ACL Music Fest 2017 In Photos: Weekend One

Raise a glass for Austin City Limits Music Festival 2017 (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

They say a picture’s worth a thousand words. In the case of the Austin City Limits Music Festival, it’s more like a novel. The size, scope, scale, and energy of ACL Music Fest 2017 can’t be captured in words alone. You need to see it to believe it.

Whether you missed Weekend One or want to relive its standout moments, this is for you. Our focus–as always–is on the local side of the festival, especially on our local musicians. Shining a light on hyperlocal has been The Austinot’s mission for nearly six years now, and it always will be.

➡️ Keep reading: “Ultimate Guide to Local Artists at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2017”

ACL Music Fest: Friday

The flags of Austin City Limits Music Festival fly high in Zilker Park (Credit: Bill Tucker)

Friday of Weekend One started quiet and still, like the calm before a tornado. Zilker Park felt like a ticking alarm clock. Everything was chill, but lingering in the background was the knowledge that the park would soon be swept into a maelstrom. Local bands The Wild Now, legendary Asleep at the Wheel, and Carson McHone eased early concert-goers into a weekend of non-stop music.

The Wild Now started ACL Fest 2017 with a set full of groove, soul, and rock and roll flair (Credit: Bill Tucker)

Not even Matthew McConaughey could avoid the allure of ACL Fest 2017 (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

As the morning sunk into afternoon, MISSIO and Band of Heathens righteously represented Austin music. As the clock ticked towards evening, Zilker Park swelled with fans and families recently released from work, who were ready to start the weekend off right.

Who needs a camping chair when you have a strong set of shoulders? (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

Dusk? Bedtime? Who cares! All is allowable for the love of live music (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

Long story short, ACL is beautiful at dusk (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

ACL Music Fest: Saturday

The ACL dining tent looked striking first thing in the morning (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

The morning of Day Two brought the same heat and sunshine as Day One. Mobley energized the early morning crowd with exciting audience participation, while CAPYAC made everyone breakfast. Literally. In the midst of their pancake shenanigans, they delivered a body-shaking set of intense funk, groove, and boogie.

The brave men and women of APD stood ready to keep festival-goers safe (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

“Meet me by the ACL Fest sign” was heard regularly throughout the day (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

Mobley played one of his many instruments during an inspired, creative set (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

Mobley jumped from instrument to instrument like the seasoned pro he is (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

Drum circle, anyone? (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

Pop that comfort bubble at ACL Fest (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

CAPYAC Set at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2017

Eric Peana of CAPYAC laid down layers of funk at the Tito’s Stage (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

CAPYAC’s Delwin Campbell (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

Fresh pancakes were tossed into the crowd for the entirety of CAPYAC’s set (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

When the clock hit 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, Zilker began to swell with concert-goers. Threatening clouds rolled in. While the forecast was rain-free, the cloud cover made for a nervous vibe. Luckily, the front cancelled out the sun, making it easier to comfortably listen to the middle of the Saturday ACL Music Fest lineup.

A sign of things to come above the AMEX stage (Credit: Bill Tucker)

Eating well at ACL Fest with kimchi fries from Chilantro (Credit: Bill Tucker)

Stormy clouds invade the midday ACL sky (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

Alex Maas of The Black Angels delivered a fantastic set of psychedelic rock (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

Jake Garcia The Black Angels at ACL Fest

Jake Garcia of The Black Angels shredded the Barton Springs stage (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

Zilker Park Midday Crowd During ACL Fest

As dusk approached, Zilker Park quickly filled in (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

As dusk fell and the park filled to capacity, music was everywhere. Most of crowd were already camped out in front of their stage of choice, awaiting the headliners. But those of us determined to wander found ourselves wrapped in a musical slideshow. For me, the fun of festivals is the sense of discovery, and ACL Music Fest 2017 has been no exception.

Austin Skydivers for Tom Petty at ACL Fest 2017

As dusk fell on Zilker Park, members of the Austin Skydiving team floated down in a shower of sparks to Tom Petty’s “Free Falling” (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

Spoon followed up the air show with an incredible set of old and new (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

Spoon at ACL Fest 2017 (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

Spoon playing Austin City Limits Music Festival 2017 (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

As night fell on Zilker, the hyped-up crowd showed no signs of slowing down (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

ACL Music Fest: Sunday

Shout out the Austin Parks Foundation for keeping the park beautiful during the event (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

The final day of ACL Music Fest Weekend One was an absolute scorcher. Lines at the re-hydration stations were long, as everybody prepared for the final day of music. Local R&B singer Melat represented Austin with a powerful, soulful set in the shade of the Tito’s Stage.

Day three and going strong (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

Another beautiful ACL Fest Sunday (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

How in the world did they get up there? (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

Melat stole the show during her stunningly sultry ACL Fest set (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

Local musician Melat (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

Melat (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

As the afternoon moved into evening, the ACL Music Fest crowd swelled to near-capacity. Of the three days, Sunday felt the busiest. One last weekend gasp of phenomenal music, before diving back into Monday’s routine.

ACL Fest flags at dusk as Weekend One comes to a close (credit: Bill Tucker)

See you next weekend! (Credit: Bill Tucker)

Weekend One of Austin City Limits Music Festival 2017 was an exhausting, exhilarating three days of music, entertainment, and old-school hanging out. Who’s ready for Weekend Two?

@theAustinot wants to know:

How did you spend ACL Fest Weekend One?