The crowds are bigger, the stakes are higher, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

After 8 weeks of action, we’ve finally reached the semi-finals of the Acoustic Live Challenge. We’ve seen a wide array of talent take the stage here at 274 Sky Bar, all of which have displayed their own unique style and sound, but only 16 remain thus far, and furthermore, only 8 can advance to the July 31 finals.

The semi-finals will take place over the next two weeks, and tonight, 8 of our remaining contestants will have the chance to prove that they have what it takes to be crowned this year’s champion. All of which have shown that the belong to be here, but only 4 can make it out (the other 4 we’ll find out next week).

I’ve enjoyed judging this year, and some of the acts I saw in the 1st Round really impressed me, but now it’s time to see if they have what it takes to carry them into the next round. I’ve taken my seat at the judges’ table along with Danielle Look (IndyMojo) and Nate Aydelotte (Knollwood Boys, the last group to win the ALC), and we’re ready to go. Our host Rob Snodgrass thanks everyone for coming, and introduces us to our first performer.

Clint Zimmerman and Uncle Mike brought a little piece of the country the last time they were here, and they definitely kept that going this time around. Last time, there were issues playing together, and by that, I mean that one sounded either a half beat faster or slower. Thankfully, they resolved that issue for the most part, giving more time to focus on other aspects of their performance. Now, I’m not a country fan by any stretch, but there’s something different about Mr. Zimmerman: he seems real. He wrote a lot of these songs based on his own experiences and he takes you for a ride. It’s not manufactured like a lot of modern acts, this is 100% him. As far as their stage presence is concerned, both compliment each other. One is more quiet and reserved, while the other is clearly enjoying what he does. Overall, it’s a solid, crowd-pleasing performance. A nice way to kick things off.

Up next, we have arguably the most interesting person to come out of the 1st Round. Let’s welcome Mr. Ted Yoder.

What separates him from everyone else? Not much, outside of the fact that instead of an acoustic guitar, he plays a hammered dulcimer and relies purely on instrumentation because his songs with actual lyrics have been banned from competition because of someone’s rules…

Anyway, back to the performance. Yoder is someone who has been around, and this comes out a lot during his performance. While there may not have been lyrics to suck you in, anyone who has an appreciation for musicianship will take notice. This is someone who clearly understands everything about his instrument, and he’s not afraid to show it off. He knows how to vary the style, the dynamics are great, and even his accompanying stores add to the experience. It may be a little unconventional for this competition, but it works, and that’s all that matters.

It looks like more people have are starting to file in now, or it could be that a number of people have now set up shop on a couch right in front of the stage to cheer on our next performer. Either way, it’s very lively here tonight.

Carey Goodspeed is up next. Previously, he and the rest of his band displayed great talent, but nervousness and a lack of confidence in between songs took us away from the experience. So let’s see what he does this time.

For Round 2, he looked like completely different person from the last time we saw him. The nerves and the goofy stage presence were replaced by a person who looked like he owned the place. There was a swagger and a confidence to him this time around, and that definitely came out in the performance. Mostly upbeat in nature, the vocals were solid and the harmonies were great, whistling was a nice touch, and all 3 members were on the same page. There were even a few clap-alongs amongst the crowd. Long story short, it’s what I like to see from a performance, and now we see the bar being raised even higher.

As Carey wraps up and his fans go back to the table they’ve claimed for the evening, a new group of fans comes to the couch. We’ll designate this the “fan couch.”

And for our next act, we have Bending Barley, a band that formed right before the competition began. For a band that’s only a few months old, they have a great chemistry and the talent to back it up. I liked what I saw in the 1st Round, so let’s see what happens now.

We start out a little rocky this time. It looks like they’re not quite on the same page. Like they’re 3 people on stage instead of one entity. They do eventually pick it back up about midway through. Everything is about mid-tempo, but they know how to bring it out. There’s even a dedication to the bassist’s mother, who is sitting front and center this time around. The performance may have been marred in the beginning by not being on the same page, but they have have potential. I’ll be interested to see where they go from here.

