ACL Live Review: Dayglow

The clouds dispersed momentarily as bedroom-pop singer Sloan Struble stepped onto the tiny BMI stage Saturday afternoon. Though briefly warm, the rays didn’t outshine his alter ego Dayglow’s need for camaraderie and dance in his ACL Fest debut.

The Austin performer sang through the entirety of his first full-length, 2018‘s Fuzzybrain, along with newer tune “Nicknames” thrown in the mix. Wind chimes rang through the P.A. and relaxed the audience before the bandleader’s backing quartet – drums, bass, guitar, and keyboards – jumped into first track “False Direction.” The beat of the drum had a crowd both young and old bouncing and bobbing.

“What better place is there then Austin City Limits to make a new friend,” grinned Sloan at the bridge of “Dear Friend.”

Strangers became acquainted with one another at the 20-year-old’s request to turn to the person next to them and talk to each other. Compliments were made and stories of how they came to be in that moment were exchanged before the young singer’s lyrics captured all attention once again.

Despite mellowing the vibe with “Fuzzybrain,” the all-ages audience hardly lost interest. Those that did happen to stray returned quickly for a lighthearted rendition of Tears For Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” That set up energetic closer “Run the World!!!”

The group surprised the audience by returning to the stage a half minute after walking off, and asked them to join them for a few moments. The now 400-piece band closed with “Junior Varsity,” arms swaying high as “la la’s” from the assemblage replaced the missing trumpet riffs.

Sloan Struble may not totally run the world now, but as far as his adoring fans are concerned, he’s climbing the pedestal stage by stage.

Setlist

“False Direction”
“Fair Game”
“Nicknames”
“Dear Friend,”
“Fuzzybrain”
“Hot Rod”
“Can I Call You Tonight?”
“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” (Tears For Fears cover)
“Run the World!!!”
“Junior Varsity”

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Dayglow

Saturday, Oct. 12, 3pm, BMI stage