While Jay Z and the Chili Peppers will grab the headliner time slots and majority of headlines at weekend 1 of ACL, there are a handful of Austin artists who were tapped to represent the local talent pool that are worth seeing as well. Most Austin festivals do a pretty good job of bringing in local talent, and ACL is no different. While well-known national bands like Spoon and perennial favorites like Asleep At The Wheel, are guaranteed to draw sizeable crowds - we want to spotlight our five up and coming local acts, who are snowballing with newfound momentum.

1. Mobley - (Saturday 11:30 AM @ Miller Lite Stage) 

A talent who cannot be placed neatly in a solitary genre box - Mobley blends R&B, electronica, and hip-hop for a unique twist that is credited and fortified by superior songwriting. Mobley has the most potential of any artist on this list, and possibly in the city of Austin.  See him now before you're forced to use a binoculars to see him in a few years on the headliner stage;)

2. Capyac - (Saturday 12:15 PM @ Titos Stage)

Although orginally from Georgia, these electro dance wizards know how to get a funky dance party started. A large local following and magnetic stage show means that Capyac is sure to envelope you into their indie electro fold if you give them a chance.

3. Melat - (Sunday 12:30 PM @ Titos Stage)

An Ethiopian goddess whose voice is as smooth as it is seductive, Melat blends soul and R&B  with haunting and profound songwriting.  This voice is too serene to remain an Austin secret for much longer, so an early visit Sunday to the fest is definitely in order.

4. The Black Angels - (Saturday 5 PM @ Barton Springs Stage)

While the Black Angels are known internationally and have been purveying psychedelic rock for quite some time, they still have a transformative live show and a slew of hits to keep you slack-jawed for their entire set. They may not be a shiny new band, but Christian Bland is one of Austin's most prolific songwriters for a reason, so don't miss out.

5. Missio - (Friday 1:15 PM @ HomeAway Stage)

Many Austinites do not know that Missio is a local band, although you've almost undoubtedly heard them before, but that's because they have rocketed to the national stage without having to play a decade in Austin bars. Dark moods, sinister lyrics, and addictive beats make this act definitely worth a listen at the festival.

Well, you're certainly in for a once in a lifetime line up on September 23rd! Music Box Presents and the Elbo Room will be hosting an incredibly well curated pre-party for the Desert Stars Music Festival. The San Francisco based neo psych outfit, Cellar Doors and Rachel Fannon, formally of the SF based band, Sleepy Sun will be shining beacons on the line up. Portland's new ensemble, Hollow Sidewalks which features the legendary neo psych rock aficionado, Jason "Plucky" Anchondo will be performing as well. If Cellar Doors, Rachel Fannan and Hollow Sidewalks are not enough incentive to attend this pre-party celebration, the lead singer of The Black Angels, Alex Maas will be sharing a very rare Bay Area solo performance.

If you're in San Francisco and you don't make a sincere effort to attend this show, you're going to miss a very unique night that you'll probably remember for some time. Make your way down to The Elbo Room on September 23rd to celebrate the dawning of the 2015 Desert Stars Music Festival.

The fellas from Think No Think have had a busy past few months.  After returning home from a successful nation-wide tour in support of Black Joe Lewis, they headed immediately into the studio with Black Angels' frontman Alex Maas to record what hopefully will become the band's first full-length LP.  They also had more people on stage than at The Last Waltz and just came short of inducing a riot at the closing of The Lustre Pearl in March.  Their now infamous live shows have gained them much deserved attention and a spot on our Artist of The Month Poll.  

Photo by Dave Creaney