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ACL Fest 2020 Rises From the Ashes and Goes Virtual

Posted on October 9, 2020 by Bill Tucker

When COVID knocked out SXSW back in March of this year, I was crestfallen. Seven months later, my sadness seems petty, but at the time, it was crushing. And as we all know, everything else live music related fell along with it, including the other marquee music event of the year, the Austin City Limits Festival.

Luckily, the ACL Festival team refused to stay down and crafted a weekend long virtual event that both pays homage to the past while keeping an eye towards the future. All without the need for masks, social distancing or even tickets.

A Blast to the Past

Spoon ACL Fest 2017
Spoon performing at ACL Festival 2017. (credit: John Cabuena)

This year’s event will run from October 9th to 11th exclusively on YouTube. The virtu-show starts at 7 p.m. each night and will feature iconic performances from past festivals. From last year’s headliners Billie Eilish and Gary Clark Jr to Phish and LCD Soundsystem in 2010, a decade’s worth of ACL Fest memories will be on offer.

But it’s not all “re-runs” of classic ACL Fest moments. Determined to keep the lineup current, the festival will feature a variety of new content and recorded performances featuring some of Austin’s finest talent. One of the coolest examples of old meets new is an animated video of Willie Nelson’s 2016 ACL Fest performance of “On the Road Again” presented by Texas Monthly.

New Content with a Local Flair

Melat at ACL
Melat stole the show during her stunningly sultry ACL 2017 set. (credit: John Cabuena)

Like the in-person event, this year’s edition leans heavily on both local talent and organizations. Yearly sponsor, Austin Parks Foundation, will showcase local artists performing in unique locations around Austin:

  • Melat from the Zilker Botanical Gardens.
  • Jackie Venson from Pan Am Neighborhood Park.
  • Los Coast from Zilker Clubhouse
  • Otis the Destroyer from the Heath Eiland and Morgan Moss BMX Skatepark.

Another long time sponsor, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, hosted a series of brand new performances from the Black Pumas, Mobley, and Paul Cauthen which will be broadcast throughout the weekend. And as they do every year, Tito’s will match all donations to the Austin Parks Foundation up to $10,000 made during ACL Fest 2020.

More Than Just Music

A special thank you to the Austin Parks Foundation for keeping Zilker beautiful throughout two weekends of musical madness! (credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos).

Anybody who’s been to ACL Fest will tell you the weekend is more than epic live music. It’s a gathering place, an innovation showcase, and sometimes a social call to arms. ACL Fest 2020 continues this important piece of the festival puzzle in this year’s virtual format.

In the conversation department, Salesforce has partnered with ACL Fest 2020 to create the Make Change initiative. Matthew McConaughey will host two sessions, one starring tennis legend Andy Roddick and a group of community focused entrepreneurs while the other will center on providing educational assistance to underserved high school students. While these smaller sessions often get swallowed by the music, please make a point to attend these enlightening and important sessions.

Other sessions and partnerships include:

  • Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote, a non-profit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to changing the American electoral landscape by ensuring everyone is registered and empowered to vote.
  • The Equal Justice Initiative, committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishments in the American penal system.
  • The All Together ATX Relief Fund, a joint partnership with Austin Community Foundation and United Way for Greater Austin designed to combat the economic impact of COVID-19 on already vulnerable neighborhoods.

New Location, Same Energy for ACL Fest 2020

Jumping from the ACL Fest picture frame is a yearly tradition (credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos).

And the list of awesomeness goes on and on! When many festivals packed it in and said, “see you next year” when COVID struck, the Austin City Limits Festival team dug in and found a new way to celebrate. While it won’t be the eight stage, 400,000 person extravaganza we’re used to, this year’s virtual edition is a thoughtfully curated and planned event that does more than make the best out of a challenging situation. ACL Fest 2020 uses the limitations to create something different but equally impactful.

Enjoying some of the best moments of ACL’s past from the comfort of your couch for free sounds like a lovely way to spend an evening. Try to do so at least once this weekend!


@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:

Do you have a favorite ACL Fest performance? Tell us about it!

Filed Under: Entertainment, Music Tagged With: acl, acl fest, austin city limits

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

Posted on October 15, 2019 by Bill Tucker

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.

[Read more…]

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

Ultimate Guide to Local Artists at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2019

Posted on September 30, 2019 by Bill Tucker

Guide to Austin Artists at ACL Music Festival 2019

Every year, as September turns to October, the eyes and ears of the entertainment world turn toward Zilker Park. Now in its 17th year, Austin City Limits Music Festival turns the Great Lawn into a cultural and musical epicenter. It’s 46 acres of food, drink, activities, installations, shopping, and–most prominently–incredible live music performances.

