Seven top tips for an epic Austin City Limits 2015
Austin City Limits – and the opportunity to watch live performances from Foo Fighters, Drake and many more – is nearly upon us. From Friday, October 2 to Sunday, October 4, the festival will be live streamed on Red Bull TV.*
But if you’re lucky enough to be in Austin, Texas, this weekend we’ve got some handy tips for getting the most out of the festival from locals who know ACL intimately.
Bee Caves’ Roberto Sanchez
Austin City Limits is an amazing opportunity to see some of the coolest bands all in one spot. But being in central Texas, anything can happen with the weather. Past years have seen extreme heat and unseasonably cool temperatures – we had monsoon-like rains and heavy flooding one year, while another year’s arid heat set the scene for a giant dust bowl. So make sure you bring all appropriate gear: hat, bandana, sunscreen, a light rain jacket, closed-toe shoes you don’t mind trashing, layered clothing. Save some energy, too, to go see some of the after-shows around Austin. It’s your chance to catch bands in more intimate venues, as well as local Austin bands as support.
Bee Caves play ACL on Saturday, October 10 at 12.30pm on the Austin Ventures Stage.
Calliope Musicals’ Chris Webb
Don’t be afraid to chase adventure. Once, after an Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeroes show, the band kept the night going with a late-night acoustic set on the bridge. Most people dismissed it as a rumour but those who chose to find out for themselves got to be part of a very different kind of show. Eventually the crowd grew and cops rode in to break-up the party. I found myself running away with my musical heroes on either side of me – Jade Castrinos to my right and Alex Ebert to the left.
Calliope Musicals play ACL on Friday, October 2 at 11.15am on the Austin Ventures Stage.
William Clark Green
It’s more than just the music – it’s the entire experience. Grab a drink from the craft beer tent while watching some football, then check out some artists you might not see anywhere else. The best thing you can do is find some friends and just end up where you end up. The artists love the festival even more than the fans, I think. We get to be like them for a day after we play. That doesn’t happen a lot. I’m looking forward to Sturgill Simpson and Alabama Shakes, but also some stuff I’d never usually see – like Deadmau5.
William Clark Green plays ACL on Saturday, October 3 at 12.30pm on the Austin Ventures Stage.
The Last Bandoleros’ Jerry Fuentes
When people think about Texas they think tumbleweeds, tacos, cowboys and cattle. We’d be lying if we didn’t say there’s some truth in that. Frankly, it’s damn-near impossible to step foot at ACL and not get a taste of all that. However, DO NOT do it in sandals. Despite how cool you think your exposed feet look with newly-painted toenails, just don’t do it. It’s hard to rock with dirty feet. Our guitar player can attest to that. Also, remember to keep your beer cold with a koozie… maybe even a Last Bandoleros koozie.
The Last Bandoleros play ACL on Saturday, October 3 at 2.45pm on the Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage.
Hunter Sharpe
Just let your freak flag fly. Yes, all festivals are weird, but only one festival is in the city that’s official motto is ‘Keep Austin Weird.’ There are some strange sights at ACL, and that’s what makes it – and the city of Austin – so awesome. When you’re here, embrace that and be whoever you want to be, no matter how weird.
Hunter Sharpe plays Austin City Limits on Sunday, October 4 at 12.45pm on the BMI Stage.
The Nightowls’ Ryan Harkrider
We were scheduled to play the festival last year, but on the day of our show it rained all morning and our set got cancelled. So our advice to people coming to the festival is… bring a jacket!
The Nightowls play ACL on Friday, October 9 at 12midday on the Austin Ventures Stage.
Tameca Jones
It’s impossible to get phone signals out there, with so many people trying to use their phones. It’s wise to make a schedule with your friends and pick times to meet up so you only rely on your phone as a clock, not as communication. Oh, and coming early to catch new bands is a must. Next year they might be huge and you can say you saw them way back when.
Tameca Jones plays ACL on Friday, October 9 at 11.15am on the Austin Ventures Stage.
* LIVE COVERAGE BEGINS OCTOBER 2 AT 2PM CT