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2009 lineup continues tradition of big treasures hidden among big names.

In perhaps the worst kept secret in music since…well, since the not-so-secret Metallica show at SXSW in March (the music world isn’t very good at this secret thing apparently)…Pearl Jam, Beastie Boys, Dave Matthews, and Ben Harper are indeed among the scheduled headliners for the 2009 Austin City Limits Music Festival, October 2-4.

While there weren’t many surprises at the top, there’s a legion of ACL devotees who know damn well the gold is in the middle tier, and even lower rungs, of the lineup. A first take of a few lesser-known names (by mainstream standards) that have us geeked out already: Walter “Wolfman” Washington (New Orleans jazz-inflected blues beast); Federico Aubele (Argentine down-tempo, trance folkster); The Virgins (NYC club-rock faves); Clutch (sludgy, metal-blues, earache inducers); !!! (freak-fest, solar flare dance rockers, usually pronounced chk, chk, chk); and Preservation Hall (house band for the most hallowed ground in traditional New Orleans jazz).

Let us add, there are many, many more killer acts in the lineup. So if you don’t know the name, that doesn’t mean it won’t be good. ACL makes it easy to get a sample of each band in their lineup page.

Some notable Austin bands included in the lineup are Ghostland Observatory, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, David Garza, Papa Mali, The Scabs, Reckless Kelly, and about a half dozen others. (Stay tuned to austin.com as we profile all local ACL acts leading up to the big fest.)

Now all we have to do is wait for the grids.

 

 

If you didn’t already nab the early bird tickets, three-day wristbands now sit at $185 (all taxes/fees included), and are available here.