Dec. 7 marked the 27th year radio station KGSR has brought Austinites a community of music. Through the up-and-coming songs played on their station to hosting popular events like Blues on the Green, KGSR has proved to be a vital part of the Austin music scene. There was no better way to celebrate the station’s birthday than with an Austin City Limits Live show featuring powerhouses Grouplove and X Ambassadors.

By Miranda Chiechi

Grouplove started the night off without holding back on any of their concert energy. Couple and frontmen Hannah Hooper and Christian Zucconi belted out favorites from their first two albums, as well as their newest album, “Big Mess,” released in August. Sporting their usual stage outfits, a bodysuit for Hooper and large t-shirt for Zucconi, the pair danced and jumped around Moody Theater stage, taking turns flipping their bleached locks at one another. Zucconi tossed his guitar into the air halfway through the set, thankfully catching it, and Hooper climbed on top of Zucconi during one of their popular hits. To say that this indie rock group from Los Angeles energized the Austin crowd is an understatement.

Concert-goers did not have much time to take a break before the second band of the night, X Ambassadors, hit the stage. Frontman Sam Harris walked out with brother, Casey Harris. Casey, the keyboardist for the group, has been blind since birth and has expressed his desire to become an advocate for disabled musicians. Childhood friend, Adam Levin, joined the Harris brothers on the drums. From the first beat of their popular hit, “Jungle” and onward, Sam jumped, ran and danced as they busted out the bangers from their first full-length album, “VHS.” The band started releasing singles this year for their highly-anticipated sophomore album, expected to come out next July. The trio ended KGSR’s celebration last Thursday night with foot-stomping hits and heartfelt lyrics, leaving the audience stunned by a dynamic live presence.