Sound and the Jury contest winner(11:45 a.m. Dell stage). No idea who it will be yet (five bands competed Wednesday in the finals at Antone's), but this contest winner has the chance of a lifetime (or at least of this year) to impress early risers with a strong set.

Kevin McKinney(12:50 p.m. Austin Ventures stage). You might recall McKinney from his stint fronting Soulhat; his solo material hasn't moved too far away from his roots in jammy folk-rock. Split your time between this and the Gospel Silvertones (12:45 p.m. WaMu stage), whose dynamic gospel can sanctify anything.

Heartless Bastards (1:30 p.m. AT&T Blue Room stage). In its strongest moments, the Bastards' weirdo blooze rumble invites (admittedly inaccurate) comparisons to PJ Harvey, but I remain curious about and will split my time with Joseph Arthur (1:30 p.m. Dell stage), whose mopey vocals mask an eclecticism that sometimes tastes like chicken.

Lunch (2:30 – 3:30 p.m.). You've been drinking, you need food. Eat something and drink water.

Blonde Redhead (3:30 p.m. AT&T Blue Room stage). A band I've never paid that much attention to; I was so impressed with this trio's powerfully atmospheric rock at Lollapalooza that I went out and bought their last three albums to hear what I'd missed.

Joss Stone (4:30 p.m. AT&T stage). Yes, I'm a little curious about how Crowded House's fussy pop has aged, but I'm more curious about Stone, whose "Introducing Joss Stone" seems to be a stab at a career reboot. It was met with mostly blank looks from critics, but she still has a dynamite voice.

LCD Soundsystem (5:30 p.m. AT&T Blue Room stage). LCD singer-songwriter James Murphy's shlumpy, everydude persona is weirdly riveting; his band's dance-rock is capable of big, dynamic thrills.

Queens of the Stone Age (6:30 p.m. AMD stage). Their loud, ovoid hard rock made for the single greatest in-store performance I've ever seen in my life (at Good Records in Dallas), but that was seven long years ago. The albums have slipped badly, but they're still capable of being a live powerhouse. That said, I've seen Spoon (6:30 p.m. AT&T stage) many times this year. If you haven't, split your time between them and Queens.

Dinner(7:30 - 8:30 p.m.). Eat something, people.

Björk(8:30 p.m. AT&T stage). High weirdness from Iceland. Expect wacky beats, wackier melodies and some of the wackiest costumes since Cher.

___

Michael Corcoran

Greyhounds (noon Austin Ventures stage). I want to start the fest off with some Little Feat-flavored gumbo funk-rock. Led by Andrew Trube, this Austin band is made for the wide open spaces as much as they are for the basement dives.

Gospel Silvertones (12:45 p.m. WaMu stage). Nobody knows the uplifting power of gospel music like this group, whose members met when they were homeless, living at the Salvation Army shelter downtown. Favorites on the gospel brunch circuit, the 'Tones are known for the unbridled soul they pump out.

Del McCoury Band (1:50 p.m. Austin Ventures stage). This former Bill Monroe singer/ banjoist and his band are bluegrass purists and were recently awarded a Grammy. Lookee here, it's not even 2 in the afternoon and I've had my fill of funk, gospel and bluegrass? I also plan to catch a chunk of Heartless Bastards, the spooky pop/blues act signed to the great Fat Possum label. They start 20 minutes before McCoury on the AT&T Blue Room stage.

Will Hoge (2:50 p.m. Austin Ventures stage). If Springsteen were still relevant, this Nashvillian might have drawn comparisons with last year's "The Man Who Killed Love." Hoge's songwriting is on the mark, and when they want to, his band can romp splendidly.

Crowded House (4:30 p.m. AMD stage). The bad news: They've got a new album to promote. The good news: They've still got time to do all their hits such as "Don't Dream It's Over" and some of the pre-House Split Enz stuff. Sometimes out in the scalp-melting heat, you want to hear the familiar even more than the adventurous. Least I do.

LCD Soundsystem (5:30 p.m. AT&T Blue Room stage). Musical idea man James Murphy and his techno-fueled gang have stolen the show at Coachella and Lollapalooza, so why would it be any different at the Austin version?

Spoon (6:30 p.m. AT&T stage). Austin's gift to the indie rock world makes its way to one of the two main stages. It's a long way from the Hole in the Wall, and Britt Daniel and company have done it the right way, by writing great songs and performing them exactly as they should be. Sounds simple, but the "writing great songs" is the tricky part. No dilemma at all about missing the overrated Queens of the Stone Age.