While headliners like The Cure, Billie Ellish, Lizzo, and Guns ‘n Roses dominate the billboards, the bottom of the lineup poster is where the magic of discovery happens. Like every year, Austin bands and artists will be well-represented in 2019, both in the early hours and prime time slots.

Here’s a roundup of every Austin musician performing each weekend, all worth arriving early for. Remember friends, listen local!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Entertainment, Music Tagged With: acl fest

Austin City Limits Music Festival 2018: Photo Retrospective

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Bill Tucker

Fans Going Crazy ACL Fest 2018

Tito’s Stage during Austin City Limits Music Festival 2018 (Credit: Brandon Navarro)

Zilker Park has been reclaimed. The massive stages torn down, ticket booths folded up. Mountains of debris, discarded AMEX swag, and unused ponchos carted away as though they never existed.

All that’s left of Austin City Limits Music Festival 2018 is in the minds and memory cards of those lucky enough to experience it. From the incredible headliners to your new favorite band, ACL Fest has always held something for anyone daring enough to brave the crowds and take it all in.

With our signature focus on the hyperlocal, here’s how The Austinot team experienced this one-of-a-kind festival, through pictures and words. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Entertainment, Music Tagged With: acl fest

Ultimate Guide to Local Artists at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2018

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Bill Tucker

Guide to Austin Artists ACL Fest 2018

Cooler weather, Halloween party planning, Austin City Limits Music Festival. When I think of October, that’s what immediately springs to mind. For two weekends, Zilker Park transforms for a musical experience unmatched in our fair city and far beyond.

While headliners like Metallica and Paul McCartney dominate the headlines this year, our local music scene is well-represented for those intrepid enough to arrive early and support Austin artists. To help you navigate our local talent, here’s a rundown of every Austin artist playing ACL Fest 2018. Listen local!

For a Spotify playlist of every local artist playing ACL Fest 2018, click here!  [Read more…]

Filed Under: Archives Tagged With: acl fest

10 Stories From Locals That Prove ACL Is the Best Music Festival Ever

Posted on September 19, 2018 by Samantha Saenz

ACL Music Fest Sign

Get ready for two weekends of music, food, and fun! (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

Two weekends, 130 bands, eight stages. Austin City Limits Festival is the official end-of-summer party. Accordingly, festival-goers can expect lots of day drinking, dancing, and picturesque sunset moments with 70,000 strangers close friends.

Nothing brings people together (or sets the stage) for a good story quite like live music and local booze. To celebrate the return of the festival for another year, here are 10 quotes from Austin locals that perfectly explain why ACL is the best music festival ever.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Entertainment, Events Tagged With: acl fest

Who Wins the ACL Music Fest 2017 Superlative Awards?

Posted on October 16, 2017 by Bill Tucker

ACL Music Fest 2017 Superlative Awards

Embrace it or avoid it, the 2017 edition of Austin City Limits Music Festival was a resounding success. Good weather and great music made for a quality experience all-around, especially if you kept an eye on our local bands. To celebrate two weekends of quality showings from Austin artists, here’s our annual ACL Music Fest Superlative Awards. [Read more…]

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

ACL Music Fest 2017 in Photos: Weekend One

Posted on October 11, 2017 by Bill Tucker

ACL Fest Welcome Sign

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. [Read more…]

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

Ultimate Guide to Local Artists at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2017

Posted on September 29, 2017 by Bill Tucker

Guide to Austin Artists ACL Fest 2017

Austin City Limits Music Festival is more than a collection of bands invading Zilker Park. It’s an expression of everything fun and vibrant in our great city. While some may dismiss it as an overblown intrusion into Austin’s fall fun, I see it as a celebration. Summer’s over; fall is here; let’s listen to a ton of good music.

As always, the festival’s early hours are chock-full of local bands. To guide and direct you through two weekends of musical madness, we give you this Ultimate Guide to Local Artists at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2017. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Entertainment, Music Tagged With: acl fest

20 Things I Learned During Weekend One of ACL Fest

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Bill Tucker

ACL Fest Entrance

The ACL Fest entrance welcomes music lovers from all over Austin, and the world
(Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

Confession time: Weekend One of Austin City Limits Music Festival was my first ever. As a newborn at the event, I attempted to absorb as much as possible from three days of crowds, sun and mind-blowing music. Not only did I walk away with a greater appreciation for one of Austin’s most anticipated concerts, but I was re-invigorated by our community’s love for live music.

Here are 20 things I learned during Weekend One of Austin City Limits Music Festival. Maybe you’ll make similar discoveries during Weekend Two. Most of all, I hope you’ll have a memorable experience that’s uniquely your own. [Read more…]

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

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