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Austin City Limits Music Festival 2019, Weekend Two: Photo Retrospective

October 15, 2019 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Jumping From ACL Fest Picture Frame
Jumping from the ACL Fest picture frame is an annual tradition (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

And just like that, it’s over. Three days of drastic weather changes, massive crowds, and fantastic music are officially in the books. To aid in the recovery from a wild Weekend Two, here’s our yearly photo retrospective of Austin City Limits Music Festival 2019.

Friday

Bear Suits at Cold ACL Fest 2019
That’s one way to stay warm! (Credit: Bill Tucker)

With the weather more Trail of Lights than ACL Fest, Friday’s blustery temperatures kept performers bundled up and festival-goers huddled together for warmth. But the historic low temperatures did nothing to damper the fun.

Bundled Up for Warmth at ACL Music Festival
ACL Fest 2019 was the first time attendees needed to bundle up for the music (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

Pike and Sutton kicked the day off with a blood-stirring set of old classics and brand new tunes. From the varied percussion and spot-on guitar playing to Patrice Pike’s overpowering vocal energy, the duo was exactly the warm up everyone needed.

Pike and Sutton Band at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2019
Pike and Sutton at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Pike and Sutton at ACL Music Festival 2019
Pike and Sutton at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Pike and Sutton at ACL Fest 2019
Pike and Sutton at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Pike and Sutton Band at ACL Music Festival 2019
Pike and Sutton performing at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

At the same time, Jane Ellen Bryant wowed the Tito’s Stage crowd with her unique blend of country charm and pop hook bounce.

Jane Ellen Bryant at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2019
Jane Ellen Bryant performing at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Dossey and Mariclaire MC Glaeser of Shy Beast With Jane Ellen Bryant
Dossey and Mariclaire “MC” Glaeser of Shy Beast joined Jane Ellen Bryant for her ACL Fest 2019 set (Credit: Bill Tucker)
Jane Ellen Bryant at ACL Music Festival 2019
Jane Ellen Bryant performing at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

As the afternoon wore on, the brisk chill in the air dulled. Blistering rock and roll from Austin garage rock duo Black Pistol Fire singed the Miller Lite stage with explosive guitar licks and thunderous drums. An exhilarating performance that saw front man Kevin McKeown jump, shake, and stage dive for an incredible 45-minute set.

Black Pistol Fire at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2019
Kevin McKeown of Black Pistol Fire grimaces to the ACL Fest 2019 crowd (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Black Pistol Fire ACL Music Festival 2019
Black Pistol Fire at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Black Pistol Fire Jumps Into Crowd ACL Music Fest 2019
Black Pistol fire jumps in the crowd during its ACL Fest 2019 performance (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Black Pistol Fire Band at ACL Fest 2019
Black Pistol Fire performing at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

As evening fell, the temperatures stabilized and the crowd settled into watching sports, drinks with friends, and checking out a series of incredible after dark performances.

Hook Em at ACL Music Fest 2019
A festival goer shows some UT pride at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Teens Taking Selfie at ACL Music Fest 2019
Always a good time for a selfie at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: Bill Tucker)
Craft Beer Tent at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2019
Friends enjoying a pint at the craft beer tent during ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Tame Impala at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2019
Tame Impala closed out Friday night with a trippy, psyched out set (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Austin Skyline From ACL Fest 2019
The Austin skyline at night is absolutely breathtaking (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

Saturday

With improving temperatures but no sun in sight, Zilker Park traded blistering heat for–dare I say it–fall weather. While nobody worked on a tan, enjoying a day of music in relative comfort was a refreshing change of pace.

But this is Austin, and when UT is playing, life goes on pause. And when the game is the Red River Showdown, then everything really goes to the back burner. Luckily, ACL Fest had the game on a giant screen, playing to a packed house. Sadly, the good guys didn’t win, but Longhorn spirit was in full swing.

