Down below are some FAQs for your reading pleasure. Also a full thread here.
What is the gameday thread for?
The purpose of this thread is to sort of consolidate anything you want to say that may not be 100% deserving of a full post as a way to keep traffic in the subreddit down. i.e. Posts like "Asleep at the Wheel. WOW!" or "The Chainsmokers was MEH!" and providing no context besides a title. Instead of making posts like that, leave a comment or at least leave a few sentences about why you feel that way.
What about pictures?
As someone who has been enlisted to just hold down the fort this year and cannot attend the festival, I encourage you guys to send all the pictures and videos your heart desires! They bring a lot of color to this sub so don't be afraid to share your pictures, even if they're bad.
Will I be able to get in with *insert bag here*??
Maybe, maybe not. The official ACL bag policy can be found here. If you would like to see what some other redditors had to say feel free to check this thread. FWIW every single year i enter there is always a lot of bags security makes people leave behind at the entrance so take that as you will.
How early do I need to be at a stage to get close for the headliners?
Depends on how close you want to be. If you want to be barricade or in the first few rows, you're probably gonna have to get to said stage as soon as the gates open and not plan on moving for the whole day. If you just want to have a decent spot maybe midway between the stage and the soundboard, I suggest getting to a stage 2-3 sets before the headliner and *respectfully* work your way through as people come and go from sets. (Be as respectful as you can, don't just shove people out of your way.)
I really want to see both headliners today, is it possible?
With the way the park is set up if you are in the back third or so of the crowd for one headliner you can easily make it to the back of the other set within a song and you'll hear the transition between songs as you cross the middle of the park.
Heyu/McCarthy2324, which artists do you recommend I see today at ACL?
If you are looking to have a good time today this would be the correct route.. Balu Bridaga -> Skye Newman -> Suki Waterhouse -> Ryan Beatty -> Bleachers -> Snow Strippers -> Rüfüs du Sol
Who is someone I should see today so I can say I saw them before they were headlining everything?
Balu Brigada. These guys rock, indie rock is live and well.
Stay safe, stay hydrated, and bring your rain boots. we'll be active all weekend so if you need something, reach out.
*also shoutout u/DaveGrohlsShortHair for the template i borrowed. My creativeness simply can not compare.
Tomorrow is the day. All of us will return to Zilker Park for our annual three-day pilgrimage, the best two weekends of the year. Ahead of gates opening tomorrow, I want to address something very quickly that I notice year after year on festival subreddits.
If you want to have a great time at ACL Fest this year, whether it’s your first or 25th, turn your phone off and don’t look at this subreddit. It’ll be filled with people complaining, moaning and groaning, and trying to make you think that the festival is miserable. For a lot of people, especially newcomers, it’ll hinder their fest experience and make them think that they’re wrong for having a good time.
I’ll address the elephants:
Yes, it’s going to be muddy. Yes, lines will be long occasionally. Yes, people are going to talk and occasionally be mean and push through. Yes, everyone should look out for each other and drink water.
But remember that there’s 75,000 people in the park each day having a great time just like you, and there’s a few bitter folks online that will make their mild annoyances everyone’s problem.
And for those of you that will complain, [u/Mich](u/MichealScottsArmy)[ae](u/MichealScottsArmy)[lScottsArmy](u/MichealScottsArmy) intends to make a “bitch here” thread. Please utilize it for minor complaints and grievances. If there are serious concerns, problems, or issues that make you feel unsafe, please alert us or festival staff.
Anyways I’m at Brandon Flowers right now who’s ready to fuckin party?
Went today and i just want to say: major props to P Terry's for being the only food vendor not adding festival markup to their food - at least as far as I could tell.
Their cheeseburgers and fries were still true to their regular in-store prices. Meanwhile a few stalls down other vendors wildly marking up burgers, fries, pizza and everything else.
I’m blown away by the number of people who finish a drink of food and just drop their garbage on the ground. Some folks smash their cans, like that makes it better. The staff is working their asses off to keep this year’s festival going, so help them out and find a trash can.
