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20 Things I Learned During Weekend One of ACL Fest

October 4, 2016 by Bill Tucker 4 Comments

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.

1/ Investing in a Camelback is vitally important for surviving Austin’s 90 degree fall weather.

ACL Fest Flags in the Morning

Even before fans arrived, Zilker Park was blazing hot on the opening day of ACL Fest 2016 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

2/ Austin Kiddie Limits is adorable.

Austin Kiddie Limits at ACL Fest

Young and old alike have a blast at Austin Kiddie Limits (Credit: Bill Tucker)

When my four month old attends ACL Fest next year (because he’ll be one and that’s so happening), he’ll love it.

3/ Sunsets over Zilker Park are stunning.

Zilker Park Sunset During ACL Fest

Saturday’s cloud cover gave way to stunning sunsets (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

Especially after rain clouds and when it’s the backdrop for massive stages and throngs of people.

4/ Teenagers turn into rabid animals when exposed to dance music.

Girl On Shoulders

Young attendees gets into the spirit of the festival (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

I’m talking wet Gremlins crazy.

5/ Local Austin bands make arriving early an absolute treat.

Jai Malano at ACL Fest

Austin’s Jai Malano brought beauty and soul to her ACL Fest set (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

From Matt the Electrician’s charming folk to Shane Smith’s driving bluegrass to Wild Child’s exuberant energy, Austin music was well-represented during Weekend One.

6/ The craft beer tent pavilion barn wooden warehouse was pricey, but worth the extra dollar for quality, local brew.

ACL Fest Craft Beer Hall

The Austin City Limits Music Festival craft beer hall was home to 17 different brews (Credit: Bill Tucker)

7/ Shade is plentiful, but you have to arrive early to enjoy it.

Hammock at ACL Fest

#doingitright (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

8/ There’s more to ACL Fest than music.

ACL Cares at Austin City Limits Music Festival

ACL Cares brings together some of Austin’s finest non-profits to raise awareness for important causes (Credit: Bill Tucker)

From ACL Cares and the art market, to an autograph signing area and a gaming hall, there’s plenty for everyone to do between music sets.

Poster Art Wall at ACL Fest

Dozens of posters from past festivals line the art wall (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

9/ If you’re not eating well, then you’re probably not eating.

ACL Eats at ACL Fest

The epicenter of ACL Fest nom-nom-nom (Credit: Bill Tucker)

ACL Eats brings together dozens of food trucks and eateries.

Chi'lantro Kimchi Fries at ACL Eats

Chi’Lantro was one of 30 local food trucks and restaurants serving up goodness at ACL Eats (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

10/ No matter how many great bands are playing around them, Texans will always gather to watch football.

ACL Fest Football Tent

Nothing will keep Austin football fans from watching their favorite team (Credit: Bill Tucker)

11/ There are three methods of listening to ACL Fest music:

ACL Fest Crowd

Whether you camp out at a stage or flit about the festival, you’re experiencing ACL Fest your way (Credit: Bill Tucker)

  1. Hang out at a stage for four hours to get the best spot for the band you’re really there to see.
  2. Create a mini-camp of lawn chairs between two stages.
  3. Wander about aimlessly, catching a couple of songs per set.

12/ I gravitated to option #3.

Samsung Stage ACL Fest 2016

The Samsung stage was impressive at dusk (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

Walking the festival is like tuning through stations on an old-time radio. Sounds, styles and genres crossfade together, creating a tapestry of sonic beauty. I felt like I was walking through a DJ’s mixtape, and it was fantastic.

ACL Fest Stage at Sunset

From small stages to huge, there is music everywhere at ACL Fest (Credit: Bill Tucker)

13/ Flags, balloons, signs on fishing poles and dancing skeletons are the only ways your group will be able to find each other in the crowd of thousands.

Samsung Stage

The signs and flags some people bring to ACL can be hilarious (Credit: Bill Tucker)

14/ ACL Fest is family-friendly.

Family With Baby at ACL Fest

Families aren’t shy about bringing their kids to ACL Fest (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

Just give your little one a set of noise-dampening head phones and let them hang with the grown-ups.

15/ Somehow, walking among 70,000 people doesn’t feel like drowning in a sea of humanity.

Sea of People at ACL Fest

Surprisingly, navigating the sea of people isn’t terribly difficult (Credit: Bill Tucker)

16/ The smallest stage (Tito’s) was one of my favorites.

Gina Chavez at Tito's Stage of ACL Fest

Gina Chavez plays the small but cozy Tito’s Stage (Credit: Bill Tucker)

The covered area not only provides relief from the heat, but gives lesser-known bands a chance to play to a larger audience. Never underestimate the power of shade.

Matt The Electrician at ACL Fest

Matt the Electrician performs a wonderfully fun ACL Fest set (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

17/ Hippies, rockers, 50 year old couples and UT freshman all peacefully co-exist in a park that is occasionally too hot, too crowded and too noisy. But always fun.

Kids Sign the ACL Fest Anniversary Wall

Two young people sign the ACL Fest 15th Anniversary wall (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

18/ For all the grief it gets for corporate sponsors, noise and snagging two weekends of our best weather, Austin City Limits Music Festival represents what our fair city is all about.

Israel Nash at ACL Fest

Austin’s Israel Nash rocked the first Saturday of ACL Fest 2016 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

An event where over 100 bands play on eight stages for 70,000 people, and live music rules over all.

19/ You’ll always discover one band you’ll follow forever.

Wild Child at ACL Fest

Wild Child drew one of the biggest early afternoon crowds with a rollicking, fun-filled set (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

I found three.

20/ ACL will remind you that music is magic.

Silhouette Couple ACL Fest Picture Frame

A couple stands against the setting sun of Weekend One of ACL Fest 2016 (Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

 

@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:

What’s your favorite Austin City Limits Music Festival memory?

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

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Comments

  1. Jacob Hinojosa says

    October 4, 2016 at 11:09 am

    my favorite ACL memory is the relief of knowing I havent gone to ACL in 5 years. ACL rapes you of your money for a contrived, over saturation of musical acts, intense crowds and lines for everything imaginable and some things you can’t imagine. Life Tip: if ya really wanna see some of those bands, catch them on youtube the next day or at a smaller venue outside of ACL in a more intimate setting. You will enjoy it so much more..

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    • PaulinaSt says

      October 4, 2016 at 11:36 am

      You seem really fun and positive.

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      • Jacob Hinojosa says

        October 4, 2016 at 12:25 pm

        also realistic and experienced in the ways of the festival

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    • Lauren says

      October 16, 2016 at 9:08 pm

      “catch them on youtube the next day” yeah, because that’s the point of live music.

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