Mighty Clouds of Joy (7:15 p.m. WaMu stage). The dreaded synthesizers have crept into their sound in recent years, yet "the Temptations of Gospel" should be forever revered for keeping the "house-wrecking gospel quartet" sound alive back in the '60s, when soloists and choirs started taking over. When Joe Ligon is in the house, you know it's going to get crazy.

Björk (8:30 p.m. AT&T stage). I could just as easily end the night with the Killers, who were probably the loudest group ever at ACL two years ago, but I've never seen Björk, who is adventurous in all that she does. This festival is all about sampling all sorts of music, but there are thousands of fans who only care about Björk. To be in the midst of such devotion could be inspiring.

___

Parry Gettelman

Del McCoury Band (1:50 p.m. Austin Ventures stage): Not only is this group one of the tightest, most soulful purveyors of traditional bluegrass, it's also an uplifting experience to share the joy Del McCoury and sons Ronnie and Robbie exude when they play together. And might there be a guest appearance by Steve Earle, who featured the group on his album "The Mountain" (he's playing Saturday)?

Crowded House (4:30 p.m. AMD stage): Some fans might only remember the Top 40 smash "Don't Dream It's Over," but this band from Down Under had reams of terrific songs. Some of them are quite dark — notably on the underrated sophomore album, "Temple of Low Men" — but the group gave serious fun on stage. This reunion has an altered lineup, since drummer Paul Hester died in 2005, but leader Neil Finn has shone in every setting, from his early days with Split Enz to his post-CH solo material and Finn Brothers collaboration.

Big Sam's Funky Nation (4:30 p.m. WaMu stage): New Orleans trombonist Big Sam plays Austin fairly regularly, but it will still be hard to pass up a chance to see his turbo-charged brass band, playing in the same time slot as Crowded House. Big Sam, formerly of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and a sometime Elvis Costello/Allen Toussaint sideman, is a showman with improvisational skills to burn. So do his bandmates, and they never let up on the grooves that keep crowds moving.

Andy Palacio & the Garifuna Collective (5:45 p.m. WaMu stage): You can't seem to go wrong with any form of Afro-Caribbean music, and here's a chance to sample a genre off the beaten trade route. Andy Palacio gave a fascinating interview this year on radio's "Afropop Worldwide," explaining his roots in the hybrid Garifuna community formed hundreds of years ago by Africans and Caribbean aborigines. Their descendants migrated from the island of St. Vincent to the shores of Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and Belize, developing a rich musical tradition that Palacio has helped re-energize. His songs are propulsive but infused with longing, which will probably make it hard to leave in time for the start of James Hunter's set.

James Hunter (6:30 Austin Ventures stage): The British soul singer's "People Gonna Talk" might sound a tiny bit too much like a Sam Cooke homage, but onstage, James Hunter is his own man. His voice has intriguing textures as well as power and a gorgeous tone. He also plays a mean, bluesy guitar. His dry humor helps create an easy rapport with the crowd, too. And those tasty songs aren't obscure, vintage R&B gems — they're Hunter originals.

Gotan Project(7:30 p.m. Dell Stage): Electronica acts aren't always must-sees on stage, but by now, I should be more than ready to succumb to these Parisians' lush, chill-out take on tango. Here's hoping in our honor they'll play their dub-Western "Paris, Texas" from their latest, "Lunatico."

SATURDAY

Michael Corcoran

The Steps (11:15 a.m. BMI stage). Let's get this Saturday started in the a.m. with a young, hat-wearing four-piece rock combo from Austin that sounds like AM radio in the '60s. With a heavy emphasis on British garage/glam rock. The newest rage from kids who just grew out of Hilary Duff, the Steps take their show to London in November to face far more discerning critics.

Mario Matteoli (12:40 p.m. BMI stage).The former Weary Boys focal point went solo last year with "Hard Luck Hittin'," an album that was more in tune with the dark, deep writing of Townes Van Zandt than the bluegrass thrash of the Wearies. The Sound Team is tempting over at the AMD stage, but I think I'll stick with the much more manageable BMI stage.

Stephen Marley (2:30 p.m. AT&T stage). Reggae is right for the crowded, sunny fields. I think I'll stand about half a mile away and pretend that it's his dad onstage. (Note: there's a band called the Soul Stirrers playing around the same time, but they have absolutely nothing to do with Sam Cooke's former group. Not a bad gospel act, but not the Soul Stirrers.)