Hook Em During Red River Showdown at ACL Fest
A UT fan throws up the horns during ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Fliptex Fotos)
Hook Em and Longhorn Garb During ACL Fest 2019
UT pride in full effect at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Fliptex Fotos)
Texas Longhorns Game at ACL Music Fest 2019
The ACL Fest beer tent was full of football fans cheering UT (Credit: John Cabuena/Fliptex Fotos)
Packed Beer Tent During Longhorns Game at ACL Fest
A packed ACL Fest beer tent during the Red River Showdown (Credit: John Cabuena/Fliptex Fotos)

While the Longhorns battled the Sooners, Austin hip hop was well represented. First on the bill was the one-two punch of Blackillac. The dynamic duo of ZEALE and PHRANCHYZE tore up the VRBO stage, spitting rhymes and freestyles to a hyped crowd.

Blackillac at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2019
Blackillac performing at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Phranchyze from Blackillac at ACL Music Fest
Phranchyze from Blackillac checks out the ACL Fest 2019 stage (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Zeale From Blackillac at ACL Music Festival 2019
ZEALE spits intricate rhymes during his ACL Fest 2019 set with Blackillac (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Blackillac at ACL Music Festival 2019
Blackillac dominated the VRBO stage during ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

After Blackillac, another Austin MC took the Tito’s stage in dominant fashion. Abhi the Nomad delivered a buoyant, high-energy performance that showcased his musical range. By mixing clever rhymes and production dripping with pop punch and old-school hip hop drive, Abhi turned the covered stage into a dance session.

Abhi the Nomad at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2019
Abhi the Nomad rocked the Tito’s Stage during ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Abhi the Nomad at ACL Music Festival 2019
Abhi the Nomad performing during ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Abhi the Nomad at ACL Music Fest 2019
Abhi the Nomad playing the Tito’s Stage during ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

As we prepared for Gary Clark Jr at 6 p.m. on the giant AMEX stage, there was no shortage of fun, smiles, and good vibes from the fans in attendance. ACL Fest is just as much the people as it is the music, and this year was no exception.

Field of Flags at ACL Fest 2019
The field of flags is a great place for a photo op at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Styling at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2019
Stylin’ at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Looking Fabulous at ACL Fest 2019
ACL friends looking fabulous! (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Beer Tent ACL Fest 2019
Cheers and smiles from the ladies keeping the taps flowing at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Friends at ACL Music Fest 2019
As Saturday went on, the sun peeked out over ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
On Shoulders at ACL Music Fest 2019
Someone’s shoulders can be the best seat in the house during ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

And then there was Gary Clark Jr. Playing the largest stage at the festival, our hometown hero showed why he’s become the biggest Austin music act since Spoon.

During his incredible hour-long set, Gary Clark Jr played old classics, new bangers, and invited fellow Austinites Blackillac and The Peterson Brothers on stage for a couple of songs. An incredible moment for old and new school fans alike.

Gary Clark Jr at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2019
Gary Clark Jr performing on the AMEX stage at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Gary Clark Jr at ACL Music Festival 2019
Gary Clark Jr performing on the AMEX stage at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Gary Clark Jr ACL Music Fest 2019
Gary Clark Jr performing on the AMEX stage at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Gary Clark Jr ACL Music Fest 2019
Gary Clark Jr performing on the AMEX stage at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

After having my mind blown by Gary Clark Jr, it was time to settle into the evening and take in everything ACL Fest had to offer. For me, the night was capped with a surreal set by The Cure surrounded by an eclectic crowd of local music lovers all there to have a good time.

Streams of Light From Towers at ACL Music Fest 2019
The towers at ACL Fest are beautiful in their own way (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
The Cure Austin City Limits Music Festival 2019
Robert Smith of The Cure at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
The Cure ACL Fest 2019
The Cure performing at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Robert Smith of The Cure at ACL Music Festival 2019
Robert Smith of The Cure performing at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Fireworks ACL Music Fest 2019
Fireworks explode over one of the main stages at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

Sunday

The final day of ACL Music Festival 2019 brought great music and the first warm weather of the entire weekend. We even saw a ray of sunshine peek through the cloud cover. With this sudden brightening, the festival ended with an explosion of positive vibes from the out of town acts, while the locals started the day off with fun and all inclusive beauty.

