Season 33

01 Norah Jones Episode 16th October 2007 Native Texan, Norah Jones, returns to the ACL stage for an hour of her incredible piano playing, jazzy song style, and throaty vocals. 02 The Decemberists/Explosions in the Sky Episode 213th October 2007 Progressive pop pioneers, The Decemberists, make their ACL debut. Next, Explosions in the Sky, well known for the movie scores, appears in a powerful live stage performance. 03 Femi Kuti with Positive Force Episode 320th October 2007 Femi Kuti is more than a musician. This Nigerian political activist plays music to inspire change. And yet, his music continues to be upbeat with an African beat. 04 Tribute to Bluesman Jimmy Reed Episode 427th October 2007 Current blues stars, many of whom are legends in their own right, pay homage to Jimmy Reed. 05 Wilco Episode 53rd November 2007 The ever-evolving Wilco returns to Austin City Limits, performing classics and cuts from its latest disk Sky Blue Sky. 06 The Arcade Fire Episode 610th November 2007 Arcade Fire has gained critical acclaim for their indie rock in Canada. Their two albums, Neon Bible and Funeral, provide plenty of songs to entertain the ACL crowd. 07 Paolo Nutini / Grupo Fantasma Episode 717th November 2007 Paolo Nutini, who has found great success in the UK, debuts on ACL with his soulful renditions from his popular album. Next, Austin's own Grupo Fantasma explores the funky side of Latin music with a high energy stage show. 08 John Mayer Episode 815th December 2007 Although John Mayer has performed on the Austin City Limits' stage before, he's never been here with this degree of success. 09 Lucinda Williams / Old Crow Medicine Show Episode 922nd December 2007 Lucinda Williams has received numerous awards for her songwriting and singing. In this episode, she introduces the Austin audience to her newest set of masterful songs. Next, Old Crow Medicine Show plays old-time string music with a rock and roll twist. 10 Bloc Party / Ghostland Observatory Episode 1029th December 2007 England’s Bloc Party take the stage with their grooving, politically charged postpunk as presented on its second album A Weekend in the City. Austin electro rock duo Ghostland Observatory follows with the kind of kinetic performance on which they’ve built a national reputation. 11 Crowded House Episode 115th January 2008 Reunited after 12 years, New Zealand favorite Crowded House makes its first television appearance since the mid-90s supporting its new album Time On Earth. 12 Kings of Leon / Roky Erickson Episode 1212th January 2008 Kings of Leon, a Nashville band of brothers, appears in the ACL studio for a rocking good time. Next, Texas legend Roky Erickson plays the psychedelic rock and roll he's been playing for 40 years. 13 Brad Paisley / Dierks Bentley Episode 1326th January 2008 Country superstar Brad Paisley brings his award winning guitar skills, singing talent, and songwriting to the ACL stage. Next, Dierks Bentley is a singer on the rise. 14 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival Episode 142nd February 2008 The festival celebrates the current resurgence of bluegrass music with fans of all ages. Yet as its name suggests, the festival includes music and performers that go far beyond bluegrass. Every summer since 2001, the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, which is free to the public, draws hundreds of thousands of music-lovers to the meadows of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park to hear music that includes traditional bluegrass, alternative country, and many performers who cross the standard genre lines. The 2007 festival drew an estimated 500,000 fans.