Steve Earle (3:30 p.m. Dell stage). Certain to be the most political performer at ACL Fest, W's least-favorite Texan promises to give the event a weightier undercurrent right when it's called for. It's all about mood (not to mention reviewing schedule) so I could just as well catch the Cold War Kids, handpicked tourmates of the White Stripes, at the AT&T Blue Room stage.

Ocote Soul Sounds (4:30 p.m. WaMu stage). Thievery Corporation can't make it so they send their Latin/jazz/soul labelmates to steal the show (as T.C. did two years ago). Often compared to Ozomatli, which is lazy and unfortunate, O.S.S. has their own funky stew going and, under the tent, they should make chairs obsolete. If it gets too crowded — and it will — I'll sneak over to catch the tail end of Blue October, who have some of the most devoted fans of any Texas act.

Kelly Willis (6:30 p.m. Austin Ventures stage) and Arctic Monkeys (6:30 p.m. AMD). I plan to split these sets in half. I've seen Willis dozens of times, but not since she released "Translated By Love," which has turned out to be my favorite of all her records. Then I need a shot of arrogant lunacy with the Monkeys. You look at my lineup today and it's been a long time since I rock 'n' rolled. (By the way, Muse, also at 6:30 p.m. is probably the most dreadful band I've ever seen at SXSW.)

Cross Canadian Ragweed (7:45 p.m. Austin Ventures). Cody Canada is the biggest pure rock star in the area and he doesn't even try. Plus you know the Raggers are gonna pull out a cover that makes your day.

Arcade Fire (8:15 p.m. AMD stage). Since I've already seen the White Stripes at venues small (Room 710) and large (Voodoo Music Fest in New Orleans), I would have picked Arcade Fire if I had to choose one. But since I'm not one to fight my way to the front and drop anchor, my plan was to hang back for half of each set — the Fire in the beginning, until they start to bore me with their highbrow Pavement, and the Stripes at the end. The White Stripes' cancellation makes the decision easier, if disappointing. Now I won't see the White Stripes on Sunday night at Stubb's either.

___

Joe Gross

The Steps (11:15 a.m. BMI stage). On paper, these (very) young men from Austin sure seem like the Strokes – wealthy-looking classicists who love the Stones and the Kinks. As the Jam once said, "The kids know where it's at!" We'll see.

Sound Team (12:30 p.m. AMD stage). The beleaguered indie rock band recently announced this will be its final performance, so, well, catch them now!

Lunch (2:30 – 3:30 p.m.)

Steve Earle(3:30 p.m. Dell stage). His music is far less revolutionary than he's given credit for and the hamfisted lefto sanctimony he saddles it with weighs the tunes down, but, well, I've just described something Austin just loves.

Damien Rice (4:30, AT&T stage). His earnest Irish folk can run a little bland, but deep feeling can resonate powerfully (and strangely) in a festival setting.

Zap Mama (5:30 p.m. Dell stage) Afro-Belgian soul? Global funk? All of this and more.

Kelly Willis(6:30 p.m. Austin Ventures stage). Yeah, I'm as curious as anyone else to hear how her excellent new album translates live.

Dinner (7:30 p.m.)

Arcade Fire(8:30 p.m. AT&T stage). I've had the opposite experience from Michael Corcoran with Saturday's headliners: I've seen Arcade Fire rock Emo's, Stubb's and festivals. So I was going to go with White Stripes and see how the Led Zeppelin-ish "Icky Thump" album fares live. Alas, no more White Stripes, so Arcade Fire wins by default.

___

Parry Gettelman

Raul Malo (1:30 p.m. Dell stage): It's still hard not to miss the Mavericks, the zippy, eclectic, Miami-bred country band he used to lead. But Raul Malo has one of the most supple tenor voices since Roy Orbison, and he can sing anything from salsa to Hank Williams. Well, I'm still making up my mind about that supper-club-jazz version of "Cold, Cold Heart" on Malo's new "After Hours," but his cover of Dwight Yoakam's "It Only Hurts Me When I Cry" is aces.

Legendary Soul Stirrers (2 p.m. WaMu stage): I probably won't leave Raul Malo to make the beginning of the set, since it's not the original lineup. Of course, it wasn't the original lineup when Sam Cooke led this innovative gospel quartet, whose long history began here in Texas around three-quarters of a century ago. None of the current members are likely headed for stardom on the order of Cooke or his successor Johnnie Taylor, and the group is no longer cutting-edge. But if the harmonies are still sweet and soaring, there will be no cause for complaint.

