Notoriously known to ‘keep it weird’ Austin, Texas is the place to be for many eccentric music-goers. During the spring, frenzy is brought about the city as it is swathed with creativity from up-coming artists, comedians, bands and street performers during the famous south by southwest. Nonetheless, music aficionados found a way to add another festival to the city that was already deeply rooted in music. Founded in 2002 as a two-day (one-weekend only) festival, Austin City Limits held 65 bands on five stages. Quite rapidly, the ACL scene flourished to become one of the most iconic festivals in the lower 48, and is now estimated to bring in a revenue well over $200 million to the city of Austin. Not to mention business to all the locals renting out their residences on VRBO and Airbnb.
A personal festival favorite of mine to attend, ACL hosts a vast variety of music genres encompassed within the unrecognizably decked out Zilker Park.
This year the festival bumped to the beats of 125 artists on eight different stages. Most namely; Paul McCartney, Odesza, Metallica, Justice, Travis Scott, Arctic Monkeys, Shakey Graves, Vince Staples and Rezz… to name a few.
Not only are the stages set-up to perfection, the ‘around the park’ experience consists of beer halls, wine lounges, silent discos, the Waterloo Records artist signing tent, and the ACL market. The market consists of rows and tents decked out with ornamental one-of-a-kind merchandise, art and posters that are brought uniquely for ACL. There’s the local Austin Art Garage, Espacio Handmade that sells quite verbatim: “essential accessories for getting up to no good and looking damn fine in the process,” and many more local artisans.
Aside from music, the city of Austin is also most recognizable for their outstanding food selection, and lemme tell ya- the festival doesn’t let down in that department. Many local restaurants post up within the ACL eats food courts. Here, guests can buy tasty fresh cuisine from the surrounding Austin area. ‘Eats’ vendors have vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. This year some of the more unique and notable vendors are Blenders & Bowls specializing in acai bowls, Tinos Greek cafe, Indian cuisine at Lamba’s, MMMPenadas selling… you guessed it! Empanadas. For the less foodventurous folk, there’s multiple pizza and BBQ establishments, mouth-watering burgers from Shake Shack and Wholy Cow, Burro grilled cheese- a classic shakedown commodity, tamales from Tamale Addiction, even the beloved Austin restaurant Torchy’s Tacos had to come to ACL! Once you’ve reworked up that appetite from dancing your little heart out there’s vendors specializing in hitting your sweet tooth. Decadent cookies from Tiffs Treats, Sno-Beach snow cones, bananas that are dipped and topped with your choosing from Bananarchy the ACL eats food courts literally have anything your hungry belly would desire.
At a price of $255 (before taxes- and well worth it) a general admission wristband would be yours. For a cheaper price, the stakes could be taken by purchasing “early-bird” tickets before the lineup is released. Nonetheless, the wristband gives access to inside the festival atmosphere that will guarantee you a euphoric-lost in time vibe via the ability to witness a handful of the biggest artists in the business take on the stage at ACL. If you ever plan on attending, don’t forget to drink a lot of water! I recommend bringing an empty water bottle, there are free water filling stations, just don’t loose it. 😉
Safe travels,
Gabriella A. Martinez
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