The Pretenders Austin City Limits TV Performance Airs Today
By: BWW
News Desk Oct. 14, 2017
Austin City Limits (ACL) Season 43 rocks on with a hit-filled hour starring the great Pretenders in their first-ever appearance on the ACL stage. The legendary rock band sends a message of love to viewers with an 11-song hit parade in a brand-new installment premiering Saturday, October 14 at 9pm ET/8pm CT. The program airs weekly on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings for times) and full episodes are made available online for a limited time at pbs.org/austincitylimits immediately following the initial broadcast. Viewers can visit acltv.com for news regarding future tapings, episode schedules and select live stream updates. The show's official hashtag is #acltv.
The ACL show was filmed while The Pretenders were touring in support of their latest album, Alone, who was produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. The digital deluxe edition of Alone is available now on all DSPs, featuring 15 live bonus tracks recorded during the year of touring in support of the album (six of which come from the ACL show). The CD version of the deluxe edition with the bonus material will be released December 1.
The ACL performance finds Influential punk new-wave veterans the Pretenders in fighting form as they kick off an electrifying hour with a new classic, "Alone," a swagger-fueled gem that fits right into the band's canon, the title track from their first album in almost a decade. Iconic bandleader Chrissie Hynde informs the crowd, "You don't have to be polite, because we don't plan to be." The defiant front woman commands the stage, showcasing her still-radiant voice in a career-spanning performance featuring fan-favorites including "Back On The Chain Gang," "My City Was Gone," "Mystery Achievement," and "Middle of the Road." Pretenders' trademark tough and tender lyrics resonate as they did when the band arrived on the London scene in 1978. Hynde fondly introduces original member Martin Chambers as "the world's greatest rock drummer," as he plays the stirring intro of "Message Of Love." The band caps the powerhouse set with their signature hit "Brass In Pocket," as Hynde pulls a spellbound fan onstage to join her on the timeless tune.
"One thing that hasn't changed in almost 40 years," says ACL executive producer Terry Lickona, "Chrissie Hynde is still a badass! There's no doubt about who's in charge, and musically her voice still rings as clear and strong as ever. Whether you're an old fan or a newbie, this is a show for the ages."
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