ACL Showdown: Country Gold vs. Punk Antics

Zilker Park saw a showdown of epic proportions last Friday night as three distinct crowds emerged. On one end, Blink-182 unleashed their bratty punk energy, complete with relentless cursing that left parents aghast. On the other, Chris Stapleton brought a classy, cowboy-boot-stomping good time to the American Express stage.

Chris Stapleton: America's Heartthrob

I first heard Stapleton's super single “Tennessee Whiskey” on a Royal Caribbean cruise, performed by a Motown cover band. Here, it was a grand, lived-in anthem that filled the air with pure, unadulterated Americana.

On record, Stapleton's music can be overly polished, but live, it's a technical marvel. His sternly plucked Fenders cripple even the stiffest upper lips, and alongside his powerhouse wife Morgane, the harmony is nothing short of magical.

The country titan belted out a series of barnburners that showcased his husky, versatile voice. Whether it was blues rock, R&B, bluegrass, or forlorn love ballads, Stapleton nailed it all.

He puts genuine emotion into simple lyrics like, “I’m in love with you,” leaving them ringing in your ears long after the show.

A sign in the crowd requested the national anthem. Stapleton politely declined but assured, “I love America, too.”

Links: Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle | Stapleton on Beyoncé’s live show

Blink-182: Tearing It Up at ACL

Meanwhile, Blink-182 brought their signature brand of irreverent punk rock to the Honda Stage, lighting up the sky with fireworks and fireballs. Mark Hoppus rocked a Franklin Barbecue shirt while Travis Barker tore up the drums, and Tom Delonge kickstarted the set with one of his wild proclamations.

“I’m gonna be honest, I came to mess with Texas. I’m thinking Austin 'Titty' Limits,” Delonge said. “Guess what? UFOs are real!”

Among the crowd was Jared Padalecki, the San Antonio-born actor known for his role on “Supernatural.” The general admission crowd was torn to pieces with wild antics and laugh-out-loud banter between band members.

“My wife offered me sex today, but I said no because I want to save my energy for the show,” Hoppus quipped.

Delonge’s irreverence was as relentless as his impressive dance moves. “I used to think Austin was all about the barbecue, but it’s about the hot ladies,” Delonge said.

The performance tied up with classics like “First Date,” “All the Small Things,” and “What’s My Age Again?” finishing with “Dammit” and an encore of “One More Time.”

Stapleton performs on the Honda Stage tonight at 8:30 p.m.
Blink-182 performs on the American Express stage at 8:10 p.m. tonight.