Jumping for Joy in Field of Flags at ACL Fest 2019
Jumping for joy at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Happy Couple at ACL Fest 2019
These two are ready for a great day of music at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Austin Parks Foundation at ACL Fest 2019
A special thank you to Austin Parks Foundation for keeping Zilker beautiful throughout two weekends of musical madness (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
ACL Cares at ACL Music Fest 2019
ACL Cares advocates for worthy causes and community awareness all year long (credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Daniel Johnston Tribute at ACL Fest 2019
A touching tribute to Daniel Johnston at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

Starting Sunday Funday off right, Austin’s reigning pop princess Kady Rain took the VRBO stage with the authority of a national act. Backed by an incredible band and colorful cadre of dancers, Kady Rain ignited the day with her special brand of feel good pop.

Kady Rain at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2019
Kady Rain with her dance group at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Kady Rain ACL Music Festival 2019
Kady Rain performing at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Kady Rain ACL Fest 2019
Kady Rain performing at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

Austin’s own Ley Line followed Kady Rain’s summer-soaked pop set with a serene set of world rhythms, multilingual lyrics, and awe-inspiring four-part harmonies.

A musical moment I desperately needed, Ley Line’s 45-minute set on the Tito’s stage was the rejuvenating elixir I needed to push me to the ACL Fest finish line.

Ley Line at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2019
Ley Line performing at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Ley Line at ACL Music Festival 2019
Ley Line performing at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Ley Line at ACL Fest 2019
Ley Line performing at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Ley Line Upright Bass at ACL Music Festival 2019
Ley Line performing at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

Once the locals were finished representing, it was time for ACL Fest 2019 to showcase its best and brightest. As the sun peeked out from the clouds, Lizzo dominated the tiny stage she was scheduled on and the festival ended with an impressive bang.

Witnessing a sea of 40,000 cell phone lights blanket Zilker Park while Lizzo performed will stick with me forever, as will the work of our local heroes. From guitar rock bombast to bubble gum pop and everything in between, Austin City Limits Music Festival 2019 was one for the record books. Looking forward to what this landmark festival brings us in 2020.

Resting in Hammocks at ACL Music Fest 2019
This ACL Fest goer is getting ready for the final push of amazing music (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Relaxing on Sofas at ACL Music Fest 2019
Relaxing on the sofas during ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: Bill Tucker)
HOPE Gallery at ACL Fest 2019
The HOPE Gallery section of ACL Fest showcased amazing local artwork (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Juggler at Austin Kiddie Limits 2019
As seen outside Austin Kiddie Limits (Credit: Bill Tucker)
Friends at ACL Fest 2019
Three friends hanging out by the flags at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: Bill Tucker)
Austin City Limits Music Festival Balloon
The iconic ACL Fest balloon served as both a light source and meeting spot (Credit: Bill Tucker)
Clouds Over ACL Fest 2019
Late afternoon clouds threatened, but aside from the occasional shower, never caused a break in the fun (Credit: Bill Tucker)
Cell Phones During Lizzo Show at ACL Fest 2019
When Lizzo says, “Turn on your cell phones,” 40,000 people say, “Okay” (Credit: Bill Tucker)
Someone Taking Photo on Phone During ACL Fest 2019
Million of these were taken during ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: Bill Tucker)
Friends at Night ACL Fest 2019
Hanging out late at ACL Fest 2019 (Credit: Bill Tucker)
ACL Fest Sign 2019
The iconic ACL Fest sign looks stunning at night (Credit: Bill Tucker)
ACL Music Fest Entrance Sign 2019
The ACL entrance welcomes and says so long to everyone lucky enough to be in attendance (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:

What was your favorite ACL Fest 2019 memory or moment?

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Filed Under: Entertainment, Events, Music Tagged With: acl fest

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