Steve Earle(3:30 p.m. Dell stage): Have to catch some Steve Earle, although I find him so much more compelling when his songs are telling stories rather than making points (even though I pretty much agree with all of them). I'll be waiting to hear his version of Tom Waits' "Way Down in the Hole," which appears on the forthcoming "Washington Square," but if there's a string of the more polemical numbers, it's time to head over to hear Jon Dee Graham.

Jon Dee Graham (4 p.m. Austin Ventures stage): Speaking of Tom Waits, Austin's own Jon Dee Graham has the best gravelly growl this side thereof — plus a big catalog of vivid songs, and I'd hate to miss a chance to hear one of those stinging guitar solos, even if I can hear them any given Wednesday at the Continental or Sunday at the Saxon.

Ocote Soul Sounds (4:30 p.m. WaMu stage): And I will doubtless stray over midway through Graham's set to find out what happens when when Martin Perna of the galvanizing Afrobeat group Antibalas joins forces with Adrian Quesada of Latin-funk powerhouse Grupo Fantasma (Prince's favorite Austin band). I'd probably be curious just on the basis of their affiliation with ESL Music, home of Thievery Corporation and Ursula 1000.

BeauSoleil (5:45 p.m. WaMu stage): I generally lean more toward zydeco than Cajun, but Michael Doucet's long-running band deftly mixes the most traditional of Cajun classics — and originals that sound like Cajun classics — with everything from jazz to Caribbean influences. Guaranteed to feature dazzling musicianship, and if I'm lucky, maybe Doucet will play his homage to a zydeco legend, "Bye Bye Boozoo."

Aterciopelados (7:15 WaMu stage): Andrea Echevarria's clear alto is pure ear candy, but this Colombian band has displayed plenty of substance while morphing from rock en español to electronica to a more acoustic-leaning sound, and incorporating influences from vallenato and cumbia to ska and flamenco. And the group's songs don't lack for hooks.

___

SUNDAY

Michael Corcoran

Jones Family Singers (1 p.m. WaMu stage). This Pentecostal powerhouse from Bay City is the best group I've seen at ACL two years running. Alexis Jones Roberys is an amazing singer, backed by the harmonizing of her four sisters, and her brother Fred Jones Jr. is a marvel on guitar, bass, drums and keyboards, but especially guitar. They have you "rockin' and rollin' in Jesus" and send you out in the swelter with a smile. And you'll still catch the last half hour of the National on the AT&T Blue Room stage.

Kara Grainger (2:40 p.m. BMI stage).This bluesy rocker from Australia draws comparisons to Bonnie Raitt that aren't unfounded. By Sunday, you'll learn that the BMI stage is the easiest to manuever.

DeVotchKa (3:30 p.m., AT&T Blue Room stage). Now that Rodrigo y Gabriela have canceled, I'll head over for some of that DeVotchKa set. The indescribable Denver band made its bones with the music for "Little Miss Sunshine" and promises to be among the most theatrical at ACL.

Hofbrau steak sandwich (4:30 p.m. at food court). Nothing says dinner like a choice between Lucinda Williams, who is always the same, and the Bloc Party, who are only as good as the fact you can sum them up in five words: "Black guy fronting the Cure." The Hofbrau 'wich isn't the tastiest on the line, but it's fast, filling and almost impossible to drop.

Regina Spektor (5:30 AT&T Blue Room stage). I've never seen her live and isn't that what ACL Fest is about — scratching Pitchfork faves off the "never seen" list? Also, this smaller of the two AT&T stages is relatively near the WaMu tent, so I can get my fill of New Orleans jazz (10 minutes) with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

My Morning Jacket (6:30 p.m. AT&T stage). Wilco always reaches back at ACL and gives you something maybe even they didn't know they had, but I've seen them dozens of times. I've seen MMJ for about 10 minutes (ACL 2005) and wanted to see more. Also, here's something you can use as a tiebreaker on other headliners, such as Arcade Fire and White Stripes: the AMD stage has had notoriously bad sound in previous fests and because it's fairly close to Austin Ventures, the volume tends to be weaker than on the AT&T stage.

Ghostland Observatory (7:45 p.m. AT&T Blue Room stage.). 25,000 people will be jumping out of their sunburned skin. I still think GLO is White Stripes with pigtails instead of a guitar, but whatever they are, it's apparently working.

Bob Dylan (8:30 p.m. AT&T stage).You can't go this far, in terms of time and stamina, and not stay for the man who gave birth to punk (1965 tour), rock as literature and alternative music. It's gonna be swampy, ragged, relentless and a mess. But it's going to be Bob Dylan, so it's all good.

