Live music review: Black Pumas kickoff season 50 of Austin City Limits TV
Austin psychedelic soul act Black Pumas came to their Austin City Limits taping last Tuesday ready to rock. The taped performance served as the kickoff for Season 50 of ACL TV, a momentous occasion that spurred a fully packed Moody Theater to celebrate 50 years of music in partnership with PBS. Before the performance began, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson appeared onstage to rejoice with the audience. After a brief speech commemorating the history of the Austin music scene up to 2024, the Black Pumas appeared onstage, with frontman Eric Burton, guitarist Adrian Quesada, and their colossal backing band composed of astronomical talent that’s been filling rooms across the world since their debut in 2019. Since returning with their sophomore LP, Chronicles Of A Diamond, Black Pumas has been everywhere, and the Tuesday night taping felt like a commemoration of the heaps of accomplishments the band has had in their short, but explosive tenure.
“Fire” off Pumas’ debut LP opened the set, complete with the entire ensemble getting right to work. Drummer Stephen Bidwell was shown in the pocket right from the get-go, allowing auxiliary percussionist Terin Ector to perform alongside the drummer in perfect sync. Ector was shown playing conga drums that once belonged to the late Tony Cruz, a longtime friend of Bidwell’s who played in the drummer’s previous act, Hard Proof. The Afrobeat act features musicians from all over the Austin scene, including Spoon, Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, The Calm Blue Sea, Cougar, Ocote Soul Sounds, Spanish Gold, and several other notable local acts.
Burton turned up onstage with his trademark golden vocal pipes that make a significant case for R&B music in the current era, showcasing his dynamic range that enchants every gig with an inspired, soulful delivery. Since relocating from California to Texas, Burton has been a mainstay in the Austin scene. The California native built his performance mastery by busking in places like the Santa Monica Pier, eventually settling in Austin, and it’s been all about making history ever since. The band has even secured their local holiday every year on May 7 as “Black Pumas Day,” declared by Mayor Steve Adler in 2020.
There’s not a bad seat in the house for any gig at ACL Live. You can hear each member of every act in a clear, crisp manner. The second cut of the evening, “Gemini Sun,” shows the Pumas ensemble going in an immersive, psychedelic direction. The guitar-synth-driven tune makes for a beautiful live soundscape. Black Pumas is a band that communicates beautifully, and the chemistry continues to unfold as their live sets progress.
“Ice Cream (Payphone)” also made an appearance. A track off the Pumas’ critically acclaimed sophomore effort, allowed guitarist Quesada to shine with a heavy guitar attack while Burton sang center stage with captivating aptitude. Superhit “More Than A Love Song” also appeared, prompting Burton to demand audience enthusiasm despite the emphasis on the crowd being a “TV studio audience.” The soaring chorus along with its “Fly Together” lyrical interludes invited more crowd participation. The Austin attendees were in pure bliss at this point, with Burton and the backing band holding the hometown crowd in the palm of their hands.
Burton roamed to different parts of the stage during the performance, telling the audience, “Excuse me while I have a good time with my band.” Each member got a chance to shine, including synth-keyboard badassery from JaRon Marshall, who burned on the keys for the near-90 minute performance. The bass playing by Brendan Bond was also a highlight, which made for a gratifying low end that gives the band’s R&B overtones a funky backbone.
Boom-clap banger “Colors” closed the main set, with an entire theater singalong. The call-and-response moment between Burton and the audience was met with broad participation, showing Burton in pure, commanding, bandleader form. For ACL tapings, encores can be a toss-up. Since Pumas seemed to treat the performance like any other gig, Burton returned to the stage, then joined the crowd standing on the floor with his guitar. The resulting piece was a moving rendition of “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman. Since Chapman’s performance with Luke Combs at the 2024 Grammy Awards, the classic song has been given a whole new life, further cementing the ballad as a generational phenomenon that gains more cultural significance as time passes.
“Rock And Roll” closed the night, sending fans off with one hell of a memory. Access to these taped performances can be difficult, and all those in attendance cherished a great performance from the local heroes whose meteoric rise has continued unabated. As Black Pumas bid the crowd farewell, the standing ovation sent a clear message that fans didn’t want the show to end.
Check your local PBS station listings for the episode air dates later this year.
All photos by Scott Newton courtesy of ACL TV
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