For act #5, we have Lacey Chaddock, a soloist hailing from Bloomington. From the last time I saw her, she was a nervous wreck, and that definitely came out in her music (plus, she admit it several times on stage).

This time, she looks like a different person. Yes, she’s still a little nervous (and does admit to it), but she also seems more confident about what she’s doing this time around. She’s clearly in her element when she’s actually playing, and overall, most of her emotions are in check. The on-stage banter and some of the jokes are still a little weird, but at the same time, I think that’s just her, and in the end, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s a 30-minute performance of her music, her sound, and her personality. It’s certainly not boring (the crowd even claps along at times), and more importantly, it’s authentic.

Just a few more to go, and we see an upright bass being moved onto the stage. Okay, I’m interested. Bring it on.

It’s all part of Glenwood Drive’s set. Fatigue may be starting to set in, but that’s nothing a little Red Bull can’t fix.

Now, onto their performance. Last time, there were issues with vocals, and this time around, it sounds like they’ve fixed that issue. Actually, they vary it between raspy, blues-y vocals mixed in with clean. Instead, we have a new one, but that deals with feedback from the upright bass, but that’s not really on the band.

More noticeably, this is a group of guys who really like music. Each song has its own feel and personality, and plus, there’s something to be said about someone who loves what they do. It’s a nice, varied performance. Will it be enough? We’ll see.

One person was a no-show, so this next one is our final act of the night, and it’s the duo known as Ghosts of Kin (or maybe it’s “Sin,” and that’s a joke that only those who saw them in the 1st Round will understand…). All I really remember from their previous performance is a loud and energetic set from two people who really get what it takes to put on a show. I also got booed for a nitpick I had, but that’s neither here nor there. So now, Round 2!

One thing that has to be said about Ghosts of Kin is that both members have a great chemistry and a dynamic. Frontwoman Jessie Phelps has a great music mind (and can play a guitar upside down and left-handed), and Alan Long can really bring it on electric. With all his pedals, he actually plays it like an electric guitar, which prompts me to tell him the same thing I say to a lot of my friends: “okay we get it, you’re good at guitar!”

As for the rest of it, it feels like a more toned down version of the last time they were here. Phelps stuck with guitar this time rather than switching between that and the cajón, and this time it felt like they put more emphasis on the music this time. It might not have been as rocking, but it does show another dimension of Ghosts of Kin. Fear not though. They’re still fun to watch and they know how to create a good show.

With that, the performances are over. Now time for the fun part. Attendees are asked to turn in their ballots so we can count up the votes, award the points, and announce our winners. There’s quite a lag this time around now that we have more people here, but that’s a good problem to have. Some people get one last drink, some socialize, or they head outside to grab a smoke. It’s been a fun night, and since the fans decide who wins, this can really go either way.

After what felt like an eternity, Rob Snodgrass returns to the stage to thank everyone for coming out. He gives us our point totals before matching the names to them.

So who’s moving on? It looks a little like this:

1st: Carey Goodspeed
2nd: Lacey Chaddock
3rd: Ghosts of Kin
4th: Glenwood Drive

Congratulations are in order, and there are plenty of hugs and handshakes going around. Pleasantries are exchanged while the sound crew tears down everything, packing it away until next time. The rest of us bid farewell to each other and head for the exits. The party sounds like it’s just getting started down at Taps and Dolls, but it’s time to go home, and think about how I’m going to write this

ONE WEEK LATER (sorry, my computer’s charger bit the dust and a trip to Best Buy, I finally have power again).

So here we are, 4 bands have claimed their spots in the finals. Now it’s time to give 8 more bands the chance to claim one of the final 4 spots. The Acoustic Live Challenge may be dwindling down, but there’s still plenty more to see.

So in the words of Murder By Death: “Who will survive, and what will be left of them?” You’ll just have to stick around to find out. See you all next time.