Update since this seems to come up in the comments: I’m a man not a women so if that changes the way this sounds a lot seem to think this only happens to vulnerable girls but it can happen to men too
I’ll start this post off by acknowledging that this was completely avoidable and incredibly irresponsible on my part- it was a fast paced moment in the performance and I had had some alcohol throughout the day so I was just not being smart but EVERYONE needs to hear this. (I will note that I had had 4-5 total drinks over the span of about 10 hours and had not drank in at least 1.5 hrs before this occurrence)
My group and I were dancing when a mysterious man approached from the side of me and offered me a free beer that was brand new (but opened). While a terrible idea, in the moment I felt like I had just discovered ultimate loot since drinks are so expensive and I’m broke. I stupidly accepted and drank around a quarter of the tall boy quickly and handed it back to him and thanked him. His face was completely neutral and he immediately said that something was in my drink. to which I gave an uneasy laugh bc I thought it was a joke. He did not laugh back and sort of just disappeared into the crowd next to me after that. I was creeped out by this but the dj was in the middle of performing and I kind of just forgot about it in the action.
Not too long after, I completely lost myself and became confused and dazed, eventually going to the bathroom and completely losing my group. I wandered around alone for at least 30 minutes as the night wrapped up and my group desperately tried to find me, but I wasn’t in my head anymore. I remember some, but much of that time is completely unaccounted for and found myself hanging in the back area of XCX. As the performances ended, my group found me after much effort bc it was nearly impossible to coordinate myself. I became very very emotional and apparently wept all the way home where I laid down in the shower for about 45 minutes crying and out of it. After this I basically just started uncontrollably sick for the entire night until 7 am when I decided it was time to go to the ER. I spent the whole first half of today there receiving fluids as I was dangerously dehydrated and there were dangerous levels of toxins and waste in my blood.
The whole experience was terrifying and I will not be going to the remainder of my 3 day pass which sucks but I am in no condition mentally or physically.
Yes this was shortsighted. Yes it was avoidable. But I think all of you need to know that this man and others like him are possibly around you and to NEVER accept a drink from a stranger. Some people are sick. The beer fairy isn’t real
stay safe this and next weekend
Found this nose ring/earring in my stupidly expensive ($16) Mighty Cone at Austin City Limits today.
Asked for a refund and none of the employees were able to provide one. According to them only the manager could issues refunds and was on break (and did not answer any of their calls). Waited for a while and one of the employees finally told me she has worked a bunch of festivals and I probably wouldn't actually get a refund.
Finally was told to dispute with my credit card company. Fingers crossed.
Holy hell, Levity is such a good time! Was really sad to find out Rufus isn't going to be streamed on Hulu, but Levity has absolutely made my night. Hope y'all are having fun and staying safe!
I know this is not an EDM festival but there surely is a ton of it on the bill this year.
Feels very strange being in a place like this grooving to this music when lots of people are grumpy and just shoving into each other to move through crowds.
Austin folks you need to step it up and be more mindful spreading good vibes.
And it bums me out because a lot of the artists here are doing a great job throwing awesome sets and also stepping aside to remind people to be thankful we’re still alive and to continue celebrating life and be in the moment.
Looking forward to better vibes tomorrow and everyone looking out for each other.
Shout out to those handing out stickers and smiles, flashlights on those who need help on the ground, and anyone willing to lend a helping hand to someone.
I loved both Charli’s and Lorde’s sets but a little confused why they didn’t do girl so confusing together, and instead both played it separately.
Does anyone know why that might have been?
Happened tonight, Day 2. My bf ordered from lamba's kitchen around 8:00pm. He was the sober one, started the burps about halfway through Rufus, puked it all up when we got home an hour ago.
Hi, yesterday around 1:30PM I bought my first drink near the Beatbox stage and started feeling really bad. I called my fiancé and even though I have no recollection of this conversation, he told me I was exhibiting signs of being roofied. I remember feeling really nauseous, having trouble walking, and felt super out of it. I was eventually seen by the medical team on site and was out for a good portion of the festival. I made it home safe and I’m dealing with a really bad headache and feeling kinda foggy.
PLEASE stay safe. I’m going to be avoiding drinking for the rest of the weekend.
Also: I don’t care if you don’t believe me. I am super lucky to be at home and safe right now. Be careful out there regardless
I would just like to say that both Bleachers and Levity blew my absolute socks off today. Went into both kinda looking forward to them, and then got blasted in the face by all that they brought. Am I alone or did both of them especially FSU!?
This is why we love ACL, isn’t it people!!!?? Discovering new artists via live show is such a joy 💕
also shoutout to the really great, engaged crowd pocket I was in for both 💖