___

Joe Gross

Yo La Tengo (12:30 p.m. AMD stage) Over 20 years, they've proven they can do almost anything with guitar – delicate pop, overwhelming feedback, endless drones, noisy jams. This is a wonderful way to start the festival's final day. (And yes, you should absolutely see the Jones Family Singers at 1 p.m. on the WaMu stage as well.)

The National (1:30 p.m. AT&T Blue Room stage). Eight years into their career, they're suddenly an overnight success. Matt Berninger's gothy voice and Bryan Devendorf's massive drums anchor mopey, majestic rock.

Lunch (2:30 p.m.)

Midlake(4 p.m. Austin Ventures stage). Since Rodrigo y Gabriela bailed, this Denton band's ornate pop songcraft and lush synths will serve as a balm for your probably tired soul.

Rose Hill Drive (5:15 p.m. Austin Ventures stage). These guys were a breath of fresh air at the '04 ACL, kicking off the fest's final day with classic-sounding power trio workouts. Apparently, the grand funk railroad passed through Denver, Colo. Splitting time between this and Regina Spektor's wonderful piano ballads (5:30 AT&T Blue Room) might make for a perfect one-two punch.

Wilco(6:30 p.m. AMD stage). This year's "Sky Blue Sky" turns Steely Dan into folk rock and back again, thanks to noodle-y solos and a laid-back vibe. Haven't spun it much, but guitarist Nels Cline has turned them into one of the most surefire, complex and mature live bands on the planet.

Dinner (7:45 p.m.). Eat quickly, then flip a coin between Ghostland Observatory's oddball guitar/synth rock (7:45 p.m. AT&T Blue Room stage) and the Decemberists' majestic pop (7:30 p.m. Dell stage).

Bob Dylan (8:30 p.m. AT&T stage). Look, the man's released some absolutely awful albums, but he did transform popular culture. Forty-five years on, Dylan's still the living embodiment of post-war America's potential for fiercely poetic genius. And his song selection is never boring. This is an easy one.

___

Parry Gettelman

Yo La Tengo (12:30 p.m. AMD stage): It seems kind of weird to see this band at brunchtime. Even its least-shadowy songs have a subtle undertow more suitable for after hours, but that's no reason to pass on Georgia Hubley's brilliantly understated drumming or Ira Kaplan's sublime feedback freakouts. Hubley is also a singular singer, with a mysterious, affectless warmth, and Kaplan's unassuming voice is likewise curiously inimitable.

Jones Family Singers (1 p.m. WaMu stage) Since Yo La Tengo also has a couple post-ACL appearances, maybe I'll be able to tear myself away in time to see if the Jones Family Singers' vocals are really as stunning as they say. There's nothing quite as stirring as really close family harmonies — are geneticists looking into the DNA foundation for that?

Midlake (4 p.m. Austin Ventures stage): My favorite from the much-touted Denton rock scene. I liked the atmospherics of last year's "The Trials of Von Occupanther," but now I can't actually remember any of the tunes, and after a Yo La Tengo pinnacle, will I be in the mood for any other indie rock? Since this is the weakest afternoon of ACL, if it's super hot, maybe it's just a good time to head to Barton Springs.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band (5:30 p.m. WaMu stage): I pretty much took trad jazz for granted when I lived in New Orleans. There was plenty of it around, and it seemed pretty staid next to the street sounds of young brass bands bringing in elements of funk, hip hop and R&B. Post-Katrina, however, the old tunes and old style have a new resonance, and it doesn't get much more traditional than the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, an institution since 1961.

Billy Joe Shaver (6:30 Austin Ventures stage): Wilco's in the same slot, and they're not around here as much, but I just can't think of any recent Wilco songs I really need to hear. Meanwhile, Shaver classics such as "I Been to Georgia on a Fast Train," "Old Five and Dimers Like Me" and "I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal" never do wear out.

Plus, you never know when Billy Joe will up and get himself incarcerated.

Bob Dylan (8:30 p.m. AT&T stage). It's kind of ironic that so many "the new Bob Dylans" have been proclaimed over the years. Maybe we could use a new Elvis, or a new Springsteen, or even some new Beatles, but Dylan is still doing a pretty good job of being the new Bob himself. I can't think of too many folk icons/classic rock legends I can go see really hoping they'll please play a bunch of tunes off their latest albums. OK, the last couple shows I saw, I didn't like his bands as much as the one in the '90s that had John Jackson and Bucky Baxter, but I'd be even happier to hear "The Levee's Gonna Break," "Summer Days" or "Moonlight" than "Knockin' on Heaven's Door."

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