For its sophomore year, Float Fest returns with an odd combo of independent music, camping and the Lone Star pastime of tubing. Unfortunately, you cannot float the river and shotgun Lone Stars to Paul Wall (6:30pm on Saturday) — you'll have to get your ass out of the San Marcos River and in front of the stage to catch the Houston rap or indie crooners on tap for the weekend. Below, peep our six acts not to miss at the semi-aquatic, three-day gig.
Dr. Dog / 8pm / Friday
Perennial indie rock favorite Dr. Dog is a band with a reputation for doing whatever the fuck it wants. While keeping the acid-folkie dream alive through its pop-jolted, freak-folk stylings, the group has also managed to keep its sense of humor.
Over the course of eight LPs and four EPs, the Dr. Dog sound has grown away from lo-fi folk and, increasingly, into brighter and bolder territory.
Only time will tell if this progression is going to continue to pay dividends or if it will take Dr. Dog more in the direction of irrelevant oddness à la Flaming Lips, or jam band blandness. For now, having just dropped a thoroughly satisfying live album at the beginning of the year, the Dog dudes are just having fun playing big ass shows, which is really what they do best. — James Courtney
