At the first opportunity I booked a ticket to follow my American dream and take on the States. I have been before, three years ago to Vegas and New York but I craved more. I have always been obsessed by the country, its music, telly, food and culture is far better than ours. Once I knew I had enough money, I checked out some festival line-ups in places on my wish list and booked my flights.SXSW isn't until April, I couldn't wait that long but I really wanted to explore Austin and discovered Austin City Limits takes place in October, perfect time and a line up ideal for my ears. Eminem, Lorde, Paolo Nutini, Lana Del Rey and Jenny Lewis just touch the surface. Taking place over the first two weekends in October I am heading to Austin on the 7th so that I have a couple of days to discover the city with a blossoming reputation before enjoying three days of music at weekend two, choosing the second one as Lorde can't make it to the first, the Royals singer is a big draw for me.
Named after an iconic music television show the festivals takes place in the heart of Austin at the idyllic Zilker Park which doesn't just feature plenty of greenery but a crazy big lido. The Texan city has become the place to go to over the past few years thanks to the amount of music going on, yum food and friendliness. SXSW has done wonders for its reputation and I want to experience why it features highly on 'the coolest cities to visit' lists.
Over three days, across the eight stages genres blend together from Brit boy with a soulful voice Sam Smith to Australian rapper Iggy Azalea, for those who like to shake it there's EDM heavy weights Calvin Harris, Zedd and Skrillex, folk vibes from The Avett Brothers, Chromeo will bring the eighties back, Beck will be back and there's even some punk rock thrown in with AFI and The Gaslight Anthem.It isn't just about the music at ACL, like the city itself, food and community play a large part too with Austin's finest street food vendors on hand with Austin Eats, an area inspired by New Orleans Jazz Fest to fill 75,000 bellies each day whilst an art market and dedicated kids areas make this a festival for everybody. Now in its twelfth year it has grown year on year and in 2013 it followed in the steps of Coachella and run it for two consecutive weekends to feed demand. From what I have been reading about Austin the cities residents are proud of their homeland, the 'Keep Austin Weird' slogan says it all really and ACL Cares encourages festival goers to give something back to the community.
As festivals go the headliners finish pretty early, around 10/10:30 but the party doesn't stop there. The well renowned Stubbs BBQ are hosting official 'late night shows'. I have booked tickets for Paolo Nutini and Jimmy Cliff on the eve of the festival and Skrillex who is curating an evening of massive tunes the following night.Both weekends are sold out. Visit the website for day passes and more details.
Check back tomorrow and the Tuesday's following up to the festival as I focus on the Brit acts making the journey across the Atlantic.
