30 p.m. Dell), Roky Erickson (7:45 p.m. Austin Ventures) and Robert Plant and Alison Krauss (8:15 p.m. AMD). Iron and Wine will be mellow and 30-something, Erickson is a retirement-age rocker, Plant (a year younger than Roky!) is likely to remain mellow and comfortable in his musical partnership with Krauss. Also, he's ROBERT FREAKIN' PLANT, making his best music in decades.

SUNDAY

You are tired by this point, so maybe you get there a little later in the day, just in time for the Kills (1:30 p.m. AT&T Blue Room) and their weird admixture of blues stomp, indie noise, garage raunch and more classic rock than their hipster fans let on.

Gillian Welch (2:30 p.m. AMD): Some folks seem to resent that she's not actually an Okie sharecropper from 1935, but her songs have a strange, almost gothic cast to them that resonates. Don't be surprised if Conor Oberst shows up during her set; they have been touring together on and off.

Against Me!(3:30 p.m. Dell): The closest thing to punk rock you're going to find at ACL, these anthemic Floridians aren't afraid of the acoustic guitar (their earlier records were as much folk as rock), but last year's "New Wave" was a total barn-burner.

Break:An hour-long break for lunch and possibly passing out. (You really begin to feel how shot your legs are around 4:30 p.m. Sunday.) Afterwards, a little Okkervil River (5:30 p.m. AT&T Blue Room) is in order. I've never been wild about Will Sheff's singing voice live, but I am interested in hearing the new songs performed in front of the sweaty Austin masses.

Another time split: Both the Raconteurs (6:30 p.m. AMD) and White Denim (6:30 p.m. Austin Ventures) are wicked good live bands. Jack White's garage-blues guitar dominates the Raconteurs' increasingly arena-ish hard rock, while I'm curious to see White Denim rock a festival crowd rather than the clubs where I usually see them.

Band of Horses (7:30 p.m., Dell): If, as Alec Baldwin noted, Tina Fey is our generation's Elaine May, does that make these guys our generation's Neil Young and Crazy Horse? Or are they merely this generation's Free or America?

Foo Fighters(8:30 p.m. AT&T): After the aesthetic debacle that was last year's Bob Dylan headlining slot, it will be thrilling to hear ACL rawked on its final night. Also, the Foos have said they're going on an extended hiatus after this, so enjoy them now.

MICHAEL CORCORAN'S PICKS

FRIDAY

The Jones Family Singers (11:30 a.m. WaMu): The Jones Family Singers get this whole thing started, lighting a Pentecostal bonfire of talent and exuberance. Warning: It'll make Friday morning feel like Sunday morning and you'll think you missed Plant/Krauss.

Rodney Crowell (12:30 p.m. AT&T): Crowell has managed to keep his career going strong by never letting up on the search for honesty. Or maybe he's just going, "Hey, Rosanne — how ya like me now?"

Vampire Weekend (2:30 p.m. AMD): Had to leave after a couple Vampire Weekend songs during SXSW and I really wished I could've stayed. Now I can. Oops, no I can't. Sunny Sweeney takes over the BMI stage at 2:40 p.m. and I need to catch her for future reference.

Gogol Bordello (4:30 p.m. AT&T): Gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello is an infamous live act, turning the big room at Emo's into an outside venue a few years back when they blew the roof off.

Jenny Lewis (5:45 p.m. WaMu): I somehow like Rilo Kiley and am interested in seeing and hearing what Jenny Lewis is up to. A cute girl with an old soul.

Ryan Bingham (6:40 p.m. BMI): The West Texas Tom Waits, Ryan Bingham is one of the best things to happen to country music in years. Love the BMI stage because you can usually just walk right up near the front.

Manu Chao (8:30 p.m. AT&T) Ending the night with Manu Chao, whose music is big enough to reach where I'll be standing.

SATURDAY

Mugison (11:45 a.m. AT&T Blue Room): The Icelandic one-man band is worth a listen.

Fleet Foxes (12:30 p.m. AMD): Got to see what all the buzz is about.

The Lee Boys(2 p.m. WaMu): Robert Randolph took sacred steel to the groove fields, but Florida's Lee Boys take it back to the gospel tent. This could be the sleeper set of the fest.

Longhorns vs. Razorbacks (2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.): You may have a schedule conflict at 2:30 between Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and Drive-By Truckers, but not me. University of Texas football rules all and the Shady Grove usually has a big screen out on the front lawn.

John Fogerty (6:30 p.m. AMD): John Fogerty. What better way to celebrate the trouncing of a hated rival than to hear "Fortunate Son," "Born On the Bayou," "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" and so many more by the guy who finally owns them again.

Beck (8:30 p.m. AT&T): I've never seen a great Beck set, but I'm always up for giving another chance.

SUNDAY

Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet with Bela Fleck (12:30 p.m. AT&T): Featuring the great violinist Casey Driessen and cello wiz Ben Sollee, this outfit makes dreamy music that challenges. Stage may be too big, though.

Octopus Project(1:30 p.m. Dell): Octopus Project has thrilled at Coachella, and now Austin's cutest indie pop instrumental dance band will mix it up hometown style. This is a cozier stage than most.

Mike Farris (2:30 p.m. WaMu): Recent Americana awards winner as emerging artist, the soulful Farris has Nashville buzzing. (He's also performing at a special Stubb's gospel brunch Saturday morning.)

Neko Case (4:30 p.m. AMD): I have a crush on Neko Case. Everyone does. It's not just her voice, so pristine and lived-in at the same time, but a commanding stage presence. Sorry, Neeksie; I've gotta leave you at 5:15 p.m. to catch the Heartless Bastards (Austin Ventures), whose songwriter Erika Wennerstrom sports a new kind of sultry artiness.

Okkervil River (5:30 p.m. AT&T Blue Room): No, I'm not stalking Okkervil River. It's just that I can't get enough of the songs of Will Sheff, a true rocker/poet.

Band of Horses(7:30 p.m. Dell): Band of Horses is that rare group that listens to tons of Neil Young without sounding like him. They could be this year's My Morning Jacket (who came out of nowhere to kill at ACL a few years ago).

Foo Fighters (8:30 p.m. AT&T): Last year's headliner Bob Dylan banned closeups on the Jumbotron; this year Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters demands that they're all of him. That doesn't really make sense. Nothing does the Sunday night of ACL. God, I just want to go home and watch "Yentl" again.

KATHY BLACKWELL's PICKS

FRIDAY

Get your bearings(Noon). Ease into the festival weekend by soaking it all in. Grab a bite to eat, buy a drink and walk around.

Vampire Weekend(2:30 p.m. AMD). Now that their buzz has faded a little, let's focus on the music, which is perfect for an outdoor festival. Their stiff SXSW delivery surely has softened by now.

M. Ward(4:30 p.m. WaMu). Welcome to your first hard choice of the fest. This timeslot is a doozy, especially for singer-songwriter fans, but rest assured that M. Ward will not let you down. The Portland troubadour, who's received a lot of press this year for his She and Him project with Zooey Deschanel, is simply captivating. Some of us still haven't recovered from his solo SXSW showcase.

Hot Chip(5:30 p.m. AT&T Blue Room). This is a good time to try some electronic pop. If the London group's set at Coachella is any indication, you'll stick around for the whole thing, despite who's next on your schedule.

N.E.R.D. (6:30 p.m. AMD). Let's hope you got tickets to see David Byrne at the Paramount, especially if your idea of a great fest set includes dancing in spite of your abilities. Pharrell's hip-hop/rock group couldn't be any more fest-friendly.

Alejandro Escovedo (7:45 p.m. Austin Ventures). Show some local love to the man behind one of this year's best albums, "Real Animal."

SATURDAY

Fleet Foxes (12:30 p.m. AMD). I came late to this Seattle quintet; thus I missed their SXSW and Mohawk gigs this year, but I'm ready to make up for it. Their harmony-soaked self-titled debut on SubPop is sublime.

The Fratellis (1:30 p.m. AT&T Blue Room). I've declared this my day to rock, so I'll get into the zone with the Fratellis. The Glasgow lads seem like great fun. If I think I've misjudged my day, I'll head toward the soothing guitar work of Jose Gonzalez, over on the Dell stage at the same time.

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings(2:30 p.m. AMD) Get ready to work yourself in a soul-revival frenzy. The ex-prison guard's debut record was released only six years ago, but it seems like we've known her forever. Let us move and be moved.

Black Joe Lewis and the Honey Bears (4 p.m. Austin Ventures). Keep the Sharon Jones vibe going and check out this Austin explosion of soul, sound and funk.

Wander around(5 p.m.). Eat, shop, stop by various stages to see what you're missing. Stake out a good spot for the Black Keys.

The Black Keys(7:30 p.m. AT&T Blue Room). It would be tough to find a more impressive live act on the lineup than this guitar/drum duo. They surprised a lot of people with their ACL set a few years ago ("There are only two of them?" "They're from Akron?!"), and they'll likely surprise some more this year.

SUNDAY

River City Christianettes (11:30 a.m. WaMu). Go and give thanks for what will be the loveliest of Sundays with four lovely women from that other River City, San Antonio. Expect traditional gospel music with a modern edge.

Belleville Outfit (12:40 p.m. BMI). Settle in for a delightful set from the Austin ensemble (via South Carolina and New Orleans). Expect Americana with some whimsical twists.

Gillian Welch(2:30 p.m. AMD). I am always entranced by Welch and guitarist David Rawlings. Their harmonies and lyrics transcend. It's been too long since we've had a full-length release from her, but no matter.

Neko Case(4:30 p.m. AMD). Proceed directly from one haunting, mesmerizing voice to another. Her followup to 2006's "Fox Confessor Brings The Flood" is expected some time next year. Maybe we'll get a taste of things to come.

Okkervil River(5:30 p.m. AT&T Blue Room) Sneak in one more Austin band, arguably the city's best. The indie group just released "The Stand Ins," which is sure to appear on year-end "best of" lists.

Band of Horses (7:30 p.m. Dell). Since forming in Seattle a few years ago, the band has relocated to South Carolina. As a native of that state — and as a music fan — I think it was a good move, indeed. "Cease to Begin" is simply gorgeous rock (even if it was recorded in the other Carolina).

THREE-BY-THREE

FRIDAY

M. Ward (4:30 p.m. WaMu): At SXSW the indie folkster shared the spotlight with She and Him partner Zooey Deschanel as well as My Morning Jacket's Jim James. Now he's got the stage to himself, which should be a treat.

SATURDAY

MGMT (5:30 p.m. AT&T Blue Room): Currently opening for Beck, this psych-pop duo's debut album "Oracular Spectacular" is among this year's best. "Electric Feel" will have you dancing like a fool.

SUNDAY

Okkervil River (5:30 p.m. AT&T Blue Room): These Austin-based troubadours keep getting better. Their latest, "The Stand Ins," adds to an already rich catalogue defined by exceptionally strong song-writing.

— Peter Mongillo

FRIDAY

Jakob Dylan and the Gold Mountain Rebels (2:30 p.m. AT&T): Taking a break from the Wallflowers has enabled Jakob Dylan to let some fresh oxygen into his songwriting and performing. "Seeing Things," his Rick Rubin-produced debut, stripped his music down to the chassis and laid the groundwork for what will undoubtedly be an ACL set of unanticipated rewards.

SATURDAY

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss (8:15 p.m. AMD): Unanticipated, audacious and wildly fulfilling. That, in a nutshell, describes the improbable team-up of the former Led Zep lemon-squeezer and the spun-crystal queen of acoustic music. Their 2007 collaboration, "Raising Sand," was a testament to the sheer transformative power of shared musical passions. The live set should offer every bit of that, and more.

SUNDAY

Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet with Bela Fleck (12:30 p.m. AT&T): One of the delights of this year's SXSW, Washburn is a Front Range folkie who literally took a slow boat to China. The result was mountain music played with Eastern inflections. The addition of equally eclectic mandolin maestro Fleck to the ensemble is all gravy.

— John T. Davis

FRIDAY

Del tha Funky Homosapien (3:30 p.m. AT&T Blue Room): Criminally underappreciated outside of his side work with Gorillaz, we still think Ice Cube's cousin has a hit lurking in him somewhere. Only downside is an hour set doesn't give him much time to display his Kool Keith-level spectrum of personas.

SATURDAY

CSS (3:30 p.m. AT&T Blue Room): The Chemical Brothers once said they never played the Lollapalooza tour because there was always a chance of playing mid-day in a parking lot somewhere, i.e., not the right vibe at all. There's the same risk for this Republica-esque Brazilian techno-pop outfit, but if they can make it all work, there might not be a more fun surprise on the day.

SUNDAY

The Raconteurs (6:30 p.m. AMD): Pretty much a force of nature at ACL '06, Jack White's de facto full-time gig cranked out one of the best rock records of the year and assumed a place in this year's top tier of attractions. They'll earn it, with cohort Brendan Benson and company helping White plow ahead and actually have fun making music for the first time since about 2004.

— Chad